the best beach in usa

Santa Catalina Island,California

Just off the coast of Southern California is an island that looks much like California did two hundred years ago, a wilderness of oak, cactus, and sage, with secluded coves surrounded by ocean with lush kelp forests and abundant sea life. Catalina Island is a wilderness preserved for all to enjoy, yet it has all the lodging, restaurants and recreational activities of a modern beach resort.
This beautiful island lies just 26 miles across the ocean from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Yet it might be thousands of miles away.
As soon as you step ashore you can feel the pace of life slow perceptibly. Even the name of the main 'town' on the island is evocative - Avalon.
The 76 square mile island was originally owned by the Wrigley Family (of chewing gum fame) but over 80% is now owned by The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy. The island's interior is unspoilt and protected as a wildlife natural habitat.
There are very few cars on the island - transport is mainly by bike or electric golf cart(!). But you can easily explore Avalon on foot, and the only way to enjoy the shops, bars and restaurants along The Crescent.
Tours include a guided tour of the Casino, glass-bottomed boat trip from the pier to some kelp fields to see fish being fed from the boats and various bus tours into the interior of the island.
Tours can be purchased from the tourist office located by the pier. The problem is trying to fit everything in before your return ferry!
The Casino is a must visit. Not actually ever a gambling casino, the three-storey Art Deco style building is home to a movie theatre and the world's largest circular ballroom. At its heyday up to 6000 dancers enjoyed the Big Bands in the 1920s to 1950s.
Guided tours are available and well worth going on to see the place and learn something of its wonderful history.
Aside from the usual tee-shirt shops selling souvenirs the island is known for its coloured ceramic tiles. These can make good mementos of your visit.
There are several boat services linking Catalina to the mainland, all take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and cost about $42 per adult or - for $132 round trip you can arrive in style by a 15 minute helicopter flight from San Pedro.

Peering down from the gangway of the Catalina Express, I see fat orange Garibaldis, the California State fish, nibbling among the rocks. It’s early-afternoon on a sunny day and we’ve arrived at Avalon, the little town on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California.
Yes, the island of “Twenty-six miles across the sea” fame, the song made famous in 1958 by the Four Preps. But we didn’t swim here with “water wings and my guitar.” We took the Catalina Express, the modern ferry that crosses the water in one hour and five minutes-much easier to visualize than 26 miles.

Views of the Long Beach skyline, Queen Mary, freighters, and cruise ships plying the Mexican Riviera are to be had from topside aft, the only outdoor seating. Inside, besides seating, there are tables and restrooms. There’s a full bar with snacks and on the top deck, the Commodore Lounge?a private seating area for 50 people. For just $10 more on the ticket price (plus you get to pre-board) you can recline in leather seats and enjoy a free cocktail and snack. It’s a particularly popular place in the summer, when the ferries are crowded.

Crescent Avenue, lined with eye-candy boutiques, is a pedestrian walkway only; no vehicles allowed. Its water fountain and stuccoed benches are dotted with colorful Catalina tiles. Every nook and cranny sprouts pansies, snap dragons, begonias. Hanging bare root baskets are home to fuschias and orchids. Here you can indulge in espresso, ice cream, salt water taffy, shrimp cocktails, waffles, oyster bars, or a cantina that boasts 70 different kinds of tequila.

The third oldest house in Avalon is Holly House, a Queen Anne-style cottage on the bluff below the Inn. Although still a private residence, it’s definitely a photo op. Discovery Tours also offers city tours and underwater adventures.

There are plenty of opportunities for dockside dining. We breakfasted at Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret, where Hangover Chili and a Hawaiian Breakfast are specialties. In the evening we checked out Steve’s Steakhouse Bar & Grille?upstairs dining with a view of Avalon harbor.

The storybook island of Santa Catalina feels like stepping back in time, but with all the modern amenities. There’s no escaping the magical knowledge that over 500 films, documentaries, TV programs, and commercials have been filmed here in the past 90 years-classics such as The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, and Treasure Island. We can’t say good-bye to Santa Catalina Island because we know we’ll visit again.