So How Do I Get to Catalina?

     Every year my family drives down to the port in Downtown Long Beach and takes the Catalina Express to Catalina Island.  We always have my grandparents drive with us so we can avoid paying high, daily parking fees.  The boat ride to Catalina is nice and relaxing.  Almost every year we are fortunate enough to see whales and dolphins.  Travelers who purchase tickets have the choice of sitting inside or outside, with the exception of the commodore lounge.  The boat is always clean and there is also a small bar that allows riders to purchase drinks and snacks.  There is also the choice of purchasing a ticket to be able to sit in the commodore lounge.  My family has never done this because the boat ride is only about an hour and these tickets are pricier.  The island is approximately twenty-six miles away from the mainland.  Catalina Island is a great place to go for day trips, weekend trips, and in my case, week trips.  One of the great things about Catalina is its convenient location and ease to get to.  Like other vacations, you might need a passport or have to take many things into consideration before traveling.  Catalina allows people to enjoy themselves and to get away from the busy lifestyle of the mainland.

To view pricing information visit http://www.catalinaexpress.com/index.php

      

The Nightlife on Catalina

     The island remains active during the night because of the romantic and elegant atmosphere.  It is nice to walk around because you get to see the island from a different perspective.  On most nights, the sky is very clear and there have been many times when my family has seen shooting stars.  The beach has usually cleared out and most people are getting ready for the night festivities to begin.  Many people are getting ready to go out to dinner or may be making a meal from their home. There are two Vons grocery stores on the island.  The casino (which is a movie theater and never was used for gambling) has lights lit around it and the boardwalk remains active as well because of the bars.  When I went to Catalina this past year, I was twenty-one.  I went into Luau Larry's, played pool at the Marlin Club,drank and danced at the Chi Chi Club, and sang karaoke at El Galleon.  I had a blast and was happy not having to worry about who the designated driver would be.  The condo my family stays at, Bahia Vista, is only about a ten minute walk away.  On my trip, I enjoyed a couple of Buffalo Milks, which is a drink served only on Catalina Island.    

Buffalo Milks at Sandtrap

Chi Chi Club

Here is a link to El Galleon's website:  http://www.catalinahotspots.com/el_galleon/index.asp

Beach Life

     On the island, there are two main beaches.  The beach that is very close to the boardwalk is Avalon Beach.  The other beach is about a half a mile away from this beach and is called Descanso Beach Club.  The picture to the right shows Descanso Beach Club and the other pictures below show Avalon Beach.      Descanso Beach  has  a restaurant, cabanas that can be rented, and also has a bar during the day.  While still fun for kids, this beach is directed toward adults.  While not very far from Avalon Beach, the distance can discourage people from going to it because it is not very close to any of the hotels.  When people go to the beach, they often bring a lot of things with them, so it can be an irritating walk.  It is nice to go to Descanso Beach Club at night because it has fire pits and often has live entertainment.  Both beaches offer kayak rentals.  Avalon Beach is great for small children because the waves are always very small.  The beach is also very shallow and there are small shells and sand crabs children like to collect and play with.  Like any beach, it is always fun to make sandcastles, bathe in the sun, and relax.  However, if you are planning to lay out on the beach, it is important to get there early to put a blanket down and reserve your spot.  The beach is small, so sometimes it is hard to find a spot.   

Here is the link to Descanso Beach Club.  http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/dini_descansoBeach.php

Activities at Catalina

 

Every year my family goes to Catalina, we always make sure to make the most of our week there.  Below are some pictures my family has taken of all of us doing the things we love.  The picture to the right shows me and my mom walking on the boardwalk.  On the boardwalk, there are many shops and restaurants a vacationer can enjoy.  Many of the stores are souvenirs shops and there are also many places that sell desserts and ice cream.  In case you are not hungry or in the mood to shop, there are many opportunities to have fun in the water.  Joe's Rent A Boat (located on the pier), allows visitors to rent motor boats, kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards, inflatable rafts, umbrellas, and beach chairs so they can make the most of the experience at the beach.  At the end of the pier, you will often find people fishing.  Fishing poles can also be rented on the pier and there is also a little bait shop as well.  One tradition my family always enjoys is competing at a game of miniature golf.  The design of the course is unique to Catalina and it is something my family always looks forward to.  One of my favorite things to do at Catalina is snorkeling.  If you decide to snorkel by the casino, there are convenient stairs that will allow you to walk right into the water.  Once in the water, there are many colorful fish that swim right around you.  While you can walk around Catalina, there is a also a bike shop where you can rent bikes.  Biking and hiking are great options for those who like to explore the island and see more of it.  There are lots of things to do at Catalina that will keep you entertained!       

 

 

Here is a link to Joe's Rent a Boat.  On this website, you will find rental rates. http://www.joesrentaboat.com/GEAR.php

Why Catalina Island is close to my heart?

I have decided to create a blog on Catalina Island because it is a place that is very special in my heart.  I know it very well because my family has gone there every July for many many years.  We celebrate our family reunion here and spend a week on the beautiful island.   My immediate family stays at the Bahia Vista condos, but my extended family stays in a variety of homes and other hotels the island offers.  I have been there twenty-two times and I never get tired of it. Every year there is something new or different to the island.  It really feels like a second home.  I enjoy this vacation because it is an escape from the busy lifestyle of the mainland.  Everything is within walking distance, so there is really no need to take a car.  The beach is always less than a mile away no matter where you are on the island.  There are many things to do during the day whether it is hiking, biking, kayaking, miniature golfing, shopping, suntanning, eating, and much more.  There is also an exciting night life on the island as there are many bars and chances to sing karaoke.  

Leaving Catlaina with some of my cousins

Here is a link to Catalina Island's website: http://www.catalinachamber.com/catalina/map-of-catalina-island