Go.See.Do. Summer 2021

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

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The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

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Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

SUMMER IN SOUTH OC

Welcome

to Go.See.Do Summer 2021

Live Music

BY COLLIN BREAUX

Activities are roaring back to life in South Orange County as pandemic restrictions loosen—including local concerts in San Clemente, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano. Here are some upcoming concerts and spots to enjoy them this summer: OC TAVERN GRILL AND SPORTS BAR This San Clemente sports bar and restaurant is a popular spot to hang out with friends and family, as well as catch some punk rock shows and other types of music along the way. OC Tavern has hosted Dréa Sheva, Jack Brand, and other acts. Visit OC Tavern’s social media pages to check out what concerts are coming up.

A

fter more than a year of an ongoing COVID-19 health crisis disrupting many aspects of daily life, we know our tri-city communities are more eager than ever to enjoy this summer.

Tuesday, June 15, marked a milestone in California, as state officials reopened the economy. We’ve compiled a guide to help you take full advantage of the months ahead.

Activities are roaring back to life in South Orange County as pandemic restrictions loosen—including local concerts in San Clemente, Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano.

Use Go.See.Do Summer 2021 as a reference point for live summer music in Orange County. For car enthusiasts, read on for a profile on the father-son duo that founded South OC Cars and Coffee, a staple weekly event in the local community.

And, in light of COVID’s influence and incentivization of the alfresco dining experience, we’ve compiled some of the best outdoor eating experiences in the tri-city area.

Wherever you go and whichever events suit your tastes, Go.See.Do Summer 2021 contains summer activities suitable for everyone. We hope you have fun and make up for lost time this summer.

2639 South El Camino Real. 949.542.8877. octavern.com.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK The City of Dana Point is bringing back free Concerts in the Park at Sea Terrace Park, starting on July 18 and going through Aug. 15.

The concerts will start at 3 p.m. and feature two bands each. Check the city’s website to see who plays each date.

Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road.

949.248.3536. danapoint.org.

SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES CONCERTS Bring a blanket and the family to Historic Town Center Park in downtown San Juan Capistrano for a night of fun and relaxation. The free concerts will be held Aug. 18 and Sept. 15 from 6-8 p.m.

31872 El Camino Real. 949.493.1171. sanjuancapistrano.org.

LIVE MUSIC CRUISE SERIES Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching will host a night of entertainment aboard the 95-foot Dana Pride on July 31. Relax with music while you enjoy the sunset at Dana Point Harbor. The boat will have a full bar and mixed drinks. Additional dates include Aug. 28, Sept.

18, and Oct. 16.

34675 Golden Lantern. 888.224.0603. danawharf.com.

THE COACH HOUSE Concerts are back on at this popular music venue in San Juan Capistrano. Grab a bite to eat while you sit and enjoy a diverse array of musical stylings. Artists scheduled to play include Buckcherry, Aaron Neville, The Spinners and Berlin. Listed dates are subject to change.

33157 Camino Capistrano. 949.496.8930. thecoachhouse.com.

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Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

Top: Spectators, car enthusiasts and motorheads admire the rows of luxury, classic and sports cars at the weekly South OC Cars and Coffee in the the Outlets at San Clemente parking lot on Saturday, June 5. Photos: Shawn Raymundo. Above: (From left) South OC Cars and Coffee founders Simon Wehr, Chip Foose and James Wehr. Photo: Courtesy of Jay Philippbar

Cars& Coffee Weekly Car Show Becomes Staple Event for Local Community

BY ERYKA FORQUER

F

ather and son duo Simon and James Wehr have transformed a local car exhibition into the self-proclaimed largest weekly car show event in the world, attracting caffeine devotees and car enthusiasts from all over Southern California.

South OC Cars and Coffee was first launched in 2015 by Simon Wehr and his group of car fanatic friends who were seeking an outlet where they could gather and converse about their shared passion of cars after the Cars and Coffee gathering in Irvine closed.

