as i mentioned yesterday, i convinced my husband to take me to catalina this past weekend. he had never been and i couldn’t wait to show him around the island. i swore i was going to dress up more this time around but somehow only ended up dressing up once (again)! we didn’t make any plans in advance except for zip lining so the rest of the time was spent exploring the island in our golf cart, eating good food and relaxing. over the years, i had been told by many people that you can see all there is to see on catalina in a few hours. they don’t know what they are missing. or maybe i have just been in good company both times. =)

we knew the weather was going to be a little gloomy and much cooler than the last time i had visited but we got lucky and had one gorgeous day. which also happened to be the day we went zip lining. i knew i was going to be putting on that stinky ol’ helmet so i pretty much just threw my hair up and we headed out the door first thing in the morning to check out the island. not quite sure what i am doing in this pic but i do know that i was really excited to take a pic under this random rock wall in the middle of nowhere.

and then we came across this tree swing that is high up on a hill cliff above the ocean. it was such a beautiful view.

my husband and i right before the first zip line. it was his first time, my second. and you guys, i am addicted! which is shocking because i am normally extremely afraid of heights.

a view of the famous catalina casino & avalon harbor. when i went with my mom & brother, we were a little disappointed that it wasn’t an actual casino (it’s a theater, ballroom and museum). but then we came across pedro’s bar where i had the best margarita i have ever had in my entire life. so it totally made up for the casino….lol. i went from never having been to catalina to now having spent a full week (combined) on the island. i used to want to retire in palm springs. i’ve changed my mind. now i want to spend half of the year in palm springs, and the other half in catalina.

***if you are planning a trip to catalina, i HIGHLY recommend staying in hamilton cove (although i recommend renting through CIVR if possible). each unit comes with a golf cart which is the only other way to get around the island unless you walk or take a taxi. otherwise they are about $40/hr to rent. my two favorite places to eat are steve’s steakhouse and the lobster trap. and of course, zip lining is a MUST. =) feel free to email me if you have any questions. this is not a paid/sponsored post. i just fell in love with catalina and had to share.

17 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Penny Pincher Fashion
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 3:17 am

    Aww, this looks like so much fun! And for all the times I’ve been in California, I have never made it to Catalina. I think I need to plan a girls trip so we can do it because I looooove zip lining too!! 🙂

  2. Amy Shaughnessy
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 7:06 am

    It looks like you guys had a blast! I am petrified of heights so I am surprised that I suggested ziplining as one of our excursions. It will be in Puerto Rico. And it is supposed to be at night… Which freaks me out just a little. What if I’m flying through the air and a bat hits me in the face? Yikes.

    Amy

    Fashion and Beauty Finds

    • jennifer
      Oct 23, 2012 @ 6:07 pm

      i literally LOL at the bat comment! ha ha! they told us that the zip lines are faster at night (slower in the heat from expanding wires) which totally makes me want to try it at night. i don’t know though….for a first timer…i’d want to see where the heck i’m going….ha ha! can’t wait to hear how it went!!!

  3. Babi
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 7:34 am

    looks like you had a great time! by the way, i like your dress! 🙂

    Babi

  4. Jill
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 7:51 am

    Looks like a nice get a way!

  5. Amy
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 9:09 am

    OH looks like you had a wonderful time with the hubby! Love it!

    xx amy
    Leopard and Lillies

  6. Always Maylee
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 11:46 am

    Looks like you had a great time! I love that picture of you on the swing with the water in the background, looks so peaceful!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

  7. Kacie's Kloset
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 12:50 pm

    After going there for my sisters bachelorette party, I fell in love with the place! I want to go back with my hubby!

    http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
    http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com

  8. Bravoerunway
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 3:26 pm

    Iam so glad you had the chance to go back to Catalina island. I was there as part of a cruise and it is a gorgeous place!

  9. Milna
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 3:46 pm

    Looks like a wonderful time!

    milna89.blogspot.com
    *********************

  10. ...love Maegan
    Oct 23, 2012 @ 4:22 pm

    you guys are so cute! and you look GORGEOUS in that first shot!

    Though I’ve surprisingly never been there, we did think of possibly buying a home there when we were in the midst of LOST, lol… we were looking for that island life. We love Palm Springs too…. we are now thinking Lake half the year and PS the other half, lol.

    • jennifer
      Oct 23, 2012 @ 6:05 pm

      awww, thanks! ok, new plan…we buy the catalina house and you buy the palm springs house and then we just swap for half of the year…LOL! =) only rule is you have to decorate both. =) and OMG…you guys HAVE to check out catalina!!!

  11. liz
    Oct 24, 2012 @ 6:33 am

    the husband and i love catalina! we seriously cant get enough of it! looks like you guys had a great time 🙂

  12. the domestic fringe
    Oct 24, 2012 @ 6:35 am

    Looks like a great time!

    ~FringeGirl

  13. Janelle@GlamorousMama
    Oct 25, 2012 @ 6:23 pm

    Cute pictures!! You look gorgeous!

    xoxo
    Janelle

  14. Judy
    Oct 29, 2012 @ 1:25 am

    Hi – where is your dress from?

    • jennifer
      Oct 29, 2012 @ 8:35 am

      it is by winter kate and i found it at nordstrom rack. =)