ensanada and catalina

What is the best beach to go to in ensanada and catalina, is there anything else to do at these ports? Can we take a taxi or walk to the beach?

In Avalon go to the other side of the Casino building. The one near the green pier was very rocky on Tuesday.

Ensenada has a beach but limited services. I understand it's to the right of the cruise port.

Any excursions to do in catalina and ensanada?

The wine tour in Ensenada is a whole lot of fun. I don't even drink. :D

Agreed. And I do drink. :)

We walked into Ensenada with plans just to walk around the street. Then we happened upon a tour shuttle that was going out to La Bufadora. The cost was somethng ridiculously cheap - maybe US$20 or $30. So we said, what the heck and went on an unplanned excursions.

Here's the wikipedia entry and first couple of sentences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bufadora

La Bufadora is a marine geyser or blowhole located on the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California, Mexico. The spout of sea water is the result of air, trapped in a sea cave, exploding upwards. Air is forced into the cave by wave action and is released when the water recedes

I can't say it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen, so it isn't "can't miss", but it was kind of cool. I also bought a T-shirt for $8, from one of the many vendors nearby, at which point they offered to make it two for $10, which made the second T-shirt only $2, which resulted in me telling the story of my $2 T-shirt to my family about once each week for the next year.

When we visit Catalina Island, we're planning to rent a golf cart & ride around the island in it. I read somewhere that we can do this for $80 for 2 hours. I figured $40 each is ok for an afternoon of fun on our trip of a lifetime.

When we visit Catalina Island, we're planning to rent a golf cart & ride around the island in it. I read somewhere that we can do this for $80 for 2 hours. I figured $40 each is ok for an afternoon of fun on our trip of a lifetime.

It's $40 for 1 hour. Thought it was enough time to do the tour on the map they give. You can't take the cart out of Avalon and go into the middle of the island. If you want to go to the Botanical Garden and Wrigley Memorial, take the trolley for $4/1 way and $7/round trip.

The town is only about 1-2 miles wide by about 2 miles.

A couple of questions about Catalina:

Can one take the golf cart to the Botanical Garden, or is that considered out of town? How much time should be allocate to seeing the Garden?

Does the trolley run after Labour Day? We will be there in early October.

Is Catalina a tender port? Our cruise info does not indicate that we will be tendering. If we will be tendering, where is the tender dock? The Green Dock or to the left of it, opposite the Casino?

Thanks for your help!

A couple of questions about Catalina:

 

Can one take the golf cart to the Botanical Garden, or is that considered out of town? How much time should be allocate to seeing the Garden?

 

Does the trolley run after Labour Day? We will be there in early October.

 

Is Catalina a tender port? Our cruise info does not indicate that we will be tendering. If we will be tendering, where is the tender dock? The Green Dock or to the left of it, opposite the Casino?

 

Thanks for your help!

Catalina is a tendering port. You will be dropped you off at the Green Pier.

Turn right from the Green Pier, walk through town toward the Casino, to the Descanso Beach Club (mentioned in an earlier post [it's just beyond the Casino]). There is a fee to use the beach facilities. And, if you would like to enjoy a local cocktail, I strongly recommend a Buffalo Milk. The Descanso Bar makes one of the best Buffalo Milks on the island.

You can take the golf cart up to the Botanical Garden, but allow yourself the 2 hour rental and take your time to enjoy the Gardens.

Catalina is a tendering port. You will be dropped you off at the Green Pier.

Turn right from the Green Pier, walk through town toward the Casino, to the Descanso Beach Club (mentioned in an earlier post [it's just beyond the Casino]). There is a fee to use the beach facilities. And, if you would like to enjoy a local cocktail, I strongly recommend a Buffalo Milk. The Descanso Bar makes one of the best Buffalo Milks on the island.

You can take the golf cart up to the Botanical Garden, but allow yourself the 2 hour rental and take your time to enjoy the Gardens.

Thank you very much!

A couple of questions about Catalina:

 

Can one take the golf cart to the Botanical Garden, or is that considered out of town? How much time should be allocate to seeing the Garden?

 

Does the trolley run after Labour Day? We will be there in early October.