The car show was initially located at the Target on Avenida Vista Hermosa, but two years later, Wehr and his friends relocated the

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

event to the Outlets at San Clemente due to the large number of cars that attended weekly.

“The reason we chose Outlets at San Clemente was because we had hosted some Saturday evening cruises from there and had developed a great working relationship with the management team,” Simon Wehr said.

“The location is also perfect, with large open parking lots and plenty of restaurants and coffee shops for attendees.”

From the very beginning, Wehr said that there was a clear visualization for the future of the car show and a strategy on how they were going to promote it.

“James handles Instagram and does the photography for it,” Simon said. “He specifical-

ly targets the exotics, European and Japanese Domestic Market cars and owners, aiming mostly at the younger crowds. I handle the website, YouTube and Facebook, and target the older crowd with muscle cars, hot rods, vintage and classics. Our monthly social media impressions are around 6 to 6.5 million, with 1.8 million reach and 1.2 million interactions.”

South OC Cars and Coffee’s social media is filled with photos of varying cars, and its YouTube channel gives viewers a virtual walkthrough of the show as the camera snakes its way through the parking lot.

With all of this content, Wehr and his son are able to focus on a specific age demographic and aim so attendees feel like the show is

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designed for them.

“We are very big on making everyone feel included and welcome, no matter what they drive,” Wehr said. “We are about car culture and how much you love your car, not how much money you make and how expensive your car is. There is enough of that already in Orange County!”

The father and son developed a passion for cars in a process that Wehr called natural evolution. While growing up in Australia, Wehr was surrounded by car enthusiasts, and his father, brother and friends helped spark his own interest. As he grew older, he passed that same interest on to his son, James.

“And for James, he was coming on car cruises with me and helping wrench on cars from a very young age,” Wehr said. “It was in his blood, too.”

The event, which can attract 1,000 to 3,500 cars weekly, features a mix of vehicles that includes supercars, exotics, classics, pickups, motorcycles and sports cars.

Wehr said that the event has also displayed prototype and pre-production showcases by manufacturers including the McLaren Elva, Maserati MC20 and Jaguar Project 8 cars.

While the car show has even featured celebrity cars such as Paul Walker’s R34 Skyline, Wehr said the most memorable vehicles are the ones with history.

“For me, it has been the old cars with history, like the 1952 Ferrari 212 that was built for the New York Auto Show, or the Lancia Stratos that won the 1984 World Rally Championship or the 1986 Ford RS200 Evolution,” he said.

The San Clemente-based car show, which is widely recognized among the car community, has also reached celebrity visibility. Wehr said The World According to Jeff Goldblum shot an episode at South OC Cars and Coffee, and the car show also has participated in Amy’s Depot charity events with TV celebrity Chip Foose.

Since 2015, Simon and James have grown South OC Cars and Coffee into a staple event for both the car and local communities, and it takes place on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m.

Through its journey, the Wehrs said that their favorite experience has been creating the show with each other.

“For James and I, it’s that moment each Saturday when we stand together to look around and take it all in,” Simon said. “We see the show that we started as father and son, the amazing merchandise selection my wife, Sarah, has designed and produced, the 50 or so volunteers that give so selflessly of their time, and the thousands and thousands of adults, kids, families who are enjoying it. That is the gold.” thecapistranodispatch.com

Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

Hopping AboarD Summer Trolleys

Dana Point Trolley

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

S

ummertime trolley services are back up and running in the towns of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, providing locals and visitors with free public transportation, as well as opportunities to connect to the neighboring cities.

Over the past few weeks, trolleys have operated only on the weekends—Fridays through Sundays—but beginning on Friday, June 25, services expand to seven days in both Dana Point and San Clemente.

In San Juan, only weekend operations will continue to be offered, with the exception of a few key dates, including Sept. 6 for Labor Day, and on Aug. 18 and Sept. 15, when the city hosts its San Juan Summer Nites Concerts.

