Catalina Island/Ensenada, Mexico

[beshears]

It has been several years since I have been to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. My friend who is going with me, has never been there.

 

I know in Catalina Island, we can rent a golf cart, if we want to tour a bit. What else (yes, this is your opinion) should we see/do while there?

 

The same goes for Ensenada, Mexido. What would you suggest that we see/do there? The last time I was there is was raining.

[Astro Flyer]

It has been several years since I have been to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. My friend who is going with me, has never been there.

 

I know in Catalina Island, we can rent a golf cart, if we want to tour a bit. What else (yes, this is your opinion) should we see/do while there?

 

The same goes for Ensenada, Mexido. What would you suggest that we see/do there? The last time I was there is was raining.

The last time in Catalina we took a ship's tour to the interior as far as the airport which was okay. Also near the Casino there are some good snorkeling & scuba sites.

 

We enjoyed a ship's tour to 2 wineries outside of Ensenada with some enjoyable white wine & included a free bottle. It's an easy walk into town to do some shopping, eating or drinking.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Since you asked for opinions: Have done the Baja cruise three times (just because at those times we had just a short period of time we could go, and one time it was to introduce our kid to cruising), we just don't go into Ensenada anymore -- not interesting, too much begging, and we already did the city tour (when I was pregnant). The last two times (our last three cruises was the Hawaiian one with the mandatory stop in Ensenada), we didn't even bother to get off the ship to go to that marketplace by the pier. And I'm willing to bet that about 80 percent (and even higher than that if not betting money) stayed on board in that port.

[Coral]

I did the botantical gardens in Catalina Island. I would not recommend it.

[sassyredhat]

The last time in Catalina we took a ship's tour to the interior as far as the airport which was okay. Also near the Casino there are some good snorkeling & scuba sites.

 

We enjoyed a ship's tour to 2 wineries outside of Ensenada with some enjoyable white wine & included a free bottle. It's an easy walk into town to do some shopping, eating or drinking.

 

We took these exact tours. I would take them again. :)

Pat

[sunsetbeachgal]

In Ensenada we LOVED the Princess tour to two wineries...it was a great day, lots of wine and yummy snacks and just lots of fun. And a free bottle of wine for everyone at the end of the tour. Great value and would highly recommend.

 

In Catalina we took it easy and walked around the cute town, shopped but most were tee shirt type of shops, walked out to the historical pavilion. It was very pleasant and a lovely place.

[Jasperdo]

Ensenada was actually a pleasant surprise for me. I was there 20 years ago and wasn't impressed. But I got to return there on a Hawaii cruise a few years ago, and actually enjoyed it. I just took a walk around town from the ship and thought it was clean and safe. I didn't meet any beggars or pushy sellers. Here's a link to the photos I took:

Ensenada

[cruising deacon]

It has been several years since I have been to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. My friend who is going with me, has never been there.

 

I know in Catalina Island, we can rent a golf cart, if we want to tour a bit. What else (yes, this is your opinion) should we see/do while there?

 

The same goes for Ensenada, Mexido. What would you suggest that we see/do there? The last time I was there is was raining.

 

We recently took a California Coastal on the Sapphire, we went asshore at Catalina Island, but should have stayed on the ship.

We stayed on the ship at Ensenada along with about 90% of the passengers. I can see now why they have taken the Catalina Island off next year's Coastal cruises. I would rate both stops as POOR or worse.

[lizzies_mom]

On a recent Pacific Coast cruise, my sister and her husband ziplined in Catalina. They found it quite good.

[bdjam]

In Catalina we took it easy and walked around the cute town, shopped but most were tee shirt type of shops, walked out to the historical pavilion. It was very pleasant and a lovely place.

 

Actually there are some high-end shops at Catalina along the waterfront. The t-shirts they sell are also high end.

[J&KCruisers]

In Ensendada we did a tour to La Bufadora. Shops, food a nice bus trip and sightseeing. Kind of fun and I would recommend!

 

Happy Cruising:D:D

[WarEagle76]

The last time in Catalina we took a ship's tour to the interior as far as the airport which was okay. Also near the Casino there are some good snorkeling & scuba site.

 

We took this tour several weeks ago and really enjoyed it.

 

We recently took a California Coastal on the Sapphire, we went asshore at Catalina Island, but should have stayed on the ship.

We stayed on the ship at Ensenada along with about 90% of the passengers. I can see now why they have taken the Catalina Island off next year's Coastal cruises. I would rate both stops as POOR or worse.

 

We always wanted to see Catalina Island and had to bypass several years ago due to high winds. Finally made it in a couple of weeks ago and was one of the highlights of the cruise. We took the Princess tour into the interior of the island and if you like nature and interesting landscapes as well as hearing a detailed history about the island, definitely take this tour.

 

In Ensenada we enjoyed the walk to town, laughed at the fact there is a pharmacy every other storefront, had fun walking through some of the stores with "local fare", and found a couple of high end stores and a store with amazing stained glass.

[SoBaycruiser]

There are a number of interesting things to see on Catalina besides those mentioned above:

1. The submarine tour is better than I thought. It doesn't fully submerge for those fearful of that. They take you over to the marine preserve area and throw out some food that attracts hundreds of fish.

2. A tour of the old casino is fascinating. While you have to walk up about 6 or 8(?) stories, it's on a ramp inside. It's like walking up a hill instead of stairs. Fascinating, with a nice view of the bay.

3. Walk past the Casino to Descanso Gardens. Nice place to relax or do zip lining if adventurous.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Catalina is a fun place to rent a cart ..

[Pamster]

Ensenada was actually a pleasant surprise for me. I was there 20 years ago and wasn't impressed. But I got to return there on a Hawaii cruise a few years ago, and actually enjoyed it. I just took a walk around town from the ship and thought it was clean and safe. I didn't meet any beggars or pushy sellers. Here's a link to the photos I took:

Ensenada

 

Great pics - thanks for sharing.

[Happy ks]

We have enjoyed Catalina several times on cruises. Rent a golf cart and go uphill for some great photo ops. We did visit the Botanical Gardens and we enjoyed that. We've shopped in town, it was okay, just touristy...I'm not much of a vacation shopper and don't need souvenirs, nor do I buy for others.

 

Ensenada...another story. We've gotten off a few times and every time could not wait to get back on the ship. The downtown area is just creepy to me, I'd never eat the food there and every time you turn around a little kid is trying to polish your shoes for money. We'd heard you could get OTC drugs for less $$, so we did visit a pharmacy one time. My husband, who takes a regular daily OTC med said he could tell the product was not as good as what he buys at home, he had symptoms and discarded what he bought.

 

We did go on the winery tour once. Unlike others, we did not find the wine to be very good at all and the crackers were the best part. The ride out to the winery was horrid, they had an old school bus with holes in the floor and fumes were coming in, no air conditioning. Lots of litter on the road out there, plus a dead horse laying on the side of the road.

 

We've not gone to La Bufadora ever and would more than likely go there if we ever found ourselves off the ship in Ensenada again. The area is beautiful, the countryside green and would be lovely other than lots of litter or a dead horse. I know there is a lot of poverty and I do feel bad for them, but it would not cost a whole lot of money for the people to voluntarily pick up the trash.

 

We've not gotten off the ship in Ensenada in years.

[karatemom2]

We've not gotten off the ship in Ensenada in years.

 

We actually have found significant improvement in Ensenada during our most recent visits. It appears real efforts have been made to clean up the town and make it more appealing to visitors. A very big difference then what you would have found even a couple of years ago. We have actually enjoyed walking around and shopping in the downtown area on our last stops there.

[tjcletsgo]

We actually have found significant improvement in Ensenada during our most recent visits. It appears real efforts have been made to clean up the town and make it more appealing to visitors. A very big difference then what you would have found even a couple of years ago. We have actually enjoyed walking around and shopping in the downtown area on our last stops there.

 

I agree. I remember my first visit to Ensenada via the Azure Seas cruise ship (:eek:) back in the 80's. We took a "taxi" to town. There were holes in the floor and the driver smelled so bad we were gagging! He let us off in front of Hussong's where a "cop" with a shotgun manned the door. We turned around and hailed another taxi and hauled our rumps back to the ship. Total time ashore? 10 minutes, max!

 

Fast forward 25 years, I've been back 3 more times, each time the town made huge improvements. Our last visit we had a yummy lobster lunch at a nice restaurant, frequented by locals. Our next trip (Oct 2013), we plan on walking around town and visiting the shops a little ways away from the "tourist" area, with a great lunch at Mariscos de Baja Ensenada.

 

I won't stay on the ship for any port. I love to travel and think most all ports have their charm, if your open and flexible:p

[christinelee]

I agree. I remember my first visit to Ensenada via the Azure Seas cruise ship (:eek:) back in the 80's. We took a "taxi" to town. There were holes in the floor and the driver smelled so bad we were gagging! He let us off in front of Hussong's where a "cop" with a shotgun manned the door. We turned around and hailed another taxi and hauled our rumps back to the ship. Total time ashore? 10 minutes, max!

 

Fast forward 25 years, I've been back 3 more times, each time the town made huge improvements. Our last visit we had a yummy lobster lunch at a nice restaurant, frequented by locals. Our next trip (Oct 2013), we plan on walking around town and visiting the shops a little ways away from the "tourist" area, with a great lunch at Mariscos de Baja Ensenada.

 

I won't stay on the ship for any port. I love to travel and think most all ports have their charm, if your open and flexible:p

Do you remember the name of the restaurant?

Thanks for the great mini review.

[tjcletsgo]

Do you remember the name of the restaurant?

Thanks for the great mini review.

 

The name was Casamar and they closed in 2011. After the swine flu situation of 2009 and having far few cruise ships than they used to have the hotel industry suffered badly. The town has gradually recovered since then.

 

Based on reviews on Trip Advisor, we will be having lunch (shrimp and lobster) here:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150770-d2515855-r160625564-Mariscos_Bahia_de_Ensenada-Ensenada_Baja_California.html

 

I'll post a review after my cruise but check it out:D

[beshears]

Is there any good beach area around Catalina Island? I know we can do some golf touring, but thought me might have some time for the beach, if there is an area like that at Catalina Island?

[CruisingJs]

There is a nice beach area with chairs on a small road past the casino (the big round building). You can walk there from the tender drop off.

[Plmkrze]

In Catalina we had an excellent day using http://www.catalinakayaks.com/guided-adventures/ and did the little harbor outback tour. Chip is a local and is wonderful

[Plmkrze]

Ensenada we got off the ship and got aggravated with the beggars and got back on the ship. Basically a sea day.

[loliola]

Catalina is lovely; however, you can cover all there is to do in 3 hours flat.