 

Is Catalina a tender port? Our cruise info does not indicate that we will be tendering. If we will be tendering, where is the tender dock? The Green Dock or to the left of it, opposite the Casino?

 

Thanks for your help!

Don't worry. The trolley runs when a ship is in port. Instead of spending money to take a cart up to the Gardens, better to take the trolley to the Gardens for $4/round trip or $7/all day and then, if you still want to rent a cart, do it after the Gardens. The road up to the Gardens is paved. You can't take the carts onto the dirt roads.

How much time to spend at the Gardens depends on how interested you are in endemic plants. I could spend a few hours where others would only want to spend 1 hour. Definitely go up to see the Wrigley memorial. If it is clear, you will be able to see Mt. Baldy. Most of the Garden is on a hill.

Here is a link for the Botanical Gardens

Catalina is a tendering port. You will be dropped you off at the Green Pier.

The only 2 piers used for tendering are the Green pier and the one to the right (when looking from Avalon towards the water. This pier is also used for the Catalina Express). Depending on the wind and waves, they might tender at the farther pier by the playground. This happened to us in May.

Thanks, Rosefloater! I emailed the Catalina Chamber of Commerce. The Green Pier is no longer used for tenders, only the Cabrillo Mole which is the one on the right (when looking towards the water).

I think we won't bother with the golf cart at all. As the trolley runs up to the Garden, we will take that (no sense in renting a cart just to let it sit there while we tour), and walk about when we get back, since the town is small. And, it is much less expensive!

I'm travelling with my mother who is 78. She can't walk hilly terrain. What is the Botanical Garden like in terms of walkability?

Thanks, Rosefloater! I emailed the Catalina Chamber of Commerce. The Green Pier is no longer used for tenders, only the Cabrillo Mole which is the one on the right (when looking towards the water).

 

I think we won't bother with the golf cart at all. As the trolley runs up to the Garden, we will take that (no sense in renting a cart just to let it sit there while we tour), and walk about when we get back, since the town is small. And, it is much less expensive!

 

I'm travelling with my mother who is 78. She can't walk hilly terrain. What is the Botanical Garden like in terms of walkability?

The Garden isn't up and down hilly it's all uphill! If she can make it to the Memorial, there is a ramp to the top.

All of Avalon runs uphill from the water.

Bummer about the Green Pier not being used as it's right in the flat part of town. We used it in May, but they are doing some repairs to it. The Grey pier (never knew it had a 'real' name) is up a hill when returning to the ship. Hopefully they didn't confuse the small tender boats (in their response) with the Catalina Express boats. Those have used the Grey pier for many years now.

Bummer about the Green Pier not being used as it's right in the flat part of town. We used it in May, but they are doing some repairs to it. The Grey pier (never knew it had a 'real' name) is up a hill when returning to the ship. Hopefully they didn't confuse the small tender boats (in their response) with the Catalina Express boats. Those have used the Grey pier for many years now.

It depends whether or not the ship uses its tenders or Avalon's water taxis. The tenders generally don't go to the Green pier.

The Garden isn't up and down hilly it's all uphill! If she can make it to the Memorial, there is a ramp to the top.

All of Avalon runs uphill from the water.

It isn't that hilly, but it is a steady incline going to the Memorial. There is a wide, dirt path (wide enough for a car). At the memorial, there are many landings with places to sit and rest before continuing up. If you take the trolley up to the Garden, you will get a general idea of the incline.

Wrigley Memorial.........................................................View from Wrigley Memorial

What is the best beach to go to in ensanada and catalina, is there anything else to do at these ports? Can we take a taxi or walk to the beach?

There is no beach that I like in Ensenada, mile marker #38 will be a good one, allow for enough time. Good thing to see, Blow Hole, or Hussongs this hasn’t changed much in 108 years or you can see Papa Papa's, just across the street you might want to stop in for a beer. Fun place.

Good thing to see, Blow Hole, or Hussongs this hasn’t changed much in 108 years or you can see Papa Papa's, just across the street you might want to stop in for a beer. Fun place.

