I've Been Away for a While - What's Changed?

Sherry · May 2011

Hi!

I'm a huge Catalina Island fan - I used to visit there every year (at least once) until around 2003, when finances were no longer plentiful. I have not been there in 8 years, which makes me very sad. In my years of visiting the island, I've done action-packed day trips. I've done casual, 'do-nothing' day trips. I've stayed a full week. I've stayed over long holiday weekends. I've done solo trips and trips with many friends. I've stayed in apartments and cottages and a couple of the hotels.

When I saw the current promo for the free round-trip birthday boat ride via Catalina Express, I knew it was time to return to Avalon. So I will return in July.

In fact, I am actually a moderator on another discussion board (not a board about Catalina), and we have a Southern California sub-forum in which I am trying to encourage some of the members to take their first trips to the island with this free birthday offer.

Now I am reading all of these things about how Avalon has gone downhill; it's not the same place that it used to be; the crime level has gone up (what kind of crimes, exactly?); there are seedy people hanging around everywhere, etc. Prior to reading all the negative stuff, I had been hearing about all of these new things (like the zip line and new restaurants and hotels) that were sort of attracting people back to Avalon and giving it a shiny new appeal.

And...Pebbly Beach Road is now inaccessible? Is that true? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Pebbly Beach Road the road you turn onto (along the shore) when you rent a golf cart? If so, I walked along that road many, many times, just soaking in the ocean view. Is is no longer possible to walk on it? If so, why?

Can someone tell me exactly how bad Avalon has gotten and anything that has closed or changed for the worse so I won't be totally shocked when I get there?

Thank you so much in advance for any feedback and opinions!

pedrosurf · May 2011

Hi:I am a permanent resident,so here a some personal opinions.

First:

Pebbly Beach Road.I think the golf cart rentals will tell you that the road is off limit.

It's a long and sordid tale as to how and why we find ourselves in this situation,but we are.

Some progress is being made between the City and the Island Co.as to making it available once more to the public.Don't know if all the legalese will be worked out by July.Road has been closed to "public" use for about 3 years.

Now having said that,it appears that some folks are starting to walk and bike the road now without being harrased by gate guards .

But this is not a blanket OK for use,apparently,as every once in a while,on an apparent random basis,folks will be stopped by local authorities.So,I really cannot tell you for certain whether it is open or closed.I'd risk the walk,because as you say,it is quite beautiful.

Town improvements:

White sand on town beaches.Makes a great difference.

Desconso Beach.Much improved.

Take the "behind the scenes" walking tour at the Casino.

Crime issue:Well that seems to depend on who you talk to.

Do we have daytime muggings and drive by shootings ? Nope.

Do we have a drug issue.My opinion.Yep

I think that the downtown area can be better maintained by the merchants and City.

Seedy people.Humm.Not so much,but maybe the ones I see,being local,I recognise.

Zip line has apparently been a big success.Get your reservation early.

New restaurant:Avalon Grille.Ate there once,Good.

Busy Bee is closed.

So,hope that helps.

Sherry · May 2011

Originally posted by: pedrosurf

Hi:I am a permanent resident,so here a some personal opinions.

First:

Pebbly Beach Road.I think the golf cart rentals will tell you that the road is off limit.

It's a long and sordid tale as to how and why we find ourselves in this situation,but we are.

Some progress is being made between the City and the Island Co.as to making it available once more to the public.Don't know if all the legalese will be worked out by July.Road has been closed to "public" use for about 3 years.

Now having said that,it appears that some folks are starting to walk and bike the road now without being harrased by gate guards .

But this is not a blanket OK for use,apparently,as every once in a while,on an apparent random basis,folks will be stopped by local authorities.So,I really cannot tell you for certain whether it is open or closed.I'd risk the walk,because as you say,it is quite beautiful.

Town improvements:

White sand on town beaches.Makes a great difference.

Desconso Beach.Much improved.

Take the "behind the scenes" walking tour at the Casino.

