Avalon to Newport - 21st October
Catalina Island definitely rates BIG with us – from Emerald Bay which helped us forget all of the cold wet miserable nights we spent getting there, Isthmus Bay, a tiny beach resort with outside bar/restaurant on the beach through the isthmus to Two Harbours where I discovered ripe prickly pears growing wild everywhere (got a few spikes in my lips and tongue as the price for peeling and eating on the spot).
Then on to Avalon.
What an incredible resort town it is – glad we were not there during the summer season when, so we are told, it is impossible to move around and lineups are everywhere for everything. Avalon, which was developed in the 20’s as an offshore playground for the rich and famous (only 25 miles from Los Angeles) is full of contradictions. On each of the two closest hills which overlook the town are 2 mansions, one very traditional American style and the other more of a sprawling Spanish villa. The first is still known as Wrigley Mansion (chewing gum) and the other is T.K. Wrigley Mansion (perhaps a son of chewing gum magnate). Wrigley Mansion is now a very exclusive hotel and the other – I don’t know, maybe Wrigley descendants live there.
My theory is that Avalon was built by Sicilians initially, before the Spanish/Mexican influence kicked in – I can imagine that many of the rich (Maf--) living in Los Angeles in the roaring 20’s brought their families over from Sicily and housed them on this beautiful Island. Of course I could be completely wrong, but see the photos and make up your own mind. Another unique feature of Avalon is the golf carts. Very few people are allowed to have actual cars on the island, but golf carts abound.
From the harbour the homes we could see were all multi-million dollar palaces – even the condominiums. The town itself definitely has that typical slightly seedy resort town feel – probably the rich people don’t actually shop where they live. We did not find it particularly expensive; the $33 to hang on a moorage buoy was actually less than Isthmus Bay and because it was off-season they offered us 2 days paid for and 5 days free.
We took them up on the offer and stayed a couple more days, played a round of mini-golf right in the middle of town on a 40 year old course, which was a lot more fun than I expected, hiked up both hills, resisted the $35, 2 hour bus tour which promised we might see buffalo (Oh – only $30.50 for me as I now qualify as a senior). I was hoping to see roving buffalo – but no luck – perhaps next time. We made new friends in Avalon – Steve and Kathy on Lilly; we originally met them in Monterey where they were docked next to us. They were also in Isthmus Cove where we joined them for happy hour.
And then Avalon – by that time they were definitely our longest standing friendship and we had a lovely dinner together and got to know each other. As they are also heading for the Caribbean we look forward to meeting them again somewhere along the way.We had a very pleasant crossing from Avalon to Newport, we are moored ($5 per night) within a cluster of moorage buoys (there are hundreds more) about 50 yards from the back gardens of beautiful homes which surround Newport Harbour.
Catalina Island definitely rates BIG with us – from Emerald Bay which helped us forget all of the cold wet miserable nights we spent getting there, Isthmus Bay, a tiny beach resort with outside bar/restaurant on the beach through the isthmus to Two Harbours where I discovered ripe prickly pears growing wild everywhere (got a few spikes in my lips and tongue as the price for peeling and eating on the spot).
Then on to Avalon.
What an incredible resort town it is – glad we were not there during the summer season when, so we are told, it is impossible to move around and lineups are everywhere for everything. Avalon, which was developed in the 20’s as an offshore playground for the rich and famous (only 25 miles from Los Angeles) is full of contradictions. On each of the two closest hills which overlook the town are 2 mansions, one very traditional American style and the other more of a sprawling Spanish villa. The first is still known as Wrigley Mansion (chewing gum) and the other is T.K. Wrigley Mansion (perhaps a son of chewing gum magnate). Wrigley Mansion is now a very exclusive hotel and the other – I don’t know, maybe Wrigley descendants live there.
My theory is that Avalon was built by Sicilians initially, before the Spanish/Mexican influence kicked in – I can imagine that many of the rich (Maf--) living in Los Angeles in the roaring 20’s brought their families over from Sicily and housed them on this beautiful Island. Of course I could be completely wrong, but see the photos and make up your own mind. Another unique feature of Avalon is the golf carts. Very few people are allowed to have actual cars on the island, but golf carts abound.
From the harbour the homes we could see were all multi-million dollar palaces – even the condominiums. The town itself definitely has that typical slightly seedy resort town feel – probably the rich people don’t actually shop where they live. We did not find it particularly expensive; the $33 to hang on a moorage buoy was actually less than Isthmus Bay and because it was off-season they offered us 2 days paid for and 5 days free.
We took them up on the offer and stayed a couple more days, played a round of mini-golf right in the middle of town on a 40 year old course, which was a lot more fun than I expected, hiked up both hills, resisted the $35, 2 hour bus tour which promised we might see buffalo (Oh – only $30.50 for me as I now qualify as a senior). I was hoping to see roving buffalo – but no luck – perhaps next time. We made new friends in Avalon – Steve and Kathy on Lilly; we originally met them in Monterey where they were docked next to us. They were also in Isthmus Cove where we joined them for happy hour.
And then Avalon – by that time they were definitely our longest standing friendship and we had a lovely dinner together and got to know each other. As they are also heading for the Caribbean we look forward to meeting them again somewhere along the way.We had a very pleasant crossing from Avalon to Newport, we are moored ($5 per night) within a cluster of moorage buoys (there are hundreds more) about 50 yards from the back gardens of beautiful homes which surround Newport Harbour.
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Hugs
Anne & Dick