Catalina Island Trip, Summer 2010

1stSeaRay

1stSeaRay

New Member
Aug 25, 2008
375
Lake Lanier, GA
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boatless
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boatless
We are planning on making a trip to Catalina Island next summer. Looking for any other interested parties to make the crossing together (We don't necessarily have to hang out once we get to the island)

I'm still early in the planning stage but this is how I see it going:

Day 1:
Trailer from Las Vegas to So Cal, launch at Dana Point or Longbeach. We will rent a slip for the night, so we can leave at first light.

Day 2:
Leave at first light to beat the wind/waves. Arrive in Avalon mid morning Re-fuel, have lunch, make arrangements for overnight mooring. Beach/Snorkel

Day 3:
Explore Two Harbors area, There are supposed to be some nice Boat-in Camping sites. Beach/Snorkel again

Day 4:
Whatever the wife/kids want to do

Day 5:
Fuel & Supplies @ Avalon, Depart for mainland by 10am. Lunch at Dana Point / Long Beach. Trailer home.

At this point, I don't have any specific dates in mind, and as this will be our first trip I'd prefer to go with a group. Even if you can't join us, I would appreciate input from those that have made this trip before (where to stay/eat, what to do, etc)
 
I have made this trip many times. My dad was born and raised in Avalon, still have a house and a mooring there. As a kid we made the crossing in an 18' ski boat and many others since then. Places to eat in Avalon: my favorites are Steve's Steakhouse, Armstrong's and Villa Portofino. If you want to bring/cook your own meat, Descanso Beach Club is a lot of fun, and worth a look. Moorings in Avalon may be hard to come by depending on the weekend (holidays are VERY difficult for non mooring owners). Avalon has all sorts of things to do for the family. The minature golf course is fun, hiking, and biking are available as well. There are many coves and small beaches along the way between Avalon and Two Harbors. I like 4th of July and Cherry Cove down at that end, but there are others that may be of interest to you.
 
As a former SoCal resident I made the trip to the Island many times and never in anything larger than a 23' boat. You do need to pick your mornings to cross.

You mention departing Dana Point or Long Beach....I would like to suggest Long Beach as it is a bit closer to Avalon if you get a slip in Alamitos Bay rather than dowtown Long Beach. Also keep in mind the June Gloom that happens on the SoCal coast. This is heavy fog that can sock in most of the Long Beach and OC coastline. But I have left the coast in fog and by the time I got to the island it was clear, sunny and warm.

Once there you will not want to leave. There is nothing like arriving in Avalon Harbor in your own boat.

One last thing....be sure and take a dingy. The shore taxi is about $4.50 per person per trip, one way. It can get very pricey going ashore.

Enjoy your trip.
 
Use this website for great information: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/ ..click on the boating links for both Avalon and Two Harbors.

For a while last year the fuel dock at Two Harbors was closed and you needed to fill by gas can, I believe it is now open again.

Like Norcal Boater said, a dinghy makes Catalina way more fun. Not just to get onshore, but to explore the nearby coves and mooring areas. Last year cruise ships were anchored at Avalon 2-3 days every week and we used the dinghy to zoom out to see them almost every time.

Two Harbors has only a store/restaurant/snack bar/market all in one building and you can walk across the isthmus in 5 minutes. Avalon has lots, lots more (2 mini-Von's markets, a mini farmer's market on Wednesday, golf and miniature golf, rental golf carts (way better than walking up the hills to see everything!), lots of restaurants (try Ning's for Chinese or the Pancake Cottage for breakfast) and lots of ice cream stands. Lots of places to shop or just window shop and is a much prettier anchorage.

You also might consider launching from Marina del Rey or Cabrillo.
 
Thanks for the responses so far.

Kimo, I did find that website, but nothing beats talking to folks that have actually been there.

I'm totally open to Marina selection on the mainland. There are a several criteria I'm looking for....launch ramp, reasonable parking for the truck & trailer, reasonable guest slip fees. It would be nice if there were restaurants & shops nearby as well. Yet another reason I'd like to go along with someone who has already been.

I've been casually looking at dinghys, and plan to make a purchase before the season starts. It will be nice to have for getting to/from the shore and exploring, but also offers a little extra piece of mind.
 
Catalina is always a great adventure! I keep our boat in Newport Beach in the Newport Dunes. Their facility has a very large ramp, plenty of parking and has a six lane wash rack. I think parking is about 10 a day and launch is about 20. Newport Harbor has plenty of things to do as well, with some boat up restaurants. The transient slip there are around 50 a night and gets you access to the pool and other amenities. The trip from Newport to Avalon should take you about 90min give or take depending on sea conditions. You can google Newport Dunes and get a better feel for their facility, but it is easy to get to from the freeway and once there you really won't need to go any where else unless you want to.
 
I'd love to drag my boat down there and go. My wife is from down that way and when she lived on a boat with her Dad in Marina Del Ray, they went there often. We went to Catalina on the express once and I said it would be great to go on our own boat. I just have to figure out how to get it down there.
 
I am no EXPERT but I may take you up on this trip! We did make the crossing alone.

We went twice last summer I wanted to re-gift this site that KIMO gave me many moons ago...
http://www.thelog.com/Marinas/LaunchRamps.aspx

Once we left from DANA, once from Long Beach.

Dana has many restauraunts/ shopping and is a relatively small harbor. There is free- on the hook anchorage- at the back that is very protected IMO. and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there instead of rent an overnight The downside is the parking fee $20 per night($10 truck-$10 trailer), and the parking lot is relatively tight and small, but do-able. On the haul out the wash-down water is Free as is a really nice pump out dock.

