Catalina Islands CA
Even for those of you who want to spend just
one day on the island, you could have an adventure-filled
exploration on a bike rental for as low as $15 for the whole
day. Add in some normal-priced meals (no McDonalds here, but
there are quite a few reasonably priced pubs and sandwich
shops tucked between all those seafood restaurants) and
there's very little you couldn't see during your day before
returning to the last ferry out for the evening.
The main catch on Catalina is swordfish,
served fresh year-round. It's on every menu, in the
sandwiches, tacos, and is therefore priced affordably. Where
else can you afford to dine on fresh swordfish for the cost
of a happy meal?
There are also two big grocery stores in the
center of Avalon where the locals get all of their
groceries, so you could even stock up there on cheap
backpack food if your supplies are running low. For the more
rugged among you, bring a tent and stay on a beachfront
campground for free, as long as you like. It's the most
inexpensive paradise I know of.

The fascinating history of Santa Catalina
Island.
The written history of Catalina Island is
long and complex, and could be the subject of many articles
longer than this one. I do want to include it briefly just
to help illustrate all there is to see and do there, so I
will try to do it a bit of justice in my abridged version.
If you'd like to learn more there is of course much more on
our website, or you could visit the Catalina Island Museum
located in the basement of the Casino in Avalon.
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