Trip Report Catalina Island - Random Solo Day Trips & Photos

[LindaBabe]

Hi Sherry, just stumbled on your trip report and Glad I did. It's terrific! Thank you for writing.

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry, just stumbled on your trip report and Glad I did. It's terrific! Thank you for writing.

LindaBabe -

Thank you so much for the kind words, and thank you for joining in! I'm glad to know that people are spotting this thread. I wasn't sure what would happen over in this specific forum!

 

[PHXscuba]

Sherry, I'm so glad you got reacquainted with your "Thotful Spot" as Winnie the Pooh would say. I agree that there's nothing quite so perfect and peaceful as sunset on the beach in a favorite location.

I like all your photos from the last two posts but I am oddly drawn to the one of the close-up seagull with the brilliantly lit hills in the background.

If I end up visiting Catalina next year, I'm crediting/blaming YOU!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I'm so glad you got reacquainted with your "Thotful Spot" as Winnie the Pooh would say. I agree that there's nothing quite so perfect and peaceful as sunset on the beach in a favorite location.

I like all your photos from the last two posts but I am oddly drawn to the one of the close-up seagull with the brilliantly lit hills in the background.

If I end up visiting Catalina next year, I'm crediting/blaming YOU!

PHXscuba

PHX -

Thank you! I will happily take the blame and credit for it if you go next year. At least you have been there and know what to expect. Hopefully I have intrigued some people who have never been to Avalon to give it a try.

I was thinking of calling my bench the "Thotful Spot" too! Great minds think alike. It seemed like the obvious choice for a name.

I thought the seagull picture was interesting too! That is totally unedited - not even Autofixed (I had to autofix some of the sunset pictures but not that one), and I was shocked at how it came out because of the 'glowing' hills in the background. I was thinking, "Did they look that glowy in person?"

By the way, do you know of the mermaid mural I was mentioning in one of the above photo posts - the naked mermaid (not that I would expect a mermaid to be fully clothed, but you know what I mean)? The mural at the casino? It is a painting and not an actual photo, and it is art, but I was hesitant to post it because I'm not sure it will fly on this board. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Sherry E]

I almost forgot to post my last few pictures from my July 21, 2012 trip!

Another “Night Falls on Avalon” shot…

This is pretty much what the sleepy little town of Avalon looked like from the line for the Catalina Express (from my camera, anyway!)…

Almost ready to board my Catalina Express boat heading back to Long Beach, I stopped at the tour window…

My view of the shore from the boat…

And…remember I said early on in this report that some of the Catalina Express boats have annoying seats that face away from the water (your backs are to the ocean) – which is what I was stuck with on the ride over to Catalina in the morning - while others have seats that are facing each other, alongside the water, making it easier to look for sea creatures?

Even though I would have preferred seats like these on the morning ride over to the Island instead of at night, I was pleased to at least have the option to look out. These seats are much, much better.

​

Unfortunately it was pitch black out on the sea. The sky and the ocean seemed to meld seamlessly together into one big velvet blanket. I wouldn’t have been able to see a dolphin if it jumped up and started singing the “Flipper” theme song. It was simply too dark. I couldn’t even see any boats. The moon was not really shining over the water that night and I wondered how seasoned captains and sailors manage to get around.

It was a windy night on the water too – yes, I toughed it out and sat outside the whole way home! I bundled up in an appropriate weather-resistant jacket, pulled the hood over my hair and face and securely stashed away any items which could be likely to fly off into the nighttime abyss, and I hunkered down.

Strangely, though, even though it was so windy out on the water, the ride was less choppy than it had been in the morning (when there was much less wind). It was a pretty fast, smooth ride from where I was sitting.


When I disembarked, my Sav-On Shuttle driver was waiting for me outside the Catalina Express terminal to take me back to my area of L.A.


I was very sad to have left Catalina. I wished that – like in the old days – I could have been able to stay overnight or stay for several days, especially since I hadn’t been there in so long and I used to spend so much time there. I thought of all the pictures I didn’t have time to get (even though I know I got a lot!) and the extra things I would have liked to do.