Crime issue:Well that seems to depend on who you talk to.

Do we have daytime muggings and drive by shootings ? Nope.

Do we have a drug issue.My opinion.Yep

I think that the downtown area can be better maintained by the merchants and City.

Seedy people.Humm.Not so much,but maybe the ones I see,being local,I recognise.

Zip line has apparently been a big success.Get your reservation early.

New restaurant:Avalon Grille.Ate there once,Good.

Busy Bee is closed.

So,hope that helps.

Thank you so much, pedrosurf! I didn't think there were any replies at all because I didn't get a notification, so imagine my surprise when I decided to take a look at this website again today and saw that you had responded! Anyway, thank you again, and I really, really appreciate it.

Okay, you've given me a good overview of what's different. Lots of changes - some good, some not so good.

White sand on the beaches? Wow - I am trying to envision that in Avalon. I bet the white sand gives it a much cleaner, more appealing look.

I had read some things about the Busy Bee off and on over the last several years. At first I was only reading bad reviews - everyone was saying the service had gone downhill since new management took over. That was disappointing to hear - that was one of the regular places my friends and I would eat when we visited Avalon, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If they ever get rid of Antonio's, I might have to start a protest!!

You know, the last time I was in Avalon was 2003. The last time I actually stayed for several days was in 2001 - and I remember one of the shop owners telling me even back then that drugs were starting to be more of a problem on the Island. That's not good to hear that the problem has only escalated.

So I won't expect to turn the golf cart onto Pebbly Beach Road in July - which is very sad, because I loved driving along that coast as much as I liked walking it - but I may be able to stroll on foot without incident (hopefully)? I may just try it and see what happens!

I was trying to explain to someone the other day why one road in Avalon would make such a difference if it is no longer available. I told them they would have to see it to understand. That particular road was a big part of the appeal of the town. I would usually walk out to where the benches were and stare out at the ocean, looking for sea life. It was really one of the best views in the whole town without going up into the hills.

Anyway, I am very much looking forward to returning to Avalon in a couple of months - I have missed it so much. It seems like most of the friends I have brought to Avalon also fall in love with it - but I have recently convinced a couple of new people (on the message board/discussion forum where I moderate) to take a trip to Catalina (one of them is going for a day and one of them is going for 5 days) and I am crossing my fingers that they will love it too and come back with glowing reviews!

pedrosurf · May 2011

Hi:I think you can walk,pretty much unchallenged,at least that is what I have been told,on Pebbly Beach road,past Lover's Cove as far as the Rock.

Lori · May 2011

The City Attorney spoke at Rotary last week and said that if everything goes smoothly the earliest that Pebbly Beach Road will open is in the Fall. Fish & Game are holding up work on the hill because there could be nesting birds until Fall. But the good news is that it will open, just not as soon as everyone had hoped.

We have just completed a new video showing all the things you can do on the Island. Take a look and hopefully some of your worries will subside. You can view here: Things to do on Catalina Video

pedrosurf · May 2011

Lori:Thanks for the update.

It might have been nice if that bit of info had been made public.

If it was,I apologize.

Lori · May 2011

It was the first I had heard the delay in opening the road. The City Attorney didn't put spin on any of his answers. When asked if the road was still opening by summer he simply said no and explained that Fall would be the earliest and stated the reasons.

pedrosurf · May 2011

Lori;Again,thanks for the info about the road.

My point was that someone at the City,should have made this known,and not have it come out like that.

Airalin · May 2011

Pebbly , if you read the sign and know your basic law, it's "at your own hazard and risk and responsbility and expense" essentially. If you go on the road and get hurt or sustain property damage, it is all on you and no public services or whatnot and i don't think insurance covers injury when you choose tot ake a hazardous road But it's a small section of it. I walk on it. i just walk on the water side. Cause there are small falling rocks! Avalon has NOT gone downhill. There are some issues but there are also plenty of people working to resolve them. IN general, the island doesn't change much.

