Two Harbors is on the west end and is more rugged, but probably a wonderful place to camp, hike, bike, or park your sailboat. Most people visit Avalon on the east end of the island, one of the islands two towns. Since 1913 Avalon has been the southern-most city in Los Angeles County with about 4,000 people living in the 2.9 square miles of Avalon Canyon. A young Norma Jean Baker known as Marilyn Monroe (who you can find in old photos displayed in many establishments) lived in Avalon for a year with her first husband James Dougherty, a Merchant Marine who was stationed there during World War II. In the 1920’s Catalina transformed into the Hollywood playground for many A-list stars and the island also became the backdrop for many movies. His main goal was to preserve the natural beauty of the island. Wrigley not only invested millions in the infrastructure of the island and tourist attractions like the “Casino” in 1929, but he brought his Chicago Cubs to train in the spring from 1921 – 1951. In 1919, after a run of bad luck, the brothers were forced to sell shares to a group of investors, like William Wrigley, Jr., the chewing gum magnate. During this time the island was sporadically used for smuggling, otter hunting, and gold-digging. The pioneering Banning brothers bought Catalina Island in 1894 with the goal of transforming it into a resort destination. Although I had visited 3 times in the last ten years, it seemed way too long to not explore a place that we look at from our breakfast, lunch, and dinner table. It had been 5 years since my last visit to Catalina, and now it’s time for my husband to experience the island he has stared at for nearly 20 years from Malibu. The air feels better here, as we look in disgust at the long stretch of yellowish grey haze attached to the mainland of Los Angeles. ![]() The circular “Casino” or vintage theater building greets you as you enter the breathtaking Mediterranean-esque harbor. Where else can you view dolphins and whales from the Catalina Express ferry, zip over a rugged canyon at 30 mph, explore the pristine and untouched wilderness in an open-air biofuel Hummer, and learn about the brilliant solar system at night on top of a vista, all in one day?Ĭatalina Island! In 1958 the pop band The Four Preps sang, “just 26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin for me.” Upon arrival, the island reminds me of the Amalfi coast with houses snug into the hillside.
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