Catalina Island

Pros: lots of things to do, scenic, great weather
Cons: if you don't own a yacht you have to endure a rocky boat for about an hour

Whether you're born and raised in Southern California, or just visiting for the weekend, I wholeheartedly recommend taking a day trip to Catalina Island. Whatever your interests, I'm sure you'll find something that you enjoy.

Parasailing,...

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: YES!
Cons: None

Catalina Island is a special kind of paradise because it is not only a beautiful terrestrial island but it also has an amazing marine ecosystem as well. A two or three day stay could keep your calendar jam packed with activities, and that's before doing...

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: 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: Variety of beach activities, attractive people
Cons: Small and secluded, if you don't like that

Catalina Island is a secret vacation spot for all of us who live in the South Bay. So if you're in Southern California, take a day boat trip to Catalina and you'll have an fun filled getaway. The trip is only an hour long, and tickets are $30.
...

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: Magnificent Diving, loads of fun
Cons: cold water dive, at least a full 1/4 inch wetsuit required

There is nothing more graceful than a sea lion submerged. A short boat ride from California's famous Catalina Island are several other islands that all house sea lion rookeries. I strongly suggest you take a day trip to one of these islands for the...

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: 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: Beautiful Scenery
Cons: Everything is expensive

If you really want to indulge your family for a day or a three day weekend, Catalina is definitely t ...

Pros: relaxing, girls in bikinis, great weather
Cons: tourist trap stores, 3 hour boat ride

I lived in Redondo Beach (LA suburb) all my life but never made a trip to Catalina Island until Senior ditch day in high school. It was definitely worth the trip.

For one thing, I got to see all the pretty girls in my senior class wearing...

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: location, accessibility,
Cons: none

Tension on the freeway continues all the way to the parking lots of Catalina Cruises and the Catalina Express parking lots. Everyone wants to get away from crowded freeways, uncooperative drivers, crowded malls and rude people. For about $30 dollars and...

Pros: Prices reasonable, nice escape
Cons: Can't go too often, activities are limited

Most people travel to Catalina in the summer. On a whim, with a burning desire to get out of town, we decided to head to Catalina in the middle of December.

All reservations were made and planning was done via the internet, which is usually...