@Lori and Pedrosurf = the state of California is in debt!! Perhaps it is no one at the city, it is the residents that should gather together and have a fundraiser for it. Avalon is a special place. And most everyone is exceptionally good hearted and giving. Take the island spirit on and be responsible and informed and be involved in the community and make positive constructive attempts to assist the situation. Where you live doen't serve you. Catalina is a very beautiful place and the least residents can do is try and help the problem instead of complain or expect people to go out of their way to inform you about things you should be informed about yourself. Try buying the catalina islander more often, they post all sorts of notices and meetings and such in there.

@Lori why don't you make a video of pebbly and the issues to help inform people and generate a fundraiser or donations or just simple awareness :) that'd be really cool

Airalin · May 2011

As for the crimes...As far as I know basically Avalon is still a place where if you lose your phone you get it returned. This just happened to someone over memorial day. I lost my bag and coat the other night and an islander found it for me and left his karaoke job to run it ot the door as i was leaving! :) The problem isn't crime so much as it is the type of person who makes problems. People may appear grungy or rugged but they work hard. I hang at the Marlin a lot and you'd be surprised at how protective and how kind some of the "seedy" looking people are. I'm from santa barbara california but i live here full time now. As for a group trip, you can rent the commodore lounge on catalina express boats for a group for a very reasonable price (calling way ahead first of course). Check their website :). There are some great deals. I just heard about a very nice place onwhitley. 219 whitley. Someone rented a giant rental last minute from the kind owners for memorial day weekend and it totalled 481$. They said it was amazing. The trick is to find out what isnt' booked right now. So that you can have options. The only sucky thing is that the top of the rock at the point at Lover's Cove fell off :) Remind your friends that there's no gas money needed here ;) . You can also find cheaper parking. Or pay for a whole month at a lot of different garages really cheaply. Or take a train. Or A seaplane! Catalina Freight is my new favorite thing. They ship everything (including groceries) for dead cheap. And they're excellent. Also if you leave somethinon the island or on the mainland, Hellitrans (the helicopter people) can get it to you usually within the hour or twofor 15$.

What is your Socal sub-forum?? Im always trying to get my friends to come from all over Socal too :). Just dont bring anyone during july 21-24 that's the dates of san diego comic con. IT"S HUGE and jams everything up. And everyone from LA heads there. And it definetely does impede travel all over SoCal. I'll be there working myself.

I'm noticing that pedrosurf seems to think that government and public orgnizations shoudl serve him. Its ones responsibility as a citizen to stay informed. And people who complain and yet do not specify, qualify or quantify don't really have a useful opinion ;). When you come here, please make your group aware of the Humane Society on the sland and the large feral cat population that needs adopting and help!!!

They've really made Descanso and all the other places around here very nice. Although they don't have horseback riding up by the golf course. And the mini golf isnt the wonderland it used to be. But the donuts!!! Yu can get them fresh baked in the middle of the night ;). ANd the Church's Second Hand store has the nicest things (things I'd buy full price and love forever if I saw it in a store) for so insanely cheap. And tehy are such kind people. You'll find this place full of people who do the right thing and give a lot and often refuse to accept anything back. It's why i moved here. Also check out ChannelCatalina.com and their videos. VERY cool. They're very well done and informative and interesting and the guy who makes them is supremely talented. Also check the calander on this website so that you can see the events and festivals and things happening in july that would interest you and other group members to come.

