A Fantastic 4th of July to Remember on Catalina Island
What do you do when you’re introverted enough to dislike socializing at 4th of July BBQs and summer crowds, but not introverted enough to just stay at home all day?
Back in 2015, the answer to that was to check out Catalina Island.
NOTE: This is a post inspired by #FlashbackFriday, where I reminisce about my past experiences for nostalgia, and also to practice my (rusty) writing skills. The events, prices, and other details mentioned are not necessarily accurate when reading. It’s best to assume the events, prices, and other details are from my previous personal experience unless I state otherwise that it is accurate at the time of writing.
Table of Contents
Summertime UGH
I have a confession to make: Even though I was born & raised in a tropical country, I hate summer.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the freedom it gave me as a kid, released from the oppressive shackles of school. But I disliked the weather and despised the crowd of people that came out of the woodwork. Mostly because I’m an introvert. But also, it’s a lot harder to get the best seats at my favorite hangout spots.
So despite having attended a couple of 4th of July BBQs with family in the couple of years since I’ve been living in the US. But I didn’t necessarily look forward to it.
I found most 4th of July parties are too hot, too crowded, and too social. The last one is usually a deal-breaker.
So when my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I were invited by his friend to go to Catalina Island for the 4th of July back in 2015, I agreed out of curiosity more than anything.
Ferry There…
We had arranged to wake up early (boo!) to catch an early ferry to Catalina Island (a novel experience for me).
I got my first glimpse of Catalina Island while we were still on the ferry. Immediately, I thought it was quaint, and I was charmed by its cute small-beach-town vibes. I can see how this could be the perfect summer meet-cute setting.
I also appreciated the fact that since it was surrounded by water, there was a pretty consistent breeze to cool us down, despite the bright sunny day.
Our host happened to have a holiday home in Catalina, to escape the noise (& presumably heat) of LA when it’s in full 4th of July swing. I didn’t know this when I had agreed to join them in going to Catalina – I just thought either my then-boyfriend or his friend wanted to do something special for the occasion that wasn’t another backyard BBQ.
I was just there for what I thought to be a chill little day trip, to break up the monotony of trying my best to escape the heat at home.
We ended up spending some time chatting with our friend’s family and getting to know them. At least, before hunger drove us to excuse ourselves. The rest of them had already eaten a big breakfast (I’m talking “wake up with the sun” type of old). So we were on our own for lunch.
That was when I was introduced to the most efficient mode of group transportation at Catalina (according to our host’s family): the golf cart.
Cruising around Catalina Island
I found it rather funny since that was the first time I’d ridden a golf cart… Yet we weren’t even on a golf course! But it got us from their place to the pier, where we grabbed some fish & chips (naturally).
In retrospect, it made sense. Catalina Island didn’t have a lot of flat, open ground to build roads on, so it was bicycles for individuals or golf carts for groups.
The scenery from pretty much anywhere on Catalina Island’s coastline was simply gorgeous.
My only regret for the day was not packing a swimsuit, since we saw small pockets along the coast where other people were swimming.
The water looked inviting, but I wasn’t in the habit of packing a swimsuit for day trips. I love my long hair, but washing it outside the comfort of my own home can be a chore. But if I had known we would have access to a house (+bathroom), I definitely would’ve packed my swimsuit.
Otherwise, we spent a chill day cruising around Catalina Island. We got to see multiple views of the same harbor where we disembarked from the ferry.
All in all, it was a well-spent 4th of July, and we didn’t even get to the fireworks yet!
Activities at Catalina Island
Honestly, though, the excitement faded soon after since there was only so much sightseeing we could do with the short time we had at Catalina Island.
Given that we were only there for a day trip, we didn’t make any plans or reservations for any of the activities they had on offer. I didn’t even research (gasp!) anything beforehand.
Though to be fair, our short day trip to Catalina was definitely before I made a habit of researching & planning out trips. This was before I had enough experience to be disappointed by other people’s lack of planning & indecisiveness.
Not to mention, 2015 was a time when my then-boyfriend and I actively sought free and/or cheap dates. We were a lot more cautious about our spending thanks to our college-student budgets, and how new our relationship still was.
I have since come to realize that our mindset was quite the opposite of a lot of our other friends. They were more along the lines of grander dates, like Disneyland. I mean, don’t get me wrong we also definitely dined out quite a bit since we both love food. But we offset that with a lot of (free!) park & beach dates.
We were both on the same page, thinking that if we couldn’t find free ways to see each other & enjoy each other’s company, then it wouldn’t have been a sustainable relationship for both of us.
We must’ve done something right since we’re married now.
…and Back Again
After we had exhausted ourselves cruising around Catalina Island and taking photos, we made our way back to our host’s place. We enjoyed their snacks & hospitality as we joined them for dinner, where they got to ask my thoughts on my first-ever trip to Catalina Island.
For the rest of the time before we planned to leave, we relaxed and got to hear some funny family stories from our hosts. We were also entertained with the history of some of the curios and collectibles displayed around their house.
Eventually, we said our goodbyes as we had a ferry to catch, whereas the rest of the family was staying in Catalina until the next day. We timed our leave so that we could see some of the fireworks display while we were still on the ferry.
I have to say, despite being used to more spectacular (& questionably safe) fireworks growing up, it was a treat to be able to watch a fireworks display while being on the water.
All in all, it was a good way to end a low-key 4th of July. The perfect way for an introvert to celebrate what’s typically a very social holiday.
Looking back on it now
With that said, I wouldn’t mind going back someday to do some snorkeling. Maybe even see if they have any boat tours, especially the kind with a glass “floor” to see underwater without getting wet!
I still haven’t seriously looked into activities at Catalina Island, since it hasn’t exactly been a high-priority destination for us. Especially now that international travel sounds far more appealing, after the 5 years that the 2020-2022 pandemic felt like. Heck, even domestic travel to other states was more appealing.
Maybe for someday when I’m feeling nostalgic & require a quiet 4th of July celebration.
