Catalina Living
With its
rich history and wealth of new things to discover and explore,
Catalina Island is the perfect escape for visitors looking to
experience the warmth of a small-town in a fun .....
.....
island destination. The year-round population of 3,500 makes
Avalon quaint and friendly, but they have all the services and
amenities of much larger cities.
Gently swaying palm trees, dramatic cliffs plunging into the
Pacific, the iconic vision of the Casino emerging from the
horizon are what make Catalina Island intriguing to visitors
for generations; an exclusive few are lucky enough to live
here. Owning your own piece of paradise is a dream.
Whether you plan to purchase a vacation property, your dream
retirement home, or a primary residence, the Catalina Island
real estate market presents some unique challenges and
opportunities.
There's a reason Catalina Island has been said to have "the
perfect climate." Catalina boasts a year-round Mediterranean
climate, with warm, sunny days.....
.....and cool evening breezes. In
the summer, the average temperature is 75 degrees, while the
mild winter average temperature is 65 degrees. The sun shines
an average of 267 days a year, and the average rainfall is 14
inches per year.
Santa Catalina Island, often called simply Catalina Island,
or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S.
state of California. The island is located about 22 miles (35
km) south-southwest of San Pedro, Los Angeles, California.
The total population as of the 2000 census was 3,696
persons, with almost 85 percent living in its only city of
Avalon (pop. 3,127, with another 195 south of the city outside
of the city limits). The second center of population is the
unincorporated town of Two Harbors, in the north, with a
population of 298. The remaining population is scattered over
the island between the two population centers. Most of the
island is owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy.
About a million tourists visit the island every year;
Catalina is serviced by ferries and the "Airport in the Sky."
Ferries depart from Orange County in Newport Beach and Dana
Point, while they depart from Los Angeles County in Long
Beach, San Pedro, and Marina del Rey. The trip takes
approximately an hour and costs $40-60 round trip. Helicopter
service is also available from Long Beach or San Pedro.
Most of the island is controlled by the Catalina Island
Conservancy, a private nonprofit organization. The mission of
the Catalina Island Conservancy is to be a responsible steward
of its lands through a balance of conservation, education and
recreation. Through its ongoing efforts, the Conservancy
protects the magnificent natural and cultural heritage of
Santa Catalina Island, stewarding approximately 42,000 acres
of land (88 percent of the island), 50 miles of rugged
shoreline, an airport, and more than 200 miles of roads.
The use of motor vehicles on the island is restricted; there
is limit on the number of registered cars, which translates
into a 10-year-long wait list to bring a car to the island.
Most residents move around via golf cart. Tourists can hire a
taxi from Catalina Transportation Services. Bicycles are also
a popular mode of transportation. There are a number of
bicycle and golf cart rental agencies on the island. Only the
city of Avalon is open to the public without restrictions.
Two Harbors is the second, and much smaller, resort village
on the island. Located at the isthmus of the island, north of
Avalon, it is the primary landing spot for those who wish to
tour the western half of the island. It is accessible by boat
from San Pedro and by bus or boat from Avalon.
There's a reason Catalina Island has been said to have "the
perfect climate." Catalina boasts a year-round Mediterranean
climate, with warm, sunny days and cool evening breezes. In
the summer, the average temperature is 75 degrees, while the
mild winter average temperature is 65 degrees. The sun shines
an average of 267 days a year, and the average rainfall is 14
inches per year.
To
search for homes in other areas, please visit
HomesofDirectory.com
For more information or to advertise
on this site, please
Contact Us. | 
