posted
Some time back, some of you recommended a visit to Catalina Island, which sounds very nice. Question: Would you stay on Catalina Island itself for 2 nights, or would you stay in Long Beach (for instance, on the Queen Mary) and make a day trip to the island? The advantage of the latter would be the ability to also spend some time seeing Long Beach, esp dining there in the evenings. Cost is about the same, and the Queen Mary has better cancellation policies. Also, the Amtrak Thruway bus goes to the Queen Mary; one could then use a free public Long Beach bus to get to the fast ferry terminal (ferries no longer go from the Queen Mary) as one would not have luggage.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
No wrong choice here. Basically it depends on whether you would prefer spending your evenings on a laid-back island with engaging but limited diversions or if you would do better in a large city with a wider selection of night life. The Long Beach option would probably be a bit easier on the budget.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here are your Island choices for hotels CATALINA ISLAND HOTELS
Catalina Island Visitors Bureau The Aurora Hotel & Spa Hotel Villa Portofino Avalon Hotel Hotel St. Lauren Hermosa Hotel Hotel Metropole Seaport Village Inn Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa Hotel Catalina Glenmore Plaza Hotel Pavilion Hotel Hotel Vincentes Atwater Hotel Casa Mariquita Catalina Island Inn Hotel Mac Rae Hotel Vista Del Mar La Paloma Cottages Snug Harbor Inn Catalina Beach House El Terado Terrace
Chris
Posts: 711 | From: Santa Ana | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
A spa would be appealing after three nights in an Amtrak roommette!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
If the ferry schedules allow it, I would opt for a long day on the Island. That would give you plenty of time to do a couple of tours into the interior and, if it's offered, the backstage tour at the "Casino". Maybe have an early dinner and then return to the mainland.
posted
Mr. Guenzler, I note the absence of any major brand chain properties on Catalina; that absence would be enough to want to stay on the mainland as Frank has suggested.
"The best surprise is no surprise".
As for me, I'll be quite content to "fly' my (MSFitSim) Cessna 182 KLAX-KAVX. It is "sport" to "land' there with a setting any higher than "easy". There is no ADF or LOC and VORTAC SXC cannot be used for an approach.
Therefore, it is a VFR.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm just back from a short vacation to Catalina and I accomplished the transfer from Union Station to Catalina Island using only public transit. The trip was very easy, however, I only had one small carry-on bag (no large suitcases or wheeled bags). If you are carrying a large amount of luggage, I would recommend a taxi. Here's the plan:
At Union Station, buy a TAP card with at least $5 in stored fare (per person).
Catch a RED or PURPLE line train and ride 2 stops (5 minutes) from Union Station to 7th St./Metro Center. The RED and PURPLE trains originate at LAUS so there won't be any confusion about which direction to take.
transfer to a BLUE LINE train (direction Long Beach). The transfer is easy, there's an elevator or climb a short flight of steps. Not every train goes all the way to Long Beach (some trains terminate before LB, but the BLUE LINE doesn't branch off, so if you get on a turnback train, you won't be lost). Ride the BLUE LINE to the transit mall in Long Beach (end of the line). Allow about 60 minutes for the trip to Long Beach from 7th St./Metro Center.
Catch a PASSPORT bus (there's only one PASSPORT route these days) and take it to the Catalina Express terminal. This is the only tricky part of the trip. The PASSPORT stop should be just around the corner from the BLUE LINE terminal, but there is an on-going construction project that has relocated the PASSPORT stop several blocks away. I found the temporary stop without too much trouble, but wayfinding directions could be clearer. Once you get on the PASSPORT bus it would be a good idea to tell the driver you are going o the Catalina Express terminal. Do not get off at the Queen Mary stop!
On the trip back I just walked from the Catalina Ferry dock to the BLUE LINE. It was a 10-15 minute walk.
On the island there are only 2 businesses that are part of a national chain: Radio Shack and Von's. Everything else seems to be independent or owned by the corporation that owns most of the island property. I stayed at the Atwater Hotel. It was clean, comfortable, convenient and well maintained--but it definitely was not luxurious.
I also spent one night at the Metro Plaza Hotel across from LAUS.
Plusses:
Location--it's really easy to find! Just go out the front door of Union Station, turn right and look for the sign. 5 minute walk!
The hotel staff is great.
The property is old, but everything was clean and in working order. This is definitely not a dive hotel.
Minusses:
There's not much to do in the neighborhood. LAUS and the subways are a short walk from the hotel, the Walt Disney/LA Philharmonic Concert Hall is just up the hill and Olvera Street is nice during the day but there just isn't anything else remotely interesting within a short walk of the hotel.
The Metro Plaza is a fine hotel for someone who is passing through town and I would be willing to use it again for 1-2 nights. But if you're planning to spend more than a day or two in LA or if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room, I'd recommend finding someplace else. The Metro Plaza works great as a "traveller's hotel" but it certainly isn't a "home away from home".
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I never posted that information so I don't know who did. I have only been on that island once at Emerald Bay for a Boy Scout Campground back in my youth.
Chris
Posts: 711 | From: Santa Ana | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
If laying over in Los Angeles, beachside Santa Monica offers a super pleasant environment and is easily accessible via Santa Monica's "Big Blue Bus" freeway express line #10 from the Union Station bus plaza (east entrance).
I do not recommend staying in downtown LA anywhere near Union Station, unless just one night. The area's better than it used to be, though.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
