OT: So Cal residents, vacation advice

[newAD]

Husker Wed and others, I'm trying to plan a summer family vacation. I'm contemplating a trip to Avalon/Catalina Island. I've wanted to go there for years. Looks like you can do a lot of different stuff in a short time.

With high hotel costs, and pretty much a 3 night minimum for a rental, any advice on lodging, or just overall opinions on the place at all?

I'm also trying to work San Diego into the trip, and considered just renting a car, and taking the ferry on two, maybe three days, but the hotel savings would get wiped out by the ferry costs.

So before I make reservations, I wanted to know if anyone has ever been there and what they thought of it?

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

Husker Wed and others, I'm trying to plan a summer family vacation. I'm contemplating a trip to Avalon/Catalina Island. I've wanted to go there for years. Looks like you can do a lot of different stuff in a short time.

With high hotel costs, and pretty much a 3 night minimum for a rental, any advice on lodging, or just overall opinions on the place at all?

I'm also trying to work San Diego into the trip, and considered just renting a car, and taking the ferry on two, maybe three days, but the hotel savings would get wiped out by the ferry costs.

So before I make reservations, I wanted to know if anyone has ever been there and what they thought of it?

Was just there. Can't imagine more than 1 night there. Highly recommend the zip line!

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

One thing to definitely get if in the Huntington area is an ice cream filled donut from Afters. Hot Krispy Kreme type donut, only more doughy, filled with ice cream. Crazy good. Worth the trip to find.

 

[CC_Lemming]

Was in Catalina last spring. We camped there near two harbors so I can't be of much help on lodging near Avalon. Didn't go to Avalon either but it looked cool (just saw it from the ferry). Hope to get back there. The island itself is pretty neat. Some great beaches and snorkeling. We did a lot of hiking. Did like a three hour hike to the western side of the island to go to a pretty secluded beach. Spent the weekend there and would have stayed longer.

Regarding San Diego, it's like a 2 1/2 hour drive without traffic. But if you're driving from LA on the weekend you might plan for up to 4 hours.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

I have been to Avalon a couple times on the high speed ferry. My opinion is after you walk around the small downtown, walk around the Wrigley Ballroom and maybe take the trolley tour, you are stuck there with nothing to do. Someday I will go and camp and hike, but for a family vacation I would consider it a day trip, not much to do unless you own a boat and can sail around the island.

I never give vacation advice because it is lose-lose, if the advisee has a bad time, it is my fault. However, if it were me I would look into staying in La Jolla, which makes it easy to get to San Diego, and fairly easy to get up to OC and to Long Beach to get the Catalina Ferry (a couple hours north). If I wanted to spend a lot I would go with Scripps Inn or Redwood Hollow Cottages (not right on the beach), mid price would be a Residence Inn in La Jolla or the Courtyard in Solana Beach, or low price at one of the motel-type properties close to the beach. La Jolla is a super nice/rich area and the beaches are not as crazy (crowded and low rent) as some of the San Diego and LA beaches.

 

[leodisflowers]

 

[newAD]

Thanks for the replies. Further information, I'm trying to due all this during a work week, with flying out there on a Sunday, and probably going back on the next Friday.

I've got 3 kids, and we've watched the zip Line videos on you tube, and they (and I) want to do that. Momma, not so much. The scenery and location just looks cool.

The two oldest and I would like to do an "introductory" scuba dive with one of the companies that offer that. I'm not certified, but I've done it a few times in the Virgin Islands. I figure Momma and youngest can do a tour or something while we do that.

I grew up on a boat at Pawnee lake, but I've never been on a sailboat, so I'd like to do a sailboat tour either an afternoon "wildlife" tour, or an evening "sunset" tour. Either would be cool.

I would like to para sail again, but I'm guessing we can do that again somewhere 'on the mainland', and wouldn't have to do that there.

