A Tropical Getaway Only a Boat Ride Away from the Southern California Mainland
by Rachel Moore
Feeling like you need a vacation? Consider a getaway to beautiful Catalina Island! Situated about 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island has been a highly sought after vacation destination since the early days of Hollywood. Today, getting to the island is easy. The high-speed, luxury boat transport Catalina Express departs from three different Southern California locations including Dana Point, Long Beach and San Pedro. Departing multiple times per day, arrive in the beautiful town of Avalon in about an hour via a fleet of four high-speed catamarans and four mono-hull vessels. Guests can expect a smooth ride due to state-of-the-art stabilizers and high-tech navigational equipment. When it comes to health safety, Catalina Express requires all passengers to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and has a commitment to frequent sanitization of the entire vessel.
Passenger Comfort
Each vessel in the Catalina Express fleet offers inside cabin seating and outdoor deck seating. A full bar is available along with light snack options. Enjoy attentive service, private restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, and fantastic views. Offered on some vessels, premier accommodations in the Commodore Lounge includes first class indoor seating, priority boarding, complimentary beverage and snack service. The Captain’s Lounge is featured on the Catalina Express, Avalon Express, Islander Express, and Super Express. With seating for up to eight passengers, the Captain’s Lounge may also be used as a hostess center for larger groups. Packages include priority boarding, luxury seating, and complimentary beverages.
Many passengers are opting to sit outdoors on the ferries’ decks on their way to and from the island. If you would like to do this, we recommend getting to the terminal early and lining up as early as you can so you’re close to the front of the line!
Catalina Express is public transportation, so the 6-foot rule is not always feasible while on the vessel. Based on protocols set by Cal/OSHA, Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Transportation, Catalina Express has reduced capacity to allow for a seat between passengers not traveling together. Couples, groups and families can sit together. The crew works very hard to remind people to wear the mask properly by walking around and making announcements.
For a complete list of departure times and updates on COVID safety, visit CatalinaExpress.com
Welcome to Catalina Island
As mentioned above, Catalina Island has been a premier destination since the early 1900’s. The famous island has been home to over 500 films including Treasure Island, The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur and it is still a favorite destination today. The island’s famous Casino which was commissioned by William Wrigley, Jr first opened in 1929. The Casino is now host to luxurious private events. Check the event calendar for safe, social distanced future events.
The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, now referred to as LOVE Catalina, and its island partners are incredibly attentive to safety procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety and a positive experience for visitors to the island as well as locals is their highest priority. Strategically placed signs are posted on the main streets and banners display kind reminders island to wear masks and keep a safe distance. All around the island, individuals are constantly reminded to stay safe and be smart while enjoying the island beauty and activities. See their KeepWell Commitment for more information.
Where to Stay
When deciding where to stay, the Hotel Atwater is a beautiful option. Hotel Atwater was the first hotel built by Catalina Island Company in 1920. It is a stunning hotel that was recently remodeled in 2019. The hotel is absolutely gorgeous with nautical touches and a crisp, clean design. Plush bedding, luxurious towels, luxury bath amenities, smart TVs, and modern conveniences welcome guests in either king bed suites or standard rooms. Guests can feel COVID safe as each room features a seal on their door showing that the room has been safely sanitized. Sanitization includes safely cleaned and sealed towels, too. Safety begins when you enter the lobby. Employees don a mask and masks are required for guests, as well. Safety signs are posted as friendly reminders. For guests’ convenience, disinfecting wipes are offered in the elevators and throughout the property. For reservations and more information, visit Hotel Atwater.
Living Your Best Life at Descanso Beach Club
Catalina Island is filled with super fun activities! Arrive to the island early, drop off any luggage at the hotel and head over to the Descanso Beach Club. The Hotel Atwater offers courtesy beach towels for hotel guests. Grab a couple of towels and take a walk. The Descanso Beach Club is about a 12 minute stroll from the Green Pier and the Hotel Atwater. Take in the sights along the path that takes you by the historical Catalina Casino and straight to the dining area of the beach club. Avalon’s only beachside restaurant and bar, Descanso Beach Club is a must-visit. Once kindly greeted by staff, enjoy water views and beautiful blue skies while dining on delicious cuisine. The Descanso Beach Club staff is so friendly and conversational. They expressed genuine interest in our island plans and offered menu recommendations as well as island finds.
Descanso Beach Club Menu Delights
Tropical cocktails are house specialties. The Dragonberry Mojito made with Dragonberry rum, strawberries and mint was the perfect refresher. Another captivating option, the Salty Verde Cadillac Margarita tasted equally refreshing. A perfect blend of sweet and sour, this margarita offers premium tequila, Cointreau, and a splash of Grand Marnier. So delicious!
