However you look at it, Santa Catalina Island (or just Catalina) is
where gambling is banned, a herd of bison left behind after a film
was shot, almost no cars and was a secret training base in WWII.
The main town, Avalon has a Third Street but no First or Second
Streets, the Post Office doesn’t deliver the mail and the local cabs
deliver for Avalon’s pizzerias.
Archeologists reckon Catalina’s been inhabited for about 7000 years,
but by the early 19th Century, the native Pimungans had died out or
dispersed and the Spanish moved in, renaming it Santa Catalina in
1602. Smugglers, hunters, miners and ranchers ruled in waves until
the 20th Century when Hollywood and the California glitterati took
over, building the quaint holiday village that persists today.
Located 26 miles (35km) offshore from Long Beach, one million
tourists each year travel by ferry from the port located near the
mighty Queen Mary and it’s a regular and popular stop for several
cruise lines. Carnival Paradise brings 2000 visitors every Tuesday
and there are also occasional visits by Celebrity Millennium. Next
year sees Carnival Inspiration and Celebrity Century. HAL’s
Amsterdam and The World are also slated.
The little town of just over 3000 residents is like its own time-warp
movie set and the island has a strong connection with Hollywood
too. It’s been the setting for over 200 movies and associated with
names like Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Mickey Rooney, Clark
Gable, Doris Day, Natalie Wood (who drowned) and Phil Hartman
(who was murdered), while top name musicians Jimmy Dorsey,
Woody Herman, Harry James and Benny Goodman regularly played
“The little town of just
over 3000 residents is
like its own time-warp
movie set…”
Greeting from Catalina Island mid-1930s Avalon Harbour c.1930 with two historic steamers
And while Catalina’s Bird Park was once one of America’s biggest
with 8000 species in 500 cages covering 4ha, it was scaled down
during WWII when the
island was a troop
base; and
finally closed in 1966.
When ashore, most
cruise visitors will
happily wander the
streets, stopping by
any of the cafes and bars like the circa-1946 Marlin Bar, complete
with period décor. The more active can cycle, swim, play golf or go
on the wildlife eco-tour. For the aquatic guests there is sea
kayaking, snorkelling or fishing plus there is even scuba diving with
Scuba Luv for serious divers keen to explore the fascinating kelp
as the mysterious Ningpo, a former Chinese slaver and smuggling
ship reputedly 200 years old when she went down.
For visitors looking for something to do a few days before or after
a cruise, there are quality hotels like the superb Avalon Hotel or
newly renovated Pavilion Hotel plus a host of B&Bs to choose from.
A stay of a few days will allow anyone to really explore this
unusual location and maybe take part of observe one of the
upcoming events like the marathon or triathlon, fishing
tournament, Halloween parade or Jazz festival. The fascinating
museum is always paying tribute to the many celebrities who
passed through this tiny island sanctuary.
For full details on Catalina Island, see www.catalinachamber.com.