This island, 26 miles from the Southern California coast, was made famous by the song "Twenty-six miles across the sea. Santa Catalina is the place for me..." In the 30's and 40's, Hollywood screen stars frequented the island's art deco casino. Today, the casino is defunct, but the island is a prime tourist attraction. Its main town of Avalon is lined with boutiques, shops and restaurants, all an easy stroll from the Green Pleasure Pier, where cruise ship passengers arrive.
Take a glass bottom boat ride, or rent a bike for a few hours. (There are very few cars on the island, and most people get around in electric golf carts.) Don't miss a guided tour of the historic Avalon Casino. It's a peek into the World War II era, when young couples from the mainland would flock to the island every weekend, to dine and dance to the music of the most famous Big Bands of the day.
