Catalina Canyon Resort And Spa
The Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa is situated at the foothills of Avalon Bay on Catalina Island, approximately a half-mile from downtown Avalon and about an hour boat ride from Long Beach. Local attractions include Avalon Theater, Catalina ...more
The new Pavilion Hotel, formerly the Pavilion Lodge, will re-open its doors on May 14, 2010. Luxury and comfort will abound just 14 steps from the beach in this 71-room, 2-story hotel. The upscale design will take advantage of the huge garden courtyard ...more
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Welcome to Avalon! Santa Catalina Hotels offers the best rates on hotels near Avalon, Catalina Island. All of our hotels have been inspected and rated by AAA and the Mobile Travel Guide, the authorities in hotel inspection. Book securely online for great rates on hotels near Avalon, Catalina Island!
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Catalina Canyon Resort And Spa
888 Country Club Lane,
Avalon, CA 90704 US
Pavilion Lodge
513 Crescent Avenue,
Avalon, CA 90704 US
Hotel Atwater
125 Sumner Street,
Avalon, CA 90704 US
Catalina Island Seacrest Inn
201 Claressa Avenue,
Avalon, CA 90704 US
Historic Hermosa Hotel
131 Metropole Street
Avalon, CA 90704 US
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Santa Catalina Island, which is located 22 miles south-southwest of Los Angeles, has a rich history that likely began over 7,000 years ago. Limited excavation has uncovered a culture that thrived because of the plentiful resources found in the sea and from trading with residents of the mainland. The inhabitants were excellent seamen and able to successfully navigate the treacherous channel in their skillfully crafted plank canoes.
The people who were living on the island when the first Europeans arrived are thought to have called the island Pimu and to have called themselves Pimungans. The island was claimed for the King of Spain and named San Salvador by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. It was renamed Santa Catalina in 1602 by Spanish explorer Sebastian Viscaino in honor of Saint Catherine. By 1820, the Pimungan population had declined drastically due to disease and the disruption of trade. The last survivors were relocated to the mainland in the mid 1820's.
Catalina Island has been a favorite location for movies, television and commercials for over 100 years. Over 225 movies have been shot on Catalina, beginning with the silent film era and continuing until World War II when tourism was closed and filming suspended. Filming resumed in the 1950's, and movies, television series, commercials and music videos have since been filmed on the island.
In 1924, several bison were brought to the island for the filming of the movie, The Vanishing American. There doesn't seem to be any scenes from the island in the movie, but there is speculation that the scenes were edited out. The bison multiplied, and eventually the herd grew to over 600. When the Catalina Island Conservancy was formed in 1972, it took over managing the bison herd. The conservancy eventually made an agreement with the Lakota tribes in South Dakota to allow some of the bison to be shipped to their native land. This allows the conservancy to maintain a herd of 150 to 200 bison.
With a moderate climate boasting an average temperature of 65 degrees in the winter and 75 degrees in the summer, Catalina is an ideal year round vacation destination. Clothing is casual, and it is important to remember comfortable walking shoes for hiking and a light jacket when planning to spend the night. Whether traveling to the island by sea or air, Catalina is a short trip from the mainland and will be a memorable vacation experience.