Avalon is the urban center of Catalina. It is a mix of day trippers, at times - cruise ship passengers and locals. The town is centered around the beautiful waterfront and for good reason - most passengers arrive here and it is a visually stunning part of town that at times almost looks European. The town spreads out into the surrounding hills - featuring older and often colorful wooden buildings. Brightly colored flowering flowing … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – The Casino, Avalon
The casino is one of Avalon's most recognizable and famous landmarks. It sits on a point at the edge of the harbor on on the way to the Descanso Beach Club. It is not a casino as in gambling but rather refers to an Italian term as a 'place of gathering'. Two tiny rock hills, called Sugarloaf originally stood on this site - the larger one was removed to make way for the original casino and later the second one was also removed as it hindered … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – Scuba Diving
Catalina has some incredible diving opportunities ranging from beginning to advanced. The Catalina Dive Park is an excellent area to dive or to learn diving. This park is located out on the small point almost at the base of the Casino. You can access the water via a walkway with slippery steps (very slippery!) that lead down to the water. This dive park is enclosed with floating buoys connected to each other by rope. Be careful not to leave the … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – Attractions
Airport in the Sky One has to be creative when there is a not a lot of flat space on the island. Such was the case when building the runway for the Airport in the Sky - two mountaintops were flattened and then the resulting debris was pushed together to create a flat 3,000+ foot runway. Not open to commercial aircraft, the airport services private planes and handles the mail delivery for the island. Sometimes an old DC-3 World War II vintage … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – Activities
Cape Canyon Expedition offers a unique eco-adventure experience into the interior of the island. Tour offered once daily in the morning - guests meet at the Tour Plaza (next to the Golf Gardens). The tour is conducted using an eco friendly H1 Hummer (with a covered roof yet open/breezy experience. This vehicle runs on bio fuel from recycled vegetable oil collected from local restaurants in Avalon. The tour itself is rugged at times accessing … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – Restaurants
Avalon has a diversity of restaurants - most overlooking the bay or within several blocks of the water. The following are select restaurants in Avalon. As with hotels, the prices for food can be significantly lower during the off/winter season. Prices subject to change without notice. Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the 310 area code Avalon Grille is located in the central part of Avalon overlooking the … [Read more...]
Catalina, CA – More Information
Once you are on the island, be sure to pick up a copy of the print "Catalina Island Visitors Guide" published by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. This is the go-to print resource for visitor's to Catalina including information about hotels, restaurants and activities and experiences in and around Avalon. Here are a few other sources for information to help plan your visit to … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center
Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center is located at 2301 W. Line Street on the Bishop Paiute Reservation on the way up to Lake Sabrina - about 6-8 minutes from downtown Bishop). This center features exhibits of native American food sources, clothing, tools, shelter, and baskets & beads. Focuses on local tribes including Nuumu (Paiute) and Newe (Shoshone) People. Some native plants grow outside the center in their garden - with descriptive plaques … [Read more...]
Bishop, CA – Hotels
For a town its size there are a proportionately large number of hotels (and certainly many more hotels then some of its smaller town neighbors in both the north and south). Most offer free Wi-Fi and many are fisherman friendly (offering fish cleaning facilities). Unless otherwise noted all prices range from 1 person/1 room/1 bed to 2 person/1 room/2 beds. All ratings if available are listed with each hotel. Prices are subject to change … [Read more...]
Key West, Fl – Events
The following are typical events held throughout the year. Some of these are annual and some are held off and on again depending on the year. All are in the (305) area code. January Yachting Race Week 617.639.9545 House and Garden Tour #1 294.9501 Annual Key West Crafts Show 294.1241 Half Shell Half Marathon 296.7182 February House and Garden Tour 294.9501 Key West Beer Fest 296.7611 Wesley House Benefit 292-7150 House and Garden … [Read more...]
