|
There are signs from
the 710 that point the way to the Catalina Express. The maximum
parking fee is $30 with $7 charged per day up to the $30 dollars. You
can even pay by credit card at the tollbooth as you are leaving. Be
sure not to park underneath the tall eucalyptus on the west side of
the parking lot. These shed, birds like to roost in these trees, and
if you will be parked here for more than a day, your car will be
absolutely filthy upon your return.
For more information
about the Catalina Express including fares, scheduling, directions and
other useful information please call (800) 481-3470 or (800) 360-1212
or visit their web site at: www.catalinaexpress.com
General admission is
$24 one-way and $49 round trip. Beware as fares change depending on
the time of year and price of gas (a gas surcharge may be added).
Catalina Island Ferry Transportation has a smaller schedule
than the Catalina Express (mentioned above) but it is a cheaper
option to get to Catalina. Round trip tickets are $38. For more
information visit:
www.catalinaexplorerco.com
Catalina Passenger
Service can be reached by calling (949) 673-5245. They depart at
Newport Bay near the town of Newport Beach. Trips take place on the
Catalina Flyer. For more information about
If you can afford
the added expense consider taking a helicopter from
the mainland. Island Express offers this
service. They can be reached at (310) 510-2525 or (800) 2-AVALON. The
flight takes between 15 and 20 minutes and lands either near Avalon or
at Two Harbors. One way and round trip flights available; they also offer a packaged price
discount which includes the flight, a
taxi ride to and from Avalon, a casino tour, and a glass bottom boat
trip/tour. Feel free to browse their website at: www.islandexpress.com
Bravo Helicopter
also offers helicopter rides to and from the island of Catalina. You
can also request customized aerial tours of Catalina and Los Angeles.
For more information call (800) 77-FLYING.
Transportation on the
island mainly consists of golf carts, both electric and gas powered.
This is one of the few places in the United States where you don’t
have to worry about being run over by a car; its quite refreshing to
be in a city where are there are few or no automobiles. Even though
there are not many automobiles present you still find the names Lexus
and BMW, only they are not on cars, they are on golf carts. On several
occasions I found myself bitten with “golf cart envy.” Some of the
locals had customized their golf carts with fancy rims, ornately
decorated sunshades, and my favorites, the heavy-duty humvee type golf
cars. If you were thinking of purchasing a golf cart without
visiting Catalina, don’t.
One service offering
gas powered golf cart rentals is Island Rentals. They are open
year round and are located under the Holly Hill House at 125 Pebbly
Beach Road. Call (310) 510-1456. The going rate during peak season is
$30/hour for a maximum of two hours. |
