Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
302
rental. Snorkeling trips that take y ou outside of A valon depart from
Joe's Rent-a-Boat
(
&
310/510-0455
), on the Green Pier.
At Two H arbors, stop b y
West E nd D ive Center
(
&
310/510-4272
). E xcursions
range from half-day intr oductory dives to complete cer tification courses and multiday
dive packages. It also rents snorkel gear and offers kayak r ental, instruction, and tours.
HIKING & BIKING
When the summer crowds become overwhelming, it's time to head on foot for the peace-
fulness of the interior, where secluded coves and barren, rolling hills soothe frayed nerves.
Visitors can obtain a fr ee
hiking permit
at the Conser vancy Office (125 Claressa Ave.;
&
310/510-2595;
www.catalinaconservancy.org), where you'll find maps, wildlife infor-
mation, and friendly assistance from Conservancy staffers who love to share their knowl-
edge of the interior. It's open daily from 9am to 5pm, and closed for lunch on weekends.
Among the sights y ou may see ar e the many giant buffalo r oaming the hills, scions of
movie extras that were left behind in 1929 and hav e since flourished.
Mountain biking
is allo wed on the island 's designated dir t r oads, but r equires an
annual permit—$35 per person, or $125 per family—that must be pur chased in person
at the Conservancy Office.
BEACHES
Unfortunately, A valon's beaches leav e much to be desir ed. The to wn's central beach,
located off C rescent Avenue, is small and completely congested in the busy season. B e
sure to claim your spot early in the morning befor e it's full.
Descanso Beach Club
(see
“What to See & Do in Avalon” above) offers the best beach in town but also gets crowded
very quickly. Your best bet is to kayak out to a secluded co ve where you have the beach
virtually to yourself.
11
WHERE TO STAY
If you plan to stay o vernight, be sure to reserve a room in advance because most places
fill up quickly during the summer and holiday seasons.There are only a handful of hotels
whose accommodations and amenities actually justify the rates that they charge. S ome
are downright scary, so book as far in adv ance as possible to get a r oom that makes the
trip wor thwhile. Don't stress too much o ver your accommodations, as y ou'll probably
spend most of your time outdoors. Keep in mind that the best time to visit is in Septem-
ber or October when the water is warm, the cr owds have somewhat subsided, and hotel
occupancy is easier to come by. If you're having trouble finding a vacancy, try calling the
Catalina Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (
&
310/510-1520
); they keep daily
tabs on last-minute cancellations.
Very Expensive
The Inn on Mt. Ada
When William Wrigley, Jr., purchased Catalina Island in
1921, he built this ornate hilltop G eorgian Colonial mansion as his summer v acation
home; it's now one of the finest small hotels in California. The opulent inn—considered
to be the best in to wn for its luxur y accommodations and vie ws—has several ground-
floor salons, a club r oom with a fir eplace, a formal librar y, and a sunr oom where tea,
cookies, and fruit are always available. The best guest room is the Grand Suite, fitted with
a fireplace and a large priv ate patio. Amenities include a golf car t during y our stay. A
hearty full breakfast, a light deli-style lunch, appetizers, fresh fruit, freshly baked cookies,
soft drinks, beers, wines, and champagne ar e included in the rate.
Tip:
Even if you find