I am hoping against hope that Catalina Express offers the free birthday boat ride again after the current promo ends in April 2013. My birthday will be on a Sunday next year, so that would once again allow me to take advantage of the later boat return time at night.

If they do extend the offer, that would be the third year in a row. The employee I spoke with at Bay of the Seven Moons in Avalon told me that it is definitely being discussed, but that there are opinions on either side of the decision whether or not to extend the offer yet again. On the one hand, this promo has brought a lot of new visitors to the Island who might not have visited otherwise. On the other hand, many of the merchants who have given away birthday freebies (like the coffee, ice cream and mineral stone that I got) feel as though they have lost a lot of money. So, if the free birthday boat ride IS continued past April 2013, it may be modified – maybe it would only be free one way instead of round-trip. Maybe it would be free both ways, but only for birthdays on certain days of the week (like the less busy days). Maybe it would be totally free every day – but only to the people who have not taken advantage of the previous free birthday boat rides (I can see this happening). Or maybe the vendors on the Island won’t participate and offer any free goodies.

If the birthday offer is to be continued – or another offer takes its place – the news will probably be announced on Catalina Express’ Facebook page in March 2013.

Whatever the case, I’m hoping to get back to Avalon by next year. I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time in my ‘Thotful Spot’ at Lovers Cove, on Pebbly Beach Road, against the backdrop of the dangerous falling rocks!! And I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time up in the hills, in the golf cart, because I took too much time at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens and had to race back to town before my time limit was up and my golf cart turned into a pumpkin!! Also, I wasn’t able to do any of the tours this time around, so I didn’t get to see any flying fish, sea lions, deer, buffalo, sharks, eagles or island foxes.

So much to do; so little time. But I will be back. I will always go back to Catalina to enjoy its beachy beauty and tranquility.

​

I hope you've enjoyed my photo report. If you have a chance to take advantage of the free birthday boat ride while the promo is still happening, I strongly recommend it! As you can see, Catalina makes a nice little day trip and offers a break from Disneyland Resort if you happen to be visiting Southern California and Disneyland for many days and want to venture away from Anaheim for a while.

 

[PHXscuba]

Well, I know I can't take advantage of my birthday this year, but maybe I can get my kids over next summer if they extend it -- I have two teens with June birthdays. Maybe DH and DS16 can dive for a day and the other kids and I can take a couple tours.

If we stay overnight, accommodations are hard ... so many of the rooms are teeny and only have room for two, and we'd need to keep six people semi-together either with adjoining rooms or a suite. I do know if I want to do this not to wait until a month out to make hotel reservations -- last year when the menfolk went, I waited too long and had trouble finding rooms with more than one bed, for only one night in July. Many hotels seem to have a two-night minimum in high season.

Maybe the wind on the way home was why you ended up red -- windburn?

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

PHX -

I'm sure the wind didn't help matters any, but the sun during the day was really, really harsh on me. It felt very strong, so I wasn't totally shocked that I was so red. That's kind of how it's always been for me when I've gone to Catalina in the past - even if I was in a golf cart that was covered, I'd end up really burnt anyway. The sun sensitivity has only gotten worse as I've gotten older.

One thing that Avalon doesn't have a lot of is shade! There are not too many places to sit - unless you just go inside a restaurant or some other building - where you can stay in the action and not be out in the harsh sunlight. Even the few covered spots around Avalon are still basically right out in the open. You never truly get away from the sun/heat.

You're right - it's almost impossible to get a room in Avalon for only one night anymore, especially in the peak season. In the old days it used to be easier. I knew of situations in which couples would head over to the Island for a day trip and end up spending the night on a whim - so they got their rooms at the very last minute, on the spot. I also recall being told long ago that the Visitors Center in town, or the Chamber of Commerce, might be able to help with locating some last minute rooms for one night for those people who come over for day trips.

I suppose it is still possible that if a particular Avalon hotel or bed & breakfast is not booked solid, you could go up to the front desk and ask if they would rent you a room for a night. If they are already not booked, then getting money from a guest for one night is better than not getting any money at all!

