The magic of visting Catalina begins long before you even get to Catalina. This is based on the fact that less than one percent arrives on the island by air. The rest come via their own luxury yacht or aboard a sleek high speed smooth motor boat with airline style seating, beverages and snacks to enjoy while you sit back and enjoy the hour long cruise. The `The cruise line of choice from Dana Point is Catalina Express (800-995-4386). This cruise line also offer hotel and round trip transportation packages aptly titled “Paradise Packages”. Some packages include sightseeing tours, shuttle service and more.

If going first class is what you have in mind, you should take the Dana Point boat and request the "Captains Lounge"  for upgraded travel, it is $80 one way, with a maximum of 6 passengers and a complimentary beverage for four. Best off all; you have a lush cabin all to yourselves that’s filled with great views. Plus, when you board, you are the first ones to board and you are escorted to your cabin by a steward before the other passengers are allowed to board. Now that is first class treatment!

While there are three ports of departure from the mainline, the best port of departure for San Diego residents is Dana Point Harbor. The other ports of departure are San Pedro and Long Beach. You can Google the easy-to-follow directions from your door step to the loading dock for this no hassle boating excursion. After parking at their nearby parking lot you’ll be whisked away aboard this passenger boat for the one hour trip to Catalina Island (800-995-4386).

The fastest way to get to Catalina Island is by helicopter. Catalina Island Express Helicopters offers a 15 minute helicopter flight from San Pedro or Long Beach. This well established company is celebrating 25 years of service and can be reached oneline or by calling (800-228-2566).

Or if you're lucky enough to own your own boat, yachtsmen come to catalina throughout the year and they moor their beautiful yachts on Avalon Bay. Views of these luxury yachts almost makes you want to own one yourself.

The hand full of taxi cabs and hotel shuttles are there at the dock to greet you. It only costs about ($15) with a tip to take you to any of the nearby hotels. Many of the hotels overlook Avalon Harbor so you can even walk to your hotel if you know here it is located.

However, if you have decided to treat yourself like royalty, you’ll find a shuttle waiting to take you to the former Wrigley Mansion, which is now The Inn on Mt. Ada (3) at 398 Wrigley Rd. (10-510-2030). This enchanting hilltop getaway is even listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which is an additional clue of how special a visit for lunch or overnight accommodations can be. Stepped in history and filled with elegant furnishings is only half the story. Part of the charm of staying here are the gracious innkeepers themselves. They have thought of everything including an afternoon happy hour with champagne and appetizers set against the spectacular views of yachts moored on Avalon’s tiny harbor. They also welcome children over 14 years of age. However they do not allow pets or smoking. Yet, they do offer unlimited use of a golf cart during your stay at the inn.

Having the unlimited use of a golf cart is a huge plus. Not only can you take your time and stop and see everything more than once, you can also use it to play 9 or 18 holes of golf using the inn’s golf cart. To put the value of having unlimited use of a golf cart into perspective, it costs ($40) an hour to rent a golf cart from one of five companies. For the largest selection of golf carts and more visit Catalina Auto & Bike Rentals at the corner of Crescent Avenue and Metropole Avenue (310-510-2493). They also rent mountain bikes. With no traffic lights on Catalina Island and virtually no automobiles other than golf carts the pace is extra slow. So you will almost immediately find yourself immersed into a casual frame of mind, which is commonly referred to by locals as island time.

The good news is that the resort town of Avalon is only one square mile in size. So you can rent a golf cart and see everything you want to see in a couple hours and then go back on foot. So don’t be surprised to learn that the best mode of transportation other than by traveling by golf cart is strolling up and down the streets holding hands with your sweetheart. Catalina is truly a lover’s paradise.

Catalina, as you might guess, is a do everything or do nothing kind of place. So besides loafing and browsing through the waterfront shops or touring Avalon in your golf cart, here are a few of the popular things to do with your time.

Golfers will be delighted to know that William Wrigley also built the first golf course in California here on Catalina Island. It’s a fun yet challenging executive course called the Catalina Island  Golf Course 310-510-0530) [visitcatalinaisland.com] They also rent clubs and golf carts. Plus, it’s a good idea to call in advance for a tee time. This nine hole golf course is well-known for its first tee, which has golfers teeing off over towering eucalyptus trees and over a busy street on to a long fairway fifty years away. Then golfers climb into their golf carts and head down the street to find where their ball has landed. It a fun and challenging course for the average golfer.

An eye-catching Catalina landmark, not to miss, is the famous Casino Ballroom. They have an interesting museum here that will bring you up to speed on its famous history. Despite its name, it was never a gambling casino.

A wonderful discovery is the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden (free admission). It’s a two mile walk from Avalon Bay to Avalon Canyon, but it’s worth the hike. You can also get there via bus or rent a golf cart. Here you will see an extensive collection of plants from throughout the world as well as seeing the impressive Wrigley Memorial.

Avalon’s newest attraction is a downhill thriller billed at the Zip Line Eco Tour (877-777-0195). This span wire downhill plunge is getting rave reviews from the thrill seekers who take the 4,000 foot plunge from 500 feet above sea level to the water’s edge.

Deep sea fishing has been a big attraction since the late 1800’s and it continues to attract sportsmen today. Notable angles who fished the waters off of Catalina included author Zane Grey, who was also a resident of the island, movie magnet Cecil B. De Mille, actor John Wayne and even Winston Churchill.

A top sport fishing company is Aficionado Charters at 105 Pebble Beach Rd. in Avalon (323-447-4669). This is a great activity for adults and families.