Those are the main things I would like to do there (zipline, scuba, and sail), but I don't think we can squeeze that all in on one day. I'm not sure what the ferry schedule will be in the summer, since it is not posted yet, so I'm not sure if we could do that in 2 days/1 night, if we stayed on the island?

I like the idea of getting a rental vs a hotel, but then you are talking about 4 days/3 nights or more on the island, but a hotel for 5 for just 1 or 2 nights might cost as much as a rental for 3. If we end up doing that many nights, we might have to just give up the idea of San Diego, as it seems to make more sense to fly into LAX if that were to be our only destination?

It doesn't seem like any of the hotels on Tripadvisor are really bad???? So if anyone has had any experiences with the hotels there, I'd appreciate any opinions.

I'll do some looking into La Jolla. Obviously I don't know enough to know where is a good area to stay on the mainland.

 

[newAD]

One thing to definitely get if in the Huntington area is an ice cream filled donut from Afters. Hot Krispy Kreme type donut, only more doughy, filled with ice cream. Crazy good. Worth the trip to find.

I just gained 5 pounds reading that!

 

[newAD]

Was just there. Can't imagine more than 1 night there. Highly recommend the zip line!

Just curious why you say that? Prices? Not enough to do?

 

[newAD]

Haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm not getting it.

 

[CC_Lemming]

Thanks for the replies. Further information, I'm trying to due all this during a work week, with flying out there on a Sunday, and probably going back on the next Friday.

I've got 3 kids, and we've watched the zip Line videos on you tube, and they (and I) want to do that. Momma, not so much. The scenery and location just looks cool.

The two oldest and I would like to do an "introductory" scuba dive with one of the companies that offer that. I'm not certified, but I've done it a few times in the Virgin Islands. I figure Momma and youngest can do a tour or something while we do that.

I grew up on a boat at Pawnee lake, but I've never been on a sailboat, so I'd like to do a sailboat tour either an afternoon "wildlife" tour, or an evening "sunset" tour. Either would be cool.

I would like to para sail again, but I'm guessing we can do that again somewhere 'on the mainland', and wouldn't have to do that there.

Those are the main things I would like to do there (zipline, scuba, and sail), but I don't think we can squeeze that all in on one day. I'm not sure what the ferry schedule will be in the summer, since it is not posted yet, so I'm not sure if we could do that in 2 days/1 night, if we stayed on the island?

I like the idea of getting a rental vs a hotel, but then you are talking about 4 days/3 nights or more on the island, but a hotel for 5 for just 1 or 2 nights might cost as much as a rental for 3. If we end up doing that many nights, we might have to just give up the idea of San Diego, as it seems to make more sense to fly into LAX if that were to be our only destination?

It doesn't seem like any of the hotels on Tripadvisor are really bad???? So if anyone has had any experiences with the hotels there, I'd appreciate any opinions.

I'll do some looking into La Jolla. Obviously I don't know enough to know where is a good area to stay on the mainland.

The scenery is really cool. Think of the tv show "Lost" but not as lush. Still, being on top of a mountain and looking at a cliff face is bad ass and gorgeous - but you might need to hike to get those kinds of views. I can't remember the name of the beach we hiked to exactly, but there was nothing there except a campsite and bathrooms. It was one of the nicest beaches/coves I've been to in SoCal (though I am not a huge beach goer). I think the scuba diving would be a lot of fun. I easily could dedicate a day to doing that and water activities. I'm not sure what kind of wildlife you'll see there except for sea lions and birds.

I got an AirBnB in La Jolla over Christmas break with some friends. I really enjoy the beaches of San Diego but I find the city a little boring now having been there a few times. Mind you, we'd already done the zoo and we don't have little ones, so what we mostly did was visit breweries and eat food. It's great for beaches and beach activities, however. Our friends who were with us spent all day kayaking, boogie boarding, and swimming with their son and it looked like they had a blast. It seems to me that most of the things that are best about San Diego are things you'd already be doing at Catalina, unless you were to go to the zoo or something like that.

