Catalina Island

Pros: enchanting fun for the whole family
Cons: ahoy, rough seas ahead

Have you ever been on an island? Catalina Island is a 76 square mile island located 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. On a clear day, I can see this monstrosity from my porch. Ominous and shrouded with mystique, the island warrants a closer...

Pros: Beautiful views, especially from the higher elevations.
Cons: Avalon could use a face lift! Mediocre shops and restaurants.

Many travel brochures love to compare Catalina Island to Italy's romantic Island of Capri. Unfortunately, those of us who have been to Capri couldn't agree less. Quite frankly, the difference between these two islands is like night and day. Catalina ...

Pros: Just about everything
Cons: Not enough time to do it all. The Scenic Tour of Avalon

There are plans in life that always seem to be thwarted. I've lived in Southern California most of my life. Several times, I made plans to go to Santa Catalina Island for the day. Somehow something always came up and prevented my going. Last week, ...

Pros: Rent a bike for $15.00 daily, rent a golf cart for $30.00. Explore beauty!
Cons: a little "touristy" in town

Many of you have all heard the saying, "if I only knew then what I know now", and so it goes... and flows... from experience. Regrets, oh regrets I have, my one day excursion to Catalina Island that should have, could have, been a at least a two night...

Pros: lots to do, major nature area, not many cars (if any at all!)
Cons: quite pricey; MAJOR tourist trap

This is an extension of the review I wrote about Dionne and my adventure on the Carnival Ecstasy. Please read my review on the cruise before reading this one! 26 miles off of the ...

Pros: Great place to come for a day or a week.
Cons: Prices in shops and restaurants comparable to other tourist destinations in California.

Both Carnival's Ecstasy (in fall 2004, Carnival's Paradise will replace the Ecstasy) and Royal Caribbean's newly refurbished Monarch of the Seas regularly call on Santa Catalina Island as part of their four night itinerary departing from the Los Angeles ...

Pros: something excitng and different to do
Cons: none

Catalina Island is one of my favorite mini-getaways. As a matter of fact I went there on my honeymoon. Catalina Island is a very small island off of the coast of Southern California; twenty -six miles from the Long Beach Harbor to be exact.

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Pros: Couples/Families enjoy: hiking, biking, scuba, bars, restaurants, tours, para-sailing, views and friendly people.
Cons: Crowded in summer, and on weekends. Island survives on tourism.

SOME BASIC FACTS

I urge you all to read the articles on Catalina by psugrowler and grey002. The Santa Catalina Island is part of Los Angeles County and is also one of the Channel Islands. Catalina lies about 22 miles from San Pedro. Its...

Pros: Beautiful clear, blue water, dolphins
Cons: Didn't get the full Catalina experience

Disclaimer This review is part of my Carnival Cruise review. Please be sure to read about the cruise by visiting my O ne of the Best Vacations I've Been on (So Far) review. On Tuesday, October ...

Pros: All But Cons
Cons: Golf Carts & Pigs

Imagine a salty breeze gusts by, illuminating the night sky with twilight shells and frigid breezes. Everywhere you look, the night gazes back at you, as you believe yourself to be in a degree of death, though life streams around you...

Pros: Fantastic scenery and lots to do!
Cons: Can be expensive depending on what you must have along the way.

Catalina Island really needs at least a two day excursion. No exceptions. The boat ride to the Island is about 1 1/2 hours and the return trip makes it a solid four+ hours out of the day (including getting to the dock in time). The ferry ride is about ...

Pros: Fun, good day trip, nice scenery, clean island, reasonable prices, laid back and friendly locals.
Cons: Should have stayed longer!

We had out of town guests and wanted to give them a good overall view of Los Angeles. Santa Catalina Island to the rescue. This island is one of the Channel Islands just off the shore of Los Angeles (26 miles) and can be reached either by ferry ...

Pros: Lovely, exotic place for the whole family
Cons: golf carts are smelly and noisy

My wife and I visited Catalina Island for a few hours on a cruise ship about 3 years ago. We were captivated by the beauty and charm of Avalon and were determined to bring our entire family back for an extended visit when schedules would permit. We...

Pros: Quiet, quaint, usually sunny, low-key
Cons: Can be crowded on summer weekends

Born and raised in southern California, I hadn't been to Catalina Island since I was about 10 years old (merely 35 short years ago!!). My friends and I were in desperate need of a calm and peaceful "change of scenery weekend" away from our...

Pros: Great visibility, animals you won't see anywhere else.
Cons: Water is cold, you will need at least a 10 mil wetsuit

This is not a review about what is on the island but what is underwater. Santa Catalina Island is regarded by many divers around the world as pristine, almost unbeatable diving. 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Catalina has some of the best diving...