Catalina Express one hour boat
ride to Catalina Island offers many scheduled trips throughout the day from
Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point Harbor to Catalina Island's Avalon.
Getting there:
Dana Point, Long Beach, San Pedro
Catalina Express Reservations Call: 800-481-3470.
Dana Point, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA
Directions: From LA: I-5 Freeway. South & exit at Pacific Coast Highway.
From San Diego: I-5 Freeway. North & exit at Beach Cities, Highway #1
off-ramp. Take a left at the second signal, Dana Point Harbor Drive. Left at
Golden Lantern, which dead ends at Dana Harbor parking lot.
Long Beach, 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA. (Downtown Long Beach
Catalina Landing)
Directions: (710) Freeway. South into Long Beach. Stay to the left, follow
signs to downtown and exit Golden Shore. Turn right at stop sign, follow
around to Terminal on the right. Parking in parking structure on the left.
Long Beach, 1046 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA. (Queen Mary)
Directions: (710) Freeway. South into Long Beach. Stay in right lane, follow
all signs to the Queen Mary which will lead you to the Catalina Express Port
in the Queen Mary parking lot.
San Pedro, Berth 95, San Pedro, CA.
Directions: (110) Harbor Freeway. South to San Pedro. Take the Terminal
Island, Exit ramp 47. Stay in right lane, exit Harbor Blvd. Follow signs to
Catalina Terminal, Berth 95.
Catalina Island looks like a set of
mountains floating on the Pacific Ocean as you gaze from the Southern California
shore to the west. Located 22 to 25 miles from Los Angeles and Orange County, on
a clear, warm day they beckon to come visit. And getting to them is usually as
easy as hopping on one of the daily charters departing Long Beach, Newport Beach
or Dana Point. If you've never visited or have not been there in quite some
time, you are in for treat. It's possible to stay overnight but you
actually can pack in a full day of entertainment, arriving around 10 a.m. and
back on the boat by 4 p.m. return for a total of six hours of play.
To
get going, you can call Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer and get their
schedules and departure times. Once you have that information, be sure to
pack a sweater or jacket and some sunblock or a ball cap for the day of your
life.The boats going back and forth between the island and mainland is
usually a Catamaran. High speed versions departing Long Beach can clip off
an extra 15 minutes for a journey under one hour each way. Most trips take
about 65 to 90 minutes each way. The boat ride itself is pleasure
enough if you enjoy the open seas. During the months of December
through March you often can spot the whale migrations and when this happens,
the captain sometimes may even stop to watch. On any given day you may
see dolphins and sea lions on buoys as you exit the harbor.
While on this fun boat tour, you can
sit outdoors. Most people start the trip outside and often half the original
number will be there when the boat arrives, having gone inside the ship for
a warmer seat. 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. Slight
ocean spray mists can soak the upper deck from time to time, depending on
the weather conditions and ocean currents. There's limited seating in the
back by the engine. Gas exhaust is slightly noticeable at that location but
the outdoor air keeps fresh air moving it along.
Inside the boat is a snackbar with
cocoa, coffee, sodas and even beer for 21+. Chips and other light
refreshments are sold there. Cushioned booths, comfortable seating and
warmer weather are offered indoors. There are also restroom facilities
inside the boat.
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.
This family pictured was on their first trip
to the islands as a family. The man
with the visor had been to Catalina Island years ago as a kid attending summer
camp.
While on the Catamaran, a person may
offer to sell you tickets to attractions such as island tours. The
reason this works is that when you arrive, there's only a few booth and
attendants to tend to an entire boat load of people eager to try some
excursion. If you look online at the many offerings and decide, go
ahead and purchase your tickets while on the ride to save time. Certain days
of the week you also compete with the cruise ship passengers visiting for
the day. It's not a huge problem but can impact your plans if you don't rush
upon arrival to obtain a golf cart rental.
A day goes quickly on Catalina Island.
There are beaches, mountains, a 9-hole golf course, horseback riding, a
skatepark, over half a dozen tour choices, paddle boats, kayaks, parasailing
and snorkeling. In addition to sports, museums and arts, there's
shopping and dining.
After a day on Catalina Island, there's no question,
that you'll have gotten lots of sun, exercise and relaxation. It's amazing
that you can turn a day into an entire vacation. That's all you need, is one
day. And if you still have energy, you can be back in Los Angeles and visit
some theme parks in the evening, go to a movie, theater or even pick up a
ball game or concert.
