If you are anything like me, you will roll out of bed, hop in the car, and get to the Catalina Express terminal at the crack of dawn. You will then sit outside on the boat with an oversized jacket, a beanie, and some big sunglasses, so you can handle the breezy sunrise across the Pacific waters. If you are lucky, you will spot dolphins chasing the wake and snap that perfect IG shot! #Diditforthegram. You will set foot on the island while the tide is still low and start your first adventure of the day.
I would like to say that I have an eagle eye for the goodies on the shoreline…shells, sea glass, pottery, etc. It is truly breathtaking what washes up on this island…each trip I find new treasures. It is a fun, budget friendly activity…it is free! If you are competitive like my husband and I, you will find yourself competing for the biggest and best finds!
After several hours of hunting keepsakes, we head into town (AKA Avalon) for some good eats. There are many options for food and drinks along the island, however I am a creature of habit, so my top faves are:
1)Luau Larry’s – If you are over 21, come in here to get your Wiki Wacked! #Ifyouknowyouknow. If getting wacked isn’t your style, try the Buffalo Milk. It is the native island beverage, and no it is not actually Buffalo Milk! For food…get SEAFOOD! It would only make sense seeing that you are on a piece of land surrounded by SEA! My go-tos are the clam chowder bread bowl and the fish & chips.
2)Buffalo Nickel Restaurant – Just beyond Pebble Beach lies a hidden gem…this spot! Beware, it is about 1.5 miles from the main city center so you will need to put on your walking shoes, but it is well worth it. You will find no wait, huge portions, and a relaxed vibe. The restaurant has a full bar, outdoor seating, and woodsy décor. You will see lots of taxidermy and accent lighting! My go-tos here are the fried zucchini with ranch, and the big fat burrito. (Yes, that’s really the name of the burrito)
3)Lobster Trap – Head down Catalina Ave and find the building that has a Catalina scene painted all over it. You will see the ocean floor, a scuba diver, and a hanging trap near the entrance. Fish & Chips, Coconut shrimp, and the Seafood pasta are some of the best choices here.
After lunch, we head over to the Descanso Beach Club. Fun Fact – It is one of the only private beaches in California that remains open to the public. If you want to spend the day in first class fashion, you can rent Cabanas and Chaise lounges here. If you are trying to save on money, or forget to make your reservations in advance, you can head behind the cabana/chaise lounge area and relax on the huge plot of grass. Since it is still part of the beach club, you can eat, drink, and usually get some peace from the chaos of visitors. Bring a towel, some sunglasses, and take your shoes off. You will have a great view of the water and usually some shade. Troy and I typically take a short nap here to re-up for the rest of our day!
There are so many other things to do on the island – You can go on a buffalo off-road expedition, rent a golf cart to explore, go shopping, visit a pet cemetery, hike to the Wrigley Memorial, go on a semi-submarine excursion, and lots more.
Our latest visit included a trip to the Catalina Island Museum, where we saw lots of island history and experienced some incredible exhibits. Some highlights are:
~Chihuly Glass – If you know anything about Troy and I, or love Vegas as much as we do, you will recognize this artist’s name. Chihuly did the ABSOLUTELY INSANLY COOL ceiling at the Bellagio. You can also find a piece of his artwork hanging out on the top floor of the Catalina Island Museum.
~Soot and Water: Gyotaku Records of Catalina – This exhibit is only at the museum until September 2021. These Japanese prints are an incredible way to showcase your astonishing catches. Dwight Hwang takes his fresh catch, places ink on it, and then transfers it to rice paper. This creates still images that evoke real emotion. You can easily envision the creature’s natural motion and environment from his creations.
~Titanic: Real Artifacts, Real People, Real Stories – This exhibit is temporary as well, closing on February 13, 2022. This display was by far the most gut-wrenching. Seeing artifacts of the deceased, and items from the “unsinkable ship” and lifeboats makes your stomach turn. The fear that these people felt, and the suffering that their surviving family endured, is unthinkable. Although, I wish this exhibition was larger, seeing some relics and getting a glimpse into the lives of various passengers was riveting. Tickets are $17 per person, although Veterans, Active Servicemembers, and Seniors get a discount.
In closing, the island is small and crowded, but it is one of our favorite places to visit. It makes you feel like you are truly away from the city. Plan ahead and you can make some long lasting memories.
Stay tuned for our next post on Catalina, as we will be going back soon to experience the Buffalo off-road expedition. Additionally, keep your eyes peeled for a post on Avalon’s neighbor town, Two Harbors. We will be heading out to visit the Isthmus within the next couple of months.
Lastly…some unsolicited advice…if you are sensitive to motion, take Dramamine!! Sometimes the ferries can be rocky from the swells.
Until next time…
~ TnT