 

[leodisflowers]

Haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm not getting it.

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

Just curious why you say that? Prices? Not enough to do?

For me it was the "not enough to do". Although, when I was there(as part of my Bowl game trip), the weather was too cold to Scuba or anything so we were pretty much limited to Zip lining and walking around the town...which took all or an hour or so. I have a hard time just chill'n and get a smidge antsy so keep that in mind.

Those donuts though...I shit you not...seek those out.

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

Just curious why you say that? Prices? Not enough to do?

I can tell you the kids will LOVE the zip. Mine were all over it. I am like "shit my pants" afraid of heights and I was able to do it...barely. Highest one is 380 ft high. It helps a lot that it is a gradual slope from drop stand so you really are half way there before you notice the height too much. Depending on kids ages, go to 6 Flags magic Mountain in Santa Clarita. More insane Coasters than you can ride. When we went there were very little lines. X2 is insane. They can Utube that one.

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

Just curious why you say that? Prices? Not enough to do?

You want a good family vacation for all, take the crew to Destin Fl. I own a number of condos down there that I have as short term rentals on the beach. Not a better beach around. Best time is Sept/Oct. no crowds at all and the town is spotless. Very few waves since it is on the Gulf and the dolphins paly out front every day. pretty cool

You can google Silver Beach Towers Unit 1503E. Wife thought I was crazy buying UNTIL she went down there. Now she wants to go there all the time.

 

[newAD]

For me it was the "not enough to do". Although, when I was there(as part of my Bowl game trip), the weather was too cold to Scuba or anything so we were pretty much limited to Zip lining and walking around the town...which took all or an hour or so. I have a hard time just chill'n and get a smidge antsy so keep that in mind.

Those donuts though...I shit you not...seek those out.

We are probably going to just make a day trip out of it while we are there, and will go ziplining and then head back. We will have to find the donuts before getting back on the ferry.

It's funny you bring up Destin. Wife's sister lives in Panama City. Was considering a quick spring break trip there.

 

[newAD]

View embedded media

Now that's funny stuff.

 

[TheLiberalHunter]

We are probably going to just make a day trip out of it while we are there, and will go ziplining and then head back. We will have to find the donuts before getting back on the ferry.

It's funny you bring up Destin. Wife's sister lives in Panama City. Was considering a quick spring break trip there.

Destin is the anti Panama City. Parent to kid ratios enforced in order to rent. No issues at all and they keep it spotless.

Afters Ice Cream isn't on the island. There are a few locations in the SoCal Metro area. You can google locations.

 

[Aksarben]

Can't say much of anything about Catalina Island, I lived in O.C. but never went over there as it didn't hold much interest for me. I would look into flying into John Wayne (SNA) sometimes cheaper than LAX, but one thing I will say though make sure you budget a lot of bank for car rentals because they are expensive (lots of various taxes and fees etc).

 

[Husker.Wed.]

Can't say much of anything about Catalina Island, I lived in O.C. but never went over there as it didn't hold much interest for me. I would look into flying into John Wayne (SNA) sometimes cheaper than LAX, but one thing I will say though make sure you budget a lot of bank for car rentals because they are expensive (lots of various taxes and fees etc).

Have you ever rented a car at Eppley? The Omaha base rates on cars are some of the lowest in the nation, but the taxes and fees darn near double the price of the base rate, some of the worst in the nation IMHO. Here is from my bill last time I rented in Omaha:

Surcharges/Fees: $53.80
Energy Recovery Fee: $2.80
$/dy Airport Fac Charge: $10.00
City Surcharge: $8.00
Concession Recovery: $20.29
Fees: $12.71
Taxes: $15.48

 

[otter 3030]

1 day is all good in Catalina, it's a typical beach tourist trap. Not that much to do especially if you need a 3 day rental. Do LaJolla or Newport Beach for beachy trips.
Just saying Avalon is a 1 day trip.