Satisfy those hunger pangs with fresh and light options such as Chef Kapo’s Poke Bowl. The signature Hummus Plate, fresh chips and salsa are perfect to share. For dinner, the Descanso Beach Club features dinner menu as well. Among the selections, choose from starters such as the Pacific Catch Ceviche, Island Poke and main dishes of Citrus-brined Pork Chops, Succulent Thyme-seasoned Chicken, Wagyu Burgers, and a Mediterranean Veggie Burger. Serving lunch daily til 5pm; dinner Friday and Saturday 5pm-8pm.
The Descanso Beach Club has so many fun outdoor activities. Lounge in the sand or head to the water for kayaking or paddle boarding. Rentals are quick and easy, leading to a fun afternoon of exploring the coastlines of the island!
Fabulous Dinner with Amazing Views
Avalon boasts many dining options. A casual stroll down the street takes you to the wonderful M Restaurant at the Hotel Metropole. The stunning Avalon harbor views and intimate setting make for a perfect date night or get together. Here, the chef highlights seasonal ingredients in dishes that can be paired with wines from their extensive wine list. The wine list groups wines by intensity levels making it easy to pair with a variety of dishes. A goldmine for foodies!
A great starter, the Manilla Clams served in a pinot grigio, oregano and crushed red pepper sauce is a savory option. Soak up the sauce with garlic ciabatta bread. were the perfect savory starter. Not a seafood lover? The Wild Arugula Salad salad served with a citrus vinaigrette and the Vegetarian Flatbread are delightful options.
Main courses feature grass-fed, natural, organic meats and sustainable seafoods. Among popular favorites are the Shrimp Scampi Pasta. A light, zesty pasta offering flavors of lemon, herbs, and perfectly cooked shrimp. For a heartier pasta, try the Pasta Bolognese. The Niman Ranch Prime Hanger Steak is served with mascarpone mash, mushroom demi, seasonal vegetables and onion ribbons. Arriving table side at 10 ounces, the hanger steak is one of the best steak dishes in town. Fish lovers – go for the Sand Dabs!
An Adorable and Tasty Coffee Discovery
While exploring downtown Avalon, stumble upon the adorable Catalina Coffee and Cookie Company, offering delicious coffee blends and specialty drinks as well as pastry, bakery, and create-your-own breakfast options including breakfast sandwiches, bagels, burritos and veggie frittata. Everything looked delicious, but we decided to go with the vanilla latte with cinnamon, a French roast and a snickerdoodle cookie (because how could you not get a cookie at the Catalina Coffee and Cookie Company?!). Insider tip: order online through their website for a speedier pickup option!
A Day on Island Time at Two Harbors
Once you’ve got some breakfast in you and walked around the town, hop on the Discover Two Harbors Cyclone Power Boat to make your way over to Two Harbors, located on the west end and about a 30 minute boat ride from the Green Pier in Avalon. Once aboard the Cyclone, you’ll embark on a fast paced and exciting cruise up the Catalina coast to Two Harbors with the captains enforcing that masks should be on for the entirety of the ride.
Immediately upon arrival to Two Harbors, it feels as if you have left Catalina entirely and come across a quaint village in paradise. With campgrounds surrounding the harbor and sprawling back into the heart of the island, Two Harbors is a wonderful place for lovers of the outdoors and relaxation. After disembarking from the Cyclone, guests are greeted by representatives of the village reminding them to be safe and health-conscious by social distancing and wearing our masks at all times when in the village unless we are eating or in the water. The village did an amazing job of making visitors feel safe and welcome, and everyone was so friendly in giving recommendations and directions.
The wonderful thing about Two Harbors is that you can do as many activities as you want such as hiking or water activities such as snorkeling — or you can do absolutely nothing at all and simply lounge on the beach. This makes Two Harbors appealing to anyone looking for a little getaway. Being a village home to very few people, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere where crowds are the least of your concern.
A Delicious Lunch Find
Two Harbors features a super helpful information booth, recreation center for water sports, and a general store. One of the most delicious finds in Two Harbors was the Harbor Reef Restaurant. Harbor Reef offers beautiful harbor views in conjunction with generous portions of delicious food and the most friendly staff. Year round menu selections include burgers, steaks, and chicken. Yet, in the summer months, line-caught swordfish is a must have. The rule is “if the swordfish flag is flying, the fish is on the grill”. Located on a waterfront dining deck, Harbor Reef Restaurant also has private beachside palapas and lounge chairs at Harbor Sands Harbor Sands is situated on the shore of Isthmus Cove. The rustic-chic furnished palapas are cozy yet roomy accommodating couples or small groups.
