Catalina Island Travel Planning Guide

Catalina Island

Travel planning guide

By Melanie Maxwell

Have you been thinking about going to Catalina Island but aren’t sure how to get there or where to stay? We can help you with this Catalina Island Travel Planning Guide. Summer is a great time to sail 26 miles across the Southern California coastline on a Catalina Express high-speed ferry. However, October is even better for genre enthusiasts because that’s when the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival turns Avalon, the island’s only city, into a smooth jazz paradise. For two consecutive weekends, Oct. 10-13 and 17-20, Art Good presents the stars of smooth jazz, starting with Thursday Nights “Unplugged” on the sand at Descanso Beach, and Friday through Sunday inside the non-gaming Catalina Casino building’s ballroom. Here are some tips for getting to and staying on the island, especially during JazzTrax, when select hotels offer a fourth night free with a three-night booking.

For festival information, visit www.jazztrax.com or call 866-872-9849. continued on page 12

33RD ANNUAL

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Getting there

Catalina Express offers 30 daily departures from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, California. On Saturday and Sunday, special after-performance boat departures are available from Avalon back to Long Beach.

www.CatalinaExpress.com • 800-955-4386

Opening Weekend OCTOBER 10-13

Closing Weekend OCTOBER 17-20

DAMIEN ESCOBAR COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA KEIKO MATSUI

EUGE GROOVE

BONEY JAMES ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY

JAZMIN GHENT PETER WHITE RICK BRAUN NICK COLIONNE Chieli Minucci & Special EFX All Stars w/Nelson Rangell & Lao Tizer Jeff Ryan | Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Marqueal Jordan | Elan Trotman | & More

Tickets, Hotel & Boat Information, Full Artist Line-Up www.JazzTrax.com | 866-Trax Tix (866-872-9849) STAYING there

Hermosa Hotel keeps it simple—clean rooms at low prices and DOG FRIENDLY! We are Catalina Island’s economy hotel located in the heart of Avalon just a lovely 10-15 minute walk from the boat landing. Great prices, friendly service and clean rooms. Ask about our JazzTrax packages!

www.HermosaHotel.com • (310) 510-1010

Hotel Catalina and Courtyard Garden Suites are both located steps from the bay! Hotel Catalina features large verandas with harbor views, a garden courtyard with Jacuzzi, lounge area and gas barbecue, partial ocean views, deluxe mountain views, standard and terrace rooms, family cottages, flat-screen TVs, DVD, cable, internet and more. The AAA-approved Courtyard

CLEAN ROOMS AT LOW PRICES FREE DIVE LOCKERS & DIVE CARTS FREE WI-FI DOG-FRIENDLY

Garden Suites features a garden courtyard with fire pit, large ocean-view suites, oversized garden rooms, extra-large family rooms, flat-screen TVs, DVD, cable, internet, jetted tubs, air conditioning-heating and more. Guests receive a 10 percent discount at Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret and Original Jack’s Country Kitchen and, coming soon, Mrs. T’s Chinese Kitchen. Ask about the JazzTrax special: reserve three nights (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and get Thursday or Monday night free.

www.hotelcatalina.com • 800-540-0184

visitor information

Just an hour from the Southern California coast by highspeed passenger ferry or a quick 15-minute helicopter ride, lies Catalina Island, the location host of the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. Smooth jazz artists perform during two weekends of October in Wrigley’s historic Casino Ballroom and under the stars on the beach at Descanso Beach Club. Contact the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau for information on getting to the island and booking your stay.

www.CatalinaChamber.com

NOTE: In the October-November issue, we publish our Annual Catalina Island Visitors Guide, which features tips on restaurants, shopping and spa treatments.

Your Overnight Escape Awaits CATALINA ISLAND

With so many beautiful hotels and up to 30 departures daily aboard Catalina Express, there’s no reason to stay just a day.

Spend a night or two and make memories to last a lifetime on Catalina Island.

Book your overnight escape today at CatalinaPackage.com