Catalina Island Food And Fun!
No Comments | Written on July 26, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni
Just a quick boat ride away from Los Angeles lies an island getaway. Stepping off the boat, you would swear you arrived in Capri or maybe the south of France! Catalina Island is the perfect getaway for a relaxing weekend or even a fun day trip. On Friday, I did just that!
This is a view from the harbor in Avalon. In the distance is the Catalina Casino. (Unfortunately, there isn’t any gambling there!) Built in 1929, the Casino – Italian for a “place of entertainment” – played host to dozens of Big Bands through the 1930s and 1940s. Today it holds an art gallery, movie theatre and museum.
Catalina Island has a long and interesting history. In fact, for 30 years William Wrigley Jr. brought his baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, to Catalina Island for spring training. The baseball field on Catalina Island was built to match the dimensions of Wrigley Field in Chicago. Not a bad way to escape the Chicago cold!
Catalina Island has also served as the location for the filming of over 500 motion pictures, documentaries, television programs and commercials over the past 90 years. The Island’s unique natural beauty and accessibility were the major factors. Production crews and sets could be sent to the Island by barge, and the vast, untouched mountains and beaches could be transformed into almost any place in the world.
Another interesting and lasting impression of this unique history was the introduction of the North American Bison to the Island. Many believe that the bison were brought to the Island for the production of “The Vanishing American,” the film version of Zane Grey’s classic novel, released by the Lasky Film Corporation in 1925. Upon completion of the film, the producers didn’t bother to return the buffalo to the mainland. The bison took up permanent residency on the island and a herd has been roaming the hills of Catalina ever since!
Buffalo has also become a mainstay on restaurant menu’s on the island. If you have never tried buffalo, I highly recommend it! It is extremely lean, healthy and very flavorful. Check out some of the buffalo recipes from Better Recipes:
Buffalo Burgers with Cactus, Corn, Tomatillo
Buffalo-Stuffed Portobella Burger
Buffalo and Couscous Stuffed Peppers
There are also a plethora of activities on the island, with something to meet everyone’s needs. For some it’s scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking or fishing. For others its hiking, biking, playing golf or exploring charming shops and galleries. And then there are those who prefer to do nothing but relax on the beach! My friend Gretel and I decided to be a little adventurous and try the newest activity on the island – a zipline!
It was such a thrill and an absolute blast! I took a ton of great pictures on the island and have uploaded them to a gallery on the Better Recipes Facebook page. Check it out!
Categories:
Around the World, Better Recipes, Tasty Travel | Tags: Beef Recipes, Grilled Burgers & Brats, Grilled Recipes, Healthy Meat Recipes
No Comments | Post Your Comment
