California

In the spring of 2013, Allison and I traveled to southern California.  There, we visited America's southwest corner at the Mexican border outside San Diego.  We also spent time on Catalina Island, and visited relatives in Orange County and West Hollywood. 
Stays at two historic and unusual hotels were highlights of our trip. 

R/M/S QUEEN MARY in Long Beach Harbor

Allison and I began our California trip with a night and morning in Long Beach.  This city’s busy harbor hosts the largest seaport in the United States.  Appropriately, our visit there focused on maritime activities.  We stayed on board the R/M/S QUEEN MARY, a regal old passenger liner launched in 1936 that has now been converted to a hotel.  From there we boarded a Catalina Express ferry to Avalon, the picturesque city at the heart of Santa Catalina Island.

Avalon Harbor on Santa Catalina Island

Catalina Island is one of California’s Channel Islands, in the Pacific Ocean west of Los Angeles.  It is renowned for its beautiful scenery and gentle climate.  Allison and I spent two days there, exploring Avalon and the nearby shoreline, hills and canyons.  I also dove at Avalon’s popular dive park, which is easily accessible via a set of stairs leading into the ocean just outside Avalon’s downtown harbor area.

After returning from Catalina, we spent two nights with my brother Marc and his wife Mieko in Orange County.  Their home is a short distance from many southern California attractions such as Laguna Beach.  Our time with them included evenings in nearby Laguna Beach and Irvine.

From Orange County we continued south to San Diego.  There, Allison and I stayed at the historic Hotel del Coronado.  This venerable hotel was the location for the film Some Like it Hot, and has hosted many important guests and functions since it first opened in 1888.  Allison was particularly pleased that it is located close to the “Silver Strand”, a long and beautiful stretch of beach!


The Hotel del Coronado circa 1900

We had several objectives during our stay in San Diego.  As readers of America Out of the Box may know, a primary goal of our series of trips within the United States was to visit our country’s geographic corners.  One of those corners is at Border Field State Park south of San Diego, where America and Mexico meet on the shore of the Pacific.  This unusual park features an imposing wall to prevent illegal entry from adjacent Tijuana.  I have arranged two dives in a kelp forest near La Jolla, and we visited other local attractions such as the San Diego Zoo.

Hurray for Hollywood!

We finished our trip spending an evening in West Hollywood with our niece Courtney.  During our brief time in Hollywood, Allison and I saw some of the unique, glittering sights in this city which defines fame.  We hope that you enjoy visiting southern California with us on America Out of the Box!