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Catalina, Queen Mary, Catalina golf carts
 

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CATALINA, CA Previous Page Next Page
   Transportation

There are several methods of getting to Avalon from the mainland. By far the most popular is via one of the ferries that regularly make the crossing between several of the coastal towns and Avalon. Channel crossing takes between 1 and 4 hours depending on the type of ferry that you choose to take.

Their are currently five departure ports that offer scheduled ferry services to and from Catalina.

They are from LA county in the North to Orange county in the South: Marina del Rey, San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

Be sure to check prices and availability as these may regularly change depending on the season. Also verify the amount and weights of luggage that you can take on board. Weight and luggage quantity regulations vary from company to company.

Review the following Transportation Companies

 

Catalina Express is a smallish shuttle ferry operating out of two locations in Long Beach, and one location each in San Pedro and Dana Point. To catch their shuttle from Long Beach take the 710-freeway west until it ends at the Queen Mary (the old passenger ship that is permanently docked). By the way, it is well worth your time to take a tour of the Queen Mary if you happen to be at the Catalina Express ferry several hours early.

There are signs from the 710 that point the way to the Catalina Express. The maximum parking fee is $35 with $10 charged per day up to the $35 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.

General admission varies slightly depending on whether you leave from San Pedro and Long Beach or Dana Point. At press time the price is approximately $34 one-way and $68 round trip. Beware as fares change depending on the time of year and price of gas (a gas surcharge may be added).

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

Catalina Marina del Rey Flyer can be reached by calling (310) 305-7250 They depart from Marina del Rey just south of Santa Monica. If you are in the LA and west of LA area this is a good alternative to reach Catalina rather than driving down to Orange County. Visit: www.catalinaferries.com

If you can afford the added expense of taking a helicopter from the mainland consider using Island Express for this service. They depart from Long Beach or San Pedro. 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. Browse their website at: www.islandexpress.com

Laheli 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) 976-HELI. Flights leave from San Pedro.
www.lahelicopters.com/tours/ports-o-call-tour.htm#catalina-odyssey-tour

 
  Queen Mary
For those planning on visiting the Queen Mary before or after you go to Catalina, here is a brief synopsis. The Queen Mary is a beautiful extremely large ship. In fact despite its age, it is still one of the largest passenger liners ever built. There are several different tiered admission prices.

General admission is $24.95. The ship is are open daily 9am to 9pm from late June to Labor Day. They are open 9 to 6pm the rest of the year. The tour is self-guided and you can visit the inner workings of the ship such as the engine room, staterooms, and the upper decks. For more information call (562) 435-3511. More information about the Queen Mary: www.queenmary.com

Island Transportation 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 are thinking of purchasing a golf cart before 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 rates vary depending on how many hours you will rent them and the size of the card. Expect to pay at least $40/hour for a maximum of two hours.

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 Last Updated:  07/28/10 15:43:23
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