The front view of the Casino, as you enter the harbor.
pring and summer are, for many, the most anticipated seasons of the year. With bated breath and chilled souls, most of the country (especially those that experience a true Winter Solstice) impatiently await the warmer temperatures and the outdoor activities that they allow. So with the first hint of the brightening sun’s rays brushing against recently exposed shoulders, we are more than grateful to be able to finally emerge from our cocoon of forced hibernation; casting off the layers and inactivity of winter.
One major benefit of living in California is, of course, the weather: year-round temperatures averaging 75-80 degrees. But, when my birthday rolled around this year, it seemed as though Mother Nature had conspired with Murphy (of Murphy's Law fame), and together decided to deliver on my big day an overcast sky with light sprinkles, even though my calendar confirmed that we were, indeed, smack dab in the middle of Spring. Hopeful that things would improve and thankful that, at least, we weren't experiencing anything near an inclement "East Coast" morning (Remember New York's "Polar Vortex?"), I decided to go ahead with my plans to celebrate my birthday outdoors on one of Southern California's hidden gems: Catalina Island. And with Catalina Express's FREE-on-your-birthday promotion in full swing, I wasn't about to stay inside on my big day. (Warm weather or not!)
Many know of Catalina Island/City of Avalon because it is where the actress Natalie Wood, of West Side Story fame, and wife of actor, Robert Wagner, died in a boating accident off its shores back in 1981. (Cue the conspiracy theorists). But long before this 1980's tragedy, and being just a short 22 mile jaunt off the coast of Los Angeles, for many years it was a retreat for many Old Hollywood notables such as Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz and even a young Marilyn Monroe, who briefly resided on the Island with her first husband, James Dougherty. "Discovered" by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, but brought to life by chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr., in the early 1900's, Catalina Island/City of Avalon, has been a playground for non-celebrities, as well, for well over a century. It was once even the spring training camp for Mr. Wrigley's baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, from 1921-1951.
While I wasn't looking to play baseball, I was definitely looking forward to all that the Island had to offer me on my big day. My cousin Rhonda and I left early from the Port of Long Beach (San Pedro and Dana Point are two other options) and arrived in the City of Avalon a short hour ride later. At just 22 miles long and eight miles wide, this sleepy hamlet really does have a rather extensive list of activities to offer you. While we had the options of renting a golf cart or bicycles to traipse around town, we decided instead, since everything is so very centrally located, to set out on foot to explore the Island. We started off with a free game of Bowling at The Three Palms Avalon Arcade, where my cousin (she being a true food aficianado) had their mini Tacos as a pre-lunch snack. To prematurely walk off what was surely going to be a day of sampling all-things-appetizing, we then headed over to the Beach Club, located at the Island's far end. There they have a full outdoor bar, as well as, zip-lining for the more adventurous, and a little area tucked away for messages in private cabañas, for the more laid-back and risk-averse individuals. Walking back down the boardwalk, we made our way onto the pier for a lunch of Fish & Chips, followed by a free, full-sized scoop of ice cream from Lloyd's Confectionery. With all of the other stops we made throughout the day (mailing postcards from the local Post Office, souvenir shopping, etc.), we ran short on time and were unable to end our day paddle boating, as we had hoped.
If Gilligan's Island was even remotely as charming as Catalina, I can't imagine why he, "...the Professor and Mary Ann" would choose to forgo such a beautifully tranquil paradise for the hustle and bustle of city life. (But, come to think of it, they never were rescued, were they? Umm! Maybe they're still there.) Next trip over, maybe I'll bring a date for her birthday and together we can check out their newly renovated museum, get in a round of golf and go on the glass-bottom boat, as well as, the paddle boats. In essence, 2-for-the-price-of-one.
NOTE: While the round-trip fare on Catalina Express is FREE, Reservations Online (or call 800-481-3470) are still required; the earlier the better. Also, I opted for the Commodore's Cabin upgrade for $15.00, which, for priority boarding, a cookie and a soda, was not worth the additional cost.
