21 Jun 2016
WHAT'S NEW ON CATALINA ISLAND: 2016
Consistently named one of the best island getaways by media outlets nationwide, Catalina Island, located just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, is a unique blend of laid back vibe, rich and historic past, water and land activities to suit any taste and modern day amenities and services for every budget.
The island is constantly evolving to offer visitors the best experience, whether it's to relax and rejuvenate or rev up the action. Following are a few of the new happenings on the island this year. What do you say? C'mon and visit!
Catalina Express Lowers Fares and Expands Schedule -- Catalina Express, the leading ferry service to Catalina Island, with departures from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point to Avalon and Two Harbors, has lowered its fares along with the launch of a new departure schedule. Fares decreased an average of four percent, or just below 2012 fares:
ROUND TRIP FARES (INCLUDING TAXES AND FEES)
Long Beach & San Pedro Dana Point
Adults: $72.00 $74.00
Seniors: $65.00 $67.00
Children (2-11): $56.50 $58.50
Infants: $5.00 $ 5.00
Bicycles/surfboards: $7.00 $ 7.00
Commodore Lounge $15.00 each way, per person, additional, Long Beach/San Pedro
Island Spa Catalina Launches New Treatments and Fitness on Demand -- The Santa Catalina Island Company, Catalina Island's premier resort operator, has new offerings at Island Spa Catalina, the island's only experiential spa. Fitness on Demand®, the fastest growing virtual fitness provider that provides countless fitness opportunities through a sleek, touch-screen kiosk. Fitness on Demand offers virtual classes including kickboxing, stomach-toning workouts, Pilates, cardio and more, all taught virtually by premier instructors. At Island Spa Catalina, classes will be offered through a prearranged schedule or for individual and group use. The classes and use of Fitness on Demand is included with an overnight stay at the Pavilion Hotel or the Inn on Mt. Ada, but also is available to the public.
Island Spa Catalina is excited to launch a 'no water required' Citrus with a Twist body treatment and an ocean-inspired Cool Wave Foot and Leg Revitalizer and Cool Wave Scalp Treatment and Blow Out Combination Package.
Take Flight with New Falconry Experience -- Catalina Falconry is an exciting new educational experience that provides an up close and personal experience with the centuries-old art of falconry at Santa Catalina Island Company's Descanso Beach Club. Master falconers show falcons, hawks, and owls in their natural element during a 75-minute immersive demonstration.* Guests will watch these magnificent birds take flight, respond to their falconer's call and dive at speeds of up to 100 mph!
Hosted by West Coast Falconry and at the invitation of On the Wing Falconry, founder Kate Marden has partnered with the Santa Catalina Island Company to host the experience. Participants are invited to meet nature's swiftest predators, watch them speed through the air in a game of keep-away with their lure, and learn how to call a trained hawk to the glove. Next up is a meet–and-greet with a show-stopping owl while learning about these prehistoric hunters and their important role in the environment. The Catalina Falconry experience concludes with a photo opportunity with the birds.
New Catalina Island Museum Opens June 18, 2016 The construction of the Catalina Island Museum's new home, the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building marks the most important building project on the island in over 80 years. Much like the island's Casino, where the current museum is housed, the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building was conceived with permanence in mind. With the opening of the museum in June, the small town of Avalon will have two magnificent works of architecture: one devoted to culture and, the other, to entertainment. Not surprisingly, the two buildings bear more than a passing resemblance. Elements stemming from the Spanish Colonial are unmistakable in each building. But the museum pays homage to the style that directed much of the Casino's making: the Art Deco of the 1920s.
Three years ago, construction began in earnest. A $10 million capital campaign was initiated, and a steel and concrete structure of some 18,000 square feet began to rise—the most ambitious project on the island since the construction of the Casino. To honor William Wrigley Jr.'s granddaughter--a well-respected and recently deceased member of the museum's Board of Trustees--it was named the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building.
The museum is responsible for exhibiting more than 8,000 years of history and a story that is rich in events and personalities. In the new building, a large, expansive gallery is dedicated to telling the tale. Finally, there's enough space to exhibit the hundreds of photos and artifacts that have been tucked away in the museum's vault for years.
