Island Cruising Adventures in Southern California
Part of the rugged and beautiful Channel Island archipelago, Santa Catalina Island is located a short ferry ride from the southern California coast. If you have lived in California for any time, you have likely heard about it, but might not realize just how accessible it really is. Visitors to southern California should consider adding a day trip or weekend stop-over to Catalina Island.
Catalina Island is often compared to small Mediterranean coastal towns and has a distinclty different vibe than the rest of California. Residents of the two main coastal towns of Avalon and Two Harbors are friendly and enjoy the slow pace of island life. Everything on the island is more expensive, including gas, food, and building materials, as everything must be brought in by boat or on one of the regular supply barges. Very few vehicle permits are allowed, so locals use bicycles, ATVs and modified golf carts as their primary means of transportation, which provides a dramatic contrast to the congested freeways of nearby Los Angeles.