Dream Destination: Catalina Island

Once upon a time, my mom and I lived for a short while in California. I was very young and remember only minor details, like sitting in a restaurant booth trying to reach my straw, and being scared out of my wits at a Halloween party. My mom has told me many times how beautiful it was and how much she loved the west coast. I hope to go back one day with my family to see where I lived as a little girl and experience some of what California has to offer. Bethany also dreams of a trip to California, but her dream is more about going to Hollywood and (as she believes) seeing celebrities strolling around, while mine is more about the beach and the ocean and the sunshine. I would love to, for example find a nice Catalina Island Hotel and spend a blessed week or three enjoying the California sunshine. Being a beach lover, there are few things more relaxing for me than laying on a beach towel with a book, listening to the waves lapping on the shore. I also love sight seeing and I have a feeling that a destination like Catalina Island would satisfy all of my vacation needs.

But don't think I'm being selfish! A trip to Catalina Island would make a lovely family vacation. My kids would be particularly thrilled with the wildlife viewing options. We have seen buffalo in action before, but on an island! Now that is cool. The possibility of seeing dolphins and whales would be enough to lure our family out onto the ocean for a boat tour. If we really wanted to get up close and personal with some sea life, we could try ocean rafting. And none of us has ever been snorkeling - what better place to do it for the first time? Catalina Island does, after all, offer some of the best snorkeling in the world, according to Islands Magazine. Maybe I would even find the nerve to try snuba, which is a combination of scuba and snorkeling. I'm not sure if any of us would be able to muster the courage for para sailing, but I'm sure it would be quite an experience if we did! Chris especially enjoys water activities, and I know he would like to spend some time tubing or kayaking - or both - on a Catalina Island vacation. Of course let's not forget about the simple pleasures of building sand castles and searching for sea shells, both of which could fill endless perfect days.

In the unlikely event that we got sick of the water, there are plenty of land activities to enjoy on Catalina Island. An interior tour of the island, highlighting its beautiful natural features, would be fun for all of us. Hiking, camping, Jeep tours - I don't think there is much likelihood that we'd ever get bored! There's even an amazing Art Deco movie theater that we could visit in the event of a rainy day. Or just because we love movies, and I am particularly fond of historic movie theaters.

Well, I've definitely convinced myself. A trip to Catalina Island sounds like heaven. Especially considering that I'm about the brave the 20-degree Michigan weather. A girl can dream...



This is a sponsored post, however, all opinions expressed are my own.

Catalina Island on Dwellable