Catalina Island: Secret Cali Getaway Transports You To Italy
A California getaway will make you feel as if you’ve landed in the Amalfi Coast.
As summer break ensues for school children and the temperature rises in the valley, a California getaway is the perfect way to escape the sizzling heat.
Off the coast of Southern California is an eight-island archipelago that consist of stunning landscapes, beautiful nature and fun activities. Catalina Island belongs to this chain of islands, and it’s a great getaway for this summer.
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Fun Things To Do On Catalina Island
You may be asking yourself, what can you even do on Catalina Island? Well aside from the sandy beaches, mountain views and picturesque skyline, there are family friendly activities such as zip lining and the famous “bison expedition,” according to the Catalina Island tourism authority.
The bison expedition takes you and your family on an adventure with an open-air Hummer. You essentially go on a trek to Catalina’s interior to find bison. In the 1920s, a movie crew left a small herd on the island. Since then, the herd’s bloodline continues with about 150 bison being active on the island.
The crew left a herd of bison on the island. Over time, the bison fluctuated in population.
They are now protected, and their population is usually around 150.
It’s a great way to see the glorious flora and fauna of the island while seeing majestic animals, leaving you speechless.
Catalina Island Feels As If You Were In Italy
There are a few beaches on the island that transport you to the glorious blue waters of the Amalfi Coast.
The easy-to-access beaches such as South Beach, Descanso Beach, Middle Beach and Step Beach are great beaches to have a relaxing day at. But the true hidden gems are the beaches that are harder to access due to the island’s rough terrain. This information if based from our personal experiences traveling on the island.
There is also a beach club called Descanso Beach. It’s a beachside restaurant with cabanas, live music and more. Beaches such as Ben Weston Beach and Starlight Beach offer great views and the water is a gorgeous blue.
The beautiful blue water the rugged cliffs create a postcard-perfect scene that’ll give you great moments, memories and pictures.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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