Catalina Island, California

[Elmonteman]

I was watching a documentary on Catalina Island the other night and was very surprised at how popular a destination in was in the 30's and 40's. I've been there a few times over the years and always enjoyed my visits but I hadn't realized the place it held in our Golden Era culture. The country's most popular Big Bands would broadcast nation wide from there. Celebrities of all kinds made regular visits. I think my biggest oversight was not realizing that in those days people where not able to fly anywhere very cheaply. Looking at the films of people partying on the beach and resorts of Catalina I could see that it was a very special thing for them to be there. They felt like we would if we were at St. Tropez or Monaco. I will definitely be making a trip out there soon.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

It's pretty and quiet (in the off season). Practically no cars; mostly golf carts. A wonderful carillion and the amazing Avalon movie theater (free Wurlitzer organ concerts there once a week). Buffalo, descended from those brought over for a silent movie shoot (that never even occurred). During World War II, Catalina was a training base for OSS agents. Marilyn Monroe (when still Norma Jean) lived there for a few months with her G.I. husband. Oh, and Catalina tile, too!

 

[Tomasso]

William Wrigley Jr. bought Catalina Island in around 1920. The islands previous owners had abused the land, first by mining for silver and then by over-grazing the stock on a ranching operation. The Wrigley family then spent the next fifty years developing the island as a resort while repairing and then maintaining the damaged ecosystem. In the 1970's they donated most of the land to the State of California and created a not-for-profit corporation to run the rest of the island. And a little tidbit, for around a quarter of a century, the Chicago Cubs used the island as their spring training camp.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I hear it was a hot spot for Howard Hughes. It's even mentioned in "The Aviator". It's now a destination for California weddings. I have a friend who went there for one, and she said it was quite amazing. I've been informed that I must go, for it's like stepping back in time.
My question is, is it easy to go over there for a day? Being from New England, in the summer it's easy to hop on a puddle jumper or a ferry and go to one of the islands just for a quick visit. Would it be something that a group of us could do one of the day's we are in town for the QM, or is it a place that one must spend the night to have a good experience? How far from LA is it? I was under the impression that it was close. But then again, it seems like everything in CA takes over a day to get to with the random traffic patterns.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

John Wayne loved it, too. He used to fly there all the time.

My question is, is it easy to go over there for a day?

Daisy, it's very easy to go there for a day. Shuttle ferries (actually, they're enormous catamarans) go back and forth all day, every day from Long Beach harbor (exactly where the QM is) to Avalon, Catalina's main harbor. Total cost is around $50 per adult. The traveling time is quite short. You definitely don't have to spend the night in Catalina.

 

[Lauren]

And there's always the Avalon Ball in October...
http://avalonball.com/

 

[Etienne]

Remember the song "Santa Catalina, the Island of Romance"? It began with "26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me..." Very close, very fun, very...southern California!

 

[Etienne]

Forgot to add that 2 years ago my husband and some friends of his, ocean-kayaked from Huntington Beach (further down south from Long Beach) to Catalina!! It took them 8 hours!!! But they made it!

 

[Lincsong]

I haven't been there since 1978. We took the ferry from Long Beach. I ate some maunapua (char siu bao) and got seasick. From what I remember it was a very quiet and beautiful place.
The great American (and native Californian) General George S. Patton used to vacation there as a young man.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I may be talking through my hat (HA!) but I have vague memories of a company that flew a Ford Trimotor on a regular schedule between Long Beach and Catalina back in the 1980s.

Or maybe I dreamed the whole thing.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Remember the song "Santa Catalina, the Island of Romance"?

And remember the even more famous 1920s song, "Avalon"? Made wildly popular by Al Jolson? That song is about Catalina's main harbor.


.

 

[Wild Root]

Oooh, Catalina!

My next door neighbor used to tell me about Catalina in the 30's and 40's. You could fly there by way of Grumman Goose if you had money, or, the better trip was the steam ship! They had a few nice steam boats that would take people to and from Avalon in those days, these boats had dance floors on them and also had a band playing so, you could dance on the way to and from Avalon!!! Some of the biggest bands played there such as Benny Goodman and many more. My neighbor told me how they'd take the steam boat, dance on the boat, and then dance at the Casino to Benny Goodman or many other great bands of the era. Him and his date would then take the boat home and dance on the way back to LA. I could only imagine how it must have been to even tune into a broadcast from there! Catalina has such a rich history and I love going! I'll never forget the first time I went... I got dressed up and made a day trip of it. I intended to attend one of Pasadena Ballroom's swing camp dances. I went on a Saturday in 1997 and had my ticket to see Bill Elliot! I recall seeing every one in vintage clothes or good vintage fashion... it was amazing! People dancing on the street and just hanging out... it was so much fun. I recall also having to stand in a line to get into the Casino Ballroom... I recall seeing Marc there and some other people from clubs I recall. As I walked up that long ramp to the ballroom I just had this magical feeling that I was doing something historical. Soon as I entered the ballroom, I saw the place was full of people in vintage dresses, suits, WWII uniforms and just about every cool outfit you could think of! The place was packed and the band sounded amazing! I remember as I was on the boat home I was reflecting back on that experience knowing very well that my neighbor pretty much did just what I did and I felt some what connected to the past it was my best memory of the Island!

=WR=

The Steam boat: 1920.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That night in 1997 was fantastic. Everyone was there. The California swing revival of the late '90s reached its pinnacle right there and then.

 

[Wild Root]

Agreed! It also helped to have a lot of dancers from Europe as well! I'll never forget that day/night.

=WR=

 

[Doc.Freddy]

I seen that program

That was a really cool show. It gave me a new found respect for the island. Its very true catalina Island has so much history and its so art deco which makes even more intresting. I wish i could have seen it back in its glory days. But its sad the golden age of travel and Hollywood is gone.

 

[Trickeration]

Daisy-
www.catalina.com has details on how to get there/schedule, events and so so forth. I think it only takes an hour to get there, and there are boats out of Long Beach/San Pedro. Haven't been there myself yet, but my husband's been there many times lobster diving. He also has a brother-in-law that lives there.

One of the Andy Hardy movies takes place there, too. There's a mix of studio and actual footage of the island in the 1930's in the movie. The place was jumpin'.

I doubt if my husband and I would go to Catalina during the QM weekend, we'll have other things going on during some of the daytime. But that does sound like a fun day trip if folks are looking for something to do.

Trix

 

[Wild Root]

Don't forget this...

I've been once to this event... it's really cool for those who enjoy the 20's and 30's! Worth every red-cent!

=WR=

PS. Trix, I love the new Avatar!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I've been once to this event... it's really cool for those who enjoy the 20's and 30's! Worth every red-cent!

=WR=

PS. Trix, I love the new Avatar!

hmmmm that could double as my birthday party thing.....

*ponders*

 

[Lauren]

Me too! Me too! We could celebrate together

 

[funneman]

I'm green with envy!

You FL'ers in California have ALL THE FUN!

It seems the West Coast has so many opportunities for people into the vintage scene to get together.

Root, Matt and the always lovely Lauren look like such fun people to hang around.

I'm stuck here in hot, steamy South Florida.

Can I come live with you guys?