Thanksgiving on Catalina Island

S

SeaSpray

Active member
Any So. Cal. brats ever go to Catalina for Thanksgiving? My Mom decided to take the family to Catalina for Thanksgiving and we are wondering what activities might be available. It looks like there might be some rain but mostly mid 60's.

Any one know if they do anything special at two harbors for Thanksgiving? We will be taking the ferry and staying in Avalon and don't know if we will be able to find a turkey dinner.

Thanks,
Steve
 
I have spent many thanksgivings and even some New Years at Two Harbors. Never was anything special in the past at Thanksgiving. However remember that late November can bring unsettled weather, including cold, low water temps, and heavy winds such as Santa Ana Conditions.

We were there on Nov 29 1981 for the Thanksgiving weekend the night that Natalie Woods died. There was a lot of noise from the water slapping on the hulls from chop--and that may have been one of the reasons that her calls for help were not heard or ignored. The string line is usually taken in, and there are less shore boats running in the winter.
 
Avalon is at its best during the late Fall. The restaurants overall are nothing to speak of, but the Santa Catalina Island Co opened a new place called the Avalon Grille last year -- managed by a professional management team and very good (though not inexpensive). I've been a number of times, good buffalo burgers (very lean) and beer on tap. Now I want to go...

I'd check them out -- they are advertising a T-Giving dinner.
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/aval ... Grille.php

Dr. Bob is of course right on the money re the weather but if you take the ferry over its not an issue. I take the 22 over all year round -- but I watch the weather carefully and avoid the sloppy days. Not too many Santa Anas this year -- quite calm in fact. But, next week... who knows!

By the way, Sallys Waffle Shop is a must for breakfast.

What to do? If you haven't been before you should rent a golf cart and drive around the hilly parts of town -- great views. You can also rent bikes I believe, though the terrain is not flat. You can rent scuba gear -- or take a discovery dive with an instructor if you're not certified. We always go with Scuba Luv -- they do a good job. And, the theater is now showing first run movies. If you are into art deco you should definitely take a tour of the Casino (big band dance hall -- not gambling). There is a lot to do.

As you can see, Catalina is my 'happy place'. Enjoy the trip!

Matt
 
Thanks for the information and recommendations. I have been watching the weather and don't see any signs of the Santa Ana winds.
 
I spent much of my life on the water around and about Catalina. Although there are better weather prediction services now--you may not see signs of Santa Ana winds days before. The Santa Ana can arise very rapidly. It has many characteristics of Katabatic winds. Although usually warm and dry, there have been some cool Santa Ana winds.

My clue was that the sea state was very calm, the normal Westerlies did not develop during the afternoon. Even though the Santa Ana were not predicted several times, I have taken my boat around to the back side of the Isthmus and was correct. Boats left in Avalon or the mainland side of two harbors were lost. I remember one time that about 40 boats were put on the beach. I don't know about the current ferry boats, but in the past even the large steamers would not run during severe Santa Ana's. One time the only way off the Island was by sea plane out of Cat Harbor. The planes would achieve take off speed on the water, and as soon as they became airborne would be moving backward agains the back drop of the hills. The Grumman Goose has a take off speed of about 60 knots. The wind funneling thru the Isthmus was 90 knots! These winds are nothing to fool with!
 
Thanks for the information Dr. Bob. I would think the ferry boats would not run in very rough conditions but you never know. Since we have a group from 70+ years down to 7 years old I am watching the forecasts.
 
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