Catalina DiscoveryTour
By Jack White and Jill Weinlein
Jack and Jill's Cruise Reviews
 The city of Avalon, on Catalina Island,
is an ideal alternative port for ships
cruising down to the Mexican Riviera. The
port of Avalon offers a Mediterranean
feeling, in a safe environment, with plenty
of picturesque sights and fun activities.
Currently, the Carnival Inspiration stops
in Avalon on Tuesday’s each week before
sailing down to Ensenada. Here are some
of the most popular excursions passengers
can experience while in the port of
Avalon:
Doug Lord of Catalina Tours takes
guests on a whale-watching excursion to
see some of the 28,000 gray whales that
migrate up North after giving birth to
calves down in Baja. Lord has been able to
get groups of enthusiasts up close to
observe baby whale’s nursing. Calves
acquire a critical layer of fat from their
mother’s milk, so they can survive the
7,000-mile journey to the Bering and
Chukchi Seas.
Another interesting tour to discover
wildlife is the Inside Island Adventure
Tour. The two-hour trip takes visitors on a
private drive along the island’s mountain
range. Guests enjoy spectacular canyon
and scenic coastline views. Tour guides
are happy to stop so visitors can take
pictures of the mule deer and buffalo that
continue to roam the island. The buffalos
are descendants of the wild bison, turned
loose on the island back in 1924, after
starring in the silent picture film, “The
Vanishing American.” There are 135 furry
brown mammals roaming the island’s
interior now. The Santa Catalina Island
Conservancy, a non-profit organization
maintains the healthy herd.
The last stop on the tour, before going
back down to Avalon, is at the Airport-inthe-
Sky. Built in 1946, it is one of the most
challenging airports for pilots due to its
3,250-foot runway. Inside the airport is the
Runway Café. Be sure to buy a few of their
famous peanut butter, oatmeal and
chocolate-chip cookies for the ride back.
They are scrumptious.
For passengers who would like to have
a tour of Avalon and learn a little about
the history, they can hop on the Avalon
Trolley. The $4 roundtrip ticket includes a
ride along the waterfront with multiple
stops. One stop is the Catalina Island
Conservancy Nature Center, Wrigley
Memorial and Botanical Gardens. It’s a
tribute to William Wrigley Jr., who
purchased the island in 1919. Mr. Wrigley
was interred at the Memorial upon his
death in 1932. Ada, his wife, supervised
the design and planting of the exotic
cactus garden filled with desert and native
plants. Many are only found on Catalina
Island. There is a Catalina Island
Conservancy Nature Center next to the
gardens that appeals to all ages.
The trolley travels downtown to
Crescent Avenue providing access to
unique shops, restaurants and nearby
Green Pleasure pier. Cruise passengers
who would like to learn more about the
inhabitants under-the-sea, can take a
glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible
adventure tour from the pier. Learn about
the brightly orange-colored Garibaldi fish
and kelp forest filled with interesting sea
creatures. Passengers enjoy feeding the
ocean inhabitants in specially designed
food drop tubes or push the torpedo
buttons that shoot out food.
A half-a-block from the pier is
Catalina’s Golf Gardens. It’s a nononsense
eighteen-hole miniature golf
course situated in a beautiful garden
setting.
Pick up the trolley from here to take a
ride out to the Catalina Casino and
Descanso Beach activity center.
Thrill seekers will want to get off at the
Descanso Beach activity center to
experience the adrenaline pumping zipline
ride that reaches speeds as high as 45
miles while zipping to five different
platforms.
The Descanso Beach Club offers an
open-air restaurant and bar, private
cabanas, and chaise lounge chairs. Single
and double kayaks are available to rent
for one hour, half-day and full day. It’s
also a great place to swim or snorkel in
the clear and refreshing water.
While relaxing on the beach, to the
right is the landmark Catalina Casino
built in 1929. This is not a gambling spot;
but a dance pavilion, museum and movie
theatre that runs first-run movies for the
residents and visitors.