BUT you wouldn't want to take a gamble on maybe getting lucky and getting a last minute room. It would probably be better to just do a day trip with no overnight stay, or stay for 2 nights.

I don't know what this place is like now, but the Hermosa Hotel/Catalina Cottages used to have places that could fit 6 people a long time ago. I remember staying there (over 20 years ago) in one of their cottages - which are in town and not up a gigantic hill - with our group of 5 people, and it could definitely have accommodated 6 people if folks shared beds. It had a little kitchen. The only problem was that it was a tad run down - it was pretty cheap at the time. They may have improved things by now though.

I also stayed in a cute cottage up a hill on Whittley Avenue with 2 friends (I think I rented it through maybe Hunt Realty or something like that? The Hunt family lives on the Island and they rent out apartments and cottages to people - I've stayed in at least 3 of their places). There were big beds in two bedrooms and also a sleeper sofa, and 6 people could definitely be accommodated if need be. It was a cool little cottage too!

That may be the way to go for you - check with one of the "realty" places in Avalon that rents out cottages or apartments, rather than trying to get a hotel room, per se.

 

[endy]

I have pictures of the boat house. Now to figure out how to post .

Okay I figured how to post but the pictures are way too big.

 

[endy]

From the semi submergible tour. Loved it.

One of the zip line stops.

One of the dolphins while I was on the sea lion tour. We saw small sharks too.

Finally the only 2 shots of the houses made from boats way back in time.

 

[Sherry E]

Wow - for some weird reason, I never got the e-mail alert that Wendy had posted her photos above, and because this TR was not at the top of the page in this section recently, I didn't see it and I didn't think to even look at it!

The reason why I just happened to pop in here today is because another DIS'er in the Christmas Superthread mentioned that she tried to post in this thread to comment on my pictures and report, and her computer kept misbehaving so she finally gave up! I figured I'd see if I had any trouble loading pages or if anything weird was happening with the thread, and here I am!

Anyway, Wendy, thank you so much for showing me your lovely photos (and for going to the trouble of figuring out how to post photos and all that). They're beautiful! I hadn't been able to stop anywhere near the zip lining station in the hills because by the time I passed the sign for it I was racing to get the golf cart back on time! So I'm really glad you showed that to me.

I love the boat houses! Are those two houses in the 2 photos or one house from two angles? I have, indeed, passed by that house/those houses in the past - I recognize the one in the first picture very well and I know I passed by it on this last trip. In the second picture, I can't tell if it's a different house or the same one from a different angle, but it doesn't look as familiar from my most recent trip. You know, I love all the cute little beachy houses in Avalon, but I don't think I ever paid enough attention or learned about them to know there were boat houses! Wow! They were there all along and I guess I just never looked closely?

Those pictures of the fish remind me of when I did the semi-sub tour! I really think that everyone should skip the glass bottom boat and do the semi-sub tour instead, for the best fish photos! I did not see one single dolphin on my trip - which was unlike any other trip to Catalina I've taken - so I'm glad you got to see some

When I finally get the Catalina Island info/Superthread going, maybe you can post those photos there too?. I've been trying to get through with a couple of other threads first before taking on a new one, but it is still in the works!

Thank you again, and I'm so, so sorry I didn't realize that you had posted anything!

 

[endy]

Thanks for the nice comments Sherry.
I thought they are 2 different houses, either next to each other or two doors apart. But it does look like one house, a picture in the front and the other from the side. Maybe it's just the one house. I think they are just on the second block off the beach. Wish I had taken more pictures of them but kinda felt weird taking shots of peoples houses. And my son thought I was weird. Darn now I have to go back for more pictures.

I also love the beachy houses. Theres so many cute little places. No yards. We saw a few garage sales set up on the street.

I loved the semi-sub tour. Tons of fish and it's really cool to see the different plants and the contours of ocean bottom.

I'll of course post pictures for you on your new thread. I have lots more, well not as many as you but some different stuff.

I'll try posting some more later this week.

 

[endy]

Posting a few more pictures. Hopefully no duplicates with those posted by Sherry.

