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Where
the Buffalo Roam
As wonderful as the town of Avalon is, it is only a very small part
of Catalina Island. For those who want to experience the "wild"
side of the island, a journey into the island's interior is
a must.
Catalina
Island's interior, 88% of the island, is owned and managed
by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy. The interior is covered
with broad valleys, isolated coves, pristine beaches, two thousand-foot
peaks and near-vertical shoreline palisades and is home to thousands
of species of unique native plants and animals. It is in the Conservancy
lands that Catalina Island Fox, the Beechey Ground Squirrel, and
Catalina Island Quail traverse the hills freely. These animals are
endemic to Catalina and are found nowhere else in the world. Bald
Eagles, which have been re-introduced to the island, soar above
the coves. North American Bison, brought as movie "extras"
in 1924, may also be seen and are very popular with visitors.
The
Catalina Island Conservancy
In 1972, members of the Wrigley family established the Santa Catalina
Island Conservancy as a private, non-profit organization dedicated
solely to the conservation and preservation of Catalina Island.
With more than 42,000 acres and 48 miles of coastline under its
charge, the Conservancy's legal mandate is to preserve the
island's native plants and animals, its biological communities
and its geological and geographical formations of educational interest.
Equally important, the conservancy also manages the island's
open space for controlled recreational purposes.
The
Conservancy also owns and operates Catalina Island's Airport-In-The-Sky,
Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, and the Nature Center. The
Conservancy provides a ranger service both on land and along the
shore to assist visitors and assure the security of the interior.
Hiking, Biking, and Camping
There are many options for exploring Catalina Island's vast
and beautiful interior, including sightseeing tours, Jeep Eco-tours,
and shuttle buses to the Airport-In-The-Sky. For the more adventurous
types, hiking, biking, and camping are fun choices.
A
number of hiking trails allows hikers to explore Catalina's
interior. Due to rugged terrain, mountain bikes are required and
riders must wear helmets.
Bicycle
permits may be obtained at the Conservancy Office, 125 Claressa,
9:00am- 5:00pm daily (closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday).
Permits are also available at Catalina's Airport-in-the-Sky
and Two Harbors Visitors Services during their regular hours of
operation. Biking permits require a fee; hiking permits are free.
A
shuttle bus service, from Avalon to Two Harbors, operates year-round
and makes stops at campsites and trail heads in the interior.
Two
Harbors
Two Harbors is a rustic resort village located at Catalina Island's
isthmus, 23 miles by land or 14 miles by sea, west of Avalon. A
popular destination for boaters, transportation to Two Harbors is
also available from San Pedro, and bus service connects Avalon and
Two Harbors.
Recreation
opportunities at Two Harbors include hiking on ocean-view trails,
snorkeling and scuba diving at nearby world-renowned sites, ocean
kayaking among secret coves, mountain biking along ridge roads,
pleasure boating or just plain relaxing on a sandy beach. There
is one restaurant and one general store. The Banning House Lodge
is the only hotel in Two Harbors, but there are a variety of camping
options. Theme weekends and parties throughout the year offer fun-filled
family activities.
For
more information, contact Two Harbors Visitor Services at (888)
510-7979.
Wrigley
Memorial and Botanical Garden
If you don't have the time to venture into Catalina Island's
interior, a visit to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden in
Avalon is a great alternative.
The
Wrigley Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr., who lived
from 1861 to 1932. With its commanding view of Avalon Bay, the Wrigley
Memorial is the centerpiece of the Botanical Garden. It was built
in 1933-34 with the goal of using as much Catalina materials as
possible.
The
idea for a garden came from Mr. Wrigley's wife, Ada. In 1935,
she supervised Pasadena horticulturist Albert Conrad, who planted
the original Desert Plant Collection. Santa Catalina Island's
temperate marine climate made it possible to showcase plants from
every corner of the earth.
In
1969, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation expanded and revitalized
the garden's 37.85 acres. Along with the new plantings came
a new attitude. In the same way that the Wrigley Memorial uses primarily
native building materials, the Garden places a special emphasis
on California island endemic plants. (Plants, which grow naturally
on one or more of the California islands, but nowhere else in the
world.) Many of these plants are extremely rare, and some are on
the Endangered Species list.
In
1996, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation merged with the Catalina
Island Conservancy. This was a natural combining of two important
ecological organizations, both dedicated to the protection and restoration
of Santa Catalina Island.
The
Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden is open daily from 8:00am
to 5:00pm, year round. Adult admission is $3, children under 12
are free. It is located one and one-half miles up Avalon Canyon
Road. The walk is pleasant, passing the Golf Course, the town's
ballpark, and the Hermit Gulch campground. Public transportation
is also available.
For
information about the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, Catalina
Island's interior, or the Catalina Island Conservancy, call (310)
510-2595 or visit www.catalinaconservancy.org.
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