Aerial photograph of Catalina Island shows one of the most beautiful landmarks seen from the air as you fly the Southern California skies on commercial aircraft. Departures from Orange County Airport typically fly a steep, quick ascent into the air over the Pacific Ocean to adhere to noise restrictions making the sound a bit more tolerable for residents in the Newport Beach / Huntington Beach / Costa Mesa  - Orange County beach cities.

 

For those enjoying the flight, the views of Catalina Island and sometimes limited as the island sits in a cloud of fog. But on a perfect day, you'll look down and see the Green Pleasure Pier stretching into the water. That's one way to recognize this Club Med style island filled with excursions, tours and treasures for tourists to explore.  

 

You can actually get to the island by air but the price costs quite a bit more than a boat ride for the coast.  You may also visit the island while riding on a cruise boat that stops for a day in Catalina.   Whether you fly or float, you'll enjoy this gem that from the air shows its pier and little 9 hole course with the lush fairway greens.

 

When you visit Catalina, you'll observe some geographic features shown in the photo above.  There are mountains, shrubs, trees, and a semi-desert condition. Odd that a desert can sit on the edge of an ocean, the rain in the Southern California can dip annually below 10 inches.  On the island you'll realize just how much water the mainland uses to keep its flowers, shrubs and lawns green. The conservancy that acts a steward to this property puts many volunteer hours into keeping the island as close to a natural condition as possible. 

 

When you visit other Southern California islands such as the Channel Islands that are part of the National Marine Park, you'll see a very similar look and feel.  Trips to these particular islands are even more regimented.  "Pack it in, take it out" policies keep these islands beautiful, if not a bit rugged with most lacking running water or even flush toilets.  They generally are not wheelchair accessible either, as guests departing the tour boats must be able to climb a vertical ladder to a wharf.

 

Catalina Island enjoys a small year-round population that mostly works in the service industry, catering to guests who enjoy the fantastic activities, restaurants, shopping and hotels.  The next time you fly over the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, look for Catalina Island approximately 10 minutes after departure from Orange County Airport.