Island Escape

The great thing about Catalina is that it’s so close, convenient and affordable, you don’t need an excuse to get away for an utterly “ahhh”-inspiring island escape. After all, the experience is pretty heavenly.

It starts with a comfortable catamaran ride or a quick helicopter flight to Catalina. Once you’re on the island, you can stroll through Avalon’s quaint streets and linger at charming boutiques. Enjoy a cocktail or a casual lunch or dinner at any of Avalon’s seaside restaurants or just grab a good book and settle into luxurious new beach amenities like a private cabana or chaise longue.

Even though you don’t need them, here are five perfect excuses to justify an escape to Catalina.

1. It’s your birthday (or will be, eventually). This year, Catalina Express, which offers daily boat departures from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point, is celebrating its 30th birthday by offering a nice present: Sign up for the Catalina Express “Free Ride for Your Birthday” promotion at www.catalinaexpress.com and celebrate on Catalina. The offer is valid until April 30, 2012, but be sure to pre-register on the site.

2. You haven’t seen a fish fly (or at least, not lately). Every year, when Catalina’s waters warm up in early summer, the famous flying fish arrive. These incredible creatures leap out of the water and soar at heights of up to 30 feet, gliding for distances as far as ¼ mile. Catalina celebrates their arrival with the fourth annual Flying Fish Festival from June 2 to 5. It kicks off with the Taste Around of Avalon — a chance to explore some of Avalon’s finest eateries. A nighttime cruise on the Blanche W, a 98-passenger open-decked vessel built in 1924, takes passengers to see the flying fish lured by the light on the boat. And how easy would it be to justify the trip if it were free? You can enter from home to win a trip to Catalina Island during the festival, including a two-night stay for a family of four at a Catalina Island Vacation Rentals property. Visit www.flyingfishfestival.com to enter.

3. You’re feeling the need for speed. The new Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour flies passengers from the mountains to the sea and across the canyons of Catalina. The tour starts at Descanso Beach with a brief orientation. Then you head to the top of the canyon with a guide who hooks you on at the first platform. Next, you just careen away from the mountains to the sea on five consecutive ziplines, each nearly 4,000 feet long with drops of nearly 600 feet, reaching a heart-pounding speed of up to 40 miles per hour before ending up back at Descanso Beach.

4. Those bright and colorful garibaldi aren’t going to admire themselves. Catalina has world-class snorkeling and diving, with clear waters and lush kelp forests full of unique marine life. Check out the easily accessible Casino Point Underwater Dive Park, which reaches depths of up to 90 feet. For snorkeling, try popular Lover’s Cove, Avalon’s marine preserve. It’s rich in marine life and the fish are downright friendly. If you’re not scuba certified but want to go deeper than a snorkel allows, try snuba — a combination of scuba and snorkeling offered at Descanso Beach. Don’t want to get wet? Glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible submarine tours are great ways to check out Catalina’s marine life. Both tour options are available year-round.

5. It’s closer than Coachella and considerably cooler. Catalina will be rocking with outdoor concerts this summer. Get dinner and concert tickets or just tickets to top 40 band the Sirens on May 29 at Descanso Beach, a great outdoor oceanfront venue. On June 4, as part of the Flying Fish Festival, a free concert will take place on Wrigley Stage along the waterfront when the Xceptional Music Company presents its Tribute to Country Rock. Other free concerts at Wrigley Stage and ticketed outdoor concerts at Descanso Beach will be held throughout the summer.

Don’t miss Catalina Country Club’s 2011 Summer Jazz Concert series on Friday nights from May 27 to Sept. 30. Artists include Venezuelan jazz pianist Otmaro Ruiz and world-class jazz drummer Peter Erskine.

Going to Catalina is like visiting an exotic destination minutes away from home. By boat from Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point, travel time is about an hour. Six-passenger helicopters make the trip in 14 minutes with daily departures from San Pedro and Long Beach. For more information about a Catalina getaway, call 866.228.1204 or visit www.CatalinaChamber.com.