(Mar 10, 2026)
Steven Johnson, a Past President of our Club, presented an overview of Santa Catalina Island, where he often goes with his family. The island is 23 miles from Los Angeles and one of the 8 Channel Islands. Its 2 main settlements are Avalon and Two Harbors. The island is 22 miles long and 8 miles across, with 4000 residents and over 1 million visitors per year. A major part of its economy is recreation for visitors, including boating, fishing, hiking, whale watching, scuba diving and kayaking. There are hiking trails connecting campgrounds across the length of the island.
Its original inhabitants were the Tongva people. The first European explorers arrived in 1542. The resort era began in the late 1800s. The Banning brothers bought it in 1892 and established it as a tourist destination with roads and stage coaches. William Wrigley, Jr, bought the island in 1919, built the Catalina Casino in 1929, and brought his Chicago Cubs there for spring training. The island was closed to tourism during World War II and used for military training. Avalon is the only incorporated city, with the rest of it being unincorporated in LA County.
Visitors come by passenger ferries, helicopters, or private boats or airplanes, as well as on major cruise lines. Most visitors are daytime only. Primary transport on the island is by golf carts, walking, and bus or taxi. Water scarcity is critical, relying on groundwater and desalination plants. Electricity is by a local diesel plant and recently-added solar.
The island Conservancy was established in 1972 by Philip and Dorothy Wrigley, for responsible stewardship for conservation, education and recreation. It owns and protects 88% of the island, permanently protecting it from development. The island fox population almost died out from disease but is now thriving under full protection. Catastrophic wildfire, such as recently experienced in Los Angeles, is a constant hazard there. Long-term resilience can come from restoring the Island’s ecosystems with native plants for natural protection. A current controversy is what to do about the introduced island deer, which are multiplying without predators and changing the ecosystem. Steve showed numerous photos of his family members and the wildlife, including bison and deer.