A Really GREAT Place to Visit in So. California - You've Wanted to Go - Now Just Go!!

Catalina Island

I just got back from a terrific, but short, two-day trip to Avalon on Catalina Island.  This trip was to take our oldest son on his first ocean dive (scuba). We had a wonderful time.

Avalon on Catalina Island is a wonderful place for all of us in California to have some fun, kayak, snorkel and scuba dive, golf, horseback ride, shop, relax and much more. It is a great place to visit for a single day or for several days.  My husband and sons love to scuba dive in the Avalon dive park.  I'm not a "fish" like the rest of my family so I stay up top-side and enjoy the weather and the scenery (where I can breathe on my own without the aide of all that scuba equipment) and wait for them to complete their dives. Two Harbors - about 18 miles north on the island is much smaller and has a campground close to the water. 

Catalina Island is located just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, but it feels like it's a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The air is smog-free, the bay has the clearest water of any harbor in the country, and there's not one traffic light on the whole island! From the "city" of Avalon (population 3,500) to the country village of Two Harbors (population 150), Catalina Island resembles the California of 50 years ago - undeveloped and unspoiled! Catalina Island really is another world!  I highly suggest that you discover this paradise for yourself.   Here is a great photo of Avalon.  

I have a lot of wonderful memories of great times on Catalina.  One of my favorites was taking a group of teenage girls from church over for a few days of snorkeling kayaking, camping, sailing and just having a blast with these girls.  This activity was done at Two Harbors.      

Here are a couple of terrific websites that are all inclusive of information that you may need to start planning your trip to Catalina -   Catalina Island travel and Catalina Chamber of Commerce   Both list things to do, transportation, dining, accommodations, planning weddings/meetings and more.  And there are many other websites with information to help you plan a trip to Catalina Island.

If you just want to check out how to get to Catalina Island, you can go to Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer.  There are quick (and large) boats that go back and forth between the mainland and Catalina several times a day. 

As I mentioned before, Catalina is a wonderful place to visit.  I highly recommend all you Southern Californians start planning your next trip to Catalina.  You won't be disappointed.