Catalina Island

[piratfisk]

WISs & TRFers,

I'll be celebrating my first anniversary this summer & have booked a helo ride (from IEX in Long Beach) to Avalon & will be spending 3 days/2 nights at a swanky hotel with the wife.

Has anyone ever been there & can provide some recommendations on places to eat & things to do? I've looked online to get ideas, but am curious what the "watch fam" has to say.

I pinky-swear I'll take a "Datejust in a helicopter" picture on the ride over. FWIW, my wife has never been in a helo & I spend a few days a week in the back of one at work. She'll be stoked!

[AzPaul]

If you two enjoy hiking, Catalina is great. Wonderful views.
I'm sure your hotel can direct you to what you might be looking for.

[wfitch]

I was going to joke that there is always the Catalina Wine Mixer, but apparently now that's a real thing. Look for the 1980's Billy Joel cover band.

[77T]

Just don’t get lost snorkeling in the kelp!


I went so long ago that my info is useless. But my wife and I took a ferry and had to divert to save people on a sinking catamaran midway across. Made for interesting conversation for years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

If you two enjoy hiking, Catalina is great. Wonderful views.
I'm sure your hotel can direct you to what you might be looking for.

We do enjoy hiking, Paul. Thanks for the tip! We'll ask at the concierge.

Originally Posted by wfitch

I was going to joke that there is always the Catalina Wine Mixer, but apparently now that's a real thing. Look for the 1980's Billy Joel cover band.

Originally Posted by 77T

Just don’t get lost snorkeling in the kelp!


I went so long ago that my info is useless. But my wife and I took a ferry and had to divert to save people on a sinking catamaran midway across. Made for interesting conversation for years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Sorry your vacay got ruined, but you got to help save people! That's a pretty cool story.

Thanks for the input so far.

[77T]

The ferry was only delayed an hour so wasn’t a big problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

WISs & TRFers,



I'll be celebrating my first anniversary this summer & have booked a helo ride (from IEX in Long Beach) to Avalon & will be spending 3 days/2 nights at a swanky hotel with the wife.



Has anyone ever been there & can provide some recommendations on places to eat & things to do? I've looked online to get ideas, but am curious what the "watch fam" has to say.



I pinky-swear I'll take a "Datejust in a helicopter" picture on the ride over. FWIW, my wife has never been in a helo & I spend a few days a week in the back of one at work. She'll be stoked!

It’s a worthwhile place to dive if you enjoy that. Spiny lobster season will be over, but you could still have a chance to catch some dinner, or just appreciate the underwater life.

[teqp]

Depending on the time you will be there, you can go snorkeling in Casino Point. Or if you are certified, I would recommend taking a dive at Casino Point. It is protected so the visibility is usually pretty good. In summer months the surface water temp can go to the low 70s so not too bad. You can rent gear from Catalina Divers Supply on the main pier in Avalon. A buddy of mine rented his gear from them. They can also do guided dives for you. His partner who was not a diver, went on a zip line while we went diving.

For food, Steve's steakhouse and Blue Avalon are good places for food.

Have fun.

[Carry The Interest]

Catalina was such a big part of my childhood growing up. We spent plenty of time there every summer on our family's boat (my grandfather had a mooring at Avalon and Two Harbors). It's an awesome little getaway that's close to LA ("26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me")

Dining recommendations:
- Steve's Steakhouse - Been around a very long time and the best seafood/steakhouse spot in Avalon. Do your big anniversary dinner here
- Bluewater Grill - More average seafood spot (relative to Steve's, but still above average). Good option for lunch or dinner on another night. I've been to the Avalon location once but the Redondo location (in King Harbor) a handful of times
- Lobster Trap - No thrills seafood joint - stop by maybe for a quick lobster roll snack
- Original Jack's. For breakfast, traditional diner-type food. This is not your "bougie brunch" spot
- Scoops. For ice cream. Nothing fancy, but right on the main stand. This spot used to be Big Olaf's which was always a go-to for ice cream.
- Antonio's. By far not the best pizza in the world but the place has been there forever. Not a bad spot for a quick slice

Things to do:
- Descanso Beach. Best place for a relaxing beach day and conveniently located (just past Casino Point). You'll quickly see once you're in Avalon harbor the beach there isn't the best place for a nice, romantic day on the sand with your better half
- Wrigley Garden. Close by at the top of Avalon canyon. Great spot for a nice walk/very light hike. Beautiful garden and the memorial steps is a great place for a photo op.
- Casino Tour. Guided walk through of the casino theater and ballroom. You can book this in advance online. They also do movies there!
- Rent bikes. Lots of hills and pretty scenery in the area to ride through if you two like cycling. Hotel should be able to help you out here with bike rental spot and routes
- Other Tours. Check out the visit Catalina Island website for some of the other tours they offer. If you like zipline they have that. They also have a Heli tour
- Buffalo Milk cocktail. This "cocktail" is basically the "official" drink served at a variety of places on the island. I personally can't stand it but different strokes for different folks. Basically a twist on a White Russian (buffalo milk, vodka, kahlua banana, nutmeg and probably a few other things blended all together)

In the event you find yourself at the Catalina airport (center of the island) make sure to get a Buffalo burger there!

P.S. any chance anyone on TRF frequents Two Harbors during the summer? Wonder if I have unknowingly crossed paths with any of you during the annual Buffalo Chip contest on Labor Day weekend. For those that don't know what that is, take a guess

[TheVTCGuy]

Take me with you...

[tie219]

Originally Posted by wfitch

I was going to joke that there is always the Catalina Wine Mixer, but apparently now that's a real thing. Look for the 1980's Billy Joel cover band.

It's the biggest helicopter leasing event in the world

Have fun OP, that sounds like a blast

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by tie219

It's the biggest helicopter leasing event in the world

Have fun OP, that sounds like a blast

It's that damn Catalina Wine Mixer!

[piratfisk]

Thanks for the advise, Joey! My wife & I often like to leave plans open-ended. I will definitely look into the Wrigley Gardens & Descanso Beach. We went to the Descanso Gardens (absolutely beautiful) last year. It's ~40min east of LA. As a child/teenager, we always vacationed at our house in Dennisport (Cape Cod), MA. I love the small, beach town feel. I hope to find that same vibe on Catalina.

[Chewbacca]

I was once there for a wine mixer sponsored by a helicopter charter firm. Two brothers covered Andrea Bocelli tunes. Beautiful views and angelic tunes.

[eman1200]

since you asked about Catalina and also flying...………

catalina