| This beautiful island lies just 26 miles across the ocean | | | | Tours can be purchased from the tourist office |
| from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Yet it might | | | | located by the pier. The problem is trying to fit |
| be thousands of miles away. | | | | everything in before your return ferry! |
| As soon as you step ashore you can feel the pace of | | | | The Casino is a must visit. Not actually ever a gambling |
| life slow perceptibly. Even the name of the main 'town' | | | | casino, the three-storey Art Deco style building is home |
| on the island is evocative - Avalon. | | | | to a movie theatre and the world's largest circular |
| The 76 square mile island was originally owned by the | | | | ballroom. At its heyday up to 6000 dancers enjoyed |
| Wrigley Family (of chewing gum fame) but over 80% | | | | the Big Bands in the 1920s to 1950s. |
| is now owned by The Santa Catalina Island | | | | Guided tours are available and well worth going on to |
| Conservancy. The island's interior is unspoilt and | | | | see the place and learn something of its wonderful |
| protected as a wildlife natural habitat. | | | | history. |
| There are very few cars on the island - transport is | | | | Aside from the usual tee-shirt shops selling souvenirs |
| mainly by bike or electric golf cart(!). But you can easily | | | | the island is known for its coloured ceramic tiles. These |
| explore Avalon on foot, and the only way to enjoy the | | | | can make good mementos of your visit. |
| shops, bars and restaurants along The Crescent. | | | | There are several boat services linking Catalina to the |
| Tours include a guided tour of the Casino, | | | | mainland, all take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and |
| glass-bottomed boat trip from the pier to some kelp | | | | cost about $42 per adult or - for $132 round trip you |
| fields to see fish being fed from the boats and various | | | | can arrive in style by a 15 minute helicopter flight from |
| bus tours into the interior of the island. | | | | San Pedro. |