Fresh from being named among the top 50 Expedia destinations in the nation, Catalina Island received three more endoresements this week, including kudos for snorkeling, romance and pre-summer beauty.
Reader’s Digest, one of the oldest and most prestigious publications in the country, this week named Catalina Island as one of the “10 Most Romantic Destinations” in the United States.
According to the Reader’s Digest article by Melissa Klurman, “the clear blue waters and warm sunny weather of California’s Catalina Island will make you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a laid-back West Coast vibe while you soak up the sun.
“Catalina is full of charming spots to eat, drink, and shop. Plus, there’s plenty to do both on the water and off, from eco-tours to zip lines, rock climbing to undersea adventures. Of course, you could just kick back at the beach or sail along the coastline and enjoy the European flavor and Cali breezes. Catalina is also one of our best island vacations in the United States,” the article concludes.
For those interested in Catalina’s underwater beauty, Trip Advisor, another of the country’s top travel destination websites, named Catalina Island to the list of “Top 15 Snorkeling Vacations Among the World’s Best.”
The trip advisor article informs visitors “just 22 miles from Los Angeles, Catalina Island has clear, clean water that’s great for snorkeling. Giant kelp forests wave just beneath the surface, and you can go snorkeling from the beach, or rent a kayak to paddle to a quiet cove. Guided snorkel tours can get you even farther afield, but a wetsuit is a must in the chilly off-shore water.
Care2 website, which calls itself “the world’s largest social network for good,” weighed in this week with travel recommendations, calling Catalina Island one of the top six “early summer travel destinations.”
In its story, the site said “located off the coast of southern California, Catalina Island’s tiny downtown, many small shops, beaches, boating facilities, and excellent scuba diving and snorkeling options offer something for everyone. This popular getaway often hosts tourists from nearby big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.”
According to Jim Luttjohann, president and CEO of the Catalina Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau, “accolades like these are hard fought to achieve, so it makes me especially proud to have these three new badges of honor for Catalina.”
He said Reader’s Digest “is one of the most read” publications today and especially influential for women making travel decisions. “What could be more important than being ranked by this prestigious publication” as an Isle of Romance.
The snorkeling ranking by Trip Advisor will be a tremendous asset for “adventure seekers,” which he said was a “core demographic” for visitors to Catalina Island, he said, adding that he will urge Chamber members within that sector to include the ranking in their materials. “With over 46 million members engaged in civil action and healthy living, Care2’s recommendation is particularly great,” he said, noting that with more travelers using voice search to pick destinations, this website’s recommendation would make Catalina an even more likely prospect “under such a search.”