Many know of Catalina Island/City of Avalon because it is where the actress Natalie Wood, of West Side Story fame, and wife of actor, Robert Wagner, died in a boating accident off its shores back in 1981. (Cue the conspiracy theorists). But long before this 1980's tragedy, and being just a short 22 mile jaunt off the coast of Los Angeles, for many years it was a retreat for many Old Hollywood notables such as Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz and even a young Marilyn Monroe, who briefly resided on the Island with her first husband, James Dougherty. "Discovered" by Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, but brought to life by chewing gum magnate, William Wrigley, Jr., in the early 1900's, Catalina Island/City of Avalon, has been a playground for non-celebrities, as well, for well over a century. It was once even the spring training camp for Mr. Wrigley's baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, from 1921-1951.
While I wasn't looking to play baseball, I was definitely looking forward to all that the Island had to offer me on my big day. My cousin Rhonda and I left early from the Port of Long Beach (San Pedro and Dana Point are two other options) and arrived in the City of Avalon a short hour ride later. At just 22 miles long and eight miles wide, this sleepy hamlet really does have a rather extensive list of activities to offer you. While we had the options of renting a golf cart or bicycles to traipse around town, we decided instead, since everything is so very centrally located, to set out on foot to explore the Island. We started off with a free game of Bowling at The Three Palms Avalon Arcade, where my cousin (she being a true food aficianado) had their mini Tacos as a pre-lunch snack. To prematurely walk off what was surely going to be a day of sampling all-things-appetizing, we then headed over to the Beach Club, located at the Island's far end. There they have a full outdoor bar, as well as, zip-lining for the more adventurous, and a little area tucked away for messages in private cabañas, for the more laid-back and risk-averse individuals. Walking back down the boardwalk, we made our way onto the pier for a lunch of Fish & Chips, followed by a free, full-sized scoop of ice cream from Lloyd's Confectionery. With all of the other stops we made throughout the day (mailing postcards from the local Post Office, souvenir shopping, etc.), we ran short on time and were unable to end our day paddle boating, as we had hoped.
If Gilligan's Island was even remotely as charming as Catalina, I can't imagine why he, "...the Professor and Mary Ann" would choose to forgo such a beautifully tranquil paradise for the hustle and bustle of city life. (But, come to think of it, they never were rescued, were they? Umm! Maybe they're still there.) Next trip over, maybe I'll bring a date for her birthday and together we can check out their newly renovated museum, get in a round of golf and go on the glass-bottom boat, as well as, the paddle boats. In essence, 2-for-the-price-of-one.
NOTE: While the round-trip fare on Catalina Express is FREE, Reservations Online (or call 800-481-3470) are still required; the earlier the better. Also, I opted for the Commodore's Cabin upgrade for $15.00, which, for priority boarding, a cookie and a soda, was not worth the additional cost.
Main Strreet
A very nice little hotel on the main strip.
Be sure to stop by here on your birthday for a free scoop of ice cream.
A pair of these chaise lounges can be rented for $65.00 a day. (They are positioned only about 100 feet from the water's edge and directly in from of the cabañas pictures above.)
One of my dearest cousins (and a most perfect traveling companion), Rhonda. This was one of two fire pits located in front of the cabañas and chaises longues.
Located at the far end of the Island, these cabanas can be rented for $150.00 a day. They sit directly behind the chaise lounge shown in the picture below; both offering a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Main Street.
A case where looks are deceiving... there is no actual casino on the Island.
I had the option of getting a free meal from another restaurant for my birthday, but how could we come to Catalina and not have some type of seafood? The Fish & Chips were very good... and plentiful.
Rear view of the Casino.
You can reasonably rent these kayaks, as well as, paddle boats, bicycles and golf carts by the hour.
Inspiration for "The Yellow Submarine?"
All images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophisticated Gentleman.
("S" graphic via Daily Drop Cap.)
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