On my last week-end in California, I headed to Catalina Island early Saturday morning to board the Catalina Express cruiser with my friend Kirsten. Santa Catalina Island or Catalina Island, as it is widely known, is one of seven "Channel Islands" that makes up California's Archipelago.
We shoved off from the landing in downtown Long Beach, located 30 min. outside of Los Angeles. 
Onboard I remained topside, enjoying the wind against my face and my hair whipping about wildly...
...while Kirsten played it comfy and warm below.
A li'l over an hour later, we drew near and had our first glimpse of Catalina Island.
As we entered Avalon Harbor we were greeted by a colorful sight of recreational boats moored sporadically; its owners relying on water taxis to take them to shore.
As we entered Avalon Harbor we were greeted by a colorful sight of recreational boats moored sporadically; its owners relying on water taxis to take them to shore.
The Catalina Express pulled in and unloaded passengers eager for exploring.
Catalina Island's population has over 3,000 residents spread over a 22 mile radius between the city of Avalon and the unincorporated town of Two Harbors. 85% of the locals, however, live within the resort-like charm of Avalon, and it was this place that Kirsten and I visited.
Looking across the way, we could see the Casino and more boats throughout. In the summer time, this area would be packed with even more boats and other sea traveling vessels.
Cobble-stoned streets led us to avenues of delightful little shops and restaurants. Original pottery and tiles from the Catalina Clay Products Co. that were made on the island from 1927-1937 were artfully embedded throughout Avalon.
Most of the boutiques had eye catching displays to tantalize the thriftiest of shoppers. 
We were fortunate to visit during the off-season as these streets would normally be filled with throngs of tourists. It was pleasant to shop and eat without the hassle of waiting in line or shoved by visitors walking past.
Bicycles and golf carts are popular modes of transportation on the island. A maximum of only 800 service and private vehicles are allowed on Catalina. The average wait time to get vehicle registration approved takes 12-15 years.
Needless to say, bike and golf cart rental companies do very well in Catalina. They are the first vendors you see when you step onto the island. 
Even residential streets are lined with golf carts. Modes of transportation such as these were a practical solution to the vehicle limitation problem.
Kirsten and I hopped on a scenic bus tour of Avalon. During our tour we discovered that Catalina Island was owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. and his family from 1919-1975.
We passed by the Catalina Country Club, which catered to the Chicago Cubs when they came to Catalina Island for Spring Training from 1921-1951. The Chicago Cubs were also owned by Mr. Wrigley.
We passed the Art Deco structured dance pavilion named the "Casino". In Italian, it meant "a social gathering place". The Casino was never used as a gambling establishment. It was built by Mr. Wrigley in 1929, so that it would be a commercial draw for dancing and social gathering. Its upper level holds the largest circular ballroom dance floor in the world. The design was built with a circular floor plan with an astounding 180 ft diameter. Today, the Casino houses a movie theatre, live production theatre, ballroom dance hall, and a museum with original Art Deco murals pristinely preserved.
Our tour took us up in the Catalina hills where houses that belonged to the Wrigley family were brought to our attention. One was the modern Mexican adobe home that belongs to the current family. It is pictured in the lower right hand corner. The other house sits by itself on a hill across the way. It was the Cape Cod mansion that belonged to William Wrigley, Jr. , his wife Ada, and son Phillip.
Here's a close-up pic of their summer palace, one of five homes that the Wrigley family owned at that time. 
Here's a close-up pic of the backyard view of the modern home that belongs to Phillip's children.
...and a front yard view of the same house (see upper properties left to right).
From the hills, we had a great view of Avalon Harbor. It's hard to imagine that in the summer time there are even more boats moored there. Notably, there were Hollywood yachts of the rich and famous and fast boats teeming with paparazzi that followed them.
The famous fiction Western writer, Zane Grey, lived on Catalina Island. This is the house that he lived in when he wrote his famous Westerns. Today, the house serves as a local inn. Each room is named after one of his best-selling books.
From the hills, we had a great view of Avalon Harbor. It's hard to imagine that in the summer time there are even more boats moored there. Notably, there were Hollywood yachts of the rich and famous and fast boats teeming with paparazzi that followed them.
The famous fiction Western writer, Zane Grey, lived on Catalina Island. This is the house that he lived in when he wrote his famous Westerns. Today, the house serves as a local inn. Each room is named after one of his best-selling books.
On a hill above the center of town, and a mile from Mr. Grey's house, sits a small bell tower. Local legend has it that Mr. Wrigley's widow, Ada, quarreled with Mr. Grey and had the bell tower built so that it would toll every 15 min. to disturb the author when he was writing. (Note: Original Catalina Clay and Products Co. tiles on display in the lower right hand corner.)
After our scenic bus tour, Kirsten and I walked along the avenue of shops and restaurants. This gaily painted mural outside this restaurant caught my eye and thought it blended well with Kirsten's outerwear...
...as well as my contrast with this colorful fountain. Matching our outerwear with location landmarks is a "must-do" for the Martha Stewart-esque traveler. LoL!
This simple but touching memorial donated by the local VFW was a joy to discover. The inscription on the memorial marker read: "THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO VETERANS - MEN AND WOMEN - WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN HARM'S WAY IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
We had to hurry back to catch the last ferry off the island. Normally, the Catalina Express runs late on Saturday, but it was making its last run at 4pm. The raising of 2 red flags signaled a pending storm of gale force winds coming our way!
On the way back, dark clouds gathered as rain and gale forced winds caused 6 ft swells to rise and surge against our boat. The Catalina Express rocked and heaved, and its crew walked around reassuring passengers and handing out vomit bags. Sounds of babies crying and people retching filled the air for the next hour. What did 2 Navy Officers do during this commotion? We just shook our heads and laughed silently. I mean, sheesh.... we've survived wild fires and earthquakes.... gale force winds had nothing on 'em!
[To the ending tune of Gilligan's Island: The tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the "Catalina Express" would be lost... the "Catalina Express" would be lost.]