More about the cuisine… a smaller menu selection packed with big flavor options. Harbor Reef offers something for everyone! For a few shared plates, go for the Mexican Style Shrimp Cocktail served with tortilla chips or the West End Wings served in a traditional buffalo sauce. The Spinach Salad with strawberries, red onion, cherry tomato, almonds, feta and a poppy seed vinaigrette is a perfect salad to refresh you on a warm day, and the Alaskan Cod & Chips is a hearty meal perfect for the day’s activities.
Cocktails, anyone?
The cocktails at Harbor Reef are light and refreshing, making you feel like you’ll forever want to be on island time. Order the Paloma for a light citrus vibe or the Two Harbor’s Ice-T for something a little stronger and fruitier.
After lunch, you can opt for lounging in the sand a mere 10 feet away from your table, or head over to the Dive and Recreation Center to try out snorkeling, kayaking, or stand up paddle boarding. I would recommend paddle boarding if you want to stay in the harbor where the waves are calmer. If you’re in the mood to move out of the harbor and explore a bit more of the water, kayak and check out of the caved in areas of land along the coast of Two Harbors, where if you look down into the water you’ll find lots of colorful orange fish!
Returning for Dinner in Avalon
Catalina Island is taking great safety precautions when it comes to having visitors during a pandemic, especially in terms of their dining options. Since COVID hit and restaurants have reopened, many of the restaurants found along the main walkway and waterfront have moved their seating to the sand, overlooking the gorgeous harbor and ocean. Head over to El Galleon for to-die-for rib eye steaks, authentic clam chowder and yummy drinks including the famous Catalina tradition Buffalo Milk. Being able to eat at a table on the sand looking out onto the water is fun, and unique, refreshing and most importantly (during these times) safe, making for a great final dinner for a weekend trip to the island.
A Quick Breakfast with the Cutest Decor
When staying at Hotel Atwater, take the short elevator trip down to the lobby and wander down the hall where you can find the Bistro at the Atwater. Cute and very “Instagrammable,” the Bistro is a great one-stop shop open from 7-11am for all your breakfast needs. With flavored lattes, smoothies, juices and teas as well as breakfast options like the Breakfast Wrap, Breakfast Sandwich and Parfait, the Bistro is located a block from the waterfront and is perfect for a quick bite. The Bistro is open to the public as well, so definitely take advantage of this spot if you’re in the mood for something delicious and quick while also taking a look into the historical Hotel Atwater!
Seeing the Island from a New Perspective
When you feel like you’ve seen the island on foot but have the urge to see more, take a spin on a golf cart rental with Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental & Tours. With your camera or phone and a map, you’re able to see the island from new heights! This is an awesome way to get some good photo opportunities of the landscape as well as portraits, and since guests drive themselves (in contrast to having a tour guide), you’re able to take your time and ride around on your own schedule. Additionally, the carts were thoroughly sanitized between each rental period, making the rental process feel safe and relaxing!
A Waterfront Lunch
For a final meal before getting back on the Catalina Express to make the journey home, make your way over to Bluewater Grill for a delicious lunch. Start out with the Seared Scallops with Roasted Jalapeño Aioli for a yummy appetizer with a kick. Their main courses vary from pasta to sandwiches to fresh fish (depending on what’s in season). The local swordfish is a great option if seafood is what’s on your mind, and the Mediterranean Ahi Salad is a refreshing and filling salad that will satisfy your taste buds. As for drinks, Bluewater offers a variety of cocktails as well as draft beers and fine wines. But the best part about Bluewater is the VIEW! Nestled right on the water, take a seat outside and enjoy the views of the harbor — you might even spot some sea life in the water below you!
Visiting Catalina Island — whether it be a day trip or a weekend adventure — is the perfect option to get away while still staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the safety and efficiency of the Catalina Express and each of the island partners, you’ll feel at ease. Visit Catalina with the security of knowing that you’re visiting a beautiful destination that does place that does the very best to keep island visitors healthy and happy.
Bon voyage!
Helpful Links:
https://www.catalinaexpress.com/know-before-you-travel.html
https://www.lovecatalina.com/covid-19/
https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/keepwell/
Catalina Express:
Instagram: @catalinaexpress
Twitter: @catalinaexpress
Pinterest: @catalinaexpress
Facebook: @catalinaexpress
Catalina Island Company:
Instagram: @VisitCatalinaIsland
Twitter: @VisitCatalina
Facebook: @SantaCatalinaIsland
