Catalina Island California – An Island Getaway for All

Have you started planning for the next holiday destination? If not then the Catalina Island, off the coast of California, USA is the best holiday spot for all. Tourists visit this island to see the natural flora and fauna and come back home with relaxed minds and body. Tourists visit the island during their spring break and love to enjoy the various activities that are taught here. Let us see in detail some of the things that every tourist would want to know before visiting this exquisite island.

How to get there?

Reaching Santa Catalina Island or just Catalina can be accomplished by any of three means. You can take the air route and fly to the island to see the famous “Airport in the Sky”. This is an airport built on a mountain top and is a famous tourist attraction here. The Catalina Island Ferry is the way by sea and can be boarded from Dana Point and Orange County of Newport Beach. There are air ferries available from San Pedro, Long Beach and Marina Del Rey. You can also take advantage of helicopter services which are available from San Pedro and Long Beach. Out of these three means the way by sea is the finest and you can enjoy the beautiful ocean while reaching the island.

What to enjoy on Catalina Island?

The island is famous for its diving coves and activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. There are two diving areas called Lover’s Cove and Descanso Beach which should be visited by every tourist. When underwater you can see large schools of colorful fish and Garibaldi, orange in color. Surfing is also a famous activity. There are two beaches which serve for surfing, known as Ben Weston Beach and Shark Harbor. The island also receives tourists who are enthusiastic about ship wrecks. People can visit the famous ship wreck sites of Su-Jac, Valiant and Diosa del Mar. These are famous for their hidden treasures and serve as a great tourist attraction. This is just a short list of things to do at Catalina.

Where to stay?

The Catalina Island has a vast array of hotels and resorts which offer their service to visitors having varying budgets. There is the bed and breakfast scheme which many hotels like ‘Catalina Island Seacrest Inn’, ‘The Inn at Mt Ada’ and ‘The Old Turner Inn’ serve. Then there are the regular hotels and resorts like ‘Hotel Villa Portofino’, ‘Hotel Vista Del Mar’ and many more. These Catalina Island hotels provide various facilities to the tourists of various kinds. You can also get camping sites where you can enjoy the outdoors by living in a tent. Camping grounds require prior permission and a pass to enter.

Some other facts

Catalina Island is scattered with small eateries and quick bite restaurants. You can even dine at the two harbors of the island and enjoy a plate full of sea food freshly caught at the sea. The nightlife is quite happening as well with many pubs and places to visit for the night party animals. Getting entertained when at the island is never a problem and you can enroll for the ‘Ghost tours of Catalina’ or visit the Chi Chi club and have a blast.