Ocean Front Fervor: The Mirroring Textures Of Catalina Island & Huntington Beach - Feature
The distinctiveness of the burgeoning surf can be a great equalizer for all elements of relaxation. On the Southern California coast near Los Angeles, two nearby destinations: one beachfront and one off-shore, offer a distinctiveness of possibility but each with a different identity all their own.
Catalina Island, by structure of Long Beach, knows its calmness permeates a sense of history. Many compare it to an island like Hawaii right off the coast of California because of its old school ways, cool boutique hotels and clear opaque water.However in preparing to make the way through, most people flying into LAX (or more likely John Wayne Airport) will make a quick stop overnight since the Catalina Express Ferry only operates at certain times.In this structure, the Atrium Hotel, literally across from John Wayne Airport, offers a brief respite before heading out into the ocean. With a club-like atmosphere near the pool, the intention of the food reflects the lithe balance of life with an ambiance that allows for late night conversations as planes roar past overhead.As a margarita soothes with gentle presumption, the salsa understands the right balance between the tomato base and its sour cream antecedent. The buffalo chicken wings brew content cooling with the light dressing of the caesar salad as quiet neon blankets the pool.
Boarding the Catalina Island Express from Long Beach proved exceptionally easy. Being a resident of the Southland for many years, a trip to the island had never proved necessary yet, upon view, the ideal of such a different perception only 30 miles away definitely adds to its allure.Sipping on a Bloody Mary in the ferry's upstairs Commodore Lounge, the rolling sea files away with a sense of knowing as the marine layer clears with gusto and the sunny drenched intention of the isle makes itself known.One thing that remains true of the island is its allowance of a 50s version of Los Angeles. This might be misconstrued in reverence to the Golden Age of Hollywood but it reflects in the more laid back, non-beligerent lifestyle.
This is undeniably reflected in the Casino Avalon, which despite its name, dictates no gambling of any sort. It is more seen as the jewel of the island built in similar fashion and around the same time as the builder of the famous Mann Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Its arching marble entrance and vast theater reflect the same luxury as its counterpart on the mainland.Like many movie houses of its day, the murals paint fantastic but remain true to its origination. The woodwork alone is worth in the millions of dollars. Silent films play the screen still with the accompaniment of a pipe organ, working in substance but among only a few of its kind in the world. Modern day movies also grace the Avalon's presence, its one movie a week maintaining its old world feel.On the second floor above the theater lingers the vast ballroom which was host to some of the biggest soirees of the 30s and 40s. Stepping on the floor ,which is wide and strained as the hydraulics twist overhead, the breathe of its scope is not lost on the viewer.
The history of the island is undeniably intertwined with the Wrigley family. The bubblegum magnate initially brought his baseball team here for spring training and the family mansion still rests on the hill. The island tour aboard an open air tram (available from city center) gives this wanton perception of the island (which intrigued this early baron) making a round through town before heading up into the mountain roads giving a spectacular view of the island (including a new Zip Line Eco-Tour which at one point soars 600 feet over a mountain canyon).
The food present also offers a nice perception of the island persistance. The Descano Beach Club offers bungalow-style relaxation looking out over the open ocean. The beginnings of a dacquiri balances with a tart but satisfying ceviche mixing scallops and shrimp with a tangy pico de gallo lime sauce offering the palette a nice progression to a seafood taqueria with rice, beans and talapia baked to a golden brown.
The M Restaurant, in the main part of the Metropole Hotel, offers Chef's Table courses that change on a constant basis. Using different structure of cold instances combined with hot dishes, the paradoxes prove positive. From balsamic drenched pieces of watermelon to spicy grilled shrimp, the insight was divine, proof positive reflected in the main entree of encrusted pork draped with raspberries.
