Twenty Two Miles Across the SeaCatalina Island off the Southern California Coastby Stephen Thaler Although the song about Catalina says it is 26 miles from the mainland, it is actually just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. However, each time I have visited the island I felt as though I was hundreds of miles away from home. It’s a different world. In need of some R&R but concerned about the cost of travel, I came across some information on Catalina’s Flying Fish Festival which was coming up at the end of May. It was perfect timing for a close by getaway.
 On my most recent trip, I drove my car to the convenient Long Beach Downtown Catalina Landing where I boarded the Catalina Express, a high speed catamaran where I made my  way to the outside upper deck. One hour later, the mountainous island’s city of Avalon came into view with all kinds of boats bobbing up and down in the harbor, beaches filled with sun lovers, a boardwalk lined with shops and of course, Catalina’s iconic Casino. Emerging from the ship I caught a glimpse of a school of beautiful bright orange garibaldi darting back and forth close to the dock. I learned these are now protected and there are heavy fines for anyone caught trying to beef up their personal aquarium.
Just about everything in Avalon is within walking distance and if it isn’t, the preferred method of transportation is more than likely a bicycle or golf cart. Everything is slowed down.  This area is heaven for those who enjoy water sports with Catalina boasting some of the clearest water in the world. In addition to boating, swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking and parasailing are popular activities. Glass bottom boat tours to view marine life without getting wet and the flying fish tours are other options. Land lovers enjoy horseback riding, golfing or touring the island’s interior where the buffalo roam. Or….lots of folks just want to sip a cold one and relax.
 Since I was there for the Flying Fish Festival, I explored several of the special activities watching kayak races, marine exhibits and professional creating of sand castles. The piece de resistance, however, was boarding the open air 98 passenger Blanche W, named for the granddaughter of William Wrigley Jr., to view the flying fish. Up until this time, I only heard of flying fish in a song about Mandalay. I was not sure what to expect as we motored away from the dock at sunset.
As we cruised along away from Avalon our guide explained that the flying fish, who visit Catalina each year between May and September, are attracted to light as he scanned the water with a potent 40,000 candle power light. Suddenly, there were groups of silvery fish flying out of the water and sailing along at heights up to 30 feet, sometimes gliding as far as a quarter of a mile. I was told that occasionally they come straight at the boat and land inside. It was great fun spotting these unusual creatures of the sea that seem to like flying as much as swimming. The next day I investigated the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens honoring the memory of William Wrigley Jr. who died in 1932. Although best known as the largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world, he also played an instrumental role in the history of Catalina Island which he loved. His greatest legacy was his remarkable vision and plan for the future of Catalina Island – that it remain protected for all generations to enjoy. The Memorial Garden, which I enjoyed exploring, is particularly concerned with the preservation of all Catalina endemics. I also checked out several shops, hotels and restaurants and discovered quite a variety to choose from in all different price ranges. My choice for my island getaway was the charming European-style Hotel Villa Portofino, situated almost at the waters edge. My favorite place to hang out was up on the sundeck which offered an unobstructed view of the harbor. I imagined that I could have been at the Italian Riviera but I was just 22 miles from home. For information:Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
310/510-1520
www.CatalinaChamber.com Discovery Tours (Flying Fish Tours)
800/626-7270
www.visitcatalinaisland.com Catalina Express (catamaran from 4 Southern California locations)
800/995-4386
www.catalinaexpress.com Hotel Villa Portofino
888/510-0555
www.hotelvillaportofino.com | 