 

[DerHusker]

Husker Wed and others, I'm trying to plan a summer family vacation. I'm contemplating a trip to Avalon/Catalina Island. I've wanted to go there for years. Looks like you can do a lot of different stuff in a short time.

With high hotel costs, and pretty much a 3 night minimum for a rental, any advice on lodging, or just overall opinions on the place at all?

I'm also trying to work San Diego into the trip, and considered just renting a car, and taking the ferry on two, maybe three days, but the hotel savings would get wiped out by the ferry costs.

So before I make reservations, I wanted to know if anyone has ever been there and what they thought of it?

Unless you’re into serious hiking / back packing then Catalina is all about the water. I’ve only been there on my boat, spending the night in either Avalon Bay or Two Harbors for fishing tournaments. We moored and went into Avalon to eat. That was fun but I really don’t see spending 3 days there unless you’re going to hike the island or are wanting a romantic getaway. If it were me, I’d go for one day and night and return the next day. (2 at the most) Also, lodging is fairly expensive (especially on the weekends) and not near as luxurious as on the mainland. I think you’ll be satisfied unless you want to also do some fishing.

As far as San Diego goes there is most all of what Catalina offers just not on an island. Below is a list I’ve given to others who were coming out. Do some Google Fu and see if any of these will float your boat.

Down Town Area:

1. San Diego Maritime Museum – Includes: Star of India - a 1863 full-rigged iron windjammer, HMS Surprise – the ship used in the “Master and Commander” movie, a Soviet submarine, the Berkley – a steam paddle ferry and at least 3 other vessels. ($12.00 Fee)
   
   
2. USS Midway Museum – WW II aircraft carrier. ($17.00 Fee)
   
   
3. Seaport Village – Themed specialty shopping center with lots of restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)
   
   
4. Gas Lamp District – Historic part of current downtown area. Lots and lots of shops and restaurants. Pet Co Park is in this area. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

The Wyndham San Diego Bayside (Used to be Holiday Inn) is a good choice to stay at. The Star of India is across the street, the USS Midway is only 1 ½ blocks away and Seaport Village is 4 to 5 blocks away. The Gas Lamp District is more like 10 to 12 blocks away depending on where you’re headed.

Near Down Town Area:

1. Drive over the Coronado Bridge and visit The oHoHHotel Del Coronado - National Historic Landmark turn of the century (1888) Victorian hotel used to film the movie “Some Like it Hot” as well as many others. (Fee for parking or free if you can find parking) Must See!
   
   
2. Drive up to the Cabrillo National Monument / Pt Loma Light House- The drive up takes you thru the Cabrillo National Cemetery (Think Arlington) and once you get there the view (360 degree) is spectacular. You will thank me for this and it’s cheap. ($5.00 Parking) Must See!
   
   
3. Balboa Park – This is where the zoo is as well as various other points of interest. (Park is free with various different fees depending on what you choose to visit)
   
   
4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Historic early area of San Diego which also includes many shops and restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

Other Areas:

1. Drive up the coast and visit Mission Bay Park – Great place to spent the day with the family and have a BBQ. (Free)
   
   
2. Drive up the coast and see La Jolla Cove – One of the most photographed and beautiful spots in San Diego. (Free) Must See!

 

[Husker.Wed.]

Unless you’re into serious hiking / back packing then Catalina is all about the water. I’ve only been there on my boat, spending the night in either Avalon Bay or Two Harbors for fishing tournaments. We moored and when into Avalon to eat. That was fun but I really don’t see spending 3 days there unless you’re going to hike the island or are wanting a romantic getaway. If it were me, I’d go for one day and night and return the next day. (2 at the most) Also, lodging is fairly expensive (especially on the weekends) and not near as luxurious as on the mainland. I think you’ll be satisfied unless you want to also do some fishing.

