Island getaways to beautiful Santa Catalina Island
Part of the rugged and beautiful Channel Island archipelago, Santa Catalina Island is located a short ferry ride from the southern California coast. If you have lived in California for any time, you have already heard about it, but probably don’t realize just how easy to get to it really is. If you are visiting Southern California, then you should consider adding a day trip to Santa Catalina Island to your itinerary.
Catalina Island has a distinctly different feel and vibe than the rest of California, often compared to small coastal villages areas in the Mediterranean. Residents of the island are concentrated in the port towns of Two Harbors and Avalon, and are friendly and enjoy the slow pace of island life. Everything on the island is more expensive, including gas, food, and building materials, as everything must be brought in by boat or on one of the regular supply barges. Alimited number of vehicles are permitted on the island so locals use modified gof-carts to get around, which adds to the charm, and provides a dramatic change from the congested Los Angeles highways.
Once there, visitors will discover a rich cultural history and a multitude of activities to suit all tastes. The island is not well known for some of its most interesting claims, including being home to the first golf course in California, the birthplace of modern sport fishing, home to the famous Wrigley Estate, and for its famous Bison herds, which now roam the beaches after being imported and left behind by a film production back in the 1950’s.
Catalina island’s land and inshore waters is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, are comitted to preserving the original animal and plant life, as well as protecting the bison herds. Catalina’s rich waters contain a bio-diverse abundance of marine life, making it a prime destination for biologists, eco-tourists, and scuba divers.
The logistics of getting to the island are very easy and require minimal effort. Getting to Catalina Island is possible by ferry, helicopter, or private charter boat. The catalina ferry service is the most convenient, with many departure/return trips and is inexpensive. There are several Catalina ferries which run regularly year-round with extra trips during the summer months.
Most island visitors take the Catalina Express, a high speed catamaran which departs from Long Beach and makes the voyage in about an hour. The Catalina Flyer also makes the same trip offering service from Newport Beach. Whichever Catalina Ferry you choose, the ride is usually smooth and comfortable with beautiful views of the southern California coast and frequent schools of dolphins, and migrating whales to make your voyage exciting and memorable!
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