By Darlene Donloe
Catalina Island
is a little more than 47 miles from Los Angeles and 22 miles off the coast of
Southern California, but once visitors arrive on the intimate and casual islet,
that short distance feels more like it’s a million miles away.
A quick boat
ride from the ports of San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point via Catalina
Express, Catalina Island is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the
big city.
The bright
lights and chaos of city life are nowhere to be found. They are substituted for
peace, quiet and a small-town atmosphere that has become the island’s brand.
Catalina is a laidback
place where visitors can reboot, rejuvenate and above all, relax. It’s the perfect setting for a meeting.
The home of the delightful
town of Avalon with a population of 3,736, Catalina, which is reminiscent of a
seaside village, is only one square mile in size and is surrounded by rugged
hillsides and clear, blue water. While most residents live in the quaint city of Avalon,
others reside in the secluded isthmus village of Two Harbors.
The weather on Catalina
Island in late summer and early fall is warm and sunny, with water temperatures
warm enough to enjoy boating, snorkeling and relaxing at the beach.
It’s an
attractive, welcoming island that features a number of restaurants, quaint
shops and first class accommodations.
Visitors can walk from the Catalina Express mooring dock to Descanso
Beach, which is a mile away. Along the way are numerous places to eat, drink,
shop, or just stroll along the waterfront. Catalina, which has minimal
development, has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, as well as unique
animals and plants found nowhere else on earth.
Most visitors get around the island via golf carts as there are very few
cars allowed on the island.
Divers flock to Catalina as the island is recognized as one of the best
dive sites in the world.
There are several tours on the island. On a tour to the interior it’s possible
to see buffalo grazing on the hillsides. In 1924, 14 American bison were
brought to the island for the filming of a movie. They remained, and are like
island mascots today.
HIGHLIGHTS
There is so much to do on
Catalina Island that you literally don’t have time to get bored. There are escorted tours around town, adventure rides
into the interior, jeep eco tours, hummer rides, zip lines, rock climbing and
undersea adventures.
If you want to just do your own thing, you can camp, go hiking,
snub, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, get spa treatments, do some beach lounging,
play golf, motor boating, parasailing, fishing, boat rides down the coastline
and more.
THE AVALON THEATRE
Looking for something
different? Lets start with The
Avalon Theatre, which has one film screen and a seating capacity of
1,154. Current movies are
screened in the Avalon Theatre, on the ground floor of the Casino Building.
Lavish murals, painted on a jute-like material, adorn the walls. The theatre
still has its original 4-manual, 16 rank theatre pipe organ built by the Page
Pipe Organ Company of Lima, Ohio, one of only three left in the world. Visitors
can hear it being played every Friday and Saturday evening.
The newly remodeled Catalina Island Museum, which is located at the Casino Building, has a collection of
archaeological material excavated on the Island, as well as Native American
artifacts, historic photographs, fishing tackle, and Catalina pottery. The
museum is open daily.
THE CASINO
You do not want to miss The Santa
Catalina Island Company’s walking tour of the Casino Building. “Discover the
Casino” is a trip down Memory Lane to the heyday of the casino, when the big
bands played and the ballroom floor was a sea of dancers (6,200 dancers were on
the floor as Kay Kyser played one spring night in 1940). The tour also includes
a visit to Avalon Theatre for a viewing of a new video on the history of the
Casino. The “Behind the Scenes” tour focuses on the cultural history of the
building, and pays visits to backstage areas, green rooms (used by Errol Flynn
and Cary Grant), the Ballroom stage, and an editing room where Cecil B. DeMille
watched “rushes” of movies shot on Catalina. Visitors can step back 80 years to the big band era when ‘talkie’
motion pictures were the rage. Tours may be booked at www.visitcatalinaisland.com
The
Casino Building, Avalon's world-famous landmark, is not a gambling casino at
all. It was never intended to house gambling and doesn't to this day. The
building, perched at the edge of Avalon Bay, is the largest circular theater in
the world that was built without support beams.
The
building itself is equivalent in height to a 12-story office structure and
houses the Catalina Island Museum, the Catalina Art Association Art Gallery and
a fitness center, a movie theater, as well as public restrooms. The Casino
Ballroom, located on the top floor of the Casino Building, has been the site of
major events since its grand opening in May of 1929. The ballroom gained
nationwide fame in the 1930s and 40s when it hosted many of the big bands,
including Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Harry James and more.
THE CASINO BALLROOM
The Casino Ballroom is gorgeous and a must-see! It is 180 ft. in diameter with no
interior columns and is the largest ballroom of this type in existence, made
possible by the building’s cantilever construction. The room can play host to
many functions including dinners, weddings, dances, meetings and jazz
festivals. It can accommodate 1,200 people for dinner only, 1,800 people in
classroom style seating for meetings or concerts, 1,200 people for dances and a
maximum for 1,000 people for dinner dances.
