Exploring Catalina Island
- Cookie & Keller
- Feb 26, 2016
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
William Wrigley Jr. put his heart and his pocketbook into his beloved Catalina Island, where his widow erected a loving memorial in the Botanic Garden. A world of native plants, and a stunning tribute to a generous man await.
Original story Feb 26, 2016
Updated 5 July 2026
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
"The Carpe Diem Kids"
EXPLORING CATALINA ISLAND HIDDEN WONDERS: WRIGLEY GARDEN, MUSEUM, AIRPORT WITH GOOD EATS
Just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island feels like another world. With crystal-clear waters, charming Avalon streets, fascinating history, breathtaking gardens, scenic mountain views, and unforgettable local restaurants, Catalina offers the perfect escape for a day trip or a relaxing weekend. Whether it's your first visit or a return adventure, these memorable stops deserve a place on your itinerary.
HOLLYWOOD STARS misbehaved there. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. purchased stock in it, sight unseen. Today, tourists come from all over the world.
Such was and is the allure of Santa Catalina Island, off the California coast. The "fame" started with the chewing gum icon.
Once Wrigley sailed over to see what he'd invested in, he bought out other investors, becoming sole owner of the island.
THAT WAS in 1919, nearly a century ago. Today, Wrigley's stamp is felt throughout the island. And Hollywood's happy ghosts inhabit its streets, bistros and hotels.
The Chicago Clubs spent many spring training days in the lovely climate and surroundings of Catalina.
While Exploring Catalina Island, here some Must See Attractions:
The Catalina Museum for Art & History, moving sometime soon into new multi-million-dollar digs, is now housed in the Catalina Casino Wrigley built. There, we enjoyed historic photos of the Chicago Cubs' time in Catalina.
Aquatic sports include: Kayaking & SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)
Scuba diving and snorkeling
Parasailing
Boating and fishing
Catalina Island Mermaids classes
Jet ski rentals
Submarine and glass bottom boat rides without getting wet
AVID BASEBALL fan Wrigley brought the team there for spring practice, which the team continued until the 1950s, past Wrigley's 1932 passing.
His story is a true American success story: as a 13-year old kid, he sold his father's soap door-to-door from a two-horse wagon in rural Pennsylvania and New York. The gum he gave out free, to purchasers of the soap, was so popular that he went into the gum manufacturing business in Chicago.
THE REST is history. Within years, he was a millionaire, acquiring a handsome share of The Cubs, and buying up 90 per cent of Catalina. He built a dock and used his own private funds to establish electricity, water and sewer systems.
Mrs. Wrigley built a beautiful memorial to her ambitious husband, and guests to the Wrigley Gardens can stroll up to it, and even to its top, with a lovely view of the gardens and sea.
Soon, Hollywood discovered what Wrigley was excited about. Catalina's proximity to Los Angeles allowed the stars easy, quick access. Soon Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, and Johnny Weissmuller were sailing their boats to Avalon Harbor.
Marilyn Monroe came there as a young bride, while her first husband was serving his country. By day, the stars swam, fished and enjoyed the scenery. By evening, they mingled with islanders in restaurants and bars on the island’s two towns — Avalon and Two Harbors.
They drank, dined, danced and caroused. Errol Flynn explained the island's pull: “...we were so intoxicated with the sheer zing of existence that we were half-mad..."
Other top attractions while Exploring Catalina Island
CATALINA ISLAND Museum’s impressive collection includes an impressive array of historical and cultural items.
With generous donations, the museum has grown to a bonanza of 150,000 items representing the island's archaeology, natural history and architectural accomplishments. Ephemera, newspapers, archives, postcards, three-dimensional items and 10,000 photos and negatives (rotated and dating back to 1880) tell stories of island life.
The Museum features a large and comprehensive collection of Catalina pottery and tile another Wrigley brain child manufactured in Catalina from 1927-1937.
Boat models, sport fishing items, artifacts from the Island's steamships and more have made the new museum necessary. The enormous collection also boasts valuable archaeological artifacts.
Private jets take off and land in spectacular beauty on Catalina.
Wrigley erected hotels and built the world's largest dance hall -- the museum's home for a bit longer: Avalon Grand Casino. He built a harbor, bird park and established Catalina Clay, providing work for locals. Its tiles and pottery are still admired worldwide.
His beloved Cubs trained on the island until 1951. Hollywood filmed dozens of films there.
In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wrigley (the gum magnate's son and daughter-i-law) and Philip’s sister, Dorothy Wrigley
This small plane landed while we were on Catalina it's a small, spectacular runway with a stellar view of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
In 1972, members of the Wrigley and Offield families established the Catalina Island Conservancy as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of Catalina’s wildlands. Later, Helen and Philip K. Wrigley along with Dorothy Wrigley Offield, through Santa Catalina Island Company, signed the paperwork that deeded more than 42,000 acres of Catalina to the Catalina Island Conservancy. Today the Conservancy preserves the Island’s wildlands and wildlife, helps the public enjoy Catalina’s natural offerings and promotes learning about Catalina Island and conservation
THE AIRPORT in the Sky occupies a 1,602-foot-tall mountaintop at the center of the Island, 10 miles from Avalon. It's a fun destination, although our tour bus ride was jarring. We saw hikers and bikers, and a few private planes -- my choice for next visit.
he airport's single 3,250-foot-long runway was constructed by blasting two adjacent peaks, then using the resulting debris for fill.
The DC-3 Gifts and Grill restaurant is famed for its excellent buffalo burgers, which we sampled. They also offer chicken and vegetarian burgers, and our guide Manny raved about the Mexican specialties and buffalo tacos. In summer, the Grill's barbecues -- with live music from Island band Hot off the Range.
We also picked up some tasty buffalo jerky, and a collectible glazed tile in the gift shop.
Catalina Island is much more than a quick ferry ride from the mainland—it's a destination filled with history, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences. From wandering through the peaceful Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden and exploring the Catalina Museum to visiting the iconic Airport in the Sky and enjoying fresh island cuisine in Avalon, every stop adds something special to your adventure. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to discover more, Catalina Island continues to prove why it's one of Southern California's most rewarding getaways.
Cookie, Keller and new friends take a ride on Kowloon Harbour.
COMING UP: Come with us to Asia. We're in Hong Kong now, and soon will be writing about our magnificent five-week odyssey. We'll travel on sampans, junks, bikes, trains, planes and cruise ships with occasional one-way streets (going the wrong way in a tuk-tuk.) Then, can a scardey cat who once nearly drowned in a kayak ever take calmly to the waters again? Cookie overcomes a 30-year fear of kayaks, proving you can teach an old frightened dog a few new tricks. Join us by rickshaw or tuk-tuk.
Remember to always explore, learn and live, and check us out when we post for the weekend.
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