Catalina Island (105)Welcome to Santa Catalina Island, a quaint retreat just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Calif. Purchased in 1919 by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, the island has a rich history as a tourist destination. It's also home to the Chicago Cubs spring training camp and is the site of the famed Catalina Tile Company as well as a nature conservancy.
While you're there, visit Avalon Bay's bustling harbor, savor the beauty of the Pacific with a variety of tours and water activities, and explore the island's rugged terrain. Then check into Hotel Metropole, where comfort meets nostalgia. The historic inn's style is reminiscent of its namesake, which was built in 1888 by one of the island's early landowners.
Catalina Island Facts:
- Fifteen of Catalina Island's many native animal and plant species are found nowhere else in the world.
- The Catalina Island Conservancy owns 88 percent of the island—more than 42,000 acres.
- Catalina's Airport in the Sky can accommodate small, private aircraft; however, its short runway and high elevation can be challenging.
- The airport runway was built by blasting away the tops of two mountains and using 200,000 truckloads of rock to fill the gap between them. Airport construction was completed in 1946.
- The round-trip boat ride from San Pedro costs $40 for adults and $30 for children. A round-trip helicopter flight from San Pedro costs about $130.
- The Casino Theater and Ballroom in Avalon, built in 1929, is an Art Deco landmark. Contrary to its name, it's not a gambling house; instead, it's a dance pavilion.
- Hotel Metropole offers packages that include round-trip fares from Long Beach or Dana Point, spa services, fireside dining, whale watching, golf, rafting and kayaking. Room rates range from $125 to $420.
Contact Information:
www.catalina.com
Hotel Metropole
PO Box 1900
Avalon, CA 90704
800-300-8528
www.hotel-metropole.com
Resources:
Catalina! Wish You Were Here
by Ray Miller
Boating and Diving Catalina Island
by Bruce Wicklund
Catalina Conservancy
www.catalinaconservancy.org
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