Saturday Travel Feature
Catalina Casino

"26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me, the island of romance" (the song recorded by The Four Preps in 1958) and the gorgeous Art Deco Catalina Casino. The casino was built on Sugarloaf Point in 1928 by Wrigley, of Wrigley chewing gum fame. It replaced a 12 story dance hall on the same site, appropriately named Sugarloaf Casino. "The lower level of the Casino houses the Avalon Theater. The upper level houses the world's largest circular ballroom with a 180-foot (55 m) diameter dance floor. French doors encircle the room, and balcony views are spectacular." Wikipedia. Today, the Catalina Casino is open for tours.


Catalina Island itself is 22 miles long and 8 miles wide. "The total population as of the 2000 census was 3,696 persons, with almost 85 percent living in its only city of Avalon ." Wikipedia. "The use of motor vehicles on the island is restricted; there is limit on the number of registered cars, which translates into a 10-year-long wait list to bring a car to the island. Most residents move around via golf cart." Wikipedia. Crossing the actual 22 miles of Pacific Ocean to get to the Island itself is by Cruise Ship, the "MARINA FLYER", a high-speed 149 passenger catamaran making the crossing to Avalon in about 1 hour 30 , or to fly to the Island "Airport in the Sky".


The first person to swim to Catalina Island was George Young. He won the Wrigley Ocean Marathon swim across the Catalina Channel in 15 hours, 44 minutes, and 30 seconds on January 15, 1927.


Besides the Casino, the Island also boasts California's first permanent desalination plant which opened in 1991.


Photo: Taken May 2007 by SW.