Thread: Catalina Island

Has anyone ever been there? I had never heard of it but it is part of a coastal cruise (Los Angeles round trip) that includes several larger ports - San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and (in Mexico) Ensanada. For a long time I thought I want the other one that includes Astoria, Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver, but now I see longer hours in SF and SB and wonder if Catalina has much to see and do.

I've been to Catalina Island twice. The first time when my dorm floor in college went (via the boat that travels from San Pedro, I think) and the second time on a stop during a Baja California cruise (along with Ensenada).

Not exactly a warm weather port unless you go during the summer months (our second time was in early June and it was overcast much of the time there). But then there's not a real beach there. It's more of a fisherman's mecca. It's also a tender port (not a place for a ship to dock). I think there's some activities there (I remember reading that many cruisers do rent golf carts, but for traveling about...you can't rent a car there). We just walked around Avalon, the main town, shopping and also checking out the buffalo exhibition (in early June, there's an art exhibit outside with brightly colored fiberglass buffalo).

You can go on the Catalina chamber of commerce website and see if there's any activities of interest.

Been to Ensenada many times. I think about six times because of cruises. Six times too many, IMO. After two times in port, I refused to go into the town anymore. The last time, we stayed onboard the ship.

Looks like none of the activities there are what I would do except the glass-bottom boat tour. If only I could get the 8-6 hours in SB, 24 hours in SF, and San Diego port without including two ports a person like me would call boring.

May 11 it is then. Los Angeles to Vancouver.