Start planning a Catalina Island vacation today.
Santa Catalina Island is part of the beautiful Channel Islands Archipelago, which stretches for miles along the Southern California coast. 22 miles long and 8 miles wide at the widest point, the island is both rugged and beautiful, and has some of the richest marine diversity in the world. Catalina Island is the only Channel Island that is developed, but most of the island is still protected, and most the inhabitants are concentrated in the town of Avalon.
Located approximately 22 miles south-southwest of Los Angeles, Catalina Island makes the island a perfect destination for weekend vacations, honeymoons, weddings and day trips. There are unlimited ways to enjoy Catalina including diving, hiking, sailing, sport fishing, camping, golf and more. Each one of these activities shares a rich history and lineage connected with the island.
The majority of the island’s residents are concentrated in the port town of Avalon, with 300 or so more in the more remote Two Harbors. Residents typically work in some facet of the tourism industry, or are artisans, seafarers, or retirees. Everything on the island has to be imprted from the mainland, which makes gas, groceries and just about everything else expensive and prone to shortages. Strict regulations on the number of vehicles allowed on the island has prompted residents to opt for modified golf carts as the primary mode of transportation. These things add to the island’s charm and easy pace of life.
The island is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, whose mission it is to restore and protect the original flora and fauna. Interestingly, the Conservancy is also responsible for managing the wild buffalo, which were brought in and left behind by a film production over 50 years ago.
Golf carts and bicycles are the best ways to explore the narrow streets and meet locals. guided tours provide a great, inexpensive way to learn about the island’s rich history.
Accommodations are available for all budgets, as well as international cuisine, spa resorts, and yearly jazz and dance festivals. Whether you plan to stay a day or a few days, there are plenty of activities, places to eat, boutiques, and endless walks along the beach to keep visitors occupied. Catalina Island is like another world compared to the California mainland, and is close enough to make weekend trips easy and affordable.
Before you plan your next weekend getaway, take a second to find out about some exciting Catalina Island Vacation Packages you can combine with your favourite activity like golf, scuba diving, sea kayak tours and more. Get information on the Catalina Express ferry departures and schedules, or follow this link to find out more about the island and what a Catalina Island vacation is all about.
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