Two Harbors Travel Guide

 
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  •   Two Harbors
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  •   Things to Do
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  • Catalina punch - skip it and go with Buffalo Mil
      Catalina punch - skip it and go with...
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  • Another fresh scoop going away....
      Another fresh scoop going away....
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  •   Things to Do
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Explore Two Harbors

Things to Do  

Diving, snorkling, kayaking.......

Diving, snorkling, kayaking......., Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  The local dive shop at the base of the pier rents all the dive equipment you will need to explore the beautiful waters near by. They also rent kayaks, mountain bike, etc..... 

Activity sheet

Activity sheet, Two Harbors

 flynboxes Says:  During the busier summer months a weekend flyer is printed and available in the information office on the pier. It lists all the great activities and the bands that are visiting and playing. a great way to help plan a great weekend. 

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  

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... 

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 

Nightlife  

Harbor Reef Saloon: Groovin on the Island
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A view of the band
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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 them to leave due to state drinking laws. I don't like them since they are a bit sweet for my tastes but order a round Buffalo's milk for your friends and find out yourself if you dig them....It's the local specialty here

Dress Code: The is none...just don't come naked

Written Jul 16, 2008

Related to:
 Diving and Snorkeling
 Fishing
 Backpacking

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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
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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 be send over by barge from the mainland.

What to buy: Two Harbors shirt or they even sell frozen bait and some tackle if you want to do a little fishing

What to pay: at least 10-15% more than what the same thing would cost on the mainland. It is best to bring your own booze.

Written Jul 19, 2008

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Diving and Snorkeling
 Sailing and Boating

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Warnings and 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
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Luggage and bags: A backpack or duffle if you are camping

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 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 so rain gear is a must

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can buy everything here at the general store. Keep in mind the island is a giant nature preserve so stick to camping supplies that do not hurt the environment.

Photo Equipment: An underwater camera if you want to take pics of your dive. The cheap disposable ones do not work well in the kelp

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: The ususal if you are camping. During the summer it can be dry enough to sleep under the stars so you may not need a tarp.

Miscellaneous: Booze sells for a island premium so bring your own and keep it confined to the camp grounds as walking around town outside of the bar will get you in trouble with the Sherrif.

Written Jul 19, 2008

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Off The Beaten Path  

Island barbed wire graffiti
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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 names or messages into the remaining fencing

Written Jul 19, 2008

Related to:
 Diving and Snorkeling
 Camping
 Backpacking

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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. 

Favorites  

Restrooms
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Favorite thing: 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 valuables in while you was up. There is also a coin operated laundry if you need to wash which is located to the right of the showers. If not there are often outhouses at some of the campgrounds if you don't mind the smell.

Fondest memory: Not as many people as Avalon. If you are more into nature then this is the place. You will tend to rough it a bit more but that is part of the adventure.

Written Jul 19, 2008

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Camping

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Map of Two Harbors