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2025 Catalina Island Adventure starts here !

If you don't get a ride over to Catalina on our boat, Hotel Hamilton, you can always take the Newport Beach FLYER https://www.catalinainfo.com which is a 600 passenger Catamaran ferry offering round trip service to Catalina island from Newport Beach for around $94 round trip. Look for Groupon discounts. Be sure and have a Bloody Mary so you balance your equilibrium on the way over, sometimes it can be a bit rocky. I always try to book the first class cabin, way too much fun and cheap. If you want to go out of Dana Point or Long Beach, book the Catalina Express at http://www.catalinaexpress.com

Here is some more basic information:

www.visitcatalinaisland.com or www.airbnb.com , www.vrbo.com or through www.civr.com they are all good sources. My advice is to stay at the Hotel Atwater, Metropole, or Snug Harbor (www.snugharbor-inn.com) Sometimes the condos are old with no air-conditioning...that is a bummer. Hamilton cove is way too far from town with tons of steps, but it is nice and usually you can get a golf cart with the rental. Book Descanso Beach cabanas early! They fill up all summer long and are very fun. All activities can be booked through www.visitcatalinaisland.com

Go to the Blue Water Grill Avalon, Pancake Cottage and Jack's for breakfast and Coyote Joes for great Buffalo Milk from Pancho !

Book hotels and condos EARLY!

The hotels are charging an arm and a leg this summer. When I was there last month, the hotel Pavillion was closed for renovation. I suggest you book asap through www.visitcatalinaisland.com or www.airbnb.com , www.vrbo.com or through www.civr.com they are all good sources. My advice is to stay at the Hotel Atwater, Metropole, or Snug Harbor (www.snugharbor-inn.com) Sometimes the condos are old with no air-conditioning...that is a bummer. Hamilton cove is way too far from town with tons of steps, but it is nice and usually you can get a golf cart with the rental. Book Descanso Beach cabanas early! They fill up all summer long and are very fun. All activities can be booked through www.visitcatalinaisland.com

Go to the Blue Water Grill Avalon, Pancake Cottage and Jack's for breakfast and Coyote Joes for great Buffalo Milk from Pancho !

Things to do in 2023 !

Right now it is December, 2022 so we are not even THINKING about our lovely Catalina Island but our Catalina Island Yacht Club is very busy planning the upcoming year at our monthly board meetings. By the way, our CIYC has a new member wait list of about 9 so if you want to become a member soon - good luck ! Our CIYC foundation contributes to many worthy charities on the island. Visit us at www.catalinaislandyachtclub.com

Things to do in 2022 !

We are ready to go with Hotel Hamilton this spring and summer for more fun in Avalon. Just to get you geared up for some BUFFALO MILK here is a fun article about the original drink made at the Two Harbors bar...https://www.sfgate.com/california-news/article/buffalo-milk-is-Catalina-rite-of-passage-16839764.php

check back for more fabulous places to enjoy this special drink. Of course I mean my two favorites: Descanso Beach bar and Luah Larry's. YUM !

CATALINA ISLAND

My unfiltered, unsponsored, opinions on what to do and where to dine on Catalina Island...

My family has been coming to Catalina Island for over thirty years. My parents used to motor and sail over from Dana Point, CA on a variety of boats. They owned a condo in Bahia Vista for years and have been members of the Catalina Island Yacht Club. There have been so many changes to Catalina Island over the years and if you have not been to visit in a while COME ON OVER! You won't believe the updated shops, restaurants, and especially the new Descanso Beach.I plan to use these pages to give you MY OPINION on what I think is cool about the island and what I like to do here. People who just hop on a boat have no clue what to expect. So take it or leave it - this is Kathy's Catalina and I don't get paid by any of these businesses to review or recommend them. As a matter of fact, if I don't like your food or store, I probably just won't write about it because I don't want to be mean...

KATHY'S CATALINA

Not too far, just off the coast,

is a beautiful island of which I can boast

You'll see dolphins on the way, they never fail to show

A sea lion or Mako, they always seem to know

How to steal your bait when fishing for a dab

Or the elusive white sea bass you never will nab

So take the flyer or the express

and you will forget the big city mess

In Catalina Island I can be free

To sail upon the blue green sea

And gaze at Avalon’s harbor moon

where pirates and mermaids sing you their tune

There’s a bounty of fish that hide in the kelp

But better know the rules and get Captain Roger’s help

Don’t mess with lobster out of season

or orange Garibaldi for no other reason

For both are endangered and need to be free

it is better to leave them under the sea

When Harbor patrol Poindexter sets his green trap

Make sure that your boat doesn’t leak any crap

Always a hot spot for Hollywood’s big stars

Rent a golf cart because they don’t allow cars

McMahon, Monroe, and Wayne were a few

Of the rich and famous, fabulous crew.

The Museum will tell you how Natalie fell off the boat

It’s really so sad that this Wood did not float

We party it up at the CIYC

Best to have a mooring and a member you can be.

Take the death march from town it is always a toughie

You’ll pass by the grave of our dear sweet Duffy.

To the Inn at Mt. Ada where the Wrigley’s did sing

You can visit the cross where Caroline got her ring.

The buffalo roam wild, you might see them one day,
stomping the grapes for my Rusack chardonnay.

Have your wicky wacked at Larry’s, fresh fish at the grill,

zip line and snorkel to add to the thrill.

sing some karaoke, pole dance at Chi Chi,

chill at Descanso, try the ceviche.

In the end it’s an island, a magical place

love it or leave it, I rest my case.

Files coming soon.