As our luggage was brought to our room, we enjoyed a brief tour of the mansion. There is a stunning

At the time of first European contact, it is thought that the people living on Santa Catalina Island called their island Pimu and themselves Pimungans (or Pimuvit). The Pimungans of Santa Catalina Island paddled out in a friendly greeting to the Spanish galleon that bore the explorer Don Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo to their shores on October 7, 1542.
Over the centuries,  Catalina Island has harbored smugglers, became last minute weekend getaway travel package a part of Mexico in 1820 when New Spain revolted from Spanish control, and became part of the United States when California joined in 1850.
Fast forward to 1919, and we find chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. purchasing the majority of the island.  For the next ten years, Wrigley underwent an ambitious development program that ultimately turned the island into a haven for the rich and famous.
Santa Catalina Island has served as the location last minute weekend getaway travel package for the filming of over 500 motion pictures, documentaries, television programs and commercials last minute weekend getaway travel package over the past 90 years. Of those 500, approximately 300 were motion picture productions.
Throughout this history, the Island has been transformed into the coast of North Africa, from Tahiti to the American frontier and back again. It has been mistaken for the lost continent of Atlantis and the home of that famous mechanical shark, Jaws. In short, Santa Catalina Island holds a unique place in the history of motion picture production as Hollywood's exotic back lot.
Besides films, Catalina Island also served as a playground for the likes of  Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Betty Grable, and Johnny Weismuller.  Sadly, last minute weekend getaway travel package Catalina Island last minute weekend getaway travel package is also the location where Natalie Wood met with her mysterious death.
Today, people continue flocking to Catalina Island to enjoy the charming beach-side city of Avalon, the famous Catalina Island last minute weekend getaway travel package Jazz Festival,  and warm weather will find throngs of boaters moored around last minute weekend getaway travel package the island s rocky shores.
Getting to Catalina Island is fast, fun, and easy! Catalina Island, one of the Channel Islands, is located just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California.  You can be on the island in as little as 15 minutes via helicopter or one hour by boat.
Catalina Express provides boat transportation last minute weekend getaway travel package from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. Travel time to Avalon is about one hour. Call Catalina Express at (310) 519-1212 or www.catalinaexpress.com for reservations.
Catalina Passenger last minute weekend getaway travel package Service departs daily from Newport Beach s historic Balboa Pavilion. Travel time aboard the Catalina Flyer to Avalon is about 75 minutes. For information last minute weekend getaway travel package and reservations call (949) 673-5245 last minute weekend getaway travel package or www.catalinainfo.com .
The Catalina Marina del Rey Flyer departs from Fisherman's Village at Marina last minute weekend getaway travel package del Rey. The schedule varies and travel time to Avalon is 1 3-4 hours. For more information contact 310-305-7250 or www.catalinaferries.com .
For a quick trip across the channel you can take Island Express Helicopter Service which departs from both San Pedro and Long Beach Harbors. Travel time to Avalon is about 15 minutes. For reservations last minute weekend getaway travel package or information call (800) 2-AVALON or www.islandexpress.com .
Summer is the busiest season, spring and fall are absolutely beautiful, with perfect blue skies and water temperatures warm enough to enjoy all the water activities. Mid-week any time of the year is also a great time to visit Catalina Island, as hotel rates are lower than weekend rates.
It is highly recommended that visitors planning a weekend trip to Catalina Island make cross-channel transportation and hotel reservations in advance, especially in the busy summer season. Many hotels have a two-night (Friday Saturday) minimum on the weekends.
Sandals are popular, but bring a good pair of walking shoes if you are planning to do any hiking or tour the interior. Bring a sweater or light jacket if you will be on the island during the evening, and don't forget your swimsuit!
Avalon, Catalina Island's main town, is only one square mile in size and everything is in walking distance. In fact walking is the preferred mode of transportation since there are a limited number of automobiles last minute weekend getaway travel package on the island. last minute weekend getaway travel package Avalon last minute weekend getaway travel package is the only city in California authorized by the state legislature to regulate the number and size of vehicles allowed to drive on city streets. Currently, there is a 12-14 year waiting list to own a car on the island.
But visitors don't need a car in Avalon; it's easy to navigate last minute weekend getaway travel package by foot. Walking is a wonderful way to explore this charming town. The picturesque harbor that nestles Avalon provides a good excuse to slow down the pace and enjoy the view.
When you arrive on the island many hotels provide a courtesy shuttle last minute weekend getaway travel package while other hotels provide free baggage service. Be sure to ask when you make reservations. Taxi service is available to all locations in Avalon, and cabs meet each arriving boat. There is also a taxi stand in the center of town that will take you anywhere you want to go. Trolley service operates along two scheduled routes regularly in the summer and on weekends in the off season.