The trolley routes through each of the cities include several key stops at popular destination areas such as downtown corridors, shopping centers, beach access points and public parking lots, in addition to providing a connection to the next town over.

Dana Point’s unique location, nestled between Laguna Beach, San Clemente and San Juan, makes it the unofficial hub that connects all four cities and their trolleys.

At the northwest end of Dana Point, at the Ritz-Carlton, trolley riders can catch a connection to Laguna Beach. In the southeast part of Dana Point, the stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo connects to San Juan’s trolley, and at the southernmost end, in Capistrano Beach, the stop at Camino Mira Costa and Camino de Estrella connects to San Clemente.

Dana Point’s trolleys run on two routes, a North Loop and a South Loop, with shared stops throughout the city’s Lantern District and along Golden Lantern.

The trolleys on Monday-through-Thursday will operate from noon to 9 p.m.; Fridays, from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

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Fourth of July and Labor Day—the final day of services—the trolley will run from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

San Clemente trolleys similarly run on two routes, a Red Line and a Blue Line, which both meet at the Outlets at San Clemente for riders to transfer. The Blue Line covers San Clemente’s northern section, from El Camino Real in North Beach to Camino Capistrano in Capistrano Beach.

The Red Line travels along El Camino Real from North Beach to Avenida Del Mar in Downtown San Clemente. From there, trolleys take riders to and from downtown to the Pier Bowl.

Weekday services (Mondays through Fridays) in San Clemente are from noon to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Independence Day, trolleys will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. San Clemente’s trolley service will end on Sept. 26.

In San Juan, the trolleys perform a single loop around the city. Traveling north on Camino Capistrano, the trolleys cover the downtown district, offering stops at Verdugo and near Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The trolleys then come back around to turn onto Del Obispo Street, then Camion Del Avion, then Del Obispo again, where it connects to Dana Point’s trolley on Stonehill Drive. From there, the trolleys loop back around toward Camino Capistrano.

San Juan’s trolleys operate Fridays, 5-9 p.m.; Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For San Juan’s Fourth of July and Summer Carnival celebrations, occurring from July 2-4, the trolleys will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On Labor Day, Sept. 6, the trolleys will also operate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and for the nights of the summer concerts, they’ll run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. thecapistranodispatch.com

Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021 Coastal Kitchen

Coastal Kitchen 34091 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.449.2822, coastalkitchendanapoint.com

Prior to the pandemic, Coastal Kitchen established itself as one of the best patio dining options in Dana Point, with its chic and sleek design and optimal Lantern District location. But owners Michael and Christina Grant rose to the occasion to transform the neighboring parking lot into an expanded, comfortable patio for diners.

The mission at Coastal Kitchen is to deliver a quality dining experience in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with a consistency that will bring guests back again and again, Christina Grant says.

“Before COVID, we offered great outdoor dining with our large La Cantina doors that open up to our patio, bringing the indoors out and the outdoors in, with firepits, umbrellas and light music,” Christina said. “When COVID brought us completely outdoors, we had to expand, and it was important for us to provide an inviting environment in addition to our delicious food.”

Outdoor Dining

Top Five Outdoor Dining Spots in Tri-City Area COMPILED BY LILLIAN BOYD

The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar 611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949.498.6390, thefishermansrestaurantsanclemente.com

The Fisherman’s dining experience places the customer right over the shore break of the San Clemente Pier with optimal outdoor seating long before COVID incentivized the alfresco meal. While The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar adapted to state regulations to accommodate customers amid the coronavirus pandemic and expanded its outdoor seating along the pier, this coastal gem has been a repeated gold winner for Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining in San Clemente.

Fisherman’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, as well as an oyster bar on the bar side of the restaurant. But the most optimal mealtime to be had is at sunset. Diners can enjoy discounts on Happy Hour plates, seafood and drink specials while taking in the views of the Pacific Ocean horizon and surfers catching waves right below the restaurant.

