Catalina Island
STAY Aurora Hotel
VISIT Catalina Island Casino
We were blessed with a super pod of dolphins that surfed alongside the boat and filled the ocean as far as the eye could see
The ferry is an hour from Dana Point to Catalina Island and very smooth if taken early
JULIO
Christina’s birthday was the occasion for a surprise getaway to nearby Santa Catalina Island. We embarked early from La Jolla to Dana Point landing and took an early morning ferry to the town of Avalon for a few relaxing days of celebrating together. We saw a momentous super pod of dolphins on the way inspiring many tears which was perhaps the greatest birthday blessing of all.
We arrived, checked into our awesome hotel and found the most beautiful roof-top terrace. I made and packed an amazing birthday picnic and we sat and drank champagne and reveled in the view and perfect weather. Afterwards, we headed out to explore the town and historic sites.
We had visited Catalina early in our relationship ten years previous and it appeared to be quite updated and more hospitable. The town of Avalon is full of cute shops, boutiques and winding uphill streets to explore. The island has an Old Hollywood history and many films have been shot here capitalizing on the beautiful natural landscapes throughout. We enjoyed strolling the town, browsing the shops and even watching taffy get made before heading home early to enjoy some good wine and old movies.
We woke up and enjoyed an amazing breakfast at the local greasy spoon diner Original Jack's Country Kitchen and then headed out to hike some of the The Trans Catalina Trail. The trail takes you up to stunning views of Avalon, the other side of the island and ocean as far as the eye can see. We encountered the rare and elusive Catalina Silver fox and hiked for hours on quiet trails before returning to the port for our ferry home.
Catalina was a sacred place for the Native Americans that once inhabited the island, calling it Pimu. It has a fascinating history having been colonized by the Spanish, claimed by Mexican activists and eventually developed into a tourist destination by the American dynasty of the Wrigley family. It has been administered since the 1970s by the Catalina Conservancy, a non-profit land trust that accounts for 88% of the island. The goal of the non-profit is to restore and protect the island with a focus on "conservation, education and recreation." This unusual set-up has kept development at bay and has maintained the natural landscape of this beautiful place, making it a great place to escape from the city.
It remains mystical, romantic and feels different than being on the mainland making it certainly worth more than a day trip from Los Angeles or San Diego.
We drove to Dana Point from La Jolla which is only fifty minutes and took the early morning ferry to Catalina
The gorgeous view of Avalon from our hotel
The Catalina Island Yacht Club
The iconic Catalina Casino which contains a theatre, ballroom and history museum.
The salty pier
We hiked part of the Trams Catalina Trail
Stunning views of the mountains and sea. We even had an encounter with the elusive Catalina Silver fox
FOOD FACTS: The Pimuvit natives of Catalina consumed a diet high in native plants and the rich resources of the sea–from abalone and other mollusks, to small and large fish, and marine mammals such as sea lions.