Catalina Island feels like an idyllic escape from reality – and it’s only an hour from LA
Key Points
- Catalina Island, located near Los Angeles, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and lively events.
- The Catalina Wine Mixer, inspired by the movie “Step Brothers,” has become a popular annual event.
- The island offers various activities like hiking, ziplining, and water sports, alongside a relaxed atmosphere.
- Transportation to the island is primarily via ferry, with options from several ports in the Los Angeles area.
CATALINA ISLAND, California – Just 22 miles offshore the coast near Los Angeles sits a small island that feels like arriving at another country.
As the only inhabited of the Channel Islands, Catalina Island’s natural beauty stuns with turquoise waters beneath cliffside homes, evoking the charm of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. It’s been deemed to have one of the prettiest small towns in California and as a locals-only secret for a scenic getaway, but the 76-square-mile isle can also burst to life if an event is being held.
I had the chance to witness the island pulse with energy for its popular event that kicks off the summer season: the Catalina Wine Mixer.
Source: USA Today
