Catalina Island

MatticusMania · #1 09-23-2011, 12:36 PM

I'm taking the wife to Catalina Island tomorrow, we've got tickets for the Catalina Flyer, taking the first ferry over.

Anyone have any recommendations as far as things to do on the island?

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 09-23-2011, 12:45 PM

Get a wine mixer.

chuck norriss · #3 09-23-2011, 12:46 PM

The highlight of my trip (during the commute) there was seeing a whale dive down--it did that classic whale tail wave-goodbye thing. I heard they have a zip-line now.

macaroni tony · #4 09-23-2011, 12:46 PM

I went once as a teenager; had a horrible time but that was because I was stuck with my mom and wanted to be with the cool kids.

I'd say, have a buffalo burger (Oops! OK nevermind on that...) but go see whoever is playing at that concert hall they got there. Snorkeling is good, and the general atmosphere is small town carnival-ish so it should be fun. I don't know what else there is to do down there though...

chuck norriss · #5 09-23-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Get a wine mixer.

Ha! Great flick.

shackled · #6 09-23-2011, 12:51 PM

My ex and I went there often. Check out the botanical garden!
They have a unique climate that supports all kinds of cool plant life...

Get drunk and take an island bus back to your hotel... Don't try to walk! The people that live there are very nice, and you should have a great time.

MatticusMania · #7 09-23-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Get a wine mixer.

My wife and I, once properly drunk, will probably keep shouting out "The ****ing Catalina Wine Mixer!" the whole time. Too bad I dont really like wine.

MatticusMania · #8 09-23-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackled

My ex and I went there often. Check out the botanical garden!
They have a unique climate that supports all kinds of cool plant life...

Get drunk and take an island bus back to your hotel... Don't try to walk! The people that live there are very nice, and you should have a great time.

Botanical Garden might be cool. We're most likely only going on a day trip, though, so I wont be getting too drunk.

kesslari · #9 09-23-2011, 01:19 PM

If you dive, bring diving gear. The Underwater Park is one of the best shore dives in CA.

If you don't dive, find a secluded place and fool around.

MatticusMania · #10 09-23-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

If you don't dive, find a secluded place and fool around.

Haha, funny enough, I was thinking something like that.
Maybe I'll pack stuff for a picnic.

gustobassman · #11 09-23-2011, 02:18 PM

My buddy just went last week for his birthday. He said the zip-line looked cool but he didn't want to pay that much (not sure what the cost was)... He did say that if you are going on your birthday there is free stuff you can wrangle. Meals, discount rooms or campsites. Not sure if it's you or your lady's b-day, but it's a good tip to know..

MatticusMania · #12 09-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustobassman

My buddy just went last week for his birthday. He said the zip-line looked cool but he didn't want to pay that much (not sure what the cost was)... He did say that if you are going on your birthday there is free stuff you can wrangle. Meals, discount rooms or campsites. Not sure if it's you or your lady's b-day, but it's a good tip to know..

I was looking things up online, and noticed you can get a free boatride on your birthday. Its neither of our birthdays though. Actually, she got the boat tickets for her birthday, but they were paid for by her parents.
We looked into ziplining when we were in Maui, and it cost about $100 minimum per person. If the cost is the same on Catalina we won't be ziplining.

MakiSupaStar · #13 09-23-2011, 03:15 PM

They have a pretty cool golf course. There's lot's of good hiking, or you can just get drunk. I was there for a wedding. It was the drunkest I've been in a long time because you could walk back to where you were staying. Although coming back with a severe hang over in heavy seas is no bueno.

macaroni tony · #14 09-23-2011, 03:16 PM

Oh sure, just ignore the ol MT....

MatticusMania · #15 09-23-2011, 03:28 PM

Well, the only thing you made mention of that we could do is snorkel (and eat!). We may do that, so long as the weather is nice and we feel like going in the water.

Most likely we'll only be there for the day.

macaroni tony · #16 09-23-2011, 03:30 PM

I know I didn't really contribute anything, but you know....

MatticusMania · #17 09-23-2011, 03:35 PM

I know

elgecko · #18 09-23-2011, 03:38 PM

Rent bikes and see the whole island. I think you need some sort of permit though.

MatticusMania · #19 09-23-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

Rent bikes and see the whole island. I think you need some sort of permit though.

A permit to rent a bike? Yikes!
I wanted to rent a golf cart (regular vehicles are severly restricted on the island) but saw that it was $40 and hour, 2 hours max.
I'm going to look into bike rentals.

guitfiddle0409 · #20 09-24-2011, 01:33 AM

Been there twice and I love it. Best way to be there is somewhat intoxicated and taking in the sights. Outdoor tables are great but beware of the busker/hustlers that want ridiculous bucks for singing some Mexican tune that you never heard before.