Catalina Dreamin’ – On Such a Winter’s Day Part 1

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Catalina Dreamin’ – On Such a Winter’s Day Part 1 by Genie Davis

Any time is the right season to visit Catalina, Southern California’s own special island getaway. But while summer’s joys are approaching, bringing bathing suit weather and gentle waves, the quieter months that stretch between November and March are beautiful times to visit.

We had the pleasure of experiencing new and revamped favorite dining spots, our first ever golf-cart-ride into the hills, just-beginning to bloom gardens, a terrific kombucha and beer garden, and fine art exhibitions, still on-going at the Catalina Museum of Art and History.  We also enjoyed a spooky, EMF enhanced ghost tour and of course, no visit is complete without exploring the hauntingly lovely Casino.

Traveling to Catalina is a literal breeze – windswept outdoors or comfortably seated in the Commodore lounge indoors, an experience we enjoyed, Catalina Express is the way go from San Pedro, Long Beach, or Newport Beach to the island.

Founded in 1981 as a commuter service, Catalina Express operates eight vessels today, carying more than one million passengers annually. Four high speed catamarans offer the smooth gliding ride we took, crossing from Long Beach to Avalon in an hour and offering both comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. The Commodore Lounge is on the upper deck, with plush leather-trim airline-like seating, relaxing priority boarding and check-in, and beverage and snack service included. We had the top-of-the-line lounge experience, enjoying delightfully sparkling champagne with our crackers and cookies snacks, watching as our vessel sailed from past the fog shrouded Queen Mary.  As much as we enjoyed the romantically foggy views, when the fog cleared away, bright and sunny was perfect, too.

Once on the island, we checked in to the quiet, comfortable Catalina Island Inn. From our large 3rd floor room, we enjoyed a clear harbor view from our balcony. The step-in rain shower was also a delight, and staff was friendly and accommodating.

The boutique hotel’s mix of nautical and historical decor added to the relaxing ambiance. Also relaxing – the bed, with a terrific mattress, soft linens, and the sound of distant fog horns and gentle waves to lull us, we had a great night’s sleep in our spacious and peaceful room. Well-located just down the street from the Catalina Museum of Art and History, the hotel is convenient and easy to reach while being away from the sounds of nightlife directly along the waterfront. Having a balcony with a view was a special treat, and a fantastic first for us when visiting the island.

For lunch, we visited Descanso Beach Club, with its blissful beachside restaurant and bar – the only beachside restaurant in Avalon. The ocean view patio gave us a stellar view of gulls and pelicans in flight, boats bobbing picturesquely on the water, and of course, the ocean itself. We were seated on the deck, where we enjoyed the California Sushi Bowl with fresh-from-the-sea spicy poke, edamame, and avocado; and the Cilantro Grilled Swordfish sandwich, which came with a crisp but creamy slaw topping featuring red cabbage and pineapple. Fresh fish, a deliciously relaxing vibe, and two of the Descanso Beach Club specialty cocktail, the potent and tasty Descanso Destroyer featuring Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Don Q 151, Amaretto, Grenadine, plus orange and pineapple.

While we could’ve lingered all day, it was time for the afternoon Catalina Casino VIP tour. High recommends for those visiting to enjoy the VIP experience. Not only do visitors get to see far more of the casino, including backstage green rooms, dressing rooms, and the Wrigley screening room, you’ll learn the inside story on the casino, which held many firsts over the years, including being constructed to show the then-innovative new film technique – movies with sound. And in the gorgeous upstairs ballroom, replete with cork flooring to insulate sound, you can see the stage where the King of Swing himself, Benny Goodman, once played. Outside the ballroom, the view was superb, even as the fog crept softly in again, and the ornate construction is a true jewel of architecture and California history.

After strolling around town enjoying both window shopping and the purchase of some Catalina-made soaps and candles as souvenirs, we had dinner at another Catalina tradition– The Lobster Trap.

