So Catalina's history goes way, way back. Spanish explorer Cabrilloo got here first in 1542 and a couple of hundred years later Yankee smugglers and Russians with their Aleut sea otter hunters hid from Mexican customs here. I suppose you could make a case thatCatalinaa keeps you young too.
By 1880 Catalina was the posh watering hole for Southern California Society and after William Wrigle Jr., of chewing gum fame bought the whole place, Avalon became a fishing Mecca. The famous Avalon Tuna Club set record standards for successors like the International Game Fish Association, and an interesting mix of Hollywood stars and celebrities like Winston Churchill turned up. What one wag called the "Pasadena Posh People" put in a tricky little nine hole golf course you can still play. Topography and lack of water prohibited a full course. You can enjoy the minature golf course, tennis courts, a skateboard park and horsback riding.
The famous Avalon Ballroom attracted big bands between the "War to End All Wars" and the next one. These days the island's changed less than most of the California Coast. It costs a mint to build there and the California Conservancy has owned 80% of the land since 1975. So visitors enjoy an island time machine that sits in what many feel is the best climate in America. No weather, just climate!
While you can do the "over and back Catalina cries out for a weekend or, better, extended mid-week stay. The Catalina Express and Catalina Cruises run from Long Beach and Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach. The Island Express helicopter commuter plane, which leaves from Long Beach and San Pedro buzz back and forth. From nine to sundown Avalon or, at the other end of the island, Two Harbors get lots of visitors who rush about in search of fun and sun.
Another set of aquatic folks crowd their sail and power craft into Avalon and Two Harbors, or search for moorings which often fill early in Emerald Bay, Howland's Landing, and Fourth of July or Cherry coves. Then they need to anchor out if, in fact, they remembered to bring 300 feet of anchor rode. Boaters are ideally set up to enjoy the superior diving on the island. Note: there are dozens of snorkel and dive shops, safaris and outings offered on the reefs, rocks and wrecks around the island.
