Here is an excerpt from how I once described Catalina Island to a friend: I did all of my scuba dive training at Casino point, which lies directly at the large, white, round building and houses the island's only movie theater.…Read More

Here is an excerpt from how I once described Catalina Island to a friend:

I did all of my scuba dive training at Casino point, which lies directly at the large, white, round building and houses the island's only movie theater. Walk down Via Casino - the main stretch of road that follows the outer edge of Avalon. The water is amazingly clear, to where I could stand on the deck of a sailboat looking downward and seethe anchor in the sea floor 60 feet below. If you go to the southern end of the island (to the left of the pier) and walk or rent a bicycle all along that edge of the island, it's beautiful, too. Catalina is very tranquil, especially this time of year. The streets are narrow, but remind me of a mini San Francisco in some respects because of the unique architecture and hills. There is a great shopping area on the main drag near Via Casino, but I don't remember the name. It is on a hill with Spanish tile. If you are going to be on Catalina after dark, you must hang at Luau Larry's. It is also on the main drag and is a happening place, but very cramped inside. If you ride a bike, drive a golf cart, or walk, I suggest going into the residential streets. Some of the houses are like Victorians while others are little dumpy places. If you go up far enough, you will run into horse stables, which were fun. You can also drive a golf cart up into the roads surrounding Catalina, getting to the cres where the airport is. On a clear day, it is a breathtaking view. Even if you can't get to the top, half way is good. The view that the LA news stations show is that of the same on top of the hill facing the Casino. You must eat at Antonio's. It is on the main drag and has decorated dollar bills on the walls. In fact, there are several of mine around the walls from the years gone by of diving - by the entrance and in the booths near the bar area.

If you want to see nature just floor you, the Flying Fish Boat trip is where you need to be. Flying fish ridiculous is what I thought, but I paid the $15 and was scrapeing my mouth off the deck. The boat Blanche W. is just…Read More

If you want to see nature just floor you, the Flying Fish Boat trip is where you need to be. Flying fish ridiculous is what I thought, but I paid the $15 and was scrapeing my mouth off the deck.

The boat Blanche W. is just a regular craft with these heavy duty lights. They point them out into the ocean and you can watch these fish hop around or fly depending on how close you are.

This is a famous tour and my understanding it is one of a kind. You can only go out at night so you need to take a late boat back to mainland or stay the night.

It was really pretty floating out on the water at night. The moon shone and lite up the sky. The stars seened to be sparkling too and this was before we actually saw the flying fish. It was so peaceful and relaxing...A must for the stressed out.

If you want to see some Buffalo on your trip, ask about the Inland Motor Tour. You will be driven around the island and the chance you see the buffalo are pretty good. The story behind the animal is quite interesting. They were filming a picture…Read More

If you want to see some Buffalo on your trip, ask about the Inland Motor Tour. You will be driven around the island and the chance you see the buffalo are pretty good.

The story behind the animal is quite interesting. They were filming a picture and when they finished, they left the animals. The buffalo liked the area and multiplied, requiring the humans to manage the beasts these days.

The funniest thing, almost as amazing as the flying fish is watching buffalo on a beach. It is such a shock to see because of the contrast. You assume these creatures to be hanging out in the forest or something.

Do try to see the amazing animals.

The glass bottom boat ride aboard the Moonstone and Nautilus have daytime and nighttime trips. Watch the marine life that thrives in Catalina's help forests at Lover's Cove Marine Preserve. The boat ride is 30 minutes, and cost is $10 for adults.…Read More

The glass bottom boat ride aboard the Moonstone and Nautilus have daytime and nighttime trips. Watch the marine life that thrives in Catalina's help forests at Lover's Cove Marine Preserve. The boat ride is 30 minutes, and cost is $10 for adults.Close

Discover Avalon everywhere you turn on a 9-mile narrated journey along the beachfront,up the hillsides and through the heart of Avalon. The part of the tour I liked the best was when the driver stopped way up in the hills,so everyone could take photos of…Read More

Discover Avalon everywhere you turn on a 9-mile narrated journey along the beachfront,up the hillsides and through the heart of Avalon. The part of the tour I liked the best was when the driver stopped way up in the hills,so everyone could take photos of Avalon.Close

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and the movies were just beginning to talk.If you like history this art-deco Avalon Theatre and world-famous Casino Ballroom is a must see.They have Jazz concerts in the ballroom in the month…Read More

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and the movies were just beginning to talk.If you like history this art-deco Avalon Theatre and world-famous Casino Ballroom is a must see.They have Jazz concerts in the ballroom in the month of October.Close

By foot I walked all around Avalon to look in the crystal clear water and absorb as much clean air as I coule. After seeing the sites, I thought it would be nice to sit a bit on the beach. The warm sun consumed my…Read More

By foot I walked all around Avalon to look in the crystal clear water and absorb as much clean air as I coule. After seeing the sites, I thought it would be nice to sit a bit on the beach.

The warm sun consumed my soul and I ended up falling asleep. I had this odd sunburn, but that is another story. My point is the beach and coastline are clean and worth the trip alone. They water is nothing like I have ever seen and the town of Avalon is strick about liter and dumping. They don't tolerate troublemakers and regulate the number of people who come in on the chartered cruises so most of the day can go as you please instead of fighting crowds and finding space.

Avalon, or Avalon Bay, is the only city on Santa Catalina Island of the California Channel Islands. Besides Avalon, the only other center of population on the island is the small town of Two Harbors.…Read More

Avalon, or Avalon Bay, is the only city on Santa Catalina Island of the California Channel Islands. Besides Avalon, the only other center of population on the island is the small town of Two Harbors.Close