Rad Brat 34091 La Plaza, Dana Point, radbrat.com

Where in Dana Point can you order a hot dog drizzled in peanut butter and loaded with bacon, with outdoor seating, live music events and trivia nights?

Rad Brat, a hotdog and beer joint that opened in December 2020, next door to Hennessey’s Tavern, offers just that—dubbed “The Big Ugly” on the menu. But Rad Brat offers dogs for those with a variety of palates, as well as nearly 30 different beers on tap.

The menu also offers salads, milkshakes, the “Rad Fat Burger,” and appetizers including french fries, onion rings and pretzels with cheese sauce— something for everyone to enjoy.

Trevor’s at the Tracks 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.9593, trevorsatthetracks.com

Rancho Capistrano Winery 26755 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.9593, ranchocapwinery.com

Rancho Capistrano Winery The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

Not only can you enjoy some of the best wine, dinner and ambience that Orange County has to offer at Rancho Capistrano Winery, you can also bring your furry best friend. With a 3,000-squarefoot, dog-friendly patio and an award-winning menu created by Chef Adrian De La Torre III, vino lovers have more than 40 different wines from which to choose.

Rancho Capistrano Winery prides itself on its generous portions and a flavor-forward profile that blends perfectly with its wines. Menu favorites include the cheese plate and flatbread selection, but be sure to take advantage of all-day Happy Hour on Mondays. There’s also a second location off Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente.

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Located in San Juan Capistrano’s historic 1894 train depot, Trevor’s at the Tracks offers a “globally inspired” menu that is locally sourced. In addition to its dishes, Trevor’s is known for its outdoor patio experience, placing diners right by the train stop and offering live music. Trevor’s kitchen works with local vendors such as The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, West Coast Prime Meats located in Brea and Ingardia Brothers Produce in Santa Ana. “We don’t like to go too far from our backyard, because we believe this is how our food tastes the freshest,” owner Trevor Baird said.

In 2015, Baird invested in the Sarducci’s Restaurant Depot, managing and running it for nine months before renovating the space for another nine months after that. Trevor’s at the Tracks opened in February 2017, and it has attracted outdoor patio diners ever since. thecapistranodispatch.com

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Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

Southern California Theme Parks Lift Restrictions

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

N

ow that the state has fully reopened its economy, lifting social distancing guidelines and face mask requirements, Southern California theme parks are following suit and ramping up capacities as we head into the summer.

At every one of the six major theme parks— Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, Legoland and Sea World—fully vaccinated visitors can ditch their face masks.

Only visitors aged 2 and older are required

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

to wear face coverings in indoor public settings if they’re unvaccinated. Both Disneyland and Legoland noted that they won’t be requiring guests to show proof of vaccination.

Disneyland stated that guests will only need to “self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.” The Anaheim-based theme park last week also ended its moratorium on guests from outside California, now allowing all visitors to “self-determine distancing.”

As for reservation requirements, that’s one aspect of the pandemic-related protocols that is remaining in place for a few of the theme

parks. Disneyland, Legoland and Knott’s Berry Farm will maintain their reservation systems for guests to book visits.

Universal and Six Flags announced last week that they’ve done away with their booking requirements.

At Disneyland, guests must purchase their tickets ahead of time online and select their date of visit. Online, they can select the number of tickets they wish to purchase, type of park pass—single park or park-hopper—and then the date they plan to go.

For park-hopper tickets, visitors must

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choose which park they intend to start the day at, either Disney California Adventure Park or Disneyland Park. Park-hopper ticket holders will be able to enter the second park only after 1 p.m., at which time they’ll be able to go between parks.

Similarly, at Legoland, guests can choose between a one-day admission pass, or one with entry to its Sea Life Aquarium or the water park, and then the date of the visit.

More information about each park’s safety protocols and ticketing information can be found at their respective websites. thecapistranodispatch.com

Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

Pickleball Popularity Surge Continues

BY ZACH CAVANAGH

A

merica’s fastest-growing sport is pickleball.

