Optional Catalina Island Day Trip
Monday, August 19, 2013
Requires advanced registration and payment of day trip fee.
We will travel as a group to Catalina Island via the Catalina Express
Catalina Island is just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California.
We will catch the Catalina Express at the Long Beach Downtown Landing to begin our day excursion with an early morning departure.
For your comfort:
Concerned about motion/sea sickness?
7:00 a.m. Our group will meet at at a designated location outside the Queen Mary and travel to the Long Beach
Downtown Landing, arriving at 7:30 a.m., where we'll check in. If you're driving over on your own, we'll have
a map to give you that charts your course from the Queen Mary to the Long Beach Downtown Landing.
NOTE: Parking at the landing costs $15.00 maximum per 24-hour period, payable with cash, Visa, or Master
Card.
8:30 a.m. Our high speed Catalina Express vessel leaves the landing for an approximate 1-hour ride to Catalina Island,
affording time to enjoy socializing surrounded by the salt air and sea breeze.
9:30 a.m. We arrive at Port of Avalon, ready for a day of fun and relaxation at one of Southern California's premier, yet
quaint locations: The City of Avalon, on Catalina Island
You'll have most of the day to explore the island and its many attractions, some of which are listed below.
Strike out on your own, or join up with some poet colleagues for a shared adventure! Just be sure to return to
the Port of Avalon dock at 5:00 p.m. We don't want to leave without you!
5:00 p.m. Meet back at the Port of Avalon dock (precise location will be specified) for group check-in.
6:00 p.m. Our group will return via Catalina Express. While enjoying the approximate 1 hour trip, we'll have the
opportunity to share the haiku we wrote with fellow poets!
7:00 p.m. We arrive once again at the Long Beach Downtown Landing. You may depart the group at that point or return
to the Queen Mary if you're staying another night on board.
We will catch the Catalina Express at the Long Beach Downtown Landing to begin our day excursion with an early morning departure.
For your comfort:
Concerned about motion/sea sickness?
- You may want to consider in advance of the Catalina day trip a type of medication or natural remedy that best suits you for the treatment and prevention of motion/sea sickness. We are not able to recommend specific medications or remedies, but we do suggest you look into this option with your doctor, pharmacist, or health consultant if you are at all concerned about the possibility that motion/sea sickness may affect you.
- While on the vessel you may want to try the following: 1) watch the motion of the horizon, 2) avoid reading, 3) avoid sitting in a seat that faces backward, 4) avoid strong odors, and 5) avoid watching persons who may be experiencing motion/sea sickness.
- Wear soft-soled shoes. High heels and leather-soled shoes are not recommended.
- Pay attention to boarding ramp incline. It may be steep.
- Watch your step. The vessel is constantly in motion.
- ABC Regulations provide that no persons may drink alcoholic beverages aboard vessels unless the on-board snack bar licensee has served them.
- Bring your haiku notepad and pen!
7:00 a.m. Our group will meet at at a designated location outside the Queen Mary and travel to the Long Beach
Downtown Landing, arriving at 7:30 a.m., where we'll check in. If you're driving over on your own, we'll have
a map to give you that charts your course from the Queen Mary to the Long Beach Downtown Landing.
NOTE: Parking at the landing costs $15.00 maximum per 24-hour period, payable with cash, Visa, or Master
Card.
8:30 a.m. Our high speed Catalina Express vessel leaves the landing for an approximate 1-hour ride to Catalina Island,
affording time to enjoy socializing surrounded by the salt air and sea breeze.
9:30 a.m. We arrive at Port of Avalon, ready for a day of fun and relaxation at one of Southern California's premier, yet
quaint locations: The City of Avalon, on Catalina Island
You'll have most of the day to explore the island and its many attractions, some of which are listed below.
Strike out on your own, or join up with some poet colleagues for a shared adventure! Just be sure to return to
the Port of Avalon dock at 5:00 p.m. We don't want to leave without you!
5:00 p.m. Meet back at the Port of Avalon dock (precise location will be specified) for group check-in.
6:00 p.m. Our group will return via Catalina Express. While enjoying the approximate 1 hour trip, we'll have the
opportunity to share the haiku we wrote with fellow poets!
7:00 p.m. We arrive once again at the Long Beach Downtown Landing. You may depart the group at that point or return
to the Queen Mary if you're staying another night on board.