My neighbor goes down to the front (crescent) street and plays music everyday he doesn't have prior gigs :). And there's a guy named Alex who just sort of comes around and does this improv comedy witty thing that's just great! I would be very careful with event planners over here...If it is an individual I say yay. But the companies...being a professional and handling guest relations for all these media conventions and events and bein ga booking agent for 10 years...I have a pretty strong opinin on what one should get for their money. And in the industry i've noticed that in general (i have no idea about catalina itself) the companies that don't have a name and face and/or are big (and not individuals) and/or advertise full service and pacakge deals - they aren't following through at all or even able to provide all teh things they sa they can. Besides free advice and yourself I'd recommend one in particular (if you do the group thing) www.catalinalanding.com and info@catalinalanding.com . The office manager and banquet director Jessicqa Herzog is amazing and they do full, partial, or day of even planning services for any need. And in actuality :) The landing bar and grill is super great too. Do some looking online for group rates (like the commodore lounge) And consider hiring a pilot to fly a group in. But everything you do, do it now!! And the more you individually speak to the people, the better and more flexible deals you will find. And I'm very open to combining forces so we can get all our friends and people over here and experience this one of a kind paradise! if you can't contact me through this site...just post it. my name is my name and it's one of a kind. you can find my emails and facebook right away. heh. And thanks for the birthday promo info! I had no idea! :)

pedrosurf · May 2011

Airalin:LOL:Have you ever tried to get a straight answer out of anyone at City Hall lately ?I have on a number of issues and all I received were mis statements or outright untruths.

As far as having a fund raiser for the road,it is my understanding that City redevelopment funds are being used in concert with SCI contribution to get the road/hillside stabilized (before the "broke" State steals the funds)".I do not think that fund raising is going to be required.

Perhaps you might be the one who needs to be informed.

And ,by the way,the road situation has been going on for over 3 years.Many folks in town,myself included,have tried to see if there was any way we could get SCi and the City to come to some kind of agreement that would work for everyone and get the road open.

And by the way,the info regarding Fish and Game was not posted in the Islander.Lori made that info available in the discussion forum.Before that,no one that I have spoken to,knew anything about it.

Airalin · May 2011

you mean the santa catalina island company? the redevelopment funds aren't fundraising funds. they are pre-allotted. and i think between the conservancy and everyone there's definetely some "border conflicts". It's kind of hard when you cross so many different legal systems in 1 mile :) . In santa barbara we had to organize extra events and extra things to save specific or smaller things like a piece of land or sandpipers or whatnot. People kept pushing for laws, like i think the whole re-beautifying avalon is the same idea. Then on top of redevelopment funds, funds had to be raised. And there had to be people willing to mediate and work it out between everyone. The state can't steal the funds. The broke state is pushing to get money any way it can and we had a bunch of build new road money then we lost it somehow. Argh. My friend's the elected chair of the democratic party in santa barbara so I've learned and heard a lot from him about the difficulties :). And in order to get redevelopment funds, usually there's a preset agreement and proposal and such that allot a certain amount to certain things and certain people in control of certain areas. And I get straight answers out of people all the time :) People are very straightforward when you ask them logical questions that isn't something one could find out on their own. Like the other lady said she got the answers :). I'm not sure what you understood from what I said but apparently I wasn't simplistically literal enough or something. Because my point was to try and think of things that we can do as a community to help out where we live. It's not someone else's responsibility to fix something if one chooses to complain about it without any suggestions towards fixing it.

My whole point was to point out that complaints and saying things won't work and not suggesting any practical or constructive ideas or thoughts is really just one thing = complaining, whining, and discouraging anyone who does even try =>makes the problem BIGGER.

If you disagree with my idea and say y ou don't think fundraising is going to be required, that would be the point at which you actually say whaty you think will be required. With qualtative and quantative evidenciary/empirical fact specified or referred to.

It does not hurt to try and think postively and constructively and to suggest an idea of the top oif my head. Maybe other people will see that and a discussion would begin and we could all literally collectively put our heads together and solve the problem. But maybe that's just me being "the one who needs to be informed". ;) . It'd be interestign to sit and talk sometime :) Like in person. Perhaps you can give me some really good knowledge that could help me make better attempts to give back to the community and world I live in :)

pedrosurf · May 2011

I pretty much just said how the road was going to be opened .

Now,this comes from a City Council person,so I am not making this up.

