I’ve just returned from a weekend getaway to Catalina. Even though I’m a California native, I had not been to Catalina in well over ten years – safe to say that a trip was long overdue. With my bestie in tow, we hit the road bright and early Saturday morning to catch the morning ferry on the Catalina Express out of Long Beach, a quick one-hour trip to Avalon, with plans to return late in the evening on Sunday – giving approximately 36 hours on the island.
One thing that I learned when planning this trip is that hotels book up quickly so before to make a hotel reservation well in advance. When we arrived in Catalina, we made our way to the small, family-run Catalina Lodge, a fifteen minute walk from where the ferry docks.
Bags dropped and off to explore the island! Unfortunately our plans to spend the majority day at Descanso Beach Club soaking up the sun and drinking Catalina’s signature cocktail Buffalo Milk came to a halt when the entire beach club was closed for the party goers on Groove Cruise. Instead, we found ourselves hopping from various places, such as Luau Larry’s, J L’s Locker Room and Blue Water Grill, to name a few.
For dinner, we were in the mood for some freshly-caught lobster, so where better than an Avalon classic The Lobster Trap. Post-dinner we hit The Marlin Club and finished the night out dancing at the island’s only nightclub Chi Chi Club.
The next day we started our morning with breakfast at Original Jack’s Country Kitchen where the eggs benedict hit the spot. After devouring breakfast, the ocean was calling our name and by ocean I mean 50 feet under the surface. We suited up with Catalina Scuba Luv and swam through the kelp forests in Casino Point’s dive park. Unfortunately, our dive ran rather late so if you do plan to go diving on your last day, I strongly suggest doing it in the morning. Also due to the fact that you will likely already be checked out of your hotel and without a shower post-dive. For me, this meant remaining wet and salty for the remainder of the day until we got back home later that evening.
Two of the things that I didn’t have a chance to do were go parasailing and hiking. So, without question, there will be another trip in my near future. Only this time I may want to explore the other, quieter side of Two Harbors.
Have you been to Catalina? What was your favorite thing to do on the island?