In an adjacent gallery, the plan is for the museum to bring to the island “special exhibitions” that are not necessarily related to Santa Catalina's history. The first of these exhibitions is dedicated to Bettie Page, the “Queen of Pinups,” whom many have called a “Pulp Goddess.” Before her disappearance from the pinup scene, she was one of the most photographed models of the 1950s. In Bettie Page Uncovered: The Unknown Photographs of Bunny Yeager the museum has organized a show of photographs that represents the first exhibition dedicated to Bettie Page in a California museum.
For its grand opening celebration, the museum is planning a slate of events, films, opening receptions and musical performances that cover the two-week period from June 18th to July 4th. The museum is honored to welcome The Mystical Arts of Tibet. The monks of the Dreprung Loseling Monastery, who will painstakingly create a mandala sand painting in the museum's lobby from June 26th to July 4th. On July 3rd, the famed multiphonic singers from the monastery will perform traditional temple music and mystical masked dances entitled: Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing.
Taste of Catalina Food Tours -- was born in the fall of 2012 and is a family-run company. Erin Eubank was inspired by the Chamber-sponsored event where visitors and locals alike mingle around town and taste sample menus from various restaurants. Having taken other food tours around the country, Erin wanted to bring this unique experience to Avalon for others to enjoy on a daily basis.
Avalon Food Tour:
- 6+ unique tastings, bites & brews - including owner and chef interactions.
- Enjoy an all inclusive foodie experience as you sip, sample and savor Avalon's best.
- Encounter the sights, sounds and stories behind our well-known historical landmarks.
- Avalon Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour booklet includes tour map, cultural insights & exclusive guest coupons
Catalina Happy Hour Tour:
- 5+ specialty cocktails & shots - boisterous encounters & interactive games!
- Experience Catalina Island's best watering holes with a spirited local guide
- Start your night out right, with tasty appetizers and a bit of a buzz
- Catalina Happy Hour Tour Guide - with maps, recipes & exclusive guest coupons
Catalina Tile Studio Tours: Once produced in a factory on the island, Catalina tile adorns the serpentine wall that snakes along Crescent Avenue, the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens, the old Bird Park aviary, benches, store fronts, fountains and numerous homes and buildings around the town. For only a decade, from 1927 to 1937, functional tile and decorative pottery were produced by residents at the Catalina Clay Products Co. “The pottery," as the company was commonly known among islanders, had modest intentions when it was begun by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. through his Santa Catalina Island Co.
Today the pottery has become a collector's item, prized by aficionados for its distinctive glaze and colors. Around Avalon, most of the tiles are authentic but some, succumbing to age or the elements, have been replaced by high-quality reproductions. Two tours, all personally conducted by the artist, are casual and fun. There is no skill or artistic finesse required.
Tour #1: Colorful and bright, guests relax on the studio's private patio and hear the story of tile and pottery production on Catalina. Choosing from a wide selection of molds that are exact replicas of original tiles seen on the island as well as some original designs, guests go through an easy hands on lesson. They may then choose up to two additional patterns to practice their newfound expertise and create a beautiful set of personalized souvenir tiles. As the tiles cure in the sun for a bit guests are guided through all the steps the tile will take to complete (7-10 days), and the team will finish this part up and send the finished tiles to guests as a memento of their time in the studio.
Tour #2: This project option includes all of the features of tour #1 but gives guests free reign to create a larger set of tiles that can be used any way they'd like. A wider selection of patterns and sizes, the artist works with guests to create a project that will fit your goals. The tiles are often used as accents in back splashes, stair risers, outdoor applications such as BBQ and garden accents.
About Catalina Island and Catalina Express
Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from three ports via Catalina Express: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors, transporting nearly one million passengers annually. It offers comfortable airline-style seats and grouped table seating. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built/purchased specifically for comfort and speed. Catalina Express is an unparalleled resource in Southern California, and one of the world's most respected ferry fleets. For information and reservations, call 800-429-4601, or visit
Catalina Island's clear blue waters and Mediterranean climate and ambiance are a Shangri-La. This laid-back island town is chock full of places to eat, drink, shop. Catalina has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, unique animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. Sightseeing opportunities are numerous and varied from escorted tours around town, adventure rides into the interior, jeep eco tours, hummer rides, to zip lines, rock climbing and undersea adventures. Independent activities are plentiful, camping, hiking, snub, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments, beach lounging, golf, motor boating, parasailing, fishing, boat rides down the coastline and more.
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