Amy Bizzarri
- I head to Catalina Island when I feel like going to Italy, but can't swing a transatlantic flight.This Amalfi Coast dupe has tons of Mediterranean-style architecture, great food, and pretty beaches.I love coming here, whether I'm on a relaxing solo trip or a nature-filled adventure with my kids.
There's a place off the Southern California coast that, in my opinion, feels plucked from the pages of an Italian fairy-tale.
Think: winding hillside streets lined with wild purple hyacinths and vintage tiles, secret coves where you can dive into crystal-clear waters, and sun-warmed cliffs that tumble into the sea.
Santa Catalina Island feels like it's located off the Amalfi Coast — but it's actually a destination reachable by ferry from Long Beach, California.
Every time I step off the boat and onto the island's shores, where snorkelers swim in search of starfish and locals sip wine and play bingo on the beach, I feel like I've been whisked away to another continent.
It's easy to get to the island from the Catalina Express ferry
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One of the best parts of Catalina is how effortless it is to get there from several different areas in California.
The Catalina Express ferry departs daily from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point, and trips from all three terminals take between 60 to 90 minutes.
In my opinion, even the journey itself is a fun escape. I've seen dolphins leap alongside the ferry or play in the boat's waves, and even spotted whales during migration season.
By the time the ferry inches toward the port of Avalon, the island's main town, I feel completely transported by the swaying trees, Mediterranean-style architecture, and scent of salt air.
I spend most of my time in Avalon, the heart of the island
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Avalon is impossibly charming. Here, golf carts outnumber cars on the narrow, walkable streets, adding to the quaint, village-like feel.
I always love strolling down Crescent Avenue, Avalon's main street, which is replete with gelato shops and seafood cafés.
At the gift stores, you can buy handmade soaps, handcrafted jewelry, nautical antiques, and hand-glazed, ceramic tiles crafted from local clay.
There's so much to do, eat, and drink here
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Nearly 90% of Catalina Island is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, meaning the beaches and greenery are wild and largely untouched.
As a result, there's a lot to do here if you're a nature lover: You can spend multiple days hiking the 38½ -mile Trans-Catalina Trail, or take a Jeep eco-tour to spot bison, foxes, and bald eagles.
For an activity that's a little less arduous, you can rent a kayak and paddle the coastline or lounge in a private cabana at Descanso Beach Club with a good book in one hand and a drink in the other.
Speaking of drinks, a trip to Catalina is incomplete without a Wrigley martini, a signature drink named for a family who developed much of the island in the 1900s.
I always enjoy the iconic cocktail at the waterfront Avalon Grille, where my drink is served with harbor views that are especially stunning at sunset.
Whether I'm traveling alone or with my kids, this island is the perfect getaway
Amy Bizzarri
I've been to Catalina Island both on my own and with my family.
When traveling solo, I've found Catalina to be a safe, welcoming escape — and when I've visited with my kids, they've loved the nonstop swimming, snorkeling, and sunshine.
Even though it's just a short ferry ride from Long Beach, Catalina always makes me feel as if I've been swept away to a magical, faraway island.
Whether I'm sipping coffee on a balcony overlooking the harbor, hiking, or just soaking up that California sunshine on the beach, I feel completely transported.
I love visiting Europe, but not having to pack my passport and board a 10-hour, transatlantic flight makes for a more stress-free, relaxing vacation.
So, whenever I need to slip out of my everyday, I plan a trip to Catalina Island — and I'm never let down.