Papas&Beer is now on the same side of the street as Hussongs. It took over Mango Mango location about 2 years ago.

from where the tender will let you off. Will probably be crowded and the water is quite cold. Golf cart rentals have all kinds of restrictions on where they can go, mosly on the outskirts of Avalon. The are not allowed to go across the island or even to the airport. If you rent it for 2 hours you can probably do two complete round trips.

Ensenada beaches will require a cab. Nothing close to the cruise ship pier. The downtown area is fairly nice, clean, and about a 10 min. walk.

I'm contemplating spending a few hours at the Descanso Beach Club, near the casino as it seems to have lots of positive reviews on various sites. :)I might even book the package that Carnival offers which includes transportation, use of a chaise, an umbrella and towel and a "free" smoothie. Stand up paddle boards and kayaks are also available at the club for a reasonable fee. It costs $24 to hire a paddle board for an hour which is a lot cheaper than in my city. Otherwise I like the idea of renting a golf cart and exploring the island.

As for Ensenada, I'm contemplating the beach resort excursion where you get to swim (beach and pool), visit a small museum, enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch and then get dropped off in town to do a little shopping and take in the atmosphere.

Call the club to check prices.

Descanso Beach is a 10 minute walk from the pier.

I'm contemplating spending a few hours at the Descanso Beach Club, near the casino as it seems to have lots of positive reviews on various sites. :)

It is a nice place to go. You should be aware, however, that they are doing a good bit of remodeling there and the restaurant is closed. They are using a very sub-par and overly expensive food truck for their food services. It would not surprise me if the free smoothie were a prepackaged supermarket version.

If you check out their website, you can price out the beach chair and do the math on the excursion. With it being a 10-15 minute walk from the pier, you may want to go it on your own. And be sure to eat before or after your trip to the beach. Lots of great places to eat 5 minutes before you get to Descanso.

Bob

It is a nice place to go. You should be aware, however, that they are doing a good bit of remodeling there and the restaurant is closed. They are using a very sub-par and overly expensive food truck for their food services. It would not surprise me if the free smoothie were a prepackaged supermarket version.

 

If you check out their website, you can price out the beach chair and do the math on the excursion. With it being a 10-15 minute walk from the pier, you may want to go it on your own. And be sure to eat before or after your trip to the beach. Lots of great places to eat 5 minutes before you get to Descanso.

 

Bob

We usually end up eating at the hamburger place on the corner on the land side of the shoreside street. You'll see the metal chairs in the patio. Excellant chili on the burgers and dogs.

The Arcade has very good thin crust pizza.

We always stop a Lloyd's for taffy.

Also, there are two Vons (Safeway) in Avalon. The larger one has a deli counter for sandwiches. Do no t know about the smaller one.

Ensenada has a really great zipline/hanging bridge place. Not tough to get to, exciting lines and bridges, good staff, inexpensive too.

http://www.lascanadas.com/en/Canopy-Tour-Zipline-in-Ensenada-Baja-California.php

It is a nice place to go. You should be aware, however, that they are doing a good bit of remodeling there and the restaurant is closed. They are using a very sub-par and overly expensive food truck for their food services. It would not surprise me if the free smoothie were a prepackaged supermarket version.

 

If you check out their website, you can price out the beach chair and do the math on the excursion. With it being a 10-15 minute walk from the pier, you may want to go it on your own. And be sure to eat before or after your trip to the beach. Lots of great places to eat 5 minutes before you get to Descanso.

 

Bob

Thanks for letting me know about the restaurant being closed and the remodeling. I had read reviews talking about renovations months ago but had no idea they were still going on. ;) Also glad to hear that there are lots of places to grab lunch within walking distance of the beach.

@SadieN Thanks for your suggestions! :D

We usually end up eating at the hamburger place on the corner on the land side of the shoreside street. You'll see the metal chairs in the patio. Excellant chili on the burgers and dogs.

The Arcade has very good thin crust pizza.

We always stop a Lloyd's for taffy.

 

Also, there are two Vons (Safeway) in Avalon. The larger one has a deli counter for sandwiches. Do no t know about the smaller one.

You made me smile when you mentioned Safeway. The last time there my DH and I gathered up a few snacks for the ship. Saved on the goodies with my discount card;)