It may be evident to anyone who’s frequented tennis courts in San Clemente, but maybe not as evident to anyone wandering Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano. However, no matter the location, the numbers bear out that pickleball, which had already been rising in popularity, exploded in popularity over the course of 2020.

Pickleball is a combination of the major racquet sports of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It’s played on a badminton-sized court, which is about half the size of a regulation tennis court. The net is about two inches shorter than a tennis net. The equipment are paddles and a wiffleball, which are essentially larger versions of your traditional ping pong paddle and ball.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

From 2016 to 2019, the average yearly growth for the sport was 7.2% for a total over 23% over those three years. In 2020 alone, pickleball grew by an astounding 21.3% to a total of 4.2 million players in the United States, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Why this surge? Why in pickleball?

Pickleball has attracted players of all ages, as it is fairly simple to play and set up. It has less movement than tennis due to court size, but it is still an active sport. It’s also fastpaced, but not so blindingly fast like ping pong can be. It’s more accessible than many sports.

The sport’s age demographics speak to that accessibility. According to USA Pickleball, the average age for all players is 43.5 years old with the average age for the sport’s core players, people who play eight or more times in a year, was 51.5 years old. Of the age groups broken down by USA Pickleball, 8-34 was the largest group at 27.9% of players with 65+ at 21.1% and 35-54 at 20.9%. Of the sports core players, 38.7% were 65 and older and 21.3% were 55-64.

As mentioned before, the sport’s surge has made its way to South Orange County, and particularly to San Clemente.

Three years ago, there were about 50 pick-

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leball players in San Clemente, and there are now about 500 in the community. There are dedicated pickleball courts at San Gorgonio Park with local groups pushing for more, and pickleball can be played at the tennis courts at San Luis Rey Park. There are also pickleball lessons through the City of San Clemente, which resumed at the beginning of June and a second session starting July 14. However, the classes are extremely popular, and if players are interested, they can act fast at san-clemente.org under recreation and further under recreation, classes and programs, or email Bill Miller at miller.william22@gmail.com.

San Clemente is also set to host the Orange County Cup professional pickleball tournament from Thursday, June 24, to Sunday, June 27, at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.

The event will feature nearly 1,000 athletes, including the world No. 1 male and female players, competing for a $65,000 payout. Organizers expect more than 3,000 spectators, and the event will be broadcast live on ESPN+, Facebook and YouTube. For more information or to buy a grounds pass for the event, go to ppatour.com/events/orange-county-cup.

Elsewhere in South Orange County, San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo have options to play the sport. In San Juan Capistrano, the city offers pickleball classes through its recreation programs, and the classes are at the SJC Tennis Courts at 31450 Camino Capistrano. In Rancho Mission Viejo, pickleball can be played at Sendero Field Park and Esencia Sports Park.

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Go.SEE.DO. // SUmmer 2021

Exploring Catalina ISLAND

Editor Collin Breaux details first trip to Catalina Island

BY COLLIN BREAUX

A

s the saying goes, the third time’s the charm.

I had booked two previous trips to Catalina Island—one in December—but canceled both because of surges in COVID-19 cases.

But given the recent turnaround in conditions, when the chance came up again to take a trip out there for this travel story, I figured it was time. I took a solo day trip on June 6, a little before the full state reopening on June 15.

It was my first time out to the island (I moved to California in October 2019 from Florida), so I wasn’t sure entirely what to expect—particularly given the new world we live in.

I’m always up for new experiences and exploring, though, so I stuffed a few items in a backpack and headed out.

I had to book my trip out from the Long Beach port since there weren’t any available from Dana Point that day. I have a feeling that could be a sign people are eager to get out after being cooped up for a year. My boarding time was after 2 p.m.

COLLIN BREAUX I made the drive to Long Beach and fired up some true crime podcasts to listen to along the way. Long Beach is an awesome place, in my opinion, so I didn’t mind having to go there.

I pulled up to the ferry spot based on my GPS direction, and as usual when arriving at a new location, I spent a few minutes figuring out exactly where to go. Driving into the parking garage, I parked my car and slipped on my mask.

