Why You Should Visit Santa Catalina, an Enchanted Isle

Santa Catalina Island, or as everyone calls it Catalina, is the only inhabited of California’s Barrier Islands. Viewing it from the ferry as we arrived, I found the powerful, craggy, thrusting-out shoreline magnificent and breathtaking. In fact the only really flat surface is the six block Avalon downtown, Crescent Avenue, which borders on sandy beaches. The rest of the town rolls and rises up and down, winding along with houses, and condos perched up the hilly sides. It has a Mediterranean feel with its pastel colors.

Four thousand people live on the island with 3,800 in Avalon.

Thanks to Wrigley — who bought out his co-investors — and Wrigley’s son Phillip — who established a Conservancy — 88% of the 8-by-76 mile island has been left in the same pristine state as when the Catalina Indians lived here. The Conservancy offers jeep tours of the inland and other coastal areas, where Bison (not native to the island, but brought in by a Hollywood filming group) may be encountered. Several hundred movies have been made here.

Wrigley also built an island focal point that catches every new visitor’s eye, The Casino, which has never been used for gambling, but was a big dance hall in the forties. Now it’s the island’s movie theater. Once a year a silent film festival is held here with an organist providing the music. Many visitors and islanders dress in circa 1920 garb. A big dinner and dance bash takes place on New Year’s Eve which is also a great time for everyone to dress up.

A jazz festival is held in the fall, and several art festivals as well.

Catalina has been a great retreat and living spot for many celebs. Marilyn Monroe lived there with her sailor husband when she was still Norma Jean; Zane Grey’s house still stands atop a hill above the beach road; Ronald Reagan was there with the Wrigley-owned Chicago Cubs as a broadcaster; and of course, Natalie Wood drowned here off her yacht.

The history of the island and its intriguing Hollywood connections can be seen with blown up photos of Wrigley and others in the island museum.

Catalina has become a great place to escape for people from everywhere, and an adventure land for people who love the water, to scuba, to snorkel, or just to take the kids on the glass-bottom boat to feed the fish through open wells. Either way it’s a real treat for kids of all ages to see the fish swarm in their feeding frenzy.

The more adventurous can also kayak at Descanso Beach and I was told that babies can even go if held by parents. I myself went kayaking with a four-year-old. We saw whales and dolphins! Day trips and overnight trips can also be scheduled.

Catalina is known for its special sea life. Snorkel and scuba equipment can be rented by the hour or day and there are short courses for scuba certification. The center point for many of these water adventures is the green pier which juts out into the Pacific. This is also the place to go para-sailing. The pier is always bustling.

Landlubbers are not left out. Segways, bicycles — including electric bikes — can be rented by the hour or day. Segway tours are also offered. Several marathons and triathlons are held each year along with a grueling 50-mile marathon!

At Descanso Beach — a great, secluded scenic area, just outside of town — there’s a zip line course that most zippers would love. A short introductory lesson is given for newbies, and children as young as five can ride random with an adult. First zip is off of a 350 foot height over an open canyon chasm. Longest zip, 1,000 feet and fastest, forty miles an hour.

Hiking the 46-mile trail is fun and you really get the feeling of being part of the island. Permits are free but a three dollar donation is suggested. It takes about three days.

One of the most quaint things about Catalina is that golf carts are used as vehicles. Rent one and tour the heights for great views of the city. Some rental properties come with carts.

The food is varied and plentiful both day and evening with outdoor eating. Night life is usually at the restaurants. Maggie’s Blue Rose, which serves upscale Mexican food and gigantic and exotic tequilas, is usually a great place to hang out. You can watch tortillas being made and flipped. Steve’s steak house, run by a three generation islander, has great harbor views.

A wonderful way to get a feel for where you’d like to eat and an eating adventure in itself is to take a “cultural and tasting walking tour” with Taste of Catalina Food Tours covering five different restaurants. It includes an interesting talk about the town’s history by your guide. A drinking tour is also offered.

There are a number of places to stay, even houses to rent. One of the most charming and hospitable is the Aurora Hotel and Spa, a 16-room cozy inn which has a rooftop veranda with great views of the City and harbor. A complimentary breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, juice, fruit, cereals, sweets, and individual Keurig tea and coffees is offered, as well as 24-hour coffee, tea, and fruit. There’s even a Keurig-maker in each room. The Aurora offers packages with ferry tickets and taxi pickups.

We were warmly greeted upon our arrival, treated as family during our stay, and hugged by Richard and Diana, two hotel personnel, when we left. Islanders are friendly, down to earth, and welcoming.

The worst part of a trip to Catalina is leaving.

See the previous installments in Arlene’s travel series: