Tag Archives: Santa Catalina Island
Four seaplanes parked on the small runway of Catalina Airport, Hamilton Cove, Santa Catalina Island, California, 1931
Over the past century and a half, most vacationers heading to Santa Catalina Island have traveled via boat. But those in a hurry had an option to fly there. Until the private Buffalo Springs Airport was built in 1941, the … Continue reading
Aerial shot of the town of Avalon, on Avalon Bay, Santa Catalina Island, California, June 26, 1936
When Angelenos want to get away from it all, they have no shortage of places to go: the mountains, the beaches, the desert, north to Santa Barbara, south to Mexico. But one of the nicest getaways lays (as the song … Continue reading
Night shot of audience waiting for a performance at the Amphitheater, Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, circa 1909
It wasn’t until I came across this photo that I learned that Santa Catalina Island used to have its own amphitheater. Nestled in a hillside near the southern edge of Avalon, the island’s main town, it was built in 1904 … Continue reading
Chaplin Airlines’ Curtiss Seagull flying boat seaplane that flew between Wilmington and Catalina Island, California, circa 1920
Although the Chaplin name is synonymous with Hollywood, Angelenos of the early 1920s also associated it with aviation. Charlie’s half-brother, Syd, was also an aviator who had his own airfield (on the northwest corner of Wilshire and Fairfax) and commercial … Continue reading
Crowds line up for the Catalina Steamer on Santa Monica pier, Santa Monica, 1936
Yesterday, I was researching the cavernous La Monica Ballroom on Santa Monica pier (that’s the place with the ten turrets in the background) when I came across this photo. That’s when I learned that there was something called the Catalina … Continue reading
Santa Catalina Island postcard with modified bus, circa 1920s
Santa Catalina Island is famously 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles and makes for a terrific getaway for frazzled Angelenos. These days you can get around the island using zippy little electric golf carts. But back in the … Continue reading
Autoette on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles, early 1950s
Although this early 1950s view of Avalon Bay and the Catalina Island Casino on Santa Catalina Island hasn’t changed very much, what you’re not likely to see is one of those nifty red vehicles. They were an electric micro-car called … Continue reading
Wrigley mansion overlooking the resort town of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, California, circa 1919)
Santa Catalina Island is a wonderful getaway island off the coast of Los Angeles. It was once owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., except for the resort town of Avalon. In this photo from 1919, we can see … Continue reading
Night view of Avalon Bay, with the Casino shining brightly in the background, Catalina Island, 1957
Santa Catalina Island—more commonly known among Angelenos as Catalina Island, or simply ‘Catalina’—is a picturesque island 22 miles off Long Beach. For Southern Californians, Catalina is chiefly a weekend getaway destination where you can enjoy the beach, the diving, hiking, … Continue reading
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Tagged Airports Aircraft Airlines, Night photo, Santa Catalina Island
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Santa Catalina Island airport, off the coast of Los Angeles
Who knew that Santa Catalina Island had an airport? Apparently it was established at Hamilton Cove near Avalon in 1931, and was the airport was home to the Wilmington-Catalina Air Line, which provided transportation to and from the island for … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Airports Aircraft Airlines, Beaches, Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island
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