A short ferry ride southwest from Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is a mountainous oasis, operating on island time and the practice of natural science. The southernmost of the Channel Islands, it provides a home to the sleepy city of Avalon, CA and the 2,000+ ft tall peak of Mt. Orizaba.
Two days ago, after more than a year of hearing about this majestic place, I made it to Catalina. With a duffel bag in tow, Chloe, my Dad and I were en route to a weekend away in some sort of paradise. The couple days leading up to our departure, I’d started to catch a pretty good cold, so the car ride to the port was bittersweet, but I was truly excited to see another new place, especially during my dad’s California visit and with my girlfriend, Chloe. I knew that the island was supposedly beautiful but had no idea how much so.
When the boat pulled into it’s spot at the dock, I waited for two to three minutes to let the lines go through the door (as I HATE standing in line). When we started walking off the dock and onto the island, the view looking up, over the bay and up the foothills into the mountains of Catalina, was extraordinary. The rolling hills were partially covered with classical housing, lush foliage and old structures signifying construction circa pre-1900. I’ve never been to Europe, but solely from my post card absorption, this place looked like a Greek Island. Straight from a Facebook photo that may have previously made me jealous.
Two days ago, after more than a year of hearing about this majestic place, I made it to Catalina. With a duffel bag in tow, Chloe, my Dad and I were en route to a weekend away in some sort of paradise. The couple days leading up to our departure, I’d started to catch a pretty good cold, so the car ride to the port was bittersweet, but I was truly excited to see another new place, especially during my dad’s California visit and with my girlfriend, Chloe. I knew that the island was supposedly beautiful but had no idea how much so.
When the boat pulled into it’s spot at the dock, I waited for two to three minutes to let the lines go through the door (as I HATE standing in line). When we started walking off the dock and onto the island, the view looking up, over the bay and up the foothills into the mountains of Catalina, was extraordinary. The rolling hills were partially covered with classical housing, lush foliage and old structures signifying construction circa pre-1900. I’ve never been to Europe, but solely from my post card absorption, this place looked like a Greek Island. Straight from a Facebook photo that may have previously made me jealous.
the bay
Our initial walk through the town, as we searched for our hotel, was lazy and meandering, yet purposeful and enjoyable. The locals of Avalon are mellow, smiling and helpful beyond most people you would ever stumble upon in LA proper (Avalon is technically within LA County). I was overwhelmed with the sense that time had stopped, and I was completely removed from the “real world” I had for so long been living within. A true vacation, even if only for 36 hours, was right in front of us.
With each corner you turn, there’s a new group of locals, walking, drinking, smoking, talking, whatever.. The entire town is the epitome of “laid back.” Everyone greets you with a smile, unless maybe they’re another tourist. And in each establishment, there’s immediately an energy that has been culminated and built upon for decades. There’s a unexplainable feeling of rich history that, with a bit of research, is confirmed. The part-time workers on the island are partying in the most jovial way possible. The tourists walking the streets are mesmerized by the community’s contrast to those outside of the bubble there. The local population let’s it all happen while embracing everything as destiny, it seems. An incredibly calming sensation overtook me, despite a strong cold coming on, clogging my sinuses.
At the hotel room that Saturday night, we opted out of restaurant dining and in for grilling on the porch. A stainless steel grill, provided by the hotel, with a view of the sunset glow on the bay and the smell of potatoes, asparagus and flank steaks cooking… It was a pretty ideal weekend evening… 😃 Following much food was beer… We had a few. Walking out into town was quite a trip. The local vibe was still present, just turned up to 11.. The bar scene of Avalon was fueled equally by rowdy temporary island workers, cool pool sharks and one-off vacationers (even given the winter season).
With each corner you turn, there’s a new group of locals, walking, drinking, smoking, talking, whatever.. The entire town is the epitome of “laid back.” Everyone greets you with a smile, unless maybe they’re another tourist. And in each establishment, there’s immediately an energy that has been culminated and built upon for decades. There’s a unexplainable feeling of rich history that, with a bit of research, is confirmed. The part-time workers on the island are partying in the most jovial way possible. The tourists walking the streets are mesmerized by the community’s contrast to those outside of the bubble there. The local population let’s it all happen while embracing everything as destiny, it seems. An incredibly calming sensation overtook me, despite a strong cold coming on, clogging my sinuses.
At the hotel room that Saturday night, we opted out of restaurant dining and in for grilling on the porch. A stainless steel grill, provided by the hotel, with a view of the sunset glow on the bay and the smell of potatoes, asparagus and flank steaks cooking… It was a pretty ideal weekend evening… 😃 Following much food was beer… We had a few. Walking out into town was quite a trip. The local vibe was still present, just turned up to 11.. The bar scene of Avalon was fueled equally by rowdy temporary island workers, cool pool sharks and one-off vacationers (even given the winter season).
boats moored in the foreground of "The Casino" in Avalon
Each bar had its own flavor, but all were clearly influenced by the island vibe, small time but all time fun! The interiors were classic, and sometimes old yet loved. The morning after was hard. A hangover mixed with my prior sickness and made for a very slow-moving Keegan. Nevertheless, we walked into town for a coffee and a start to the day. We’d decided to pursue a golf cart rental to tour more of the island that day, so we went for it. It’s so much easier to cover ground with a vehicle that can fit all of us, and the views we brought ourselves to were amazing.
The bay that Avalon surrounds is astounding. The blue water pierces your attention like you wouldn’t expect. It pops to you so well, and the clarity of what’s underneath the surface… It’s all there. Hundreds of boats are moored there in the water, and they each most likely have their own unique stories, none of which we knew. I felt that way about a lot of the locals there, really. I constantly wanted to interview the passers by in the streets of Avalon. Wanted to know if they’d grown up on the island. Wanted to know where they DID grow up, if not. Wanted to know what they did for work, if they didn’t work, why they decided to give up everything for specific paradise in the not-so-far-away Pacific. I’d bet there’s a trend to those answers, but I’ll never know until I ask the questions.
Maybe next time...
As I sat there on the ferry home, a whimsical feeling in my heart and a tasty meal in my stomach, I only hoped that I’d be back again for an even deeper experience of the island (and not sick :-/).
- 7Ply Epic
The bay that Avalon surrounds is astounding. The blue water pierces your attention like you wouldn’t expect. It pops to you so well, and the clarity of what’s underneath the surface… It’s all there. Hundreds of boats are moored there in the water, and they each most likely have their own unique stories, none of which we knew. I felt that way about a lot of the locals there, really. I constantly wanted to interview the passers by in the streets of Avalon. Wanted to know if they’d grown up on the island. Wanted to know where they DID grow up, if not. Wanted to know what they did for work, if they didn’t work, why they decided to give up everything for specific paradise in the not-so-far-away Pacific. I’d bet there’s a trend to those answers, but I’ll never know until I ask the questions.
Maybe next time...
As I sat there on the ferry home, a whimsical feeling in my heart and a tasty meal in my stomach, I only hoped that I’d be back again for an even deeper experience of the island (and not sick :-/).
- 7Ply Epic
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