Catalina Island-Should We Go?
Thanks, Steph, for your view on the place. I really appreciate it! |
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| Hmm... I don't know much about that area, but if it is warm In OCT/NOV, I say GO! I love going down to FL that time of year, there's hardly ANY tourists, because everyone's kids are in school. It's a fabulous time for a vacation! |
Never been to catalina island, but the kids have...the schools here every year do a field trip to catalina...so there may be a lot of kids there......however, id go just for the boat ride  |
| Well, it's certainly not going to be Florida warm there in Oct/Nov, but it will most likely be warmer than Chicago-area!
There won't be any tourists that time of year, so you should have the island more to yourself...it's pretty, so I think it'd be fun--definitely at least for your one-day cruise, and if you just want to relax and amble around (and bring jeans and a sweatshirt) then staying for a few days might be nice too. |
| I love Catalina Island!!!!! It's good for just a day though.. It's a small island and the boardwalk is aprox .50 mile long.. Have little shops, beaches and an ancient movie theatre. Great place to scuba dive or just to boat to from the Long Beach, Marina Del Ray and San Pedro Piers... . It;s a good island if you're feeling adventurous because you can hike over the hills to this secluded campsite. They have various trails.. although I've only gone on one.. You can see wild boars along the way (in the evening) - kinda thrilling (especially after watching LOST heh).
They have a really cute eatery called "The Pancake Cottage".. Their waffles are so yummmmy! |
| It's a toss up for a vacation in Oct/Nov
Choice #1 A cruise leaving from Los Angeles going to Catalina Island and Mexico Choice #2 Las Vegas |
| My vote is for #1. (but I really have no desire to go to Las Vegas either). |
| Well, I think it depends on what you're looking for in this trip. I'm afraid the cruise won't be very warm (if that's what you were hoping for). It won't be cold, but you won't be in a bikini either I wouldn't think.
Vegas has some pretty cool things too...you can be there and not even know you're in Vegas (not do the casino thing). I did a Carnival cruise from Long Beach down to Mexico in June one year, as a HS graduation gift and we stopped in Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta and it was horrible! We got one of those noroviruses and EVERYONE was sick on board. It was disgusting. The crew ran out of fresh sheets and towels and it was just gross. We had a person die on board from it. Then, unrelated, we had a man with a medical emergency so we had to sail way out of our way to find the only landing strip on a deserted island so the man could be medivacced to the mainland. THEN, we ran into the edge of a hurricane and the ship was literally tilted so much to one side that you could only see water through one side of a porthole and sky on the other side. IT was freaky. It was part of a giant class action lawsuit and the settlement was: either a discounted cruise from them, or 30% off on the on-board gift shop. Um, yeah. No thanks! |
| Be forewarned, end of Oct early November is the Bull Riding Championships in Las Vegas. Granted, you probably won't have trouble getting hotel rezs since Las Vegas is so big!!! You'll likely see a lot of cowboys and psedo-cowboys. But then if you like bull riding.......get your tickets NOW!
Neither Las Vegas or So Calif will be hot that time of year, unless it's a freaky fall. Really depends on what you what to do. There is so good hiking out around the lake in Las Vegas or the mts to the north. Of course all the shows and shopping in Vegas. Catalina is good for maybe two days max. It's a quiet little island, hiking, some tourist stuff. Cruise to Mexico and maybe a smaller boat to whale watch might be nice. Gee, I don't know which one I'd want to do either. |
just remember, if you go to Vegas...there is a chance that you may break your nose  |
Really, neither will be warm  |
| That's the funny thing. People always think that California is always warm, like tropical warm--and it is warmer compared to the rest of the country--but it gets cool in the fall and winter months. Never cold-cold, but definitely not warm enough to be in shorts most of the time (unless it is a warm Santa Ana weather condition). And coastal Southern California doesn't really get humid, so it doesn't have that added heat factor that humidity can bring (you know, if it's 75 and humid it feels a lot hotter than 75 and not humid--although it'll be in the 60s (lower) during that time of year). |
| Catalina Island, Ca? I'm confused. Weather.com says the weather there is 65-75 in October, so not too bad. i've never been to Vegas.....so not much help here. |
Quote: Catalina Island, Ca? I'm confused. Weather.com says the weather there is 65-75 in October, so not too bad.
 It really depends on what you want to do If you want to ocean swim, that's cold....unless you lare a New Englander  If you are just staying on the land or boat with a sweather, it's grand. |
| Yes, Steph is right. About mid october the weather cools. Days are still absolutely georgeous, but definately cool enough for jeans and a long tee and jacket. Nights are even cooler.
Lets just say when we go in Mid Sept. I mostly bring sweats, sweatshirts, jeans, long tees and warm socks..... 6 am chilly...good enough for a hot coffee...foggy and damp...but perfect for an hour walk with Panda...she loves the am weather... 10-11 am fog breaks ..warming up a bit...go for a scenic drive all windows down pandas tongue is starting to hang a bit 12-4 am/pm...sun is out..warm enough for your bathing suit and a few hours on the beach with a good book. 5 pm...cooling down...change into jeans and a sweatshirt...with a cold beer.. 7-9 pm chilly again watching tv with the door open..blanket on lap....panda sleeping on the porch outside....totally in her element... middle of the night..windows open so we can hear the waves...fighting over the comforter...cold and good mee-mees |
| I know, I looked it up on weather.com too and I think the 65-75 is misleading. Since it is right on the coast, and the Pacific is about 60-63 degrees at that point, the breeze off the water makes it colder. There are days that are warmer (the Santa Anas) which bring up the average temps, but I would still venture to say that most days in late October or November will be closer to 65 than anything higher. |
| I vote for Vegas!! We never had so much fun ever. We did things we would NEVER do, even for a million bucks, and I lost like 8lbs in just a few days due to all the walking and no sleep, but I ate like a maniac (best dining)!!! Worth every second! |
| Your cruise sounds awful, Steph! I've been on several cruises and now that I think about it, I've either gotten sick on the cruise or right when I come back. I do enjoy them especially eating whenever I want. I'm not sure I'm in the mood for a packed swimming pool though and lots of kids.
My chiropractor recommends the Bellagio in Vegas for October. He said it should be relaxing as long as we don't go on Columbus day weekend. Steve and I have different ideas about vacations. I believe in sitting on my butt either at the pool or in the room and not doing anything but read a book and plan the next meal. I could lay out at the pool for 2 hours and then come in to take a nap Steve likes to sightsee and drive around, he doesn't read I've been to Vegas, Steve has not. He was always led to believe that it is seedy and only strippers walk around  I think I did see Hoover Dam (not very exciting). We aren't the gambling type and all that noise drives me nuts; however, I would like to see a good show.
Is there any sightseeing to be done near Vegas? I think I should contact Lasvegassheepies. She would know too! |
| Hmmm, there's Lake Mead not too far from Vegas. I'm not sure what else there is (aside from the Hoover Dam). It's kind of in the middle of nowhere.
Yeah, the cruise was pretty bad--my husband has been mentioning cruises lately and I'm still not ready to try another one (although I'm sure it would be lovely). Vegas can be whatever kind of vacation you want it to be. You can go to spas and eat at fabulous restaurants (Emeril has one there, etc) do some great shopping, see the shows, hang out at the pool (although maybe not in November)...Or you can do all the 'Vegas' things you hear about all the time. I'm not a huge Vegas fan, but that's because I've only been when I was younger and all my friends were into the clubbing until 7 am thing (I'm good til 4am or so--that's just too long for me!) and I'm super allergic to smoke, and there's a ton of it around... |
| Red Rock Canyon is a nice drive, if you like looking at, um... red rocks.
...and maybe a few pectographs or petroglyphs. It's just about 15 miles North(?) of the strip. The family trip to Red Rock Canyon |
| Are you definitely only looking at the west? How about a cruise to the southern Caribbean? We took a Royal Caribbean cruise 2 years ago in the end of October/beginning of November. Weather was definitely still HOT. We sailed from Puerto Rico, went to Aruba, Curacao, St. Marten, St. Thomas, then back to Puerto Rico. It was wonderful!! |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: Are you definitely only looking at the west? How about a cruise to the southern Caribbean? We took a Royal Caribbean cruise 2 years ago in the end of October/beginning of November. Weather was definitely still HOT. We sailed from Puerto Rico, went to Aruba, Curacao, St. Marten, St. Thomas, then back to Puerto Rico. It was wonderful!!
Did you like it? I think that's what we're going to do for our honeymoon-- the southern Caribbean and almost the same lineup. We keep going back and forth about what we want to do! |
| Oh, the Southern Caribbean is fantastic! on Royal Caribbean!! We did that about 6 months after our wedding. It was great! I can't get passports or $$$ to go in time for this Fall though.
We did Sedona in 2001 which was BEAUTIFUL! Still tossing around ideas over here...Vegas, Phoenix area again. Anyone go to Prescott or other places around there. I nixed the Mexican cruise thing. |
Palm Springs is absolutely wonderul in October. Still having temps in the 80's then.  |
| Okay, I'm not sure if anyone is still following my thread and I may need to post another one when circumstances get finalized.
We will know by the end of the month if Steve gets promoted at work. This position would require more travel and he has several places to go over this summer...one is LOS ANGELES around the second week on September! I've never been there, but I thought how cool would that be to stay at his hotel while he's working (my alone vacation-read books) and then spend 3-4 days doing other stuff with Steve. I believe there are other more beautiful suburban places around Los Angeles on beaches, right? Anyone been to Santa Monica? Looks like they have some great hotels and B&Bs. Then we can go to Catalina for a day too Your ideas are greatly appreciated!
I'm getting excited, but shouldn't do that yet. We need to wait to see what happens with Steve's job and I need to start calling around about dog sitters. The last person who stayed isn't dog sitting anymore due to new daytime jobs Mom is okay for a few days, but I don't want to burden her with an entire week of dog sitting...and who knows what trouble she'll get into with the two pups. |
| I grew up in Santa Monica area and they have a lot of neat stores within walking distance ( if you like to shop!) You should rent a car for the day, It's close to everything (Hollywood, Malibu, Burbank) just dont get stuck on Wilshire Blvd - you'll get stuck in traffic for hours!! |
| Oooh, Stacy, that sounds much better--and Sept in LA should be BEAUTIFUL weather. Definitely still beach weather. Stay at Shutters in Santa Monica (Steve better be getting a RAISE with his promotion, though lol).
There's a million different neighborhoods in LA and the surrounding areas. You can basically find whatever atmosphere you're looking for there...Oooh, you'll be close enough to drive down to Disneyland for the day. Or, you could take a drive up the coast to Santa Barbara...Can I come with you guys? |
| IF we get the promotion, there should be a nice sized raise to go along with it. Unfortunately, I will likely be spending more time without him. He is currently in the interim role for this position until they determine a permanent hire. So, he has been working much longer hours in a zillion meetings. It's not that I don't have a life (do I?), but it's hard to plan around not knowing what time he will get home. Even though I now work further from home, it seems like I'm the one who's in a rush to get home to the pups. Steve does take care of the morning shift so I shouldn't complain too much |
barney1 wrote: Stay at Shutters in Santa Monica (Steve better be getting a RAISE with his promotion, though lol)
OMG! I just looked at the rates. I could never stay there in good conscience! |
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