Catalina Island

Catalina island

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There’s always something new to do in Catalina. “Catalina reminds me of a Greek island with its golf carts, clear blue ocean water and laid-back European atmosphere,” a Norwegian visitor told me while we waited in line at Avalon’s only grocery store. I nodded in agreement because Catalina is a pretty special place, accurately labeled “California’s island escape.” My wife and I have become big fans of Catalina, even though I had written it off a few decades ago, when a then-girlfriend and I went over for the day, walked around Avalon, had lunch, and took the ferry back. That was a formula that didn’t work for me, which we have since corrected.

So what makes Catalina so special? Let’s start with its fascinating history. Some rich guys bought the whole island more than 100 years ago, got financially burned (by a huge Avalon fire), and then sold it to mega-wealthy William Wrigley Jr., of Chicago’s chewing gum empire. After buying the island, Wrigley proceeded to develop it while conserving most of the island’s land. He created a unique ambiance in Avalon with a bird aviary, an art-deco building called the Casino (which was strictly a dance hall and movie theater), a nine-hole golf course and other exotic touches like the hilltop Spanish bell tower that still chimes every 15 minutes.

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Optional add-on during check-out: Lobster 30$US per person

Cruise Times :

09:00 am - 03:00 pm

All Inclusive Rates :

Basic  Catalina Tour

1 - 30 Persons......................................................USD $80/person

31 - 70 Persons.....................................................USD $75/person

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VIP Catalina Tour

1 to 30 persons..................................................USD $130/person

31 to 70 persons............................................... USD $120 /person

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