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Catalina Island
~ City of Avalon
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How easy is it to hop a boat to Catalina Island?
It is a breeze to put yourself on a boat and head for
Paradise, even if just for a day.
Catalina was on my mind for several months.
I often looked out from the Southern California landscape to see how it will
appear in photos taken from mainland beaches on clear days. I even bid
on a two night stay recently but lost out in a silent auction. Finally, one day
something tells you that it's time to go. Just one day is all you need to escape
city life and enter vacation village.
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I got on the internet, looked at the boat schedules and
saw how easy it is to go. The next day, I skipped the coffee, rolled into
action and stood in line, waiting for a ticket. As I looked around, there
appeared to be several hundred people already ticketed, standing in line
for the boat, many with suitcases and bicycles to tote. It was a Friday,
the sun was shining and I was put on a waiting list. I and 12 others were
given the OK, paid our way and things just kept getting better.
(Pictured left is Wayne Griffin, the
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau in Avalon. Wayne is
a champion for tourism and is always involved in promoting California
Tourism.)
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Photo © Debbie Stock
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The boat was full and seats were scarce so I worked my
way to the top deck with a bunch of Junior Lifeguards from Laguna Beach.
They were up more than down in their seats so we got along fine as I sat
near their backpacks and they disappeared for most the 55-minute trip. When I
went to the concessions, I saw where they were hanging out (pictured left). |
Sitting outside is not for the faint hearted or for people
with fancy hairdos. The top deck is very windy and cool and most who venture
up from two other floors and inside cabins don't stay long.
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 Photo © Debbie Stock
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People who prefer the top deck tend to come from colder
climates or to be sports oriented, I surmised while eavesdropping on several
conversations. The jackets quickly went on after this photo was taken. |
Time passes quickly on the hour long ride as you look
at the ocean and sky. Other passengers seem friendly and before you know
it, the island appears larger and closer. You arrive in the port with no
rush to get off the boat, but can tell that it is going to be fun. By the
way, if the crew of the craft see a whale, they will go as far as to stop if
it's a really big one nearby. I've never seen them actually stop but was
told that it has happened.
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Photo © Debbie Stock
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This family was on their first trip together. The man
with the visor had been to Catalina Island years ago while in camp, much
like the youth whose backpacks I sat next to from the Junior Lifeguards.
His family came for a day outing. I took several photos of them with their
camera and as an afterthought, requested one for myself. We were
still waiting for the lower decks of the boat to empty so we weren't
in a hurry. |
After a day on Catalina Island, there's no question,
I plan to go back. If my friends want to come along, they are welcome.
If you are visiting, take some friends and enjoy it together. But if they
are unavailable, go by yourself. You'll make new friends on the trip and
will be glad you took the time for a day on Fantasy Island.
And one final recommendation is to leave the cell phone at home. You'll
have a better time.
Water
activities include: Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing,
paddle boating, parasailing, boat tour around the island, the glass bottom
boat tour, the night lights boat tour
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