This lively locals-favorite recently expanded its lively dining room, bright with a neon sign or two, and sporting fish-centric decor.  Everything’s fresh here: commercial fisherman Caleb Lins is the owner, and he brings in local fish caught form his own 40-foot boat. Our appetizer was from the land, not sea, however – a perfectly prepared steamed artichoke served with, of course, clarified butter for delightfully decadent dipping. But our main dishes were decidedly fresh from the sea: while I had a special, savory and tender sand dabs paired with asparagus and a baked potato; my dining partner opted for locally caught sea bass, one of his favorite fish, recommended by the venue’s friendly waitstaff.

Decamping to our room, the foggy night had cleared, making our balcony at the Catalina Island Inn the perfect spot for some stargazing.

All of this in one day — but we had a second full day on the island, and an additional half day – and we enjoyed even more adventures.  If you’d like to read more, all our second day and night fun will post right here, later this week.

We had a truly beautiful mix of sunshine and fog on our visit – and the end result of our beautiful stay was a refrence to yet another classic mellow rock song “Winter spring summer or fall, all you have to do is…” go visit Catalina, where you’ll always feel like “you’ve got a friend” in nature, fun adventures, and fine dining.

  • Genie Davis; photos: Genie Davis and Jack Burke

A Winter Island Get Away

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A Winter Island Getaway – by Genie Davis

We’ve stayed on Catalina Island many times, often exploring the museum, the casino, or inland hiking. Off-season is one of the best times to go – fewer crowds, often perfect weather, and excellent ways to save on costs, too. This year, Catalina Express and close to 20 hotel partners, including for  Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors for the first time,  are sharing its popular “Best of Winter” ferry and hotel packages, now through March 14th.

The Casino is stunning, as are its tours; the museum always has special exhibitions and a terrific, historic permanent collection. There are new restaurants to experience such as the first biergarten in Avalon, Fix Biergarten, and the revamped Lobster Trap, as well as the brand new waterfront Pier 24, which pays tribute to the island’s original Steamer Pier from 1924.  There’s also a new  Pearl Discovery Experience, an interactive pearl jewelry experience, many eco tours into Catalina’s interior, and of course outdoor fun from hiking to parasailing, kayaking, and diving.

Speaking of diving, perhaps you’ll want to participate in the Underwater Cleanup in its 43rd annual iteration on February 22nd, or the Catalina Island Maraton 10k or 5k on March 8th.

The package offers round trip boat transport for two, and a variety of hotel packages:

At Banning House Lodge, guests can experience the beauty of Two Harbors, and wide views of both the Isthmus and Catalina Harbor, along with a selection of evening wine and cheese, and continental breakfast. Note that this venue is not open in January; check dates with the hotel, but due to weather, the property is typically open starting March 1st.

Ready for your visit right now, the Catalina Canyon Inn offers views, a pool, shuttle service from its spot just above town into Avalon Center, and an on-site restaurant.

The Aurora provides an ocean-centric theme and ambiance in a boutique hotel vibe, with Continental breakfast; Hotel Mac Rae is beach front in the center of town, a Continental breakfast served in its open-air courtyard, and after check-out shower facilities if you plan to get in a kayak session, dive, or swim before departing. At the Bellanca, guest will enjoy a bottle of sparkling wine, as well as a taxi ride to and from the boat landing.

Stay tuned to see what we will experience on the island, which is accessible via Catalina Express form San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point in as little as one hour.  From nature to cultural experiences, from history to hiking, snorkeling to fishing to spa experiences, Catalina has a little bit of everything an island getaway can offer – close to home and mellower and more magical off-season. For more info, check out the Winter Packages here. 

  • Genie Davis; island photos by Genie Davis; Catalina Express image provided by Catalina Express.

 

 

 

Odie Leigh Rocks Out at Echoplex

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At a powerhouse concert at the Echoplex in Echo Park a week ago, indie folk artist Odie Leigh edged her way into rockin’  pop with a touch of slightly gritty punky edge.

