Escape to Captivating Santa Catalina Island

By Noreen Kompanik

Our catamaran just departed the dock in Dana Point, California and our weekend getaway adventure had already begun.

On our way to Santa Catalina Island, the boat captain announced “Check out the pod of dolphins starboard side.”

We rushed to the right side of the boat as a pod of dolphins playfully frolicked in the aquamarine water putting on quite a show. In a few minutes, more companions arrived to join in the fun.

Our trip to Catalina Island was a relaxing one-hour transit on the Catalina Express accompanied by stunning views along the way.

Arriving at the marina pier, we were surprised at how the picturesque seaport village was so reminiscent of some of the European islands we’ve visited. Refreshing and charming to say the least.

About Santa Catalina Island

The island is 22 miles long and 8 miles at its greatest width. Evergreen-shrubbed hills are dotted with colorful summer homes and surrounded by azure waters. Only twenty-some miles away from the traffic jams and urban sprawl of Southern California’s Los Angeles region, Catalina felt more like a continent away. Accessible only by boat, plane, or helicopter, the remote island is a perfect place to escape.

Escape to the Channel Islands

Avalon is the island’s main harbor town where most visitors disembark. Two Harbors is the second and much smaller resort village located on the wilder and nature-infused side of Catalina. Cars are scarce on the island as the number of vehicles is limited and residents wait years to obtain a vehicle permit. Walking, bikes and golf carts are the principal forms of getting around.

Where to Stay on Catalina Island

Catalina Island offers boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts scattered throughout the island from simple to luxury accommodations. Some visitors even prefer Catalina’s rustic campgrounds.

For me, there’s nothing better than staying just steps from the beach in the heart of Avalon. Pavilion Hotel happens to be one of our favorites. Tastefully appointed island-inspired rooms and suites surround a lush tropical courtyard.

Lounge chairs and umbrellas scattered throughout the property invite guests to sit a spell and take in the laid-back island vibe. Relaxation came easy at this beautiful inn.

Popular Fire Pit

Their outdoor fire pit facing the ocean is immensely popular with patrons as evening temperatures can dip to sweatshirt weather. Each afternoon on the patio, the hotel features a complimentary happy hour wine and cheese reception. A hot breakfast buffet is also included with the stay, and it’s quite lovely.

Service at the Pavilion is unhurried and impeccable. So much so, that guests are greeted pier-side upon arrival by a hotel bellman that transports luggage directly to the nearby hotel.

Getting Around Catalina

Avalon is an easy walkable town with a lovely ocean promenade. Charming streets veering off the central square are filled with a myriad of fascinating boutiques and restaurants.

Exploring beyond Avalon, one of the best ways to navigate the island’s mountainous terrain, steep curves, and inclines is by electric bike, available from Brown’s Bikes on the waterfront.

There are more than 20 miles of paved streets through Avalon and its surrounding hillsides, leading to unparalleled views of the island and the Pacific Ocean from up high.

Golf cart rental was another great option when venturing a little further out. There’s so much incredible coastal scenery to explore, and our golf cart gave us the freedom to lug our camera, pack a picnic lunch, and enjoy the island.

With a preplanned 12-mile scenic route highlighting the must-see stops, it seemed that each pull-off along the way featured a breathtaking vista more incredible than the one before.

Exploring Catalina’s History

For a small island, Catalina has quite an interesting history with the Wrigley connection.

Catalina’s premier citizen, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. commissioned the construction of the island’s most glamorous iconic landmark, the Casino. This massive edifice isn’t a gambling casino at all. Built in 1929, the majestic 12-story circular structure standing watch over a yacht-filled harbor takes its name from its Italian meaning – gathering place.

Some of the nation’s most illustrious performers like Benny Goodman, the King of Swing, played here. Thousands traveled across the sea in passenger steamers from the mainland.

They came to dine, watch silent movies in the famous art deco theater, and dance the night away on the world’s largest circular ballroom to the sounds of Big Band music.

The Behind the Scenes Casino tour takes visitors through places where stars once roamed.

It was exciting to visit the theater, lounges, and backstage dressing rooms, still containing period dresses, brushes, and makeup cases used by the stars. If only these walls could talk.

Wrigley’s Gardens on Catalina

Nothing could be a more fitting tribute to William Wrigley and his vision for Catalina Island than the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens located just a 30-minute walk from the heart of town.

The idea for the gardens came from Mr. Wrigley’s wife, Ada. In 1935, she oversaw the planting of the original Desert Collection. Catalina’s temperate marine climate made it possible to showcase plants from virtually every corner of the world.

In 1969, the garden was expanded to 38 acres. Along with new plants came a new outlook. The Gardens focused on the island’s endemic plants which grow naturally on one or more of the Channel Islands, but nowhere else in the world.

Today the entire island’s focus remains true to the conservation and preservation of these endemic plant species. We loved walking the winding paths of its serene and quiet grounds imagining what the island looked like when the first visitors arrived.

Active Pursuits on the Island

Thankfully, 88 percent of Catalina Island remains uninhabited, set aside as a nature conservancy to protect its rugged coastline, hidden coves, unspoiled beaches, rare plants, endangered species, and threatened habitats.

Its magnificent waters are ideal for diving and snorkeling, though we recommend a wetsuit any time of the year as the Pacific always remain on the cooler side – even in the summer.

Picturesque Kayaking

Kayaking is one of our favorite activities here, and we loved our small group two-hour expedition with Kayak Eco-Tours.

Paddling through crystalline waters, we spotted several leopard sharks (thankfully they’re friendly and social) and sea lions playing in the kelp beds before arriving at Frog Rock, an otherwise inaccessible part of Catalina’s coastline. We were able to take a break for water and snacks on this fascinating rock structure before heading back to Avalon.

Fascinating Jeep Eco-Tour

The best way to discover the “wild side” of the island is with a Catalina Conservancy Eco Tour. With access to over 165 miles of paved and unpaved road, this naturalist-led jeep adventure led us over hills and through wetlands to explore parts of Catalina Island no other outfitter can reach.

We were so thrilled to see bison up-close, along with fox, deer, Bald Eagle, and other island wildlife. But be forewarned: you’re in for a bumpy ride as much of the access is on rough unpaved roads. For us, however, it was a whole lot of “hub-bubbin’ fun.

Hiking on Catalina Island

Depending on the length of stay, hiking here is another popular activity. Hikers require a permit which can easily be purchased at the Catalina Island Conservancy. The good news is that the island has numerous trails to accommodate all levels of hikers – from mild to moderate (ranging from 1 to 15 miles).

We’re all about the views, so for an easy one-mile hike, the Avalon Bay Trail is ideal, and views overlooking the picturesque harbor are stunning.

Hermit Gulch Trail to Lone Tree Point also offers amazing sights, and along the six-mile moderate loop, we passed a myriad of colorful wildflowers and cacti, grasslands, woodlands, ridgelines, with vistas of secluded beaches in the distance.

There’s nothing like being one with nature on a beautiful, cool, and sunny picture-perfect Catalina day.

For more thrilling activities, Catalina offers parasailing and zip-lining adventures. The bottom line, the island is an outdoor lover’s nirvana, and there’s no shortage of fresh-air fun here – as we can well attest.

Sea to Table Island Dining

The best place to get the freshest seafood available is, of course, on an island.

Local fishermen bring in their daily catches of lobster, swordfish, Bluefin, Yellowfin tuna, and more, with Catalina restaurant daily menus reflecting what’s coming in off the boats.

Descanso Beach Club’s seaside restaurant with its spectacular views looks like something right out of a Mediterranean painting. But it’s not just the view overlooking a cove that makes the eatery so popular with locals and visitors. It’s the food and amazing island drinks.

Catalina’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese

Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl was superb as was the Creamy Tomato Basil Soup and Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Made with five different kinds of cheese between two crispy pieces of sourdough bread, this was comfort food on steroids!

The experience of just kicking back with Catalina cocktails overlooking the beach, Casino to the right, and massive bluffs to the left was unforgettable.

Avalon Grille overlooking Avalon Bay is island casual elegance at its best, and the perfect place to enjoy dinner.

For fish lovers, we guarantee this will be the finest meal you’ll enjoy on the island. Entrees here are creative and innovative with a distinct California coastal influence.

Grilled octopus, a signature starter is one of the highly recommended dishes and one of the best octopus appetizers we’ve ever had. Crispy Scallops and Calamari was excellent –pan-seared scallops and flash-fried local squid tossed in sweet coconut chili sauce served with braised bok choy over a baby carrot and ginger puree.

A delightful must-have dessert is the heavenly Chocolate Lava Cake, filled with rich chocolate sauce, topped with bourbon vanilla gelato, whipped cream, and mixed berry compote. It’s big enough to share, but once we dug in, we wished we didn’t have to!

An anonymous author once said, “Walking off the beaten path will open up a world of beautiful possibilities.” Santa Catalina is just that…with the wonderful surprises, we found around every bend.

Noreen Kompanik is a San Diego, California-based freelance journalist who writes about destination travel, luxury travel, wine, coffee, sustainable living, and history. She’s written for Travel Pulse, Links & Libations, Edible San Diego Magazine, Lost Treasure, Europe Up Close, Vacation Rental Travels, and more. Her favorite quote is by Ibn Bhuta: “Traveling ―it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Some of Noreen’s articles can be found on her website http://whatsinyoursuitcase.com/.