Island
getaway closer than you think
By Joyce Kelly
On-line Forty-Niner
Santa
Catalina Island is only 26 miles from the
mainland of California, and it can be reached
by air or water.
 Its
beauty resembles a tropical island that
is located in another country, especially
with an atmosphere that includes the sea
breeze and seagulls adding to its charm.
Dolphins can be seen playing and whales
diving in the deepest part of the Pacific
Ocean during the cruise to the island. During
the winter months, the ocean can become
a little temperamental or choppy, but that
adds to the adventure and excitement.
The boat ride to the island can take less
than an hour, if it is on the Catalina Island
Express. The crewmembers onboard the vessel
make sure everyone is safe and comfortable.
Beverages and snacks can be purchased on
the voyage.
People on the boat come from all walks of
life. They have different reasons for making
the trip. Some of the passengers are people
who live on the island, and they have come
to the mainland to pick up food and other
supplies. They often visit family and friends
as well.
Divers board the boat carrying their scuba
gear; while others, such as the volunteers
for the Catalina Island Conservancy, carry
supplies such as food, clothes, equipment
of various types and camping gear.
The first view and impression of the island
is a place that resembles a small intimate
seaport. The shoreline is made up of rocks
and a tiny beach, with sunbathers, swimmers
and people fishing. Boats of different sizes,
shapes, models and colors make a colorful
harbor scene.
When the island is first sighted, the view
of the structures looks like of a multicolored
quilt. It is one of the most spectacular
scenes that consist of houses, apartments
and hotels that seem to be sticking out
of the sides of the mountains. The multicolored
dwellings are a tribute to the beauty and
charm of the island. The designs of the
buildings represent many different types
of architects, but mostly that of the Spanish
designers.
The tiny town of Avalon is the home to less
than 4,000 people who come from diverse
backgrounds. Its main street, which serves
as a promenade, is lined with small shops,
restaurants, coffee shops and stores of
many different types. The vendors along
the main street sell practically everything
from handmade craft items, photographs,
paintings, jewelry and clothes.
Other buildings consist of many different
coffee shops, ice cream parlors, outdoors
cafés and restaurants. Seafood dishes
are on practically every menu. Fish and
chips is one of the favorite meals, and
is best with a glass of lemonade or iced
tea.
Nightclubs, which are tiny restaurants during
the day, offer wine, dining and dancing
to both recorded and live music. Some of
the clubs import talent from the mainland
to entertain the night crowd.
Tours can be chartered to visit other areas
on the 46-mile long island. One of the tours
is taken on a huge truck that resembles
a cattle truck, which has been converted
to carry many passengers. It travels to
the airport, called the Airport-in-the-Sky,
which is located on top of a mountain. That
trip is exciting because it takes approximately
15 minutes just to travel the very winding
and narrow road to the top of the mountain.
While traveling on the tour, many forms
of wildlife can be seen. Catalina Island
has buffalo that can run and roam free.
All the animals, vegetation and birds are
protected. Much of the island is reserved
for the wildlife, by stipulation from the
owners of the island, the Wrigley family.
Lodging on the island can be arranged through
travel agents, the Internet, telephone directories
and in person. Groups of people can rent
some of the houses for the weekend or longer.
Catalina has grocery stores, a post office
and anything else that is necessary to living
on the island.
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