Sometimes you are expecting less than you get. Then you get euphoria and magical feeling. And most of all you get memories.

I didn’t expect to see a lot on Catalina Island. I actually not the biggest fan of SoCal. The crowdiest place under the bright sun with mountains covered with brushes and seasonal brushes fires. Oh, yes, beaches are great!
I found Catalina in one of the touristic brochures, and I liked the photos of the island. They were very relaxing and entertaining. And when my workload increased dramatically I started to realize that I need this short vacation retreat. I booked a hotel from Thursday to Sunday (Hotel Atwater, though it’s not an ad I like the place and my view on the ocean and roofs) and bought a ticket to the Long Beach. On Thursday morning Ferry took me to the island. I slept most of the way because was impossible tired and grayish fog (come on! Long Beach, how it possible to see the fog at summer?)Island look like a paradise from the first look. Bright blue sky, palms, the small cove with boats and nice-looking hotels, restaurants, and shops. But wait a minute, who said I came here just for vacation! I got to my room to finish my work. It was hard to concentrate, so as soon as the clock showed my 5, I was out.

Sunset and Dusk

It was the quietest place on earth. The very beginning of Summer (second week of June) and weekday decreased tourist number to the minimum. And the small beach was almost red. I got my chance to see the rear phenomenon: hundreds of red tuna crab washed ashore.



I had a dinner in the restaurant on the shore with a table right near the water. And the water was crystal clear; I saw fishes and stingrays swam under the decks and near them.


The town is small. You could reach to distance points in less than hour. There is not so much to check.



Avalon Harbor is a pleasant place to walk with the Casino on one side.






Empty evening Descando Beach

And scenic Pebble Beach on the other side.

Viewpoints

On the next days, I ventured into the walks on town crooked streets. The city has few places with excellent views. I liked the most few of them.
Buena Vista Point
Wrigley Road has a most photographed viewpoint on the island. And I understand why.




Notice, I walked all of the ways. There is no heavy traffic, and there are almost no autos except gold cars.


Avalon Casino Scenic Overlook
Okay, you should already notice that all island is about old Casino Building. But it’s amazing, why not? Chimney Road has another impressive viewpoint. But before reaching it, you will see another island legend. Chimney.




The building is closed and looks dangerous for visits, but it still works

Oh, viewpoint



And Descando Bay with the cactus view

St Catherine Way
And unexpectedly. I found this place while exploring St Catherine Way and Zip Line.

But what else I saw near Zip Line?

Animals

It was a surprise to see not timid deers



And one from the Wrigley Rd

Avalon in Daylight

I told earlier there are almost no autos except golf cars. You could see rare jeeps or very old rustic beagles