Santa Catalina Island, a Perfect Summer Destination As the salty sea breeze blows through your hair, you gaze across the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean. Birds gracefully skim over the waves, and schools of dolphins play alongside the large catamaran you are travelling on. Suddenly, you spot a small smudge of land against the horizon. It gradually grows larger, as giant cliffs and hills loom into sight. The ferry approaches a harbor with boats of many shapes and sizes anchored. The water is the clearest blue you have ever seen, with vibrant fish visible just below the surface. You have finally reached your perfect summer destination: Santa Catalina Island.
How to Get to Catalina Island Located off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island is just over 20 miles, or 35 kilometers, southwest of Los Angeles. The easiest way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry. Several different boat companies have scheduled service to the island with departures from mainland communities such as Long Beach, Newport Beach, and Marina Del Rey, which is right by LAX. The ferries are large catamarans that make for a smooth ride, with fully-equipped washroom facilities as well as snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages available. The trip takes only about one hour, or you can go the route of luxury and book a helicopter ride over, which takes about 15 minutes. Where to Stay Catalina Island has one main town called Avalon, which is a permanent civilian settlement. The town is only one square mile in size, but offers many different types of accommodations. There are campgrounds, beachfront hotels, bed and breakfasts, condos, and vacation home rentals. For the luxurious traveler, the Inn on Mount Ada is the ideal place to stay. Located on a hill overlooking Avalon, the inn has breathtaking views of the town, harbor, and ocean, and was originally built for the Wrigley family in 1921. If you can't afford the steep prices to stay overnight, you can still visit the house and enjoy the view on the grand terrace for lunch.