Field Trip - Catalina Island & Avalon, Day 2

Day 2 of our Catalina trip entailed more island exploring. Only one tour planned - of the Casino. Prior to the Casino, we walked around and saw...

Catalina Island Yacht Club (c. 1924)

Descanso Beach

the pigeons that like potato chips

The Casino, seen in the left corner below, is probably the most iconic building on the island.
Built in 1929, the Casino is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture.

deco tile mermaid, above the entrance

It's "Casino" in the traditional definition of the term - a place for recreation. The main level houses the 1,150 seat Avalon Theater - the first-ever theater designed specifically for sound movies.
Since the theater was designed for sound, the acoustics are impressive. Our docent did not need any amplification for us to hear him from the stage. What was even more impressive were the paintings. Unfortunately the pix do not do justice.
After a brief short film, we marched up the Wrigley Field-inspired ramps to the ballroom. It's the world's largest circular ballroom with a 180' diameter dance floor. However, it wasn't very picturesque during our visit as they had chairs and plywood down - remnants from the previous weekend's Gospel Fest. The light fixture was pretty amazing though.

this sucker is about 30' in diameter

cool fish-themed bar (original 1929 paintings)

Catalina is also known for its decorative tile. Wrigley set up the industry in order to give the locals a home-grown industry to help keep them busy during the slower seasons. There's plenty of it in Avalon.

my grrrls

Towards the evening we made our way back over to the dock for the boat trip home. But not before Celeste & I scrambled up to check out a mini cave.

Note to mom and dad - thanks again for everything!

Field Trip - Catalina Island & Avalon, Day 1

My parents were out here about a week and a half ago and stayed with us for 8 days. When they lived in Southern California 40 years ago, they too took every chance they could to explore. However, one of the places that they did not get to hit was Santa Catalina Island. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to visit the island with them.

The third largest of the Channel Islands of California and located about 22 miles from Los Angeles, Catalina is the only Channel Island with any significant civilian development. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to visit it with them.

Islander Express (pictured in Avalon)

We took the Islander Express from Dana Point. A sleek 97' monohull design that cruises along at 30 knots. Sadly about halfway into the 90 minute trip, Celeste started feeling ill. That followed Allie's feeling ill by about a half an hour. Thankfully the seasickness wore off for both rather quickly after being on solid ground. Next time maybe they should hit the Dramamine instead of the wristbands.

Celeste was able to get comfy (prior to the seasickness)

Avalon's harbor

The Casino (toured the next day)

We checked in, ate lunch and wandered the quiet streets of Avalon. Being the total car nerd that I am, I enjoyed the transportation choices that many of the town's 3500 permanent residents chose.

Gas powered golf carts and Japanese "kei" trucks abound. And some of the golf carts were hardly recognizable as golf carts due to their custom body kits.

1933 Ford-style

golf cart rush hour?

"Kei"-class truck

golf cart tow truck for towing golf carts (duh!)

The "regular" vehicles were mostly left unlocked with the keys in the ignitions. Even this rare never-offered-in-the-US VW T3 Transporter.
Then again, if you stole it, where would you take it?

At two o'clock we headed out on the Island's Skyline Drive tour. This two hour tour took us from Avalon up to the island's "Airport in the Sky" and back. Celeste and I sat up in the front row "roller coaster" seats and had a stunning - if bumpy vantage point.

Control Tower, Airport in the Sky
Wm. Wrigley house is the big white one on the hill (slightly right of center)

After touring the island on the tractor trailer rig, we found the only mini golf course on the island.
The course was quaint and old-school. No modern fiberglass or plastic obstacles to putt thru. Just a lot of astroturf covering concrete ramps and berms and plenty of options into which to putt.

berm!
miniature golf makes Celeste happy!

What's the only thing possibly more fun than mini golf? Jumping on hotel beds! Celeste may be mediocre at golf but she's a superstar jumper.
After a good dinner we called it a night. More to follow...