This is topic catalina or long beach? in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.


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Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
 
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
 
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
 
A spa would be appealing after three nights in an Amtrak roommette!
 
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
 
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.

Here's the link for the "official" website for the island: http://www.catalinachamber.com/

Frank in cool and a tad foggy SBA
 
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
 
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.
 
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
 
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:


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:

Minusses:

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".
 
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
 
Big hit from my youth (16 years old in 1958):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsHKWqm1cVo
 
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
 
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
 
Posted by DonNadeau (Member # 61606) on :
 
Long Beach holds little interest for me.

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.

http://bigbluebus.com
 


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