AN AFTERNOON IN CATALINA
It was forecasted to rain on this Saturday (but starting at noon) so we got in our long hike as quickly as we could. Here’s a not-30-Seconds video technically, because it’s too long. But I hope it gives a sense of the atmosphere of Catalina.
(WATCH IN HD PLZ!)
Apologies for delays, this week at work has been…well, pretty stressful.
Here’s a little map to show you where Catalina Island is. I’m not sure if it’s a popular place outside of Los Angeles, but it’s just a small island accessible by boat in a day for Angelenos.
You can fly to Catalina in a helicopter! But we took the Catalina Express boat.
Kiley, Hanna, and I arrived at the Long Beach port at 5:30 am. Which was…a bit brutal honestly.
It took about 30 minutes to get everybody on board and ready to go, but I have a feeling during peak months it’s different.
So blue! No sun yet. It was also pretty cold while the boat was docked…so it was…well, really cold when wind and ocean water was blowing at your face.
Let’s go!
The sky was finally waking up a bit.
Passing the Queen Mary!
Hanna warming up with some quality boat coffee
Cargo boats waiting to dock, perhaps.
Sunrise! So glorious.
The ride only takes about an hour.
And suddenly you’re on this little island! This part of the island is Avalon, but you can take a boat to Two Harbors as well. This side is the touristy resorty kind of side.
Still chilly! At this point it’s only like 7:30.
First thing I noticed? The rad trash cans.
Seal and Hanna
The houses were stacked up the sides of the mountains
Our sweet pink hotel!
For one night (split amongst 3) was approx $175. And that’s off peak season! Should try to camp next time.
Cute little buggy out front. On Catalina it’s very difficult to own a car, so everybody drives around golf carts.
We dropped our things off in the luggage room at the hotel, and then headed off on our hike! We were determined to beat the rain.
Dog and falcon getting along on this golf cart.
The island was so quiet at this hour. We felt like maybe it was the start of a B horror film.
Starting the hike near the Botanical Gardens
It was a 4.4 mile hike (or something along those lines), which is pretty intense for sad no-exercise Sarah.
Gorgeous views of the ocean and port city the whole hike.
But it was uphill and pretty hard at times. Also, if it was actually warm and sunny it would have been so much harder!
Little wildflowers starting to bloom.
Picturing taking at every vista
The very top! Or at the least the designated “lookout point”. Apparently there are foxes around!
Ladies!
The way back down was so much easier.
A view of the OTHER side of the island! More ocean! Waaah!
Finally able to talk and walk and laugh.
At the bottom of the trail you enter the Wrigley Memorial and the Botanical Gardens.
Apparently made with local island materials
For the most part, I guess!
*Selfie*
(Seems like they are facing the wrong way though, right?)
Goodbye, Memorial!
Back down into town.
Looking around the beach front and the pier.
And to our room, finally! Having a little wine and getting ready to go snorkeling.
You’ll see more of the rest of the weekend in weekly photos! (Everything else is iPhone photos, I was scared of rain)
Much love friends!
SLEEPY WALDO 