Only 30 miles or so east of Los Angeles, Catalina is the most popular and busiest of the Channel Islands. There’s an actual town (Avalon, population 3500) and regular ferry service to and from the island.
There are lots and lots of prickly pear cactus here- not something we are used to in the Pacific NW
Because of the large number of folks who make the trip across from LA, most of the bays and coves on Catalina are full of mooring buoys. These buoys let more boats fit into a space, and they also eliminate the need for (and the drama associated with) anchoring. The downside, of course, is that there’s not much room to anchor for boats that prefer it.
Prickly pear cactus flower
Cat Harbor is one of the last spots on Catalina that still has a good amount of room for anchoring. It’s located on the west side of the island, so it requires extra time and effort to reach if coming from the mainland. But it’s actually one of the closest anchorages when coming from the northern Channel Islands, so it’s a perfect first stop on Catalina.
We are not in Oregon anymore! Note the cactus as well as the tshirt and skirt in late October- no fleece or raincoat needed here…
Located on one side of an isthmus that nearly splits the island in two, the harbor is nestled between two peaks. There are views of the Pacific to the west, while to the east the small town (village? hamlet?) of Two Harbors lies only a quarter of a mile across the isthmus.
At anchor in Cat Harbor
Madrone is looking forward to a few days of rest from traveling, and her crew is eyeing some of the hiking trails visible on the nearby peaks.