An agreement has supposedly been reached between the City and SCI as to leasing the road to the City for x years for a certain amount of money.The City and SCI will sign agreements as to how the road will be maintained and how insurance will be provided,as well as how much each of them will contribute to the hillside /rock problem mitigation.The City's part of that money will come from Redevelopment funds at this time controlled by the City.I believe that most of these agreements had already been completed or very close to completion,when Fish and Game dropped their bombshell.

Now,as to the state "raiding" cities redevelopment funds,Jerry Brown has already made a public statement that all those funds for all state cities,should be "made available" to the state to help paper over the deficit.

Lori · May 2011

Airalin,

I would suggest watching the following City Council meetings, among others, to better understand the local issues. The April 19th and May 3rd meetings were joint meetings with the Planning Commission and covered a number of local topics.

April 19, 2011 City Council meeting

May 3, 2011 City Council meeting.

Another video you might be interested in is the Pebbly Beach March and Protest from 2009.

Pebbly Beach Protest

If you are looking to provide community service I would recommned joining one of the service clubs and begin volunteering with the Museum, Conservancy, Hospital, School, City Recreation, CHOICES, Kid's sports programs, just to name a few. Watch the City Council and Planning Commisison meetings, which are streamed live "as a community service" right here or show up in person at the meetings. If you are serious about serving your community you will find no shortage of places to donate your time.

Lori

Airalin · June 2011

i really don't know how you even read what you read out what i type pedrosurf. but stop " " me when those words or anything literally like that didn't come out at all. i use a dictionary...

Airalin · June 2011

Thank you Lori :) I am already involved and striving to further things. But i really appreciate real suggestions that I can follow on! :)

KCinLA · July 2011

Viewed this post before my July 10th visit.

Very helpful.

Felt very safe during my whole stay.

Residents and visitors are there for a good time and it shows !

Thank you all,

K

C

Sherry · July 2011

Airalin -

You asked me a while ago (and I am just now seeing your post) which SoCal sub-forum I was referring to when I said I had been trying to get some of my forum members to visit Catalina with this Catalina Express free birthday offer.

Are we allowed to mention other boards or forums on this site? I don't want to break any rules, and I know that many discussion forums have specific rules (like the one I'm from).

Well, I will go ahead and name the board I moderate and if I am breaking a rule, please someone delete my post.

I am one of the moderators of the Disneyland forum of DISboards - a huge discussion board for planning Disney trips. We help people plan their Disneyland trips in various ways.

In any case, one of the sub-forums of my Disneyland forum is a Southern California section, and that's where I posted a thread about the Catalina Express birthday offer going on this year. Eventually I plan to start what we call a "superthread" about Catalina which will feature all kinds of personal photos and general info & opinions on the Island's highlights to try to increase interest in visiting. Many of our forum members are from out of state or even out of country and have either never heard of Catalina or they don't know much about it at all. So I want to change that. I want to inform the people who may be visiting SoCal for a multi-day Disneyland trip that they might want to devote a day to Catalina as well! Lots of people do that - they will come to town for a week or two, and several of those days are for Disneyland, while the other days are left for seeing other SoCal sights. That's why I want to make Catalina more well-known - for those folks who have a couple of extra days to spare and want to do something unique to SoCal.

In fact - and this was great news - one of the people from my forum who took my advice and visited Catalina (she is from Canada and was in Avalon over 4th of July weekend) just returned from her first-ever visit there and she said she had a wonderful, wonderful time. She said it is her new favorite place and that she & her son plan to visit again next year. They did lots of things while they were in town - many activities and tours - and they ate at Antonio's, rented the golf cart, etc. They stayed at the Atwater.

As for me? My birthday is next week so that means it's time for my free Catalina Express boat trip!! :-) I can't wait to visit Avalon again!

FortRock1 · December 2011

I'm also a regular visitor, you mention Antonio's here. If Antonio's ever removes the "Day Old Spagetti" dish from the menu, I'm done in Avalon! LOL!!

Howdy, Stranger!

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I've Been Away for a While - What's Changed?

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