Going Deep on Catalina
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VISIT OFFSEASON FOR ALL THE ACTION AND MORE “OLD” CALIFORNIA
veryone but the dogs and cats came to Catalina: The kids, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and parents docked in the picturesque Avalon, just an hour’s ferry from the Southern California coast. We aimed to ring in the 2019 New Year together, but our paths to that midnight were divergent. Everyone had a list of must-dos: We were looking forward to two days of scuba diving; my brother’s family planned a big hike; my sister’s toddlers wanted to ride the submarine; Grandpa and Grammy planned a happy-hour tour; and every kid was psyched for ziplining and mini golf. Catalina is an ideal destinations for multigenerational trips. All members of any family can spend
their days running in opposite directions, doing exactly as they please, and still meet up for a game of pre-dinner tag in the sand, a golf
The ROAM Report
CATALINA ISLAND, CALIFORNIA ✚ Travelers: Multigenerational trip, with three sets of parents, one set of grandparents, and six cousins ✚ Date: Five nights around New Year’s Day 2019 ✚ Cost: Winter cottage rental ran about $500 per night for six people. Return ferry from Long Beach costs approximately $75 per person. ✚ Read more: bit.ly/roam2019catalina
cart trip up the hill, or a trip to the candy store. What surprised us all about Catalina was its authentic Old California vibe. Just as most Yellowstone tourists never move 500 feet from a road, most Catalina visitors never move 500 feet from Crescent Avenue, the seaside promenade lined with happy restaurants and bars. And though the boardwalk is a lively place for a stroll, it’s only the beginning of what the island has to offer. Our off-season week showed us the depth of the island’s true character: Not only do its natural landscapes show visitors what the state looked like pre-development, but Avalon is a living and breathing example of a West Coast tourist town frozen in time.