Through her tight, 15 song playlist, Leigh’s voice was impeccable, her lyrics often darkly romantic and powerfully intense – and even occasionally lighthearted and whimsical, as was the case with “All Star Breakfast,” a gentle Americana love song duet performed with her friend Field Medic.

Playing a mix of songs from her Carrier Pigeon albumn, and older tunes such as her poignant “Crop Circles,” a viral hit on TIkTok,  Leigh might remind the audience of a young Lucinda Williams or Fiona Apple – the former, perhaps at least a bit, because of their shared Louisiana roots – but she is uniquely her own.

Melodic yet powerful, commanding on stage yet comfortably interactive with the audience, Leigh’s songs vibrated with a heady mix of sorrow and fun, determination and wonder.

Highlights of the strong set at Echoplex included heartfelt lyrics, a lively band to support her sounds, and a general upbeat vibe even when musing about loss and vulnerability. While the band supported her on most cuts, she did perform some songs solo, including the delicately wistful “Crop Circles.”

From the contagiously singable chorus in her “Chutes and Ladders”  – “I’ll prеtend love’s Chutes and Ladders/’Til the game stops playing me” to the edgy rocker “My Name on A T-Shirt,” in which she sings “I wanna know how this one еnds…”
Well in Leigh’s case, listeners won’t want this to end at all.

Vibrant, soulful even, and still retaining some of that Americana lyricism, long may Leigh rock – and roll out whatever musical alchemy may come next.

Opening act Clover County was no slouch either, offering rich vocals and sweetly melodic sounds with a strong mix of indie folk and country sounds with themes of heartbreak and modern love.

The Georgia native has a smooth yet intimate style that warmed the audience in the best way – winning those unfamiliar with her hopeful melodies and raw breakup stories to ask for one more song before she left the stage.

  • Genie Davis; photos: Jack Burke, Genie Davis

 

Descanso Gardens Blossoms with Holiday Light

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Now through January 5th, catch a glimpse of the illuminated trees, gorgeous stained glass houses, and waves of color shifting tulips that make up Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens in Pasadena.

This fairytale of a holiday light show uses elements of the gardens as part of its tableau. The singing tulip fields are first on view, charming as music shifts and colors change in waves; they are a returning favorite.

We pass through a tunnel of stars followed by a series of beautifully patterned lanterns colored in fushias and gold. Created by HYBYCOZO, these are delicate and astonishing, seemingly as ephemeral as the delicate woven shadows they cast.

Visitors move into a section of tall, coast live oak trees with musical steps around them – tap your feet to summon a bell-like sound.

Afterwards, illuminated “park benches” provide a rest and the chance to take in an entire field of stained glass houses created by artist Tom Fruin. Some are large enough to enter; some are themed with illuminated playing card patterns, four leaf clovers and the like, while others present orderly geometric patterns, or collage like colors. One floats like a lilypad of light on a small lake.

A field of golden light filaments wavers near by; wire fencing holding swirly abstract flourescent tubing rise adjacent to real, headily scented roses. Fountains glow; a large full faux moon rises above and reflects in a royal blue-lit pond and waterfall. In the Japanese garden, red lanterns cast a seductive glow.

Finally, there’s a wonderful and hushed magical forest, with soft sound effects played live and echoing through speakers in the woods. Here, fairy-like sparks flick between the higher branches, a chandelier is suspended from a towering limb; and in the “sacred sanctuary,” the final stop on the walk, the scents of fecund forest and recent rain petrichor add to the magic.

Carolers, classical quartets, and solo cello players appear at intervals create additonal aural pleasures. Guests can purchase hot chocolate, coffee, or tea or headier adult fare along with sweet treats and snacks in several different food areas.

Advance ticket purchase is required.  Discounted admission of $10–$22 tickets on Dec. 2–3 and Dec. 9–10;  other dates, adult ticket prices range from $15–38 (members) to $22–45 (non-members) with children’s tickets (2-12) priced at $10–23 (members)
$17–30 (non-members); prices vary by date. The exhibition is held from 5:30-10 p.m. nightly,  closed Nov. 28 and Dec. 24–25.

  • Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis