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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Anyone been to Catalina Island?
Thinking about going, would like recommendations: where to stay, what to do, places to eat... Thanks!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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David-----Unless you have a boat at your disposal while there, the little town of Avalon is about it for you, but Avalon is a very fun place, tiny,
and everything is within walking distance. Been a long time since I was there so can't give you any current info, tho. The snorkeling at the NW end
of the island is outstanding, as well as elsewhere. Fog can be a problem, but less likely in Aug and Sept.
You will love the place, but it is not as warm as Shell Island. 
take jackets.
Barry
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noproblemo2
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Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
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Are you referring to Two Harbors or Avalon when you say Catalina?
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Russ
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Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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I was going to recommend Toyon Bay since that's where I spent my first two years of high school. They've turned it into a marine institute that is
really cool. Unfortunately it's geared for kids. There is always Whites Landing. If you're going by boat. You should take a tour of the island. I'm
pretty sure they still have them. The Island is a lot like Baja. And you'll probable tire of Avalon quickly if you're not interested in the tourist
trap. Do a google search for a ton of info.
Have Fun!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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DK, watch out for those red rattlers without the rattlers.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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we usd to go all the time
but we took our boat
got a mooring and used our shore boat
the shore boats that operate in the harbor are very expensive
the place is lots of fun for a weekend
i'd stay in town so you can walk around
take the tours
rent a golf cart
go to the movies in the casino at night
eat dinner $$$
we would bbq on the boat
everything is really expensive and
EVERY building is OLD
and smells a little moldy
avalon is the ONLY tourist location
2 harbors is for planned camping ONLY
too rough and no commercial boats go there
make reservations
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mtgoat666
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Posts: 18380
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Thinking about going, would like recommendations: where to stay, what to do, places to eat... Thanks! |
you can do a day trip to avalon, and snorkel near the ferry dock. you can also stay overnite in avalon, but the town is dullsville (just tourist
crap, and lots of tourists).
my fav: take a bike and panniers/overnite gear and ride the island (but you got to be in shape, the island has serious hills).
find a friend with a boat and anchor on one of the many nice spots.
take sea kayaks, and paddle the shores, and overnite where allowed.
[Edited on 7-13-2010 by mtgoat666]
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knuckles
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Registered: 9-15-2009
Location: I am never sure anymore :)
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I agree with the Goat....Snooozeville
A hike up the the Wrigley Mansion is fun, beautiful view from there, but only takes half the day.
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bill erhardt
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Posts: 1372
Registered: 4-2-2005
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Since this is a Baja forum you must be talking about Isla Catalana, in the SOC about 40 miles SE of Loreto. Home of rattle-less rattle snakes and the
biggest barrel cactus on Baja. when I was last there, about a week ago, choices of where to go and what to eat were pretty limited. One of my first
trips to the island was in search of the elusive rattle-less rattle snakes. We spent the first half of the night walking up and down the arroyos
looking for snakes with rapidly dimming flashlights, and the last half on the beach in sleeping bags hoping the snakes didn't find us.
Here is a pic of my McKee Craft Backwater 172 tucked in for the night at an abandoned fish camp on the east side of the island on the night of the
snake hunt.
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Taco de Baja
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Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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As with most places, if you pay more you get a better hotel room. The cheap ones are pretty much all the same, as are the mid to expensive rooms.
Just remember if you are beach front, it will probably be noisy. Last time I was there I stayed at the Casa Mariquita, and it was fine place. Next
time I go I think I am going to try out the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, it's out of the main part of town on the hill, but looks like a cool place with
reasonable rates.
Good food at Ristorante Villa Portofino, Armstrong's Seafood, the original Antonio's Pizzeria, and Mi Casita Mexican Food.
Things to do: Get a daily hiking pass (they’re free at the Island Conservancy) and hike the remote fire roads / trails (just not the fire breaks…).
