Catalina Reflections

Catalina Island is one of the most visited places in the world. Catalina is known for its cute beaches, comfortable environment and island lifestyle. People come from all over the world to appreciate its great venue of shopping, relaxing and great restaurants. Anyone who has ever traveled to Catalina understands how beautiful and relaxing it can be.

One of the most popular items to buy is souvenirs items like T-shirts, magnets and key chains. Everyone loves them and they make great gifts!  When you talk about Catalina Island, people respond because everyone remembers their own experience on the island, or has plans to one day visit this island paradise.

 

About Catalina Island

Located only 22 miles from San Pedro, Catalina is the crown jewel of the Channel Islands. An island rich in history with a unique ecology, Santa Catalina Island is a very popular attraction that is an easy trip from San Pedro.

San Pedro's Catalina Air -Sea Terminal is the closest departure point to the Island. The terminal is served by Catalina Express Fleet and the Island Express Helicopter Service. San Pedro/Avalon trips are approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by boat or 15 minutes by helicopter. The schedule for the Catalina Express boats can be found here. The Island Express Helicopter Service starts every day at 8:00 AM and helicopters depart every 45 minutes (on demand) until sunset. The Catalina offers island tours, a full range of recreational opportunities and unique shops, hotels and restaurants. The two main destinations on Catalina are Avalon and Two Harbors.

 

Santa Catalina Island, California

Location - Pacific Ocean

Channel Islands of California

Area -74.98 sq mi (194.2 km2)

Highest elevation - 2,097 ft (639.2 m)

Highest point - Mount Orizaba

United States  California

County - Los Angeles

Largest city - Avalon (pop. 3,728 (2010))

Demographics - Population - 3,696

Density - 19.03 /km2 (49.29 /sq mi)

 

Complied, Edited, or Revised Internet Information

Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina,
is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The
island is 22 miles (35 km) long and 8 miles (13 km) across at its
greatest width. The island is located about 22 miles (35 km)
south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the
island is 2,097 feet (639 m) Mt. Orizaba, at 33°22′29.7″N
118°25′11.6″W.

One of the Channel Islands of California archipelago, Catalina lies
within Los Angeles County. Most of the island is administered by the
Catalina Island Conservancy.

The total population as of the 2000 census was 3,696 persons, almost
85 percent of whom live in the island's only incorporated city, Avalon
(pop. 3,728 (2010), with another 195 south of town, outside of the
city limits). The second center of population is the unincorporated
village of Two Harbors, in the north, with a population of 298.
Development occurs also at the smaller settlements of Rancho Escondido
and Middle Ranch. The remaining population is scattered over the
island between the two population centers. The island has an overall
population density of 49.29/mi² (19.03/km²).

History

Early history

Prior to the modern era, the island was inhabited by people of the
Gabrielino/Tongva tribe, who, having had villages near present day San
Pedro and Playa del Rey, regularly traveled back and forth to Catalina
for trade. The Tongva called the island Pimu or Pimugna and referred
to themselves as the Pimugnans. Archeological evidence shows Tongva
settlement beginning in 7000 BC. These Pimugnans had settlements all
over the island at one time or another, with their biggest villages
being at the Isthmus and at present-day Avalon, Shark/Little Harbor,
and Emerald Bay. The Gabrielino/Tongva are renowned for their mining,
working and trade of soapstone which was found in great quantities and
varieties on the island. This material was in great demand and was
traded along the California coast and as far south as Baja California.

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
The first European to set foot on the island was the Portuguese
explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailing for Spain. On October 7,
1542, he claimed the island for Spain and christened it San Salvador
after his ship. (Catalina has also been identified as one of the many
possible burial sites for Cabrillo.) Over half a century later,
another Spanish explorer, Sebastian Vizcaino, rediscovered the island
on the eve of Saint Catherine's day (November 24) in 1602. Vizcaino
renamed the island in the saint's honor.

During the next 300 years, the island served as home or base of
operation for many visitors, including Russian otter hunters, Yankee
smugglers and itinerant fishermen. Among these visitors, the Aleuts of
Russian Alaska probably had the largest effect on the island and its
people. These otter-hunters from the Aleutian Islands set up camps on
Santa Catalina, and the surrounding Channel Islands, trading with the
native peoples in exchange for permission to hunt otters and seals
around the island for their pelts. The Aleuts brought diseases to the
natives of Santa Catalina Island, for which they had no immunity.
This, ultimately, led to the demise of the Pimugnan people. Although
these hunters had been known to lead attacks on the native people of
surrounding islands, such as the massacre that took place on San
Nicolas Island, there is no evidence of such an event on Santa
Catalina. (See Nicoleno). Smuggling also took place on the island for
a long period of time. Pirates found that the island's abundance of
hidden coves, as well as its short distance to the mainland and its
small population, made it suitable for smuggling activities. Once used
by smugglers of illegal Chinese immigrants, China Point, located on
the south western end of Catalina, still bears its namesake.

Franciscan Friars considered building a mission there, but abandoned
the idea because of the lack of fresh water on the island. By the
1830s, the island's entire native population were either dead, or had
migrated to the mainland to work in the missions or as ranch hands for
the many private land owners.