Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


                                       

SANTA CATALINA . . . AN ISLAND FOR EVERYONE                                   Avalon Casino Celebrates 80th Birthday during 2nd Annual Flying Fish Festival                                                                                                                     by Bonnie Carroll                                                                                                    

 

The 2nd Annual Flying Fish Festival provided four days of family fun that included night boat trips to see the flying fish dance on the top of the sea, a parade with fish costumes, a sand sculpture that was amazing, a “Taste of Avalon” that offered guests samplings of the islands best eats, and last but not least the 80th birthday celebration of the iconic Catalina Casino.

 

The Casino was built by Mr. Wrigley, owner of the island. It was built as a place of entertainment, where guests arrived on boats to dance to the music of greats like Benny Goodman and his orchestra. Live radio broadcasting of these performances made the Casino known throughout the country and attracted tourists by the thousands. The dance floor in the casino held 3,000 couples who enjoyed the extraordinary beauty of the trendy art-deco building. Wrigley’s intention was to provide an entertainment center for everyone to enjoy.

 

The 80th birthday celebration included a huge birthday cake and an evening of dancing to the music of the “Good Vibrations” band who played all the old “Beach Boy” hits. Generations of families showed up to celebrate the birthday of the “Grand Dame” by the sea in Avalon, and a good time dancing to songs like “Daddy Took The T-Bird Away” was had by all. 

 

Visitors to the island may now go on a “back scenes” tour of the Casino, and see the rooms used by the Wrigley’s to enjoy films in the movie theatre from a private area. The room contains artwork and furniture not seen by the public previously, and the original projection camera equipment used to show the current films can be viewed in an adjacent area as well. This is an informative and interesting tour that offers views from the upper area of the Casino of Avalon that cannot be rivaled.

 

Traveling from Long Beach to Catalina includes a short ocean voyage on the Catalina Express, which is a very comfortable way to travel for the entire family.  The walk from the Catalina Express boat departure ramp to the Casino is a magical journey through Avalon past and present. The museum in the Casino offers detailed historic information on the development of the island before and following the opening of the Casino in May of 1929. Looking up you can see the bell tower that was installed in the memory of Wrigley’s mother, and beneath it the home of writer Zane Grey. Across the harbor from the Casino is the original family residence of the Wrigley’s, which is now a six bedroom bead and breakfast that overlooks all of Avalon.

 

The Hotel Villa Portofino has always been a favorite hide-a-way for vacationers and celebrities visiting Avalon. On one of my first visits I sat next to Robert Wagner during dinner in their charming restaurant. The hotel was recently renovated, and remains a select venue to enjoy beautiful views and delicious food. Gregory Wenger, managing partner and award winning executive chef, keeps guests and visitors happy and satisfied with his authentic Italian culinary delights.

 

Descanso Gardens is a fairly new beach area where surfers, scuba divers and snorklers gather to enjoy the best in their sport and the best seafood appetizers, huge burgers with delicious fried onion rings and drinks with neat sounding names. This area was formerly just a garden area overlooking the sea. The Santa Catalina Island Company brought in new sand to create a permanent beach, established a restaurant/bar and equipment rental set-ups, and turned it into a ‘beach blanket bingo’ heaven for locals and tourists. Lunch by the sea is simply wonderful at this scenic destination.

 

The strange thing about Catalina Island is that it has been described as an ‘island for lovers’ and it is. But, it is also the perfect destination for a family vacation, with attractions of interest for all ages. In the next few weeks the Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Catalina Island Company will premiere a new miniature golf attraction, advanced hiking trails, and the SeaTrek walk on the bottom of the ocean. Combine all this new activity with the submarine, glass bottom boat, underwater boat adventure, a bevy of fishing opportunities, a great golf course, unending dining options, blissful spa services, great hotel properties and you have Avalon, a perfect escape destination for a weekend of fun. For information please visit: www.catalinachamber.com

www.visitcatalinaIsland.com  or www.catalinaadventuretours.com.

 

 


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | March | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | September | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | March 13 | February 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | February 17 | December 16 | March 17 | January 17 | April 17 | May 17 | July 17 | August 17 | June 17 | September 17 | November 17 | October 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | August | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | December 20 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | April 22 | May 22 | March 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved