California's Catalina Island

My daughters and I have traveled to Catalina Island and really enjoyed the resort style shopping and lunch out on the patio. The shops are within walking distance in the square-mile town of Avalon, so wandering from shop to shop is a great way to get acquainted with the town. Avalon’s Pedestrian walkway, located in the center of town along Crescent Avenue, has great views of the harbor. And stay on the look out for the handsome firefighters, my girls sure noticed them!

On this past trip to Catalina I decided to explore the interior and take the tour in jeeps that takes you 31 miles through the heart of Catalina's rugged interior. On this trip we explored the walkable parts of the Island so we wanted to explore Catalina Island on foot. I picked up a hiking permit and trail map at the Conservancy House in Avalon.

Perched 1602 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island's Airport-In-The-Sky is built between two mountain peeks in the island's interior. We had a wonderful lunch of Buffalo Burgers at the Buffalo Springs Station Restaurant, a wonderful gift shop where I bought a stuffed buffalo for grandson Beau. They also have historical displays, murals of their history, beautiful native plant gardens, scenic vistas, and great hiking trails. We explored the Botanical Gardens where native and desert plants were in full bloom.

I did tour the main landmark on the Island known as "The Casino." This beautiful rotunda building was built by William Wrigley Jr (Yes the chewing gum Wrigley) in 1928 as an event center of sorts on the Island. There we found a museum that had the history of the Island and their 19th century significant changes on Catalina. I loved the display of Catalina Pottery dated 1927 to 1947. (need web site)

Next time I visit I want to stay in the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. In 1926, author Zane Grey built a home the hillside overlooking Avalon Bay. He spent most of his later life in Avalon writing and fishing. His home is now the hotel that still includes some of Grey’s original furnishings.

I will also look at their world WarII history and film locations. I understand more than 500 motion pictures where filmed on the Island.