For late night, just as a matter of texture, Luau Larrys offers the tiki intention necessary in such a destination. Replete with adequate decor and open-air whistling, the requisite and insistent drink known as "The Wiki Whacker" piles high with rum brandy twisting and turning its way into the night.The Vincentes Hotel, located just off the oceanfront, offers quiet and easy access to the evening's activities without straining up the necessity of hills which happen with other arenas of the island: a distinct allure considering what it takes sometimes to enjoy such evening in Hollywood on the mainland when inclines are involved.
Before leaving the quaint countenance of Catalina for the mainland, a zodiac ride aboard with the Wild Dolphin Excursion enjoys interaction that most people have to fly to Hawaii for. Within minutes of leaving the Catalina Harbor, bottle-nosed dolphins are running at full speed underneath the boat feeding with fervor with sea lions as turns keep up with inherent competition.Catalina Island possesses that getaway from home-type quality that plagues most So Cal residents but offers a great relief of satisfaction if only for a day.
Huntington Beach, just down the fray on the mainland, creates an interesting irony because in a blazing twilight of sunset, Catalina Island becomes visible if only for a moment while the rest of the day it is shrouded in mist and clouds.In all fairness, Huntington is the ying to Catalina's yang. Beach central incarnate, it enjoys its liveliness without being overtly aware of its lure. Surfers have always found sustenance in the areas waves and many a day can be spent bodyboarding without thought to the time as the sun melts into the ocean.
A new approach to the idea of beach travel rests in a new form of off-road segue offered in Huntington by HB Tours. While the best beach riding on the surf can mainly take place at low tide during the winter months, these maligned contraptions, which are remarkably easy to ride, are outfitted here with a more manueverable body and large pneumatic tires that, with adequate balance, can get through even the toughest sand.
The base of operations in such a spot is necessary with none better than the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort which provides essential relaxation both in and outside its walls in direct contact with the world famous shoreline.
From its balconies overlooking the pool area and the surrounding beach, the Waterfront's view is unmatched as its vista is unfettered by high rises that fetter many beach skylines while the rooms, both spacious and intimate, provide awonderful texture for late night work or the the requisite nap in adequate time.
Dinner on the Surf Hero Patio at the Waterfront with heat lamps providing adequate texture shows the relief of such a vision. With chicken, shrimp and tri-tip grilled to perfection by Chef Jeff. the essence of the taste without overcoming the palette is a welcome relief.
Escapes Bar in direct tandem also provides a plethora of functional spirits, most specifically in the resolute tendency of The Jen, a local favorite mixing Ketel One, Chambord, pinneaple and cranberry for a delectable breathe of fresh air.This is not to say Downtown Huntington too doesn't boast its share of cool eateries which again take advantage of the undeniable sun-drenched vibe.
Fred's Mexican Cafe, overlooking Hungtington Pier, simply dazzles with its hearty portions. Beginning with a vicious margarita, tequila at the ready, the balance of an utterly delicious avocado dip draped with a homemade parmesan simply hits the spot.
However, despite the overwhelming aroma and sizzling countenance of the fajitas, the chingaderas, the local play on a Mexican Spring Roll, were the true highlight and absolutely out of this world. Mizing pico de gallo, chicken, corn, black beans and cheese, it is a bite of heaven.
Sandy's Beach Grille, down closer to the sand, offers a bit more of a franchise feel despite its articulation of fun. Its El Nino offers the tropical drink inflection with the required bite while home cut cries draped in a bit of truffle oil offer the required effect.
The tortilla soup, wracked with wonderful bits of chicken and an enormous portion of cheese makes almost for a meal within itself while the fish and chips, a beach standard, still proves that good fish always lives near the sea especially when the right tartar sauce is around.
Huntington Beach, like Catalina Island, knows its ocean border strengths and implements them with a generous dose of hospitality. Walks too, like those on Catalina, are vital and give a true functionality of the area. While Catalina functions as a little more of a sleepy destination, its identity and committment to a luxury lifestyle with a degree of levity remains true while Huntington with the base of the Hilton Waterfront as a gateway knows how to keep the beach fun moving at all times.