As far as San Diego goes there is most all of what Catalina offers just not on an island. Below is a list I’ve given to others who were coming out. Do some Google Fu and see if any of these will float your boat.

Down Town Area:

1. San Diego Maritime Museum – Includes: Star of India - a 1863 full-rigged iron windjammer, HMS Surprise – the ship used in the “Master and Commander” movie, a Soviet submarine, the Berkley – a steam paddle ferry and at least 3 other vessels. ($12.00 Fee)
   
   
2. USS Midway Museum – WW II aircraft carrier. ($17.00 Fee)
   
   
3. Seaport Village – Themed specialty shopping center with lots of restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)
   
   
4. Gas Lamp District – Historic part of current downtown area. Lots and lots of shops and restaurants. Pet Co Park is in this area. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

The Wyndham San Diego Bayside (Used to be Holiday Inn) is a good choice to stay at. The Star of India is across the street, the USS Midway is only 1 ½ blocks away and Seaport Village is 4 to 5 blocks away. The Gas Lamp District is more like 10 to 12 blocks away depending on where you’re headed.

Near Down Town Area:

1. Drive over the Coronado Bridge and visit The oHoHHotel Del Coronado - National Historic Landmark turn of the century (1888) Victorian hotel used to film the movie “Some Like it Hot” as well as many others. (Fee for parking or free if you can find parking) Must See!
   
   
2. Drive up to the Cabrillo National Monument / Pt Loma Light House- The drive up takes you thru the Cabrillo National Cemetery (Think Arlington) and once you get there the view (360 degree) is spectacular. You will thank me for this and it’s cheap. ($5.00 Parking) Must See!
   
   
3. Balboa Park – This is where the zoo is as well as various other points of interest. (Park is free with various different fees depending on what you choose to visit)
   
   
4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Historic early area of San Diego which also includes many shops and restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

Other Areas:

1. Drive up the coast and visit Mission Bay Park – Great place to spent the day with the family and have a BBQ. (Free)
   
   
2. Drive up the coast and see La Jolla Cove – One of the most photographed and beautiful spots in San Diego. (Free) Must See!

You forgot to mention the clothing-optional beach at Torry Pines

 

[DerHusker]

You forgot to mention the clothing-optional beach at Torry Pines

Visiting the Glider Port or Torrey Pines State reserve would be a better choice. These are above that beach and about as close as I'd want to get to it. Unless you like seeing mostly older naked men.

 

[Aksarben]

Have you ever rented a car at Eppley? The Omaha base rates on cars are some of the lowest in the nation, but the taxes and fees darn near double the price of the base rate, some of the worst in the nation IMHO. Here is from my bill last time I rented in Omaha:

Surcharges/Fees: $53.80
Energy Recovery Fee: $2.80
$/dy Airport Fac Charge: $10.00
City Surcharge: $8.00
Concession Recovery: $20.29
Fees: $12.71
Taxes: $15.48

Well just looking at my receipt from my last trip into O.C. in October the base rate was $63.78 (3 day rental with a 5% discount applied) and my final bill was $159.26 (taxes, fees, insurance and the like included).

 

[newAD]

Unless you’re into serious hiking / back packing then Catalina is all about the water. I’ve only been there on my boat, spending the night in either Avalon Bay or Two Harbors for fishing tournaments. We moored and went into Avalon to eat. That was fun but I really don’t see spending 3 days there unless you’re going to hike the island or are wanting a romantic getaway. If it were me, I’d go for one day and night and return the next day. (2 at the most) Also, lodging is fairly expensive (especially on the weekends) and not near as luxurious as on the mainland. I think you’ll be satisfied unless you want to also do some fishing.

As far as San Diego goes there is most all of what Catalina offers just not on an island. Below is a list I’ve given to others who were coming out. Do some Google Fu and see if any of these will float your boat.