With the waters off of Catalina so clear it’s no wonder that under sea adventures abound here as well. Everyone raves about their tour on the island’s glassbottom boat. Also popular is the yellow submarine that takes you on an undersea adventure. The firm that specializes in undersea adventures is Catalina Adventure Tours (877-510-2888).

Catalina Dive Supply (310-510-0330) is a well-established scuba shop offer you everything you need. They also rent diving equipment.

It’s equally fun to just rent a boat for sightseeing and fishing. Green Paradise Pier is your headquarters for everything aquatic be it a boat, fishing tackle or scuba diving. The types of boats they rent include motor boats, kayaks, pedal boats and paddle boards.

Para-Sailing off shore is a popular activity to watch and do. Plus, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of Avalon Bay and the beautiful hillside homes along the shoreline. Best of all take off and landings are directly from the boat. Para-Sailing Catalina can be reached at (310-510-1777).

The Catalina Island Conservancy is Catalina Island’s back country. You can see it via a jeep eco tour, hike it, bike it with permits or take an informative air conditioned bus through the interior to the Avalon Canyon/Airport-In-The-Sky. The airport is said to have one of the most challenging landing strips in world. The airport is approximately eight rugged miles from Avalon.

In route you are likely to see a real live bison (sometimes called buffalo) roaming the island’s interior. Their ancestors on the island were once cowboy western movie extras for a movie shot here on the island. When the filming was completed, it proved to be too difficult to round them up. So they have become a Catalina Island attraction, which visitors never tire of catching a glimpse of from a tour bus of the interior.

You can also see the scenic backcountry by guided horseback riding through the hills above Avalon. Catalina Stables is located at 600 Avalon Canyon Rd. (310-510-0478) [ecatalina.com].

Thrill seekers will taking a spectacular helicopter air tour of Catalina Island. The firm also offers a 15 minute helicopter flight from San Pedro or Long Beach, which is the fastest way to get to Catalina. This well established company is celebrating 25 years of service to Catalina. Island Express Helicopters can be reached at (800-228-2566).

Catalina is definitely a do nothing or do everything kind of place. And you won’t be disappointed with the excellent Catalina Island restaurants either.

Undoubtedly the best place for lunch is on the terrace at The Inn on Mt. Ada at 398 Wrigley Rd. (310-510-2030). While the food is delicious, it’s the breathtaking view terrace view that gets all of the accolades. So don’t miss having lunch here. In fact, many people come here be chance for lunch and then decide to stay here on their next visit to Catalina. Unfortunately, they don’t serve dinner. But being only one square mile in size, you’ll be delighted with the wide array of excellent places to dine. And most restaurants are on the water offering romantic ocean views.

For delicious, mesquite broiled, fresh, seafood, everyone’s favorite is Armstrong’s Seafood on the Bay Fish Market & Seafood Restaurant at 306 Crescent Ave. (310-510-0113). For steaks and seafood people will always recommend Steve’s Steakhouse (20) at 417 Crescent Ave. (310-510-0333). Located on the second floor with a panoramic view of the harbor makes this place a winner for lunch and dinner. They have a full bar and are open for both lunch and dinner, which is the case for all of the restaurants recommended here.

For tantalizing Italian cuisine a great recommendation overlooking the tiny harbor at Avalon is Ristorante Villa Portofino (23) at 101 Crescent Ave. (310-510-2009). You can dine inside or on their sidewalk patio. And for a nice tropical beachfront dining experience discover the Descanso Beach Club (310-510-7410). Its a few blocks north of Avalon Bay within easy walking distance of town. While you do have to cook your own entree on an open grill its fun and the seating can’t be beat. You’ll dine with a breathtaking beachfront view. And everyone is dressed in shorts and Hawaiian shirts.

With romantic harbor views and an outdoor patio you’ll likely fall in love with the Landing Bar & Grill (14). While it’s address says it’s at 101 Marilla Ave. It like most of the other restaurants recommended here are actually facing Avalon’s romantic harbor (310-510-1474). The serve just about everything including steaks, seafood, pasta and great Mexican food.  

Yes, you’ll also find a good Mexican restaurant here too. It’s Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant at 111 Claressa Ave. (310-510-1772). It’s only a half block from the waterfront on Claressa Avenue. It’s a festive and fun place to eat!

For an island getaway filled with romance and fun things to do, look no farther than a weekend excursion of Catalina. And if going first class is your idea of fun, stay at The Inn on Mt. Ada at 398 Wrigley Rd. (310-510-2030). Upon your arrival one of the innkeepers Susie Griffin or Marlene McAdams will greet you with a warm smile and the same graciousness you’d give to your best friend.

They island is home to several boutique hotels, as well as great resorts. Amongst them are Hotel Catalina, at 29 Whittley Avenue, (800) 540-0184 and Hotel Atwater at 125 Sumner Avenue (310) 510-2500, both of which are only 1/2 block from the beach.

It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy an insiders perspective of what it must have been like whenthe Wrigley family entertained the rich and famous including a United States president, dignitaries and even royalty. So why not go first class by staying at the home of chewing gum millionaire William Wrigley. He was also the owner of the Chicago Cubs Baseball team. And he was such a great guy that he even brought his baseball team to the island for their spring training every year.

For more information about additional accommodations and general information about romantic Catalina Island contact the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce (310-510-1520). It is ideally located at the foot of Green Pleasure Pier in the heart of Avalon. Editor’s note: