Shortcut to Catalina

For 74-year-old Miriam Pratt, the trip to Santa Catalina Island on Thursday was nothing new. Playful dolphins jumped alongside the boat, a salty breeze gave the boat’s cabin a refreshing chill, and the island slowly emerged out of the haze.

There was one thing different about this trip, however.

Pratt and her childhood friend, 81-year-old Isabel Bertholow, sailed out of Dana Point Harbor.

“We were going to take the trip from Long Beach, but when we heard service was coming to Dana Point, we waited,” Pratt said.

“It’s much more convenient,” said Bertholow. “You don’t have to fight traffic. Once you park, you’re right at the dock. And parking is free.”

They were two of 50 passengers aboard the Channel Express, a round-trip service between Dana Point and Santa Catalina Island that has resumed after a five-year hiatus.

The 56-foot boat left Dana Point Harbor for Avalon at 9:15 a.m. packed to capacity with many south Orange County residents, who said the service made getting to Avalon a pleasant, 1-hour, 45-minute jaunt.

San Pedro-based Catalina Express, the company that owns the Channel Express along with a fleet of six other boats, is the first of three ferry services authorized between Dana Point Harbor and Avalon. Two others, Island Navigation Co. and Catalina Explorer Line, also received authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission, but have not indicated when their service will begin.

Even though there seems to be plenty of interest in the service right now, officials worry that there isn’t enough demand for three ferry services. Officials with Orange County’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks division expressed concern last year when the companies were applying for permits.

The county commissioned a consultant to prepare an economic study, which found demand for, at most, one Catalina ferry service out of Dana Point.

Also of concern were dock space and public parking, which county officials say is limited.

“We’re working to find space for all of the companies,” said Grace Dove, an analyst with the Harbors, Beaches and Parks division. “And parking is always a problem.”

In 1993, SeaJet Cruise Lines tried to operate a Dana Point-to-Avalon run but stopped the service after a few months.

Elaine Vaughan, vice president of marketing for Catalina Express, said the company will provide reliable service to Avalon.

“South Orange County and north San Diego County are growing markets for Catalina Island, and we wanted to tap into them early,” she said.

Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Penny Maynard said the service to Catalina will help bring people into the community and may increase business for the local economy.

She also said that most of the inquiries into the service have been from San Diego County residents because there is no service to the island from San Diego.

For Carolyn O’Donnell, the timing was perfect.

The bride-to-be, a San Clemente resident, headed to Catalina along with 15 friends and family members. Her wedding will be Saturday at the island’s Country Club.

“It’s hard enough getting so many people to your wedding when it’s on an island. Going from Dana Point made it easier for everybody,” said O’Donnell, 36.

The 32-mile trip out of Dana Point Harbor takes a little longer than from San Pedro, Long Beach, or Newport Beach, where Catalina Passenger Service offers a 1-hour, 15-minute trip on a 118-foot, high-speed catamaran with three levels.

Pratt didn’t mind the additional half hour.

“The view is prettier when you sail out of Dana Point,” she said, as she gazed out the window.

Catalina Express will offer two daily round trips on Monday through Friday, and three on Saturday and Sunday.