One of the southern Channel Islands, Santa Catalina is the closest island to mainland California. Its harsh peaks going as high as 2,000 feet above sea level, while its beaches are limited, sticking mainly to the mouths of canyons. This tiny island has never been inhabited for nearly 7,000 years, with its original Native American occupants probably paddled their plank canoes from the mainland’s shores to settle the rocky landmass and develop a marine-based culture. According to Google, in 1542, Catalina Island was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who named it San Salvador and claimed the island in the name of the king of Spain. Most importantly for its future, in the late 1880s owner George Shatto embarked on a campaign to turn Catalina Island into a tourist destination, planning and building the town of Avalon as the main place of the island. Sadly, though, financial issues caused him to sell it. Successive owners have supported George's idea, constructing hotels, golf courses, and new tourist attractions and encouraging hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits, helping to make Catalina Island the resort it is today. Catalina Island is beautiful and you should check it out.

One of the southern Channel Islands, Santa Catalina is the closest island to mainland California. Its harsh peaks going as high as 2,000 feet above sea level, while its beaches are limited, sticking mainly to the mouths of canyons. This tiny island has never been inhabited for nearly 7,000 years, with its original Native American occupants probably paddled their plank canoes from the mainland’s shores to settle the rocky landmass and develop a marine-based culture. According to Google, in 1542, Catalina Island was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who named it San Salvador and claimed the island in the name of the king of Spain. Most importantly for its future, in the late 1880s owner George Shatto embarked on a campaign to turn Catalina Island into a tourist destination, planning and building the town of Avalon as the main place of the island. Sadly, though, financial issues caused him to sell it. Successive owners have supported George's idea, constructing hotels, golf courses, and new tourist attractions and encouraging hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits, helping to make Catalina Island the resort it is today. Catalina Island is beautiful and you should check it out.