You will get away from the tourists and see the real Catalina....But be prepared the ridge around Avalon is over 1,500 feet, and it's a steep climb,
but the views are amazing. Rent a kayak and paddle northwest of Avalon to see the remote and often otherwise inaccessible and beautiful coves. Check
out the Wrigley Gardens and the Nature Center. Take a glass bottom boat tour. Take an interior island bus tour.
If you don't like crowds, go after Labor Day. It's amazing how empty the town gets on that Tuesday, and if you go a few weeks after Labor Day the
weather is still really nice, and the water temps are still warm.
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks over there for work and got to hike to many remote areas across the entire island. Also went a lot as a
kid for vacations. It's a great place. Have fun.
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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jaime here
hey DK, Catalina sets just outside our windows in Sunset Beach. If you like the ocean, there is snorkeling off the rocks, rentals for kyacks to take
you to beautiful coves away from people, glass bottom boat, submarine trip to see the underwater fish up close and being fed. you can charter a boat
and go fishing...for bonita (great fighting fish) mackerel (yuck) barracuda, bass, yellowtail, white seabass, and the elusive Marlin. you can go see
the Catalina Island tuna club, very old historical building and great memorabilia inside. women cannot join, just men, then their wives can come to
lunches and dinners. the hotels mostly have shared bathrooms, unless you pay more. most (all) hotels are very noisey, once bars close at night. the
Zane Grey hotel is on the hill, overlooks all of the harbor of Avalon. they have all the first editions of Zane Grey's (western and fishing ) books,
and, as a guest you are welcome into the library to check them out and read them. its around $250 per night, unless off season, then it may go down
to $249 per night, starting price!!! It is very quiet up there except for the bell ringing. Evidently Zane had a fight with Wrigleys wife,, as the
story goes, and she got even with him by putting a HUGE bell next to his home (the hotel). And, it rings every hour,or used to. For on island fun,
there are biking trails, hiking trails, buffalo, flower gardens, red tail hawks, osprey, bald eagles, and stuff which crawl on the ground and rattle.
you can rent golf carts to see it all, or even take it overnight on trails and camp in a cove just for you. and, NO for the summer season, wait until
after labor day. then, you will have the island and all it offers to yourselves!
Trivia question: How much is a piece of wrigley's chewing gum, from the 50's in its original wrapper worth? If you can find one, over $10,000.
that will get ya a room at the Island!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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there is only one reason to go to that island and that is the Catalina Jazz Festival. i think in sept most years?
fantastic.
only thing to do there is pub crawl. which i happen to like, and pester tourists, especially blue hairs.
definitely go to the casino.
bring a lot of money to upgrade your room.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
we usd to go all the time
but we took our boat
got a mooring and used our shore boat
the shore boats that operate in the harbor are very expensive
the place is lots of fun for a weekend
i'd stay in town so you can walk around
take the tours
rent a golf cart
go to the movies in the casino at night
eat dinner $$$
we would bbq on the boat
everything is really expensive and
EVERY building is OLD
and smells a little moldy
avalon is the ONLY tourist location
2 harbors is for planned camping ONLY
too rough and no commercial boats go there
make reservations |
Two harbors is served by the Catalina express now and there is the Banning House to stay, but must have reservations which are hard to come by, far
more peaceful, we used to moor there a couple of times a month until 4 years ago, but far prettier unless one likes the chaos of Avalon.
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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I went to catalina a few times. One time I crashed out above the golf course with a bottle and a cupla' buddies. When I woke up in the morning we
got our camp stove out and made some coffee. Some golfers were visible down on the course and I stood up nekkid and yelled out, "hey, what time is
it?" they paused and yelled back "time for you to leave the island"
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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the BEST weekend to go is priate day at two harbors
the boat takes you there
we would hook to the string line
priates and wenches EVERYWHERE
and GROG to drink
really fun day if you do the "treasure hunt"
action all day
then go to avalon for dinner and a movie
breakfast the next day
then home
edit:
ps while ther check out the saltwater toilets
a complete separate sewer system to save on water
interesting concept
saltwater septic is in another thread
[Edited on 7-13-2010 by Bob and Susan]
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Catalina Island - Late 60's
Picture this: Waking up in a tent in Little Harbor, a typical misty morning.