Apparently I didn't post the pictures correctly.

 

[kaoden39]

endy, were those made from riverboats? I love the look.

 

[endy]

kaoden39
They were some type of boat. If I remember correctly - wood and supplies were very hard to come by and expensive to get to the island. Somehow they got the boats ashore and made them into houses. I think there are 2 of them.
I think they're fabulous and so full of character. Wish I had paid more attention at the time but it gives me reason to go back.

My try at posting more pictures last night was a flop so I'll try again as soon as I get a chance.

 

[kaoden39]

kaoden39
They were some type of boat. If I remember correctly - wood and supplies were very hard to come by and expensive to get to the island. Somehow they got the boats ashore and made them into houses. I think there are 2 of them.
I think they're fabulous and so full of character. Wish I had paid more attention at the time but it gives me reason to go back.

My try at posting more pictures last night was a flop so I'll try again as soon as I get a chance.

endy, I really think that house are great!! What a great idea to do that too.

 

[ksromack]

I enjoyed reading your Catalina report! Hubby and I are likely going to Disneyland next December and would seriously consider at least a day trip to Catalina and possibly an overnight stay (maybe at the end of our DL trip, then leave right from Catalina to the airport)? I wondered if the Catalina Express had room for people and their luggage? I suppose they would have to for people who fly in and stay on Catalina for their vacation!

Curious what transportation would cost from our Good Neighbors hotel to Long Beach in order to catch the Catalina Express. Hubby would also require some sea-sick meds In playing around with the vacation packages on the DL site it almost seems like a better idea to book the Catalina thing on our own....especially if we stay the night(s) on Catalina as in several of those packages the round trip boat ride is included in the accommodations!

Your pictures really sealed the deal on this excursion......now to convince my husband that he wants this trip as much as I do.....

 

[Sherry E]

I enjoyed reading your Catalina report! Hubby and I are likely going to Disneyland next December and would seriously consider at least a day trip to Catalina and possibly an overnight stay (maybe at the end of our DL trip, then leave right from Catalina to the airport)? I wondered if the Catalina Express had room for people and their luggage? I suppose they would have to for people who fly in and stay on Catalina for their vacation!

Curious what transportation would cost from our Good Neighbors hotel to Long Beach in order to catch the Catalina Express. Hubby would also require some sea-sick meds In playing around with the vacation packages on the DL site it almost seems like a better idea to book the Catalina thing on our own....especially if we stay the night(s) on Catalina as in several of those packages the round trip boat ride is included in the accommodations!

Your pictures really sealed the deal on this excursion......now to convince my husband that he wants this trip as much as I do.....

Hi, Kathy!

Welcome!

You won't believe this but I was actually just thinking of you! I'll explain. I had literally - just 2 minutes ago - posted the first part of the Candlelight Ceremony/Processional segment of my current Disneyland trip report (that's the one called "Candlelight and Cannonballs" in my signature below, but it's part of a bigger thread with many trip reports in it), and I explained exactly how I got my seat, what the set-up was, etc.

I thought of you because I remembered that you had asked Laurie/DizNee Luver in her current trip report about whether or not it was easy to see the CP at Disneyland, and she responded that she didn't see it but that I had seen it twice. So as I just posted the first part of the CP section of the TR, I was thinking, "I hope Kathy catches this!"

Just then, as I was about to sign off for the night, I saw that my Catalina thread had been resurrected! And it was you! Wow!

Anyway, back to Catalina - my other favorite place in Southern California! Well, first of all, yes - Catalina Express has a space to stash your luggage on the boat. It's kind of a room where all the bags go, so when the boat docks in Avalon or back on the mainland you will probably have to wait for other bags to move before you reach yours, but I've done it. It's a bit of a pain, but it's fine!

As for transportation from the Good Neighbor hotels to Long Beach (which is the place I recommend getting the Express, as opposed to San Pedro), I guess it depends. I don't trust taxis because the fare just keeps running and running and it could climb due to various factors.

