Avalon Everything

Catalina's waters are so pristine and clear, they cry out to be dived and explored by glass bottom boat. The mountains have been kept clean and litter-free, and they call out to be hiked. And the little town square just on the beach is a great place to relax after all this activity.

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There are very few cars allowed in Avalon, just residents are issued permits. Golf carts are used instead, and may be rented. For just moving luggage, or scuba gear, there is a special taxi service that will do just that.

Every time I go over to Catalina Island, in Avalon, I end up eating at The Landing.

I'm not there so much for the food, as for the view. The bar area is large, and the way they have it set up, everybody can see the incredible view out the huge wall of windows, which sits behind the actual bar. The chips and salsa in the bar are really well done and I could eat them for days, just sitting there looking out the window, talking with friends, and glancing every now and then at the game playing on one of the TV's above the bar.

For real dining there, go outside and eat at one of the tables on the layered patio. Once again, everyone gets that view.

The food is good enough to go with the view and not super pricey, as you would normally expect from such a restaurant, in such a touristy town.

Avalon, particularly Casino Point, is known for its scuba diving. And, the city seems to have done all it could do to promote this.

Only a little more than a year ago, they built steps that go right down into the ocean from Casino Point. They have allowed scuba diving kiosks to set up shop there, offering air and gear rental. All this because they know the divers love the clear waters that surround the island and the many varieties of fish that live amongst the kelp and rocks.

Diving here is diverse, as there are lobster trips around the island during lobster season, wreck diving boats that go out regularly, and the just plain do-it-yourself shore diving.

For those just going over for a day of such shore diving, there are early morning boats that leave from Dana Point, Newport Beach and Long Beach into Avalon. Just bring your gear and have a taxi haul you and your gear from the boatdock over to Casino Point. There, you'll be dumped off and told when the guy will come back for your stuff. After your dive, the guy will come back, pick up your stuff, bring it back to the dock area, put it in a locker holding area for you, and its all included together in one price.

Meanwhile, you've changed back into your clothes and have wandered off on your own to enjoy a well-earned lunch. The boats leave, depending on the season, every hour on the hour, so its up to you how long you want to stay after lunch.

What a great place to hike. It's clean, the views are incredible and it's just a great place to hike.

From Avalon, go straight up through the town, up the canyon, past the golf course, to the base of the hill there to begin a trail that will take you up the mountain, along the top and around the back areas of the island.

Trails and roads on the island are interconnecting and you could hike for days if you're not careful, so get a local map when you get there, and figure out a route before you go. Keep your fitness level in mind, too, as the terrain is hilly and mountainous in most places, leveling out only now and then.

Of course if you get tired, physically or just of hiking, you could try getting picked up by one of the few cars or trucks on the island. Almost everyone knows each other, so it won't be like you're getting a ride from a stranger.

Not being a golfer, I only know what I have seen and heard, and everyone I know loves this little golf course. It is very beautiful, sunny and lush.

It is open to the public and is a par 32, whatever that means. They have a full-service rental shop and The Catalina Country Club is just above the golf course serving golfers in its Clubhouse Bar & Grill.

Oh, and I know this from experience, the hospital, as it were, is located right there, next to the golf course. Just thought I would mention the convenience.

If the need should arise, you may feel safe knowing there is a little hospital in Avalon, fully staffed with an ambulance and even a doctor who golfs.

I was hurt on a boat going over to the island, and when I got there, I realized I couldn't walk. We called the shoreboat and asked for assistance, and boy did we get it!

An ambulance came racing down the canyon, going the whole three blocks or so through town, parking and waiting for me at the pier. Then, some ambulance guys got out, commandeered a shoreboat, got over to me, stuck me on a gurney thing and somehow got me over to the ambulance. I was so embarrassed, but I couldn't walk, I had totally sprained both feet.

So I was hauled off and deposited in the hospital, which was located right there, next to the golf course. I found this to be convenient, considering that when I arrived, with all that urgency and racing through town, the doctor on call was still on the golf course.

When he came in the room, a good twenty minutes later, he was still wearing his golf glove and carrying a club - acting the entire time like a man who's golf game had been interrupted.

Both feet were demolished, so I couldn't use crutches, and the hospital there only had one wheelchair and couldn't spare it. So, from then on, anytime I wasn't in a taxi, until I got back on the boat to go home, I had to be carried, piggyback. There was just no other way. I had become luggage, a backpack. And, the entire time, people were gawking at me. Like they had never seen a girl with big, round, white bandages on both feet, being carried piggyback around town.

So, if you get hurt in Avalon, there is a hospital, but don't expect too much. And, that little three block ambulance ride, $800.00, so do your best to make it there on your own.