Santa Catalina Island Travel Forum

i'm considering a 2 night stay on catalina island at the end of september. i'm female, 40 and travelling alone. i've done some research already but wanted to hear some recommendations from you. i prefer not to spend a fortune - around $150/night - like a quiet place, don't need fancy just clean, like to have a tv and walking distance to the beach and ocean view desirable (but not necessary).
is the submarine tour much better then the glass bottom boat tour? any recommended spots that have better snorkeling then others?
thanks for your help. appreciate it.

If you go during the week, you can get great deals that include ferry, taxi etc.

My parents stayed there and were quite satisfied..

Hotel Saint Lauren has deals...

http://www.stlauren.com/

I've gone to Catalina twice in recent years. You can visit my Santa Catalina travel page - lots of info. The best snorkeling spots are only accessible by boat and it's absolutely worth it! We saw octopi, lobster, lots of fish and sea slugs. You should easily find accomodations for your price range. I've done the glass bottom boat ride and thought it was pretty neat. Haven't done the submarine but fyi - the submarine doesn't complete submerge (or at least I haven't seen it submerge). Anyway, a couple nights stay is all you need. Have a great time!

Many accommodations in Avalon. Check out the website for Catalina hotels: http://www.catalinainfo.com/lodging.html. The ones that have ocean views are more expensive that the hotels off the main street. I was just there a few days ago, and the Hotel Villa Portofino sits on the main street, Crescent Ave., near the beach and the park beach over by the Casino. The prices are higher than what you want to spend. Check around, you should be able to find one. Casa Mariquita is one block off the main street and the rates may be better. I have stayed at both, and they both don't offer that much, but it is Catalina and deluxe is very expensive and moderate is clean but old. The submarine ride is much better, it does not go underwater, you do. The seats are below the waterline with round windows straight in front of you where the glass bottom boats have windows flat under water with you sitting around the top looking down. Sub was better. A neat little Mexican restaurant, Coyote Joe's is off the main street, on Catalina Ave. Also a fun place on the main street is Luau Larry's. Most hotels do have a package deal that includes the Catalina Flyer boat trip.