Two Harbors Travel Guide

 
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  •   Two Harbors
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  • Burger
      Burger
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  • From our boat looking East towards Two Harbors
      From our boat looking East towards Two...
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  • High above Cat Harbor
      High above Cat Harbor
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  • The dive shop
      The dive shop
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Explore Two Harbors

Things to Do  

Sail with the dolphins

Sail with the dolphins, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  While you will probably not be swimming with them you will probably see them chasing the bow of your boat during the summer time ride over to the island. Kind of a cool sight. We saw schools of them going both ways on this trip. 

Local Yacht Club

Local Yacht Club, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  While these places tend to be members only, people on the island are a bit friendly and may invite you in for a drink or card game if you chat one up a bit on the island 

Playground for the youngsters

Playground for the youngsters, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  If you happen to bring your small children along on this trip there is a small playground for them in front of the school house. 

School is in

School is in, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  For the few people that liver here year round there is a small school house. Not much but kindof a reminder that rural America still exists. 

Restaurants  

Two Harbors Ice Cream: We all scream for ice cream

Two Harbors Ice Cream: We all scream for ice cream, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  This place is located on the side of the General Store. Since the stuff is tough to keep cold on a boat unless you have a full size frig on a 50+ ft power boat this is the place to go to after hiking around the island. Cold ice cream 

Harbor Reef Restaurant: Buffalo(Bison) Burgers

Harbor Reef Restaurant: Buffalo(Bison) Burgers, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  This is the only place in town to dine at asside frome the West End Galley. You can sit inside or out. There is a patio in the front overlooking the harbor or one in the back. Unless it is raining I would suggest sitting outside if you can get a table as weekends can get a... 

Nightlife  

Harbor Reef Saloon: Groovin on the Island

Harbor Reef Saloon: Groovin on the Island, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  There are two bars here. They are all more or less in the Harbor Reef Restaurant but this one is out front over looking the pier. They have live bands during the summer weekends and the place offically turns into a bar at 10pm so if you have young kids with you they will ask... 

Transportation  

Private boat

Private boat, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  The most common way to get to Two Harbors is by private boat. Most of the local yacht clubs have thier own morings here so it is a popular destination for local boaters both sail and power. The ride from Redondo Beach is around 4 hours if motor/sailing a sailboat. Power... 

Safari Bus

Safari Bus, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  If you mis the boat to Two Harbors you can alway take it to Avalon and catch the bus over. You need to make reservations but this is a quick way to get over from Avalon. They also run other services to the Airport in the Sky, Little Harbor etc. The ride cost about $30.00... 

Shopping  

General Store: local gifts and supplies

General Store: local gifts and supplies, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  The General Store has it all. In the front you can buy everything from Two Harbors hats/tee shirts to local sea shells and postcards. In the back there is a small grocery store that sells a little bit of eveything abet a slightly marked up price since everything there has to... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Dinghy dock traffic

Dinghy dock traffic, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  During the summer weekend the dinghy dock can get a bit crowded. Remember to tie up with a long line so others and get ashore and be careful getting on the dock so you don't slip into the water 

Ship traffic

Ship traffic, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  If you are able to find a friend with a boat keep in mind the channel between LA and Catalina Island is amin artery for the LA Harbor/Port of Long Beach. Remember to hoist a radar deflecter if you are out in the fog or crossing at night since one of these big ships could... 

What to Pack  

Summer cloths

Summer cloths, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  A backpack or duffle if you are camping A decent pair of tennis shoe or trail walkers, light cloths for the summer as temps average from the 70-80s (it may get a bit cooler at night but not much). In the winter this place is not as popular and it will rain from time to time... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Island barbed wire graffiti

Island barbed wire graffiti, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  Since most of the island is a nature preserve there is some barbed wire fencing along the trails to keep some of the islands wild animals from feeding on the local plant life. Some of the Concervancy volunteers have gotten a bit creative some of the barbed wire and crafted... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Free diving/snorkeling

Free diving/snorkeling, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  If you are not a certified diver or just to cheap to rent a tank as I can be you can free dive or snorkel. You can rent everything at the local dive shop or just bring a cheap mask from the mainland. The isand is littered with small coves and kelp patties that have fish... 

Sail there

Sail there, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  One of the best ways to get to the island is to sail there or around. You can usally get some wind around noon which is the time you will start to see the sailboats head home. On this trip we even passed a few dolphins on the way there and back. 

Hiking

Hiking, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  There are plent of trails to hike around the island. Most are easy and can be done with boat shoes while a "few" might require boots. Go to the visitors center at the base of th pier for a map and a permit (they are free from the Conservancy) and pick a trail. 

Dive Two Harbors

Dive Two Harbors, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  The diving on Catalina has to be some of the best in So Cal. Wandering through the kelp forests is something you need to try as you never know what kinds of fish you are going to run into. The drive shop rents everything you need for a dive and can even arrange a boat dive... 

Favorites  

ATM

ATM, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  While the few businesses here do take credit cards there is an ATM behind Harbor Reef Restaurant if you want some cash..you will need it for the showers anyway. 

Restrooms

Restrooms, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  Since there is only one place to stay on the island chances are if you visit you will be camping or on a boat. There are "clean" bathrooms on the island with coin operated showers for a buck. Out front of the showers there are small foot lockers that you can put your... 

The Place

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The People

 
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 During the summer weekend the dinghy dock can get a bit crowded. Remember to tie up with a long line so others and get ashore and be careful getting on the dock... 

 

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A Southern California Secret

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 Two Harbors is the little sister to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. The Island itself is approx. 22 miles long and 8 miles wide at the south end of the island. The town of Twin Harbors has roughly...... 

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