There's a place that people often recommend visiting when traveling to LA: Catalina Island.

I've heard the name many times, but I never knew when to go until I finally made time to take the ferry from Long Beach. It's closer than I expected, but the atmosphere is completely different, making it quite an interesting experience.

There are several places to catch a ferry to Catalina Island, but I used the one departing from Long Beach. Ferries from Long Beach run multiple times a day.

I booked my tickets in advance on the Catalina Express website. The round-trip price was about $80. It's convenient to reserve ahead of time, especially on weekends when there are many people.

The ferry was larger than I expected, and the top deck was open, which was nice. After about an hour of sailing, the island starts to come into view. At first, it looks like just a small island, but as we got closer, the atmosphere changed. The water was incredibly clear, and the color looked a bit different from Southern California beaches. On a sunny day, the sea color is truly beautiful.

Upon arrival, we docked at a small harbor town called Avalon, which is said to be the most famous town on Catalina Island. It's not large, but it has a strong resort vibe. Unlike LA, there are hardly any cars on the streets, and most people walk or use golf carts. This makes the atmosphere feel completely different from LA.

Right in front of the harbor, there are small shops and restaurants lined up. This harbor area is also a popular spot for tourists to take photos. Yachts are docked by the beach, and you can see hills and houses in the background, creating a pretty view. Just walking around gives you a vacation feel.

I had lunch at a restaurant near the beach. Since seafood dishes are famous here, I ordered a fish dish and clam chowder. The prices are a bit high, likely because it's a tourist area. Still, the atmosphere of eating right by the sea made it feel worth it.

After the meal, I decided to explore the island a bit. Many people rent golf carts to tour around Catalina. Since I had limited time, I just walked a little up the hill. The view of the harbor from up there is quite nice. There are many great spots for taking photos, so tourists gather around.

The person who developed Catalina Island (Santa Catalina Island) into a resort was William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum magnate and owner of the Chicago Cubs. After acquiring the island in 1919, he built his private villa and many buildings around the Avalon area, turning it into a tourist destination.

The island isn't very large, making it just right for a day trip. With the weather around 80 degrees, I saw many people engaging in marine activities like snorkeling.

In the afternoon, I took the ferry back to Long Beach. As I looked out at the sea from the ferry on the way back, I found it a bit surprising that there's such an island near LA. It's only about an hour away from the city, yet it feels completely like a vacation spot.

Overall, Catalina Island was a great place for a day trip. I think it's a perfect spot to get a taste of a beach vacation near LA. It's not difficult to get there, as it takes about an hour by ferry from Long Beach.

In fact, many people who live in LA haven't been there, thinking it's not a big deal. However, I believe it's worth visiting at least once if you have the time.