If you have ever been to Southern California you know it can feel a bit crowded to say the least. Between the traffic on the 5 freeway and ever growing population, it’s starting to feel more like a big city than a sleeping beach county. But there is still a hidden gem that lays in plain sight right off the coast. Catalina Island although not that far away can make you feel like you are a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Main land.
What is there to do on Catalina Island?
There are so many fun outdoor activities to do once on the Island including zip line tours that go 300 feet in the air, Jeep tours to view the Islands buffalo population and Helicopter tours to give you an amazing aerial view of the island. There is also a casino for those looking for more night life activities.
How long does it take to sail?
The travel time of course depends on what harbor you are departing from whether it be Marina del Ray, LA, Huntington, Newport or Dana Point Harbor. We sailed from Dana Point Harbor which took 4.5 hours to Avalon. Always remember that the journey is more fun that reaching your destination.
Safety is #1 Priority
When sailing on a small vessel it is very important that everyone on board is certified in CPR and first aid because if there is an emergency you can’t pull over and call for help, you have to be prepared to act fast. Being a resident of South Orange County there are a ton of different CPR training companies to choose from. After getting a referral from a friend we choose A Hero For Life which is based in San Clemente. The owner and head instructor Scott gave very good class leaving our friends feeling confident that they would be able to respond effectively if we did have an emergency, which we did not. Some people might say that it’s not mandatory that every passenger is trained in safety which I disagree with. When you are out at see you always better to be safe than sorry.