You could take a shuttle service - I've used Karmel Shuttle and, most recently, a place called Sav-On Shuttle. Sav-On is run by a nice guy named John, and it is a small, no-frills operation (smaller than Super Shuttle), but they are prompt and friendly and a little cheaper. I've used them to get to and from the Catalina Express (traveling from where I live, which is close to The Grove and Farmers Market in L.A.), as well as to and from Disneyland. It's never cheap to take a point to point shuttle, but it may be cheaper traveling directly from Anaheim to Long Beach, or from Long Beach to the airport. I paid $80 (each way) to and from Disneyland through Sav-On Shuttle, but again, it's a farther drive than from where you would be traveling.

Another point of note - while December is a popular season at Disneyland (because of the amazing Christmas festivities), it is not as popular on Catalina because people more closely associate Catalina with 'summer.' So that will be good in terms of lighter crowds around Avalon, and there will probably be some good weekday hotel/boat packages. December is technically the off-peak season for Avalon, while it is peak season for Disneyland!

If you do visit Avalon in December - for a day trip or otherwise - be sure to bundle up! That sea air will make things very cold on that island! I remember going there in October once - and that was just October - and it was coooold!

 

[endy]

I'm with Sherry Catalina is my favorite place.
I was checking the official website yesterday, it's my mini 5 minute escape. It was only 54 F yesterday which is pretty warm compared to where I am but not as nice as in the summer. There seems to be some pretty good deals going on for the winter months. Check out the web cams, they'll entice you and your husband to go. Also send for the free tourist guide.

http://www.catalinachamber.com/

We used the Karmel shuttle from SNA to Long Beach and back. I think it was around $45 or 50 each way. There may be a coupon on Califonia Fun Spots site.

Be warned tho 1 or 2 days is not enough time.

Enjoy and ask all your questions here.
Wendy

 

[ksromack]

I thought of you because I remembered that you had asked Laurie/DizNee Luver in her current trip report about whether or not it was easy to see the CP at Disneyland, and she responded that she didn't see it but that I had seen it twice. So as I just posted the first part of the CP section of the TR, I was thinking, "I hope Kathy catches this!"

Just then, as I was about to sign off for the night, I saw that my Catalina thread had been resurrected! And it was you! Wow!

Anyway, back to Catalina - my other favorite place in Southern California! Well, first of all, yes - Catalina Express has a space to stash your luggage on the boat. It's kind of a room where all the bags go, so when the boat docks in Avalon or back on the mainland you will probably have to wait for other bags to move before you reach yours, but I've done it. It's a bit of a pain, but it's fine!

As for transportation from the Good Neighbor hotels to Long Beach (which is the place I recommend getting the Express, as opposed to San Pedro), I guess it depends. I don't trust taxis because the fare just keeps running and running and it could climb due to various factors.

You could take a shuttle service - I've used Karmel Shuttle and, most recently, a place called Sav-On Shuttle. Sav-On is run by a nice guy named John, and it is a small, no-frills operation (smaller than Super Shuttle), but they are prompt and friendly and a little cheaper. I've used them to get to and from the Catalina Express (traveling from where I live, which is close to The Grove and Farmers Market in L.A.), as well as to and from Disneyland. It's never cheap to take a point to point shuttle, but it may be cheaper traveling directly from Anaheim to Long Beach, or from Long Beach to the airport. I paid $80 (each way) to and from Disneyland through Sav-On Shuttle, but again, it's a farther drive than from where you would be traveling.

Another point of note - while December is a popular season at Disneyland (because of the amazing Christmas festivities), it is not as popular on Catalina because people more closely associate Catalina with 'summer.' So that will be good in terms of lighter crowds around Avalon, and there will probably be some good weekday hotel/boat packages. December is technically the off-peak season for Avalon, while it is peak season for Disneyland!

If you do visit Avalon in December - for a day trip or otherwise - be sure to bundle up! That sea air will make things very cold on that island! I remember going there in October once - and that was just October - and it was coooold!

