Who has been to Catalina island, worth the $

[maci]

Ok I have really been thinking of spending a day over on catalina. I got the visitors guide and it does look really fun.

For those who have been....How is it for a 3 and 5 year old? Will they like it?
I really wanted to go snorkeling (main reason to go), the water looks really pretty...but the water temp is in the 60's!! I know my DH wont go near that!

Anyway....the trip over on the boat is going to run us about 150.00 bucks! Which seems high to me.
Is it worth it????

Thanks!

 

[diggdug]

In my honest opinion, no it's not worth the money. I've been there twice as part of a cruise. The water was cold, the restaurants are were overpriced and there just wasn't much to do. Granted I don't golf. I got the impression that golf was a major part of Catalina culture. I did rent a golf cart and ride around what areas of the island you can get to. I've been told there is a herd of buffulo ( bison?) on the far side of the island. But for $150? Not my cup of tea.

 

[dizney1]

I grew up in S. CA so as a child my parents took me to Catalina quite a bit when we had guests from out of town. I loved the boat trip over as there always seemed to be dolphins playing in the wake; however, I always found Catalina to be extremely boring & remember wondering why cruise ships would even stop there. I haven't been there since my teen years so couldn't tell you from an adults point of view, but I don't think the island itself would hold much appeal to your children.

 

[OnTheRocks]

For $150, No, it's not worth it.

I have been many times and really enjoy it. But from a tourist point of view there is really nothing for the kids to do but sit on the beach. There are many better beaches on the mainland.

We go for the camping and kayaking. The snorkeling is ok but this does not even compare to Hawaii or the Caribean. There are no tropical fish. There are mostly Gerabaldi (Big orange fish) and kelp. I have also seen lobster and abalone.

Avalon is a very small town and you can't really explore the island unless you have a boat or 4wd. There is some history to the island. William Wrigley (gum) owned the island in the early 1900's and it was the spring training site for the Chichago Cubs.

It is a nice romantic little town but with kids that age there is only the beach, glass bottom boat for them to do.

I would recommend finding some nice beaches / towns along the mainland.

 

[maci]

Thanks everyone! That is what I needed to know! If that darn boat ride wasnt so expensive we might try it, I think we will just go to the beach on the mainland instead!!!

I am SURE I can find something else to spend 150 bucks on at Disney !

 

[Bete]

to Catalina Island. I look at it as another experience. I have never seen the island or it's views. We are doing it as part of a cruise; so, there's cost there plus we are spending $79 a head to get something called the Cape Canyon Tour. We don't even get to snorkel and I think it's worth seeing at least once. Even if it's a little boring it's worth one look.

You get to experience only so much on vacation and unless you have some great plan to do something else I would go for it.

 

[Tink33]

I like Catalina Island. I am going for a ladies' weekend with a group of my friends.

With two young children ages 3 and 5, I would pick a beach on the mainland. The beach at Avalon is small and since it is protected by the harbor, there are no waves.

 

[lulubelle]

I think Catalina is more for adults. We have gone 3 times and it is all about partying on the beach during the day and partying again at night in a restaurant! The tour of the Wrigley mansion was interesting (for adults, that is) and the shopping is fun. We also snorkeled and the water is cold and there are very few fish. Not worth it. Plus, it is cold most of the time there. Only a portion of the end of the summer months does it warm up. Your kids will have more fun at a local beach

 

[kincal]

We take our boat over to Catalina at least one weekend a month - it is a beautiful little town. There is a lot to do there besides sit on the "beach" - which is not a beach in my mind - more of a very narrow patch of sand - and party. You can snorkel (they will provide wet suits if it is too cold for you), parasail, sub tours, kayak, tour of the casino, various tours of the island, mini golf, skate board park, golf, shop, etc. I'm not sure I would do it with kids as young as yours - my guess is they would be just as happy playing in the sand on a "real beach" But for others looking for something different, it is a great place.

If anyone else is interested in things to do in Catalina there is a great website at ecatalina.com (hope it is ok to post the address here) that has all sorts of info on tours, what to do and see and even the history of the island.

 

[Beachangel]

I'm going this weekend, but only for the day. I was concerned that we wouldn't have enough time to do everything, but it sounds like a day is good enough!