Highest Rated Review by the Community
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community Mar 19, 2001
Pros: enchanting fun for the whole family
Cons: ahoy, rough seas ahead
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 11, 2007
Pros: Fantastic scenery and lots to do!
Cons: Can be expensive depending on what you must have along the way.
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 17, 2006
Pros: Picturesque from afar.
Good biking inland, away from town.
Cons: Not pretty up close.
Unfriendly.
Over-regulated.
Egregious limitations.
"average" food.
Expensive.
Summary: Don't waste your money and time with a visit to Catalina Island. The island is over-regulated and under-whelming. The first thing a visitor to the town of Avalon will notice is the picturesque scene created by the small Victorian-looking cottages ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 9, 2006
Pros: Fun, good day trip, nice scenery, clean island, reasonable prices, laid back and friendly locals.
Cons: Should have stayed longer!
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 19, 2005
Pros: Just about everything
Cons: Not enough time to do it all. The Scenic Tour of Avalon
Summary: 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, ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
May 27, 2004
Pros: Great place to come for a day or a week.
Cons: Prices in shops and restaurants comparable to other tourist destinations in California.
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jan 2, 2004
Pros: Beautiful views, especially from the higher elevations.
Cons: Avalon could use a face lift! Mediocre shops and restaurants.
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Oct 28, 2003
Pros: lots to do, major nature area, not many cars (if any at all!)
Cons: quite pricey; MAJOR tourist trap
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Oct 25, 2003
Pros: Beautiful clear, blue water, dolphins
Cons: Didn't get the full Catalina experience
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 12, 2003
Pros: Beautiful Scenery
Cons: Everything is expensive
Summary: If you really want to indulge your family for a day or a three day weekend, Catalina is definitely t ... read more
-
-
Rated a Somewhat Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jul 24, 2003
Pros: An excellent spot to relax.
Cons: Too expensive to move there.
Summary: My wife and I went to this island for a couple of days while in Long Beach for a conference. Being ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Sep 19, 2002
Pros: Very picturesque; good restaurants; lots of things to do; not too far
Cons: can get pricey;
Summary: Me and my husband decided to take a day tour to Catalina Island at the end of August 2002. The weather was muggy when we drove to Long Beach to get on the ferry. But as soon as we got to the Island, the sky cleared up.
The ferry cost us $84 round ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Jun 22, 2002
Pros: Very nice little island some shops and good food
Cons: No advertising on the island about other places there except Avalon
Summary: The ferry ride from Long Beach on Catalina Express is very nice to Catalina. We bought tickets online and they had them there for us. The ride is about an hour, and there are inside seats, and outside, depending on how much wind and spray you like. ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 8, 2002
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.
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 29, 2001
Pros: Lovely, exotic place for the whole family
Cons: golf carts are smelly and noisy
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 10, 2001
Pros: Natural beauty, Underwater world, a very good mini-adventure
Cons: Small beach, stormy winters
Summary: We have twice visited Catalina. Once in Summer and again in Winter. There are some good things and not-so-good things about Catalina, but if you are a first time visitor, please keep in mind some useful facts about this beautiful Island:
1. If ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Aug 24, 2001
Pros: Great visibility, animals you won't see anywhere else.
Cons: Water is cold, you will need at least a 10 mil wetsuit
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Very Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Apr 20, 2001
Pros: Rent a bike for $15.00 daily, rent a golf cart for $30.00. Explore beauty!
Cons: a little "touristy" in town
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Mar 21, 2001
Pros: Resort beach town with potential for amazing hikes
Cons: Plan early and bring a big budget
Summary: Imagine a quiet resort town where the beaches are small and the hills are high. Picture boats docked in the harbor and restaurants overlooking the water. On the streets, one sees golf carts motor by and refreshingly, almost no cars. Welcome to ... read more
-
-
Rated a Helpful Review by the Epinions community
Dec 31, 2000
Pros: YES!
Cons: None
Summary: 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 ... read more
-
|
|