Down Town Area:

1. San Diego Maritime Museum – Includes: Star of India - a 1863 full-rigged iron windjammer, HMS Surprise – the ship used in the “Master and Commander” movie, a Soviet submarine, the Berkley – a steam paddle ferry and at least 3 other vessels. ($12.00 Fee)
   
   
2. USS Midway Museum – WW II aircraft carrier. ($17.00 Fee)
   
   
3. Seaport Village – Themed specialty shopping center with lots of restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)
   
   
4. Gas Lamp District – Historic part of current downtown area. Lots and lots of shops and restaurants. Pet Co Park is in this area. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

The Wyndham San Diego Bayside (Used to be Holiday Inn) is a good choice to stay at. The Star of India is across the street, the USS Midway is only 1 ½ blocks away and Seaport Village is 4 to 5 blocks away. The Gas Lamp District is more like 10 to 12 blocks away depending on where you’re headed.

Near Down Town Area:

1. Drive over the Coronado Bridge and visit The oHoHHotel Del Coronado - National Historic Landmark turn of the century (1888) Victorian hotel used to film the movie “Some Like it Hot” as well as many others. (Fee for parking or free if you can find parking) Must See!
   
   
2. Drive up to the Cabrillo National Monument / Pt Loma Light House- The drive up takes you thru the Cabrillo National Cemetery (Think Arlington) and once you get there the view (360 degree) is spectacular. You will thank me for this and it’s cheap. ($5.00 Parking) Must See!
   
   
3. Balboa Park – This is where the zoo is as well as various other points of interest. (Park is free with various different fees depending on what you choose to visit)
   
   
4. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park – Historic early area of San Diego which also includes many shops and restaurants. (Fee for parking and if you’re buying)

Other Areas:

1. Drive up the coast and visit Mission Bay Park – Great place to spent the day with the family and have a BBQ. (Free)
   
   
2. Drive up the coast and see La Jolla Cove – One of the most photographed and beautiful spots in San Diego. (Free) Must See!

Thanks for the info. Pretty much decided to just make Avalon a day trip.

Most of the stuff you mentioned, is on the list except for the Cabrillo National Monument / Pt Loma Light House, which I wasn't aware of, but sounds cool and will have to check it out. I think we are going to book a harbor tour the first night we get there, so we get a good look at the bridge.

I stayed in Mission Park area when I took my sons to the Holiday Bowl. Very cool, and might end up staying somewhere in that area again. We saw a little bit of the Old Town District, just a little, when we took the light rail to the game. Didn't get to see Balboa or La Jolla. So this is to do all the stuff we couldn't do on a quick 3 day trip.

BTW, can I borrow the boat? I'm an excellent driver.

 

[newAD]

1 day is all good in Catalina, it's a typical beach tourist trap. Not that much to do especially if you need a 3 day rental. Do LaJolla or Newport Beach for beachy trips.
Just saying Avalon is a 1 day trip.

Pretty much the conclusion I came to. Still want to see it, but wow, for the prices I figure I can go check it out first before spending what it'd cost to stay there.

 

[newAD]

Visiting the Glider Port or Torrey Pines State reserve would be a better choice. These are above that beach and about as close as I'd want to get to it. Unless you like seeing mostly older naked men.

Guess I'll take that off the list.

 

[newAD]

Can't say much of anything about Catalina Island, I lived in O.C. but never went over there as it didn't hold much interest for me. I would look into flying into John Wayne (SNA) sometimes cheaper than LAX, but one thing I will say though make sure you budget a lot of bank for car rentals because they are expensive (lots of various taxes and fees etc).

Yea, trying to figure out if we can go without one between hotel shuttles, rail, and cab? Parking at the hotels is kind of crazy from what I've seen.

Thanks all for the replies!

 

[newAD]

Destin is the anti Panama City. Parent to kid ratios enforced in order to rent. No issues at all and they keep it spotless.

Afters Ice Cream isn't on the island. There are a few locations in the SoCal Metro area. You can google locations.

Man I certainly gained some pounds just looking at the pictures. Wow.