The City of Avalon is easy to navigate by foot;
it's only about 1 square mile.
You can rent bicycles or Catalina's famous golf carts if you prefer riding. Famous golf carts, you ask? Golf carts are Catalina Island's unique transportation of choice, and they are a great way to see the picturesque city. However, if you prefer letting someone else do the driving, you can take a taxi, a trolley, or a shuttle bus.
it's only about 1 square mile.
You can rent bicycles or Catalina's famous golf carts if you prefer riding. Famous golf carts, you ask? Golf carts are Catalina Island's unique transportation of choice, and they are a great way to see the picturesque city. However, if you prefer letting someone else do the driving, you can take a taxi, a trolley, or a shuttle bus.
Sight-seeing
Don't forget your haiku notepad and pen!
The Catalina Casino Theatre and Ballroom (Casino: Italian for "gathering place")
Tours of the Catalina Casino are available daily.
The Catalina Casino has been the focal point of Santa Catalina Island entertainment and culture since it opened over eighty years ago on May 29, 1929. For nearly three generations, the Catalina Casino has been the venue of choice for great entertainers, Broadway productions, and first-run motion pictures.
Dominating the Avalon landscape from its regal perch along the harbor, the casino exemplifies the style and romance of Catalina Island. Restored to its original condition, the Art Deco, circular icon is a stunning reminder of Catalina’s glorious past.
The Catalina Casino gets its name from the Italian language, where “casino” means a gathering place. There is no gambling at this facility. Rather, the massive twelve-story building is divided into a spectacular grand ballroom and movie theatre.
Completely restored just a few years ago, the ballroom retains its original romantic style -- a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, fifty-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas around the dance floor, and a vintage, full-service bar in back.
The Casino hosts most of Catalina’s major indoor events, including the annual New Year’s Eve Celebration and the Catalina Island Jazz Festival.
Catalina Island Museum
For more than 50 years, the Catalina Island Museum has collected, preserved and presented the rich cultural heritage of Santa Catalina Island for visitors from all over the world to enjoy. Situated on the ground floor of Avalon's historic Casino Building, the Catalina Island Museum invites you to discover more than 7,000 years of history through dozens of engaging and visually exciting exhibits.
Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens
The Wrigley Memorial
Quarried Catalina stones can be seen in the reinforced concrete construction -- the facade having been sandblasted to hide the cement and highlight the native crushed stones. The blue flagstone rock on the ramps and terraces comes from Little Harbor, on Catalina's "back" side. And the red roof tiles and all the colorful handmade glazed tiles used for finishing came from the Catalina Pottery plant, which was in operation from 1927 to 1937. The marble inside the tower was quarried in Georgia.
The Botanical Gardens
The idea for a garden came from Mr. Wrigley's wife, Ada. In 1935, she supervised Pasadena horticulturalist Albert Conrad, who planted the original Desert Plant Collection. Catalina Island's temperate marine climate made it possible to showcase plants from every corner of the earth.
In 1969, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation expanded and revitalized the garden's 37.85 acres. Along with the new plants came a new attitude. In the same way that the Wrigley Memorial uses primarily native building materials, the Garden places a special emphasis on California island endemic plants. (Plants, which grow naturally on one or more of the California islands, but nowhere else in the world.) Many of these plants are extremely rare, and some are on the Endangered Species list.
The Memorial Garden is particularly concerned with the six Catalina endemics - plants, which grow naturally only on Catalina Island. The Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation maintains a special interest in the preservation of all Catalina endemics, including the rare Catalina Ironwood.
Activities In and About Avalon
Don't forget your haiku notepad and pen!
Beaches
Avalon’s beachfront is lined with South Beach, Middle Beach and Step Beach—all are conveniently located in the center of town and within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants, shopping, and land activities.
If you venture a little further through town you will come to The Descanso Beach Club, located just beyond the Casino Building. It is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, lounge on the beach, snorkel, kayak, cruise around on stand up paddle board, or swim in the crystal clear water. With new Cabanas and lounge chairs available you get the ultimate in beach relaxation. Restrooms, outdoor showers, dressing rooms and chair/umbrella rentals are available. This private beach also offers a seaside bar and restaurant in Avalon, so you can dine and enjoy your beverage with your feet in the sand.
