Catalina Island

For the time it takes most Angelenos to commute to work, you can be ferried into the alternate reality of Catalina Island, a romantic escape far from the daily traffic jams and urban sprawl. The evergreen-shrubbed hills spotted with an artists palette of summer homes and surrounded by bright hues of blue waters, coves and marinas feels more like the islands off the coast of Spain than the United States. It is rejuvenating to arrive at a place so close to the city yet feel so completely removed.

Catalina Island is so beautiful at times and this was always my favorite spot on the island to get away from everything.

I’ve been back and forth from Catalina for years now, since my sister and her family live here, and my boyfriend has lived here his entire life. It holds a special place in my heart whenever I go over there-if only it wasn’t so flippin’ expensive.

Just another day on Catalina Island off the southern California cost.

This rocky little island off the coast of California is a great weekend getaway from Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s the largest of the 8-island cluster known as the Channel Islands of California. Ferries depart from Orange County in Newport Beach and Dana Point, and from Los Angeles County in Long Beach, San Pedro, and Marina del Rey. The entire trip takes approximately an hour. The island is car-free, both commercial and resident vehicles, so you either rent a golf cart or a bike to cruise around, or you can just walk as the main attractions on the island are all within walking distance. During the day, you can rent a small boat and explore the shoreline and beaches or be adventurous, and go ziplining. At night, enjoy a night of live music at one of the many jazz bars and restaurants or take a leisurely stroll through the quaint Mediterranean-inspired alleyways. While the entire island can be covered in one day, people commonly spend the weekend to relax and soak up the beautiful California sunshine without any traffic disruptions or big city noise.

For a serious cardio rush and a hiker’s high, hop off the Catalina Ferry at Two Harbors and make the trek up to Ballast Point. The steep route is a little tricky to find, so I recommend asking a local to point it out. On your way back, rather than taking the rocky trek down the same way you came, follow the road that you find at the top instead. It’s a little longer but provides additional stellar views of the area. To get here, catch the ferry toward Catalina from San Pedro, just north of Long Beach, and try to make sure you get a direct route to and from Two Harbors.