I did see that post! I'm so foreign to the west coast....although my sister in law is a professor at Northbridge (University of Cal) and lives in Reseda....I have a great aunt in Westminister and a cousin and aunt in San Diego.....as soon as it gets closer I'll talk to my sil about our plans for the area. She's still undergoing chemo treatment so I don't like to make her feel like she needs to entertain us so we'll plan the trip and try and get together with her while we're there. We were just in that area last June for our niece's hs graduation and we did the tourist Hollywood stuff (Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign), Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Pier. We may just do the Catalina tour through the disney website. The cost also covers the transportation to and from Long Beach from our good neighbor hotel. Maybe in my younger days I would venture out on my own and explore....but I'm 50 now and feel safety in groups Would love to do the San Diego tour as well. My aunt lives in Alpine but gosh, we really weren't planning on renting a car at all! The San Diego Zoo may be an interesting way to go as well......here in St. Louis we have a really good zoo and it's free. I'm curious to see the San Diego zoo to compare!

I'm with Sherry Catalina is my favorite place.
I was checking the official website yesterday, it's my mini 5 minute escape. It was only 54 F yesterday which is pretty warm compared to where I am but not as nice as in the summer. There seems to be some pretty good deals going on for the winter months. Check out the web cams, they'll entice you and your husband to go. Also send for the free tourist guide.

http://www.catalinachamber.com/

We used the Karmel shuttle from SNA to Long Beach and back. I think it was around $45 or 50 each way. There may be a coupon on Califonia Fun Spots site.

Be warned tho 1 or 2 days is not enough time.

Enjoy and ask all your questions here.
Wendy

Thanks for the link, Wendy. I signed up for a newsletter!

So grateful for this thread and for others I've read....I found the link for tv tickets and it would be such fun to see a taping of The Big Bang Theory (it's hubby's and mine favorite tv show)! So much to see.....so little time!

 

[Sherry E]

I did see that post! I'm so foreign to the west coast....although my sister in law is a professor at Northbridge (University of Cal) and lives in Reseda....I have a great aunt in Westminister and a cousin and aunt in San Diego.....as soon as it gets closer I'll talk to my sil about our plans for the area. She's still undergoing chemo treatment so I don't like to make her feel like she needs to entertain us so we'll plan the trip and try and get together with her while we're there. We were just in that area last June for our niece's hs graduation and we did the tourist Hollywood stuff (Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign), Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Pier. We may just do the Catalina tour through the disney website. The cost also covers the transportation to and from Long Beach from our good neighbor hotel. Maybe in my younger days I would venture out on my own and explore....but I'm 50 now and feel safety in groups Would love to do the San Diego tour as well. My aunt lives in Alpine but gosh, we really weren't planning on renting a car at all! The San Diego Zoo may be an interesting way to go as well......here in St. Louis we have a really good zoo and it's free. I'm curious to see the San Diego zoo to compare!



Thanks for the link, Wendy. I signed up for a newsletter!

So grateful for this thread and for others I've read....I found the link for tv tickets and it would be such fun to see a taping of The Big Bang Theory (it's hubby's and mine favorite tv show)! So much to see.....so little time!

Kathy -

I'll save this specific thread (my Catalina trip report thread) for Catalina stuff, but please feel free to ask me anything pertaining to the holiday season at Disneyland. You can always send me a message.

Plus, you're always welcome to jump into the Superthread to subscribe and keep up to date on all the holiday happenings - I've got the "Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread" going on the main forum (which you have probably seen), and I have inspired many people to plan trips with my descriptions and pictures in that thread! (Or so they tell me!) I've been a yearly holiday visitor for 22 years and counting and I can really 'sell' it. I even did a Call-In show/podcast with the DIS Unplugged team back in December, tackling commonly asked questions about the holidays at DLR.

Plus, we've got a great group of people in the Superthread with a wide range of holiday-specific experiences.

Also, I've stayed onsite for all of my overnight stays in the last 5+ years and am very familiar with waiting for AP rates and discounts and things (which I saw was a question you had in Laurie's trip report thread). I even paid off a hotel balance due at the Paradise Pier Hotel in gift cards one time.

So don't hesitate to ask for info beyond Catalina stuff!