Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.
Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island is in Southern California, and almost
directly due west from Dana Point. It’s visible on the horizon from Huntington
Beach, but you can only get there by boat from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport
Beach, and Dana Point.
Santa Catalina Island
Facts and Figures
Santa Catalina Island covers an area of just under 75 square
miles, and its highest point is the 2.097 feet (639.2 meters) of Mount Orizaba.
Its population is just over 4,000, the majority of which live in the main town
of Avalon. It’s part of the Channel Islands of California, though not one of
the five islands which make up the Channel Islands National Park.
Map (c) Google Maps
How to Get to Santa
Catalina Island
It only takes about an hour to get to Santa Catalina Island,
and there are ferries for foot passengers from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport
Beach, and Dana Point. Long Beach and San Pedro also offer helicopter services.
There is an airport on the island, Catalina Airport, but at the moment it is
only open for charter aircraft.
Boat Going to Santa Catalina Island
Getting Around Santa Catalina Island
You cannot take your car over to the island on a ferry. There is a limit on the number of cars allowed on the island. Even if you move to the island from the mainland, you could be waiting several years for your car to get permission to join you.
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As a result, your transport options are limited. There are taxis, though most people use golf carts or bicycles. You can rent both of these, although if you want to explore the island you’ll first need a permit, which you get from the offices of the Catalina Island Conservancy.
Santa Catalina Island
When to Visit Santa
Catalina Island
The island has a Mediterranean climate and you can visit
all-year-round. Even in winter, average daytime temperatures are in the 50s,
though it very occasionally drops below freezing at night. Most rain falls
December-Match, with very little in the summer months.
Santa Catalina Island
What to See on Catalina Island
Bison
Surprisingly, there is a herd of about 150 American bison on
the island. The fact that the island is quite easy to get to from Hollywood
means that many movies have been filmed here. For one of them, several bison were
brought over. They were left on the island and subsequently bred to build up
quite a herd. Several tours will take you to see them.
Spot the Casino!
Catalina Casino
You can’t miss the casino as it’s the biggest building on
the island and you see it as the boats come into the harbor at Avalon. It was
built in 1929 by William Wrigley Jnr, of chewing gum fame, in an attempt to
bring tourists to the island. Despite the name, it’s never actually been a casino,
as we generally understand the word. It’s never been a home for gambling. It used
to house the island’s museum and today is home to a cinema and a ballroom. The
cinema isn’t currently operating as such, though there are daily tours. visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/catalina-casino.
Catalina Island
Museum
This museum, in the center of Avalon, inevitably tells you
all about the history and culture of the island. It’s much more than that,
though, as they also organize visiting exhibitions, outdoor movies, comedy
nights, cruises, family days, lessons, talks, and tours, including a Behind the
Scenes tour at the island’s casino. catalinamuseum.org.
The Interior of Santa Catalina Island
Island Tours
Although you need a permit if you want to tour the island
yourself, you can join an organized jeep or bus tour to take you around Santa
Catalina Island. You can also take boats around the island, notably from Avalon
to the second-biggest settlement, Two Harbors. A bus also links the two places.
Enjoying a Boat Trip on Santa Catalina Island
Water Activities
You can take a tour around the island in a glass-bottom
boat, while the more adventurous will want to go snorkeling or scuba diving. There
are a few beaches where you can also go paragliding.
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