A mini-bison herd (the bred-down animals left by the Hollywood film crews of years gone by) are in the field outside our tent, snorting and grazing.
Yesterday, P.K. Wrigley and his wife rode down on their award-winning Arabian horses to visit our marine biology summer school camp. They brought
gifts from their kitchen for our dinner.
Today, we hiked the hills through the island to the USC Marine Biology Institute to meet up with Jacques Cousteau. He is charasmatic and passionate
in his speech to our small, bedraggled group about how unique and wonderful the marine environment around Catalina is: "My friends, marine biologists
are discovering new species every day!"
Catalina Island was magic then; I believe that there still is magic to be found.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Catalina
Plenty of cute B&B's close to the ferry terminal in Avalon. A suggestion is to pack light and use a small roller bag.
You can ride the trolly all over town, or rent a golf cart (expensive)
Interesting places to eat and shop.......great people watching.
Worth a 2 day 1 night trip
[Edited on 7-14-2010 by bajaguy]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
DK, watch out for those red rattlers without the rattlers. |
Funny... I expected this feedback for sure! The OTHER Catalina Island, Osprey! Thanks anyway! 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bill erhardt
Since this is a Baja forum you must be talking about Isla Catalana, in the SOC about 40 miles SE of Loreto. Home of rattle-less rattle snakes and the
biggest barrel cactus on Baja. when I was last there, about a week ago, choices of where to go and what to eat were pretty limited. One of my first
trips to the island was in search of the elusive rattle-less rattle snakes. We spent the first half of the night walking up and down the arroyos
looking for snakes with rapidly dimming flashlights, and the last half on the beach in sleeping bags hoping the snakes didn't find us.
Here is a pic of my McKee Craft Backwater 172 tucked in for the night at an abandoned fish camp on the east side of the island on the night of the
snake hunt. |
Nice photo Bill... but I did use this forum: "Non-Baja Vacation Trip Reports" to seek some suggestions from Nomads about Alta California's Catalina
Island. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja Bernie
hey DK, Catalina sets just outside our windows in Sunset Beach. If you like the ocean, there is snorkeling off the rocks, rentals for kyacks to take
you to beautiful coves away from people, glass bottom boat, submarine trip to see the underwater fish up close and being fed. you can charter a boat
and go fishing...for bonita (great fighting fish) mackerel (yuck) barracuda, bass, yellowtail, white seabass, and the elusive Marlin. you can go see
the Catalina Island tuna club, very old historical building and great memorabilia inside. women cannot join, just men, then their wives can come to
lunches and dinners. the hotels mostly have shared bathrooms, unless you pay more. most (all) hotels are very noisey, once bars close at night. the
Zane Grey hotel is on the hill, overlooks all of the harbor of Avalon. they have all the first editions of Zane Grey's (western and fishing ) books,
and, as a guest you are welcome into the library to check them out and read them. its around $250 per night, unless off season, then it may go down
to $249 per night, starting price!!! It is very quiet up there except for the bell ringing. Evidently Zane had a fight with Wrigleys wife,, as the
story goes, and she got even with him by putting a HUGE bell next to his home (the hotel). And, it rings every hour,or used to. For on island fun,
there are biking trails, hiking trails, buffalo, flower gardens, red tail hawks, osprey, bald eagles, and stuff which crawl on the ground and rattle.
you can rent golf carts to see it all, or even take it overnight on trails and camp in a cove just for you. and, NO for the summer season, wait until
after labor day. then, you will have the island and all it offers to yourselves!
Trivia question: How much is a piece of wrigley's chewing gum, from the 50's in its original wrapper worth? If you can find one, over $10,000.
that will get ya a room at the Island! |
Hi Jaime... thanks for the tip... YIKES!
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