How to Spend the Perfect Weekend on Catalina Island
An idyllic isle 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is a refreshing retreat a world away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. The little town of Avalon is the only village on Catalina, with almost 90% of the island's geography protected from buildup through a local nature conservancy.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Take a walk in diminutive Avalon, making sure to see the landmark Casino building. The Casino boasts a cool Art Deco theatre and a compelling little Island museum reflecting on Catalina's history and geography.
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Enjoy the beach by Avalon to the fullest by paying a small fee at the Beach Club, giving you access to an area with a bar, volleyball, beach umbrellas and showers. While the beach never goes out of season, the club operates only from Easter to the end of September.
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Only a mile or so outside of town beckons the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. The gardens are a worthwhile stop for any green-thumbs, and have some plant species that can only be found on the island.
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See below sea level, with a snorkeling outing or jaunt on a glass-bottom boat. From schools of colorful fish to dramatic shipwrecks, the underwater mysteries of Catalina are a popular draw.
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Shop for tschotchkes and mementoes of your trip on Crescent Avenue and The Arcade in Avalon. More upscale shopping is available too-from chic menswear to locally crafted jewelry-but you won't exactly find bargain-basement prices here.
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Have a night out in Avalon's small but vibrant downtown. Dance clubs, tiki taverns and sports bars burst to the seams on a typical weekend evening.
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Take a tour to see much more! An organized tour will allow you to see parts of the island not accessible otherwise, since you'll almost certainly be without a vehicle on your visit; a fascinating tour of Avalon's Casino is also a great idea.
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Tips & Warnings
Laws severely restrict the number of cars on the island, but cabs are handy and rentals of bikes and golf carts are very popular for visitors.
Frequent ferries run to Catalina from Long Beach and San Pedro; helicopter trips are also available from these same sites for the more adventurous.