Currently, the Catalina Island Museum
is exhibiting Celebrity Playground with
photos and stories of Catalina Island’s
glory days as Hollywood’s favorite island
destination. Charlie Chaplin, Natalie
Wood, Robert Wagner, Humphrey Bogart
and John Wayne were some of the movie
stars that sailed their boats to Avalon
harbor.
When hungry, the Cottage Restaurant is
open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s
one of the closest restaurants to the Cruise
terminal. The food is good, and the owner
Muriel Willhite has lived on the island for
years. She is happy to share interesting
stories about Avalon.
For those who would like to visit
Avalon for the day without boarding a
cruise ship, The Catalina Express boat
leaves from Long Beach to Avalon on
roundtrip cruises seven-days a week.
Check their cruise schedule at
www.catalinaexpress.com.
Catalina Trolley Schedule and Map -
http://www.ecatalina.com/pdf/trolly.pdf
Zip Line adventure -
www.visitcatalinaisland.com
Inside Island Adventure Tour and Glass-
Bottom Boat or Semi-Submersible tour-
www.catalinaadventuretours.com
Catalina Casino and Catalina Golf
Gardens and Descanso Beach -
www.visitcatalinaisland.com
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Carlsbad, California
 Expect the unexpected in
Carlsbad, an eclectic mix of the great
outdoors, acres of rolling farmland,
fields of radiant colored flowers, and
the romantic hideaway and ultimate
playground for old Hollywood. The
idyllic coastal North San Diego
"Village by the Sea," Carlsbad is set
among nature’s limitless beauty, and
offers a treasure trove of fun, adventure
and cultured activities.
Whether you choose to just
lay back and relax, enjoy the miles of
pristine beaches and sleepy blue
lagoons, connect with nature, explore
the downtown streets of artsy shops, or
just enjoy a breathtaking view of the
Pacific Ocean, you’ll make memories
here. .
Settle down at the West Inn &
Suites, a unique boutique hotel offering
the ultimate in luxurious detail with a
classic style. There are 86 spacious guest
rooms including 36 suites. All rooms
have 1 or 2 king beds with pristine
high-thread Egyptian cotton linen,
Down duvets and blankets and AVEDA
products. Complimentary highlights
include an extensive hot breakfast
buffet, high speed wired & wireless
internet, DVD players in each room,
outdoor and underground parking,
seasonal evening pour, cookies and
milk at bedtime and coffee and tea in
the breakfast room, 24 hours a day. Pet
friendly rooms are available for an
additional fee, and amenities include an
on site pet run and a pet park, directly
west of Bistro West. There is no resort
fee, and a complimentary scheduled
shuttle service is available within 5
miles of the hotel from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"West" signature service and
personal attention by the entire team is
yours throughout your stay, and
Concierges with unique specialties are
there to guide you. There’s a Romance
Advisor, for the perfect date night, who
will map out the best romantic spots to
view the sunset; The Sports Enthusiast
who can arrange morning yoga sessions
on the beach, naturalist-led walks of the
area lagoons, kayaking, surfing and standup
paddle boarding; A Pet Activity
Specialist who can arrange a variety of
activities including dog walkers, trips to
Del Mar’s dog beach, or kennel services at
Legoland.
Soak up the sun beside the heated
outdoor pool and spa, and stay in shape at
the fitness center equipped with an
elliptical trainer, treadmill, stationary
bicycle and universal weight stations.
Stop by the library stocked with books
and games, and if golf is your passion
there are two PGA championship golf
courses within a five minute drive.
Dining on property
 Be prepared to savor the most
incredible food in both the casual and fine
dining restaurants on property. Executive
Chef Eugenio Martignago, who was born
and raised in Musano, Italy oversees both
restaurants. His cooking style with a
French and Italian influence, is a collage
of his culinary experiences from around
the world. Infusing an authentic farm-totable
experience into his creative,
sophisticated and delicious menus, Chef
Martignago tends his own one-acre farm
which is producing a harvest with more
than 25 vegetables including white
eggplant, baby zucchini, yellow beets
and heirloom tomatoes. Inspired by the
culinary bounty, the chef’s organic
creations from the farm have become
daily specialties at each restaurant,
offering guests a seasonal menu
experience each time they visit. Popular
menu specials such as a stuffed zucchini
flower with truffle goat cheese with
mushroom sauce, heirloom tomato
Caprese salad, and the daily garden
vegetable sauté, change seasonally with
each harvest from the West farm.
