Catalina Island
This could be one of the best excursions to your Southern California trip. Long Beach is the gateway to this special destination: Catalina Island. You will have less than a five-minute drive to the ferry from any hotel in downtown Long Beach, but don’t miss your exit! It is on the left and one of the last before you get on the highway.
Catalina Island stirred my interest as soon as I saw the old vintage postcards all over Long Beach of the “Casino,” which is actually a theater and dance hall built in 1929. As I started my weekly swing dancing ritual, it was not long until I heard about the magical nights when people from all around the country go to Catalonia Island for a night of glamor and dancing reminiscent of the glory dances. Needless to say, I was going to Catalina. I was persuaded to not go until my then-boyfriend could go with me the week I was leaving California. I reluctantly waited and ended up getting engaged on the island. You can find the story in my Wedding Bliss blog category. But let's get back to what you will be doing while you are there!
Unlike anywhere else in the world, the zip line tour through the mountains of Catalina Island gives you a view of the ocean, gorgeous beaches, sweet Italian-looking seaside villages, and the surrounding forest. Even the famous Costa Rican zip line companies have taken tips and used the technology found on the Catalina lines. They are superior in safety and, in my book, view and adventure also. So start your day with a bang and go for it! Drop your bags off at a sweet little, non-chain hotel; we stayed at the Catalina Cottages. It was a lovely little escape, and I would highly recommend it. Avalon is the town you will dock in and likely stay in. This place is very small so bring your walking shoes! We walked to the zip lines from our hotel, and this gives you great ways to see the town.
If you want to spend time on a beach, the one directly below the zip line will take your breath away. It is so tiny and precious. It gives you great views of the Casino and Avalon. The beach, while rocky, has fun crevices and creatures to poke at. If you decide to spend more than a day or two here, there are several remote beaches where you can camp out overnight if you are looking for a more rugged adventure. If this is your style, you should also spend an afternoon diving in the area. I could not do this, but here it is very nice and will be on my list for my next trip!
Besides these primary activities, the island is buzzing with golf carts and bikes you can rent to explore this sweet escape. But me, I am a walker. My fiancé and I walked this island and made an afternoon of it. The steep climb can sometimes be challenging, yet the top view is worth every deep breath. Once you are above the coastal hub, you can see how the locals live in their beautiful, cliff-hanging homes, driving their golf carts and loving the island life. I highly recommend you take off and adventure around the neighborhoods; this was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
I cannot wait to go back!
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