For the more adventurous, there is the Catalina Adventure Tours, The Zip
Line Eco Tour: Propel down 5 separate zips, dropping
from 500’ to 60’ above sea level at heart pounding speeds. Depart from Descanso
Beach Club. The zip line holds a certificate of excellence from Trip
advisor. Travel close to three
quarters of a mile over five consecutive zip lines at heights of 300 ft. above
the canyon floor at speeds pushing 45 mph. The tour lasts approximately two hours. www.visitcatalinaisland.com
GETTING THERE
Getting to Catalina is easy. As
the commercial says: ‘It’s so easy to go to Catalina, Catalina Express.’ Catalina
Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and
two harbors, transporting nearly one million passengers annually. It offers
comfortable airline-style seats and grouped table seating. Catalina Express.
CATALINA EXPRESS
While some visitors fly by helicopter or airplane, by far the most
popular mode of transportation to Catalina Island is by boat. In its
33-year history, Catalina Express has ferried more than 22 million passengers
to and from Catalina. It is the
preferred mode of transportation for 95 percent of visitors to the island. The
fleet of eight high-speed, high-tech vessels carries passengers over the 22
miles in about an hour, sometimes less, with up to 30 scheduled departures per
day. Sleek fiberglass hulls and state-of-the-art stabilizers smooth out
90 percent of the ocean’s roll, and high-tech navigational equipment and radio
communications systems provide for safe channel crossing. For boat
reservations, call 800-429-4601 or book online at www.CatalinaExpress.com.
The Commodore
Lounge upgrade is available on the high-speed catamarans. Lounge passengers
enjoy priority boarding, comfortable seating in a more intimate environment and
a complimentary beverage with packaged snacks served by cabin attendants.
WHERE TO STAY
Once you get to
the island, accommodations on Catalina run the gamut - from tent site camping
to beachfront hotels, from family-friendly inns to well-appointed condos, from
charming cottage vacation rentals to an elegant four-star country inn. You can
stay in a luxurious ocean-view suite or take the whole family to a comfortable
beach bungalow close to town.
MINI SUITE
A stylish
place to stay on the island is the Hotel Metropole. Centrally located in the
heart of Avalon, just steps from the beach, the hotel is the perfect spot for
romantic interludes and family getaways.
The hotel’s
facilities can accommodate up to 150 people in a variety of meeting rooms and
outdoor patios that can be customized for various needs. Their Group Sales Team
can also assist in making arrangements for larger groups on the island. The
staff will handle all the details of your event, from meeting set-ups and
audio-visual support to theme party coordination. Breakout rooms are available,
high speed internet access is available throughout the hotel, complete audio
and visual equipment rental and support, competitive group rates and full
coordination of team-building activities. There is also a day spa.
The Ocean
View Superior guest rooms include a king-size bed, fireplace, DVD player, possible
Jacuzzi and sofa sleeper.
There is also a Partial Ocean View Superior, a Superior and a Deluxe guest
room, which has a courtyard or hillside view, king or two queen beds, possible
amenities include fireplace or balcony or Jacuzzi tub or sofa sleeper. The
Moderate guest room has a king or queen bed with possible courtyard view.
The
master suite features a vaulted ceiling, king-size bed, Frette linens and
robes, sofa, dressing area, TV and private deck. The master bath has a Jacuzzi
bathtub and a huge walk-in shower. The guest suite provides two full-size beds,
guest bath with Jacuzzi bathtub, TV, and a private deck.
There is
also a VIP Wing, which has an ocean view as well as ocean front mini suites. www.hotel-metropole.com
Other hotels on the island include: The Avalon
Hotel and The Aurora Hotel. Both offer views from their rooftops, with a
360-degree vista of Avalon and its harbor. Most rooms feature 42-inch flat screens and high-speed Internet
connections are available at no extra charge.
The Hermosa
Hotel is located in the heart of Avalon, just a short 10-15 minute walk from
the boat landing. The Historic Hermosa has been serving guests of the island
since 1896.
The Hotel
Villa Portofino carries on the traditions of a European seaside resort with
personalized service and a relaxed Mediterranean charm.
WHERE TO MEET
The city of Avalon has a number of meeting sites.
The Catalina Casino, which has a theatre that is suitable for large lectures and conferences, can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
Descanso Beach Club is a relaxed site for corporate retreats, meetings, and team-building seminars. The location combines the beauty of the beach with all the amenities of a club: restrooms, outdoor showers, dressing rooms, volleyball courts, and beach equipment rentals.