In both restaurants individual
menu options are offered to
accommodate Vegans and those on
gluten-free diets.
Bistro West has a casual elegant
motif featuring natural lighting from
glass-block windows with mood-setting
light variations and floor to ceiling
water filled bubble walls. The restaurant
for all day dining, also includes a petfriendly
patio. Here Executive Chef
Eugenio Martignago and Chef Jason
Connolly offer contemporary comfort
food. Menu highlights include: pear and
prosciutto pizza; scallop and truffle sauce
pasta; seared Ahi steak, chicken pot pie,
Kobe beef blend meatloaf, Bistro West
Signature Hamburger; a big bowl of
Miso soup with stir fried fresh veggies,
shrimp, wonton, and tofu; filet mignon
beef stroganoff; seared Ahi salad; and
scallops with wild mushrooms and
truffle sauce.
West Steak and Seafood the hot
spot for locals and guests ,greets you
with its elegant décor and intimate
booth seating, highlighted by dramatic
fiber optic lighting panels. Featuring
USDA prime New York, petite prime
filet, prime bone-in rib eye and
Porterhouse steaks, Durham Farms bison
filet; roasted New Zealand Cervena
venison chops; and seared Colorado and
Australian lamb chops. Signature
seafood creations include, seared jumbo
sea scallops with sweet corn and black
truffle sauce; Chilean sea bass,
Mediterranean striped bass (Branzino);
and grilled swordfish. All of the sauces,
marinades and dressings are made from
scratch daily.
Raise your glass for the finest global
and California offerings recognized by
Wine-Spectator-rated Award of
Excellence collection To guide you
through your selections featuring more
than a few gems, are Chef Eugenio
Martignago, Tom Bertrand, and Chuck
Herrold, all 1st level court of Master
Sommeliers . Adding a twist to the typical
food and wine pairings, "Sips and Bites" pair
specialty cocktails with a seasonally inspired
menu that evolves with the changing harvest
from West farm. Bar highlights include ruby
slipper martini made with fresh raspberries
and basil-mint; pumpkin spiced martini,
ginger Rosemary lemon drop and spicy
cucumber martini.
Happy Hour From 4:30 to 6:30 PM smaller
portions of traditional dinner menu items at
lower prices are served in the bar. Sunday is
for family dinner with a slow cooked
Sunday Supper family style dining menu.
Open for dinner Monday through Thursday
from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and
Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. PM and
Sunday-4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
West Inn & Suites is located at 4970
Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad. For
information and reservations phone (760)
448-4500 or (866) 431-WEST or
www.westinnandsuites.com
Around the area
 Whether you like your music melodious
or harmonious, the Museum of Making
Music is a must see. Discover popular music
and instrument innovations of the 20th and
21st centuries. Play on a variety of hands-on,
interactive instruments designed to inspire
the music enthusiast within. Phone (877) 551-
9976 or www.MuseumofMakingMusic.org
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is a 27
acre-parcel (once part of a 2538 acre working
rancho) that has been preserved, and many
of the buildings restored by the City of
Carlsbad. It was home to actor Leo Carrillo
(perhaps most well known for playing the
role of Poncho in the 1950s color television
series," The Cisco Kid"), his wife Edith
(Deedie), and their daughter Antoinette.
Carrillo had a working rancho of his own
complete with horses, cowboys, 600 head of
cattle and roaming peacocks.
A short movie in the Hay Barn (Visitor
Center) will give you an overview of Leo
Carrillo and the Ranch .Guided tours are 11
am and 1 pm on Saturdays and 12 pm and 2
pm on Sundays, or by advance reservation.
Wear appropriate foot wear for the uneven
terrain within the historic park. The Park is
located in Carlsbad at 6200 Flying Leo
Carrillo Lane. www.carlsbadca.gov.
Carlsbad is a two-hour drive south of Los
Angeles or check out the Amtrak schedule.
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