To enjoy the hills above the town, do what the locals do and drive a golf cart. Golf cart rentals are abundant in town and you can easily explore the mountain terrain around Avalon in an hour or so. You can also rent a bicycle to go exploring or take a sightseeing tour in a comfortable motor coach or open- air tram.
This 1921 Georgian Colonial (the Wrigley Mansion) is the former home of  chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. The home sits 350 feet above the town and harbor on Mt. Ada (named after his wife, Ada), and was designed to catch the first sunlight in the morning and the last rays at sunset.
After Mrs. Wrigley s death, the home eventually became  The Inn on Mt. Ada , and for the past successive 18 years has enjoyed a Mobil 4-Star last minute weekend getaway travel package rating as well as a handful of other notable distinctions.  With only six rooms available, the Inn is highly sought after, requiring reservations well in advance of your stay.
We learned that we would be staying in The Queen s Aviary , Mrs. Wrigley s bedroom and sitting room.  As you ll see in the video below, the room has been impeccably maintained and offered us beautiful views of the harbor and ocean.  Further, we enjoyed a vintage bathroom, a large walk-in closet, and a romantic fireplace.
As our luggage was brought to our room, we enjoyed a brief tour of the mansion.  There is a stunningly beautiful sun porch overlooking the harbor, a large deck wrapping the house; a very large living room with a grand piano and fireplace, a beautiful dining room with stunning chandeliers, and a guest kitchen stocked with goodies, wine, beer, water, and even a freezer stocked with ice cream!
This location has been serving Catalina last minute weekend getaway travel package Island guests for over thirty years.  However, when the Aurora moved in, the hotel was remodeled giving the property the hospitality last minute weekend getaway travel package of a bed and breakfast inn with the ambiance of a metropolitan boutique hotel.
We spent a marvelous night in the Aurora Suite.  Billed as one of the most luxurious hotel suites on the island, it featured a massive flat screen television, a beautiful stone fireplace and bar in the living area; a walk-in multi-head shower, a king-size Tempurpedic  mattress, and two of the most comfortable reclining rockers we have ever had the privilege of sitting in.
The Hotel Metropole is set in the Metropole Market Place which resembles the French Quarter with cobblestone walkways and features a unique collection of boutique shops, a fine-dining restaurant, a day spa, a classic arcade, and an espresso bar.
We enjoyed one of their newly refurbished ocean front mini-suites.  Our amenities included our own private balcony with panoramic ocean views, a king-size bed, fireplace, jacuzzi bathtub, last minute weekend getaway travel package plush robes, ample closet space, and a large flat-screen television.
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with a lively, last minute weekend getaway travel package central bar and open air dining. This new waterfront restaurant features American regional dishes last minute weekend getaway travel package with a seasonal approach, paired with a world class selection of wines, micro-brew beers and cocktails in a casual and fun al fresco atmosphere last minute weekend getaway travel package overlooking Avalon Bay.
We stopped into the Avalon Grille for lunch. Ricardo, the General last minute weekend getaway travel package Manager, insisted that we start our lunch out by sharing one of their signature martinis.  Although we generally wouldn t enjoy a martini for lunch, last minute weekend getaway travel package we can highly recommend it. Delish!
Mr. Roaming Boomer did most of the heavy lifting on the martini, while Chef Paul Hancock sent out a veritable bounty of delights for us to sample.  First came Tuna Tartar, Calamari, and Chef Hancock s famous Roasted Brussels Sprouts. last minute weekend getaway travel package  All were delightful.  However, we asked for, and received, the recipe for the brussels sprouts.  If you like brussels sprouts, you will go gaga for these!  They re roasted with cranberries, almonds, pancetta, and a mustard vinaigrette.  Best brussels sprouts ever!
Continuing our gastronomical journey we moved into our entrées.  Carol went for the Ahi Tuna Burger, last minute weekend getaway travel package and while I was tempted to try a famous Catalina Island Buffalo Burger (not local buffalos), I opted instead last minute weekend getaway travel package for the day s Fresh Catch Sand Dabs.  Carol s burger was accompanied by fried green beens, while my Sand Dabs were pan-fried with a beurre blanc sauce.  YUM!
Although we didn t ask for it, out came our proud and smiling waiter with Deep Fried Oreo Cookies for dessert.  Now, I must confess, deep-fried Oreo cookies does not sound appealing to me.  However, you haven t lived until you tasted a hot, melty, Oreo cookie with a dash of vanilla ice cream. Holy Fried Delight last minute weekend getaway travel package Batman!  That was good!
As a fourth-generation islander, Steve s family heritage traces back to the days before chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. owned the island.  Steve s great-grandfather was the first county last minute weekend getaway travel package judge of Avalon; last minute weekend getaway travel package his grandfather was a local sheriff and constable, and his father was a local boat captain for 55 years.
Our evening started with Thai Crab Cakes, the best Fried Coconut Shrimp we ve ever had in our lives, and a