"Undiscovered Paradise " a Santa Catalina Island Travel Page by smo001100

I planned a camping trip to Two Harbors, Catalina Island with a group of friends about two months prior to our departure date in August. I really had no idea what to expect. However, what we got to see and experience there was incredible.

We camped at the Two Harbors campground that sits a top a bluff overlooking the Two Harbors bay. The campsite was a little dusty, but in the Summer, Catalina Island is very much like a desert island, covered in cactus and other flora that is familiar to Southern California.

The cliffs where the sea and land meet reminded me of Southern France and I felt miles and miles away from the fast paced life of Los Angeles. At the end of my trip, I really didnt want to leave.

My favorite part of Catalina was the snorkeling. You can walk down to the beach that is in front of the campground and snorkel there along the cliff, swim or just catch some rays. The water is clean and clear and the views magnificent.

The other fantastic area to snorkel which was really clear and full of life was to the left of the Two Harbors pier, along the cliff area. We saw a gazzilion types of fish, pelicans feeding on schools of sardines, sea slugs, garibadlis, and the list could go on....

However, the BEST place to snorkel was Big Fisherman's Cover near the USC Marine Research Facility. It was there where we saw bat rays, guitar fish, harbor seals, garibaldis, diverse levels of seaweed forests and grasses. Also, you could snorkel along the cliffs and there were 'caves' you could swim too. We went there two days in a row it was that fantastic.

**pictures coming very soon!!**

We rented mountain bikes for the day which cost about $40. Expensive, yes, but well worth it. We decided to rent bikes because the hike wouldhave taken a few hours or more.

We rode from Two Harbors to Little Harbor which is on the Pacific side of the island. The ride was quite strenuous but really fun and rewarding. We saw Mama Bison's with their babys along the way and soaringv iews of the island. When we finally made it to Little Harbor we ran into the ocean for a dip. Snorkeling isnt very good on this side,w hich we quickly found out, there are two bays at Little Harbor. One is calm for swimming and the other actually has waves you can body surf or boogie board.

Around the Two Harbors area you can take small hikes to the top of several peaks to take in the views of the isthmus. Also, a nice walk is from Two Harbors to the Pacific side of the island. Only takes about 20 minutes and its pretty flat.