Catalina Visitors Country Club
can accommodate small
and mid-sized groups who want a private location steps from the golf course so
that meetings can be moved to the green. Both casual and formal seating areas
can accommodate 25-200 guests. The Boardroom is suited for private committee or
board meetings. Located off the main Courtyard is the Avalon Bay Room, which
will appeal to planners of conferences or group lectures utilizing a
classroom-style or u-shaped configuration. Meeting rooms can be tailored
to suit a group’s needs.
Meeting At Two Harbors
From casual meetings or events along the shore to more formal and intimate events inside the stately Banning House Lodge, Two Harbors boasts inspirational settings for meetings or brainstorming sessions. Four picnic areas—three of them with bandstands—can accommodate from 100 to 500 people.
Meeting At Two Harbors
From casual meetings or events along the shore to more formal and intimate events inside the stately Banning House Lodge, Two Harbors boasts inspirational settings for meetings or brainstorming sessions. Four picnic areas—three of them with bandstands—can accommodate from 100 to 500 people.
WHERE TO EAT
PIZZA AT LUAU LARRY'S
Luau Larry’s has breathtaking views of the harbor.
For more than 20 years the restaurant has offered world famous drinks,
including the local favorite concoctions including Buffalo Milks and Wiki Wackers.
www.luaularrys.com
BLUEWATER AVALON SWORDFISH
Bluewater Avalon is the city’s newest restaurant.
Part of the Bluewater Grill group of restaurants on the Mainland, the
restaurant sources the globe for the highest quality fresh seafood. Bluewater
is casual, fun, owner-operated, offers a kid’s menu, oyster bar, sushi bar, patio
dining and full bar. www.bluewatergrill.com/locations/catalina_island.php
STEVE'S STEAKHOUSE APPETIZERS
Steve’s Steakhouse was voted the #1 restaurant in
Avalon. It received a four star rating on Yelp and 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor. It
features choice steaks, fresh seafood and rack of lamb. Located on the second
floor, it has panoramic harbor views.
www.stevessteakhouse.com
LOBSTER TRAP DINNER
Lobster Trap, owned by commercial lobster fisherman
Caleb Lins since 2008, is a local favorite that features, of course, lobster,
clam chowder, a Pancake Breakfast ‘shot’ and more. www.catalinalobstertrap.com
LLOYD'S OF AVALON CONFECTIONARY
If you have a sweet tooth, Lloyd’s of Avalon
Confectionary is just the ticket. It has been making its world-renowned
saltwater taffy, fantastic caramel apples, perfect peanut brittle, creamy fudge
and scrumptious chocolates in the window on Crescent Avenue in Avalon, Catalina
Island since 1934. All of the confections are hand made from the company’s own
recipes. www.catalinacandy.com
THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION
Among the movies shot on Catalina are: Treasure Island (1918), The Ten Commandments (1923), Ben Hur (1925) and Old Ironsides (1926).
The Island also doubled for Tahiti in the filming of Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935, starring
Charles Laughton and Clark Gable.
Other movies from the 1930s shot on the island include: Treasure Island, Island of Lost Souls, Rain,
Captain Blood and Captains Courageous.
Some of the aerial shots of Hawaii in Pearl
Harbor (2001) were actually Catalina.
The waters surrounding the island were used for The Thin Red Line (1998), Suicide
Kings (1997) and The Hunt for Red
October (1990). Other notable
movies include Apollo 13 (1995), Waterworld (1995), Jaws (1975), Chinatown
(1974) and Rosemary’s Baby (1968).
Stars have always flocked to the island. Charlie Chaplin and wife Paulette Goddard,
James Cagney, John Wayne, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Joan
Crawford, Betty Grable and Johnny Weissmuller, Marilyn Monroe and Ronald
Reagan.
Spotted on the island in recent years is a who’s who of
Hollywood including: Barbra Streisand, James Brolin, Nicolas Cage, Lisa Marie
Presley, Rob Lowe, Heidi Klum, Seal, Alanis Morrisette, Jessica Biel, Justin
Timberlake and Katy Perry, the casts of Housewives of
Orange County, Hell’s Kitchen, The Bachelor,
Stepbrothers, Twilight, The Girls Next Door, Millionaire Matchmaker,
LMFAO, and VH-1 and MTV shows.
* * *
Catalina
Fun Facts: There
have been more than 500 filmings in Avalon over the past century, from movies,
TV shows, photo shoots, music videos and commercials. Clark Gable’s favorite
hotel was The Glenmore, the island’s oldest hotel; Marilyn Monroe lived on the
island for one year with her first husband and pulled taffy at Lloyd’s
Confectionary; Catalina Express’ Doug Bombard transported Ronald Reagan, who
was doing sports radio broadcasting during the Chicago Cubs spring training, to
the Mainland for a screen test.
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