The parking fee was $19 for a 24-hour period, which didn’t seem a bad deal at all.

Even with restrictions loosening, I figured masks would still be required. Turns out, I was right. There are signs everywhere reminding you to wear a mask.

I scanned my ticket at the ferry terminal and walked out back to get in line for the boat. There was already a relatively long line, and I got there a few minutes before the ferry took off.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 24-July 8, 2021

I met a guy who works out on the island.

“First time?” he asked me.

Given I had a backpack and was wearing a tank top, board shorts, and a hat—as well as the camera around my neck and my overall body language—that was probably obvious to everyone. We ended up chatting while in line and on the ferry. I told him how I’m from New Orleans after he saw the fleur-de-lis tattoo on my left bicep, and he told me about a trip he took there and how much he liked the city. I asked him his favorite part about the island, and he replied it is the scenery.

The ferry takes about an hour to get to the island. I found it relaxing, watching the water and just sitting in my seat.

The ferry crew demonstrates how to put on a life jacket at the start of the trip, and passengers are split up into two lines when they get off, based on who brought luggage and who didn’t. Most people bring luggage.

I was awestruck when we arrived. Catalina Island is truly beautiful. It looks like something out of a movie, reminding me of footage I’ve seen of the canals in Italy. My family and friends back in Louisiana and Florida marveled at the pictures I took. I loved seeing all the yachts sitting in the water, and people parasailing in the background. There are plenty of benches and seats if you want to sit.

I took time to walk around the island—mostly Avalon— and enjoyed the beach. Being hungry and wanting to try out the local delicacies, I decided the first thing I would do is eat at a restaurant. I chose Maggie’s Blue Rose and was not disappointed. I got a veggie burger, which is my go-to order at most places since I’m a vegetarian, and ate it on the beach. Chowing down while sitting in the sun and on the sand, while watching people enjoy the water, was cool.

After finishing my meal, I explored the island some more.

There are all sorts of interesting shops and places to go— even a library, which wasn’t open on the Sunday afternoon I was there. I was even surprised to see a police substation.

The architecture has an old-time stucco look.

Seeing a sign for a toy shop and being something of a toy

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nerd, I hunted it down and stopped in. It was a small shop with cute trinkets. I chatted a little bit with the shopkeeper, who had a small bulldog, but didn’t buy anything. I then walked all the way to the Catalina Island Casino, since it’s a big structure that caught my eye. It also wasn’t open. I later found out it used to be a movie theater. I also relaxed at the Avalon city park, which has the usual playground amenities.

Golf carts and bicycles are common on the island.

There were plenty of other people there when I went, and it seemed to be a mixture—some were couples, some seemed like friends, some were families. Everyone else also seemed to be taking in the sights and having a good time.

Crowds tend to gather and be lively at the Avalon square, and thin out and get quieter the more you get away from there.

I walked all the way back to the beach cabana area, and took in the incredible cliff scenery. As someone who grew up in the Deep South, I’m not used to hills and cliffs, and the mere sight of them still blows my mind.

The day turned to night, and my time to board for the return trip was approaching. I stopped in a candy shop to get some candy and a cappuccino before I left (I have a sweet tooth and need a caffeine fix), and sat on a bench to enjoy my treats before leaving. After the tumultuous year we’ve all been through, it felt nice to escape to a literal island and get away from everything for a few hours. Catalina is pretty, though it can be chilly at night.

I took my place in line again, and the return queue drew another crowd. There was definitely a mixture of contentment and fatigue among the late ferry crowd—it was after 10 p.m. by the time we got off—and seeing a ferry full of people wearing masks at night is a memory I’ll never forget.

I exited the ferry, got back in my car, and drove back home to Orange County. I definitely recommend a trip to Catalina, and would like to try parasailing and other activities when I go back. Catalina Island is a relaxing and fun diversion we can all use after going through the pandemic.

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