For Long beach- out of Newport Dunes. this harbor is HUGE. Nice for sightseeing the megayachts. Expect 45 mins no-wake to make the breakwater. The Dunes is a huge complex with lots of parking- but it does fill up in the summer months. The parking is slightly cheaper I think- $15 per night and you need quarters to run the washdown!( there is a change machine) Depending on how thorough you are may be a good $5-$10 bucks after engine flush etc. etc.
I can't speak for overnighting on the water here, If I were you I'd camp on land and launch/leave at first light since you are already paying for parking but there are anchorages/slips in the harbor but I've never used them.

Over on Catalina just a word of warning- The summer months fill up at Avalon(inner harbor) FAST. This isn't too much of a problem because they have a ton of moorings- but they will put you in the OUTER harbor(Descanso beach)...I.E. outside the breakwater- which was secure but quite rough for our 280- we got bounced quite a bit. On a high note you can snorkel right off the boat in the outer harbor.
If you do get an outer mooring you WILL need a motor for a dinghy- it's a Bi**h of a row- I advise against it- and the shore boat IS expensive as stated.

Can't speak for Two harbors- we went by but didn't stay- 45 mins up from Avalon, Looked around and went home- didn,t really see anywere grteat to stop on the way up- nothing is really protected but I didn't take much time. I'll PM you when this gets closer!
 
I keep my boat in MDR and used to live in Newport Beach and keep it at the Dunes. I go to Catalina about once a month. If you watch the weather, it is very doable single handed.

As mentioned, Avalon is hard to get into in the summer months. Outer harbor can be uncomfortable.

Two Harbors is very nice and easier to get into but does not have much on shore. It is a different experience. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
 
Is it any less crowded during the week? I was thinking if we arrived mid week, we'd avoid some of the crowd or is it just packed all summer? Looks like May & June are going to be a little busier than usual for me, and its pretty hot here by July, so I'll go ahead and throw out some possible dates... Departing SoCal on July 7 or July 14... does that sound good to anyone else?

I've picked out my inflatable, and I'm keeping an eye on craigslist for a 6hp 4 stroke...with the way it rained here this week, I thought I might need it to get to work. We matched our total rainfall for last year in 3 days!
 
If you go early in the week in July, you may have a shot at getting into Avalon. You'll have no chance on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday in July. August is generally booked the whole month. May is still doable on a Friday and June is a toss up.
 
I just want to clarify...
I agree with Mike on all his assesments of busy times BUT...
There are LOTS of moorings and you just won't be INSIDE the breakwater when you say "get into Avalon". But there will be enough moorings that you WILL get one...maybe just not in a prime spot. Also, you could always go to two harbors / the Isthmus and stay and day trip to Avalon. I'm just saying so that you can have some flexibility in you dates...
Check out this site http://www.catalina.com/yachting.html
If you are a little flexable you could even ask to get a mooring in another cove...(i've never done it but would try!:grin:) there are many other options..

Agree Mike?- Have you ever stayed anywhere except Avalon or the Isthmus?
 
I have stayed in other coves. The boat he's talking about going over in a 26. When I had my 26 I've been pushed out to Hamilton or Descanso because Avalon as full. It's a rough night out there in a boat that size. Also, it's not very enjoyable to hang out on the boat in that water during the day.

For a boat that size, I'd do Avalon during the week in May or early June, or else go to the Isthmus. You bring up a good point about the day trip over to Avalon from there. The 26 is fuel efficient and they could grab an outer harbor mooring for a few hours and then go back. Most first timers prefer staying in Avalon though because there is more to do in terms of bars and shops.
 
To be clear I'm not particularly interested in the shopping or night life (plenty of that here) but the wife and kids will REQUIRE a protected mooring for the night.

I'm perfectly happy to day trip to Avalon, so if the inner harbor is full we are content to stay at Isthmus (although it looks like Catalina Harbour may be one of the most protected). If none of the other moorings/anchorages are protected enough for a restful night in a 260, we may plan on staying at one of the boat in camping sites and sleeping in a tent.
 
Cat Harbor is the most protected cove on the island and is a designated Safe Harbor when conditions are bad. Isthmus has plenty of protected moorings. If you are not looking for the places to eat, bars, etc. that Avalon has, there are many coves available to you with protection. If they don't have any good moorings left at the Isthmus, they should be able to direct you to another cove on the island that will suit your needs.
 
Well as typical life happens. This summer has gotten so busy I don't know how we will squeeze in this trip. June and July are out for sure, but late August is still a possibility.
 
I was at the Isthmus the weekend before last. Great weather and it wasn't even close to full yet. I am headed over to Avalon this Friday/Saturday/Sunday. From the webcams, it appears to be filling up more than the west side, but still has openings.
 
BTW - August is pretty much impossible to get a mooring in Avalon unless you know someone. Two Harbors will be your best bet that time of year. Plenty of good boating and weather at Catalina well into September...and it is very usable year round.
 
mmcguire2002 said:
BTW - August is pretty much impossible to get a mooring in Avalon unless you know someone. Two Harbors will be your best bet that time of year. Plenty of good boating and weather at Catalina well into September...and it is very usable year round.
Click to expand...

Michael, I was looking at some pics of Avalon...beautiful place and lots of boats there...I'm curious, how can they be so aligned??? :smt017 Are you required to drop a stern anchor???
 
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