Dining
Visitors seeking out seafood, Mexican, Italian or American cuisine won’t have to look far. The city of Avalon has over 30 restaurants and most are conveniently located within walking distance. Whether you crave casual, beachfront dining or something more formal, the island offers a little something for everyone from burgers and hot dogs to steak and lobster.
Glass Bottom Boat Voyage
Windows to Another World
Santa Catalina Island is famous for crystal clear water and glass bottom boats—a perfect combination for fun and discovery. These large, comfortable vessels bring the undersea world right to you. Night trips are available for charter with advanced reservations.
During these trips you’ll visit the Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve, where colorful fish and marine plants thrive among the kelp forests. At night, a group can charter the boat and see a whole new batch of marine creatures that come out to play. Join in the search for nocturnal creatures such as spiny lobsters, moray eels and horn sharks.
Advance reservations are recommended. $16.00 + taxes/fees per adult. For more information, please call 800-626-1496.
Duration: 40 Minutes
Tour Time : Daily. Mon-Fri 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30
Season: Day Trips Seasonal
Kayaking
There is no better way to get up close and personal with Catalina’s coastline then to rent a Kayak and explore or take one of the many guided excursions available. You can glide past magnificent cliffs, pull up onto secluded beaches or venture into natural sea caves. Great for mid-morning/afternoon, pack a lunch or rent snorkel gear and head down the coast.
Parasailing
Take sightseeing to new heights over Avalon Bay! Fly solo or share the thrill with another on a doubles flight.
Shopping
Strolling along quaint streets, you’ll find a wide variety of specialty shops that offer everything from resort-style clothing to unique gift items. Wandering from shop to shop is a great way to get acquainted with the town and find that perfect souvenir.
And So Much More!
Avalon’s beachfront is lined with South Beach, Middle Beach and Step Beach—all are conveniently located in the center of town and within easy walking distance of hotels, restaurants, shopping, and land activities.
If you venture a little further through town you will come to The Descanso Beach Club, located just beyond the Casino Building. It is the perfect place to enjoy the sun, lounge on the beach, snorkel, kayak, cruise around on stand up paddle board, or swim in the crystal clear water. With new Cabanas and lounge chairs available you get the ultimate in beach relaxation. Restrooms, outdoor showers, dressing rooms and chair/umbrella rentals are available. This private beach also offers a seaside bar and restaurant in Avalon, so you can dine and enjoy your beverage with your feet in the sand.
Dining
Visitors seeking out seafood, Mexican, Italian or American cuisine won’t have to look far. The city of Avalon has over 30 restaurants and most are conveniently located within walking distance. Whether you crave casual, beachfront dining or something more formal, the island offers a little something for everyone from burgers and hot dogs to steak and lobster.
Glass Bottom Boat Voyage
Windows to Another World
Santa Catalina Island is famous for crystal clear water and glass bottom boats—a perfect combination for fun and discovery. These large, comfortable vessels bring the undersea world right to you. Night trips are available for charter with advanced reservations.
During these trips you’ll visit the Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve, where colorful fish and marine plants thrive among the kelp forests. At night, a group can charter the boat and see a whole new batch of marine creatures that come out to play. Join in the search for nocturnal creatures such as spiny lobsters, moray eels and horn sharks.
Advance reservations are recommended. $16.00 + taxes/fees per adult. For more information, please call 800-626-1496.
Duration: 40 Minutes
Tour Time : Daily. Mon-Fri 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30
Season: Day Trips Seasonal
Kayaking
There is no better way to get up close and personal with Catalina’s coastline then to rent a Kayak and explore or take one of the many guided excursions available. You can glide past magnificent cliffs, pull up onto secluded beaches or venture into natural sea caves. Great for mid-morning/afternoon, pack a lunch or rent snorkel gear and head down the coast.
- Avalon Boat Stand/Joe’s Rent-A-Boat (310) 510-0455
- Descanso Beach Ocean Sports (310) 510-1226
- Wet Spot Rentals (310) 510-2229
- Catalina Tours (310) 510-0211
Parasailing
Take sightseeing to new heights over Avalon Bay! Fly solo or share the thrill with another on a doubles flight.
- Para-sailing Catalina (310) 510-1777
- Island Water Charters (310) 510-9280
Shopping
Strolling along quaint streets, you’ll find a wide variety of specialty shops that offer everything from resort-style clothing to unique gift items. Wandering from shop to shop is a great way to get acquainted with the town and find that perfect souvenir.
And So Much More!
