Catalina Island Cruises
Catalina Island also known as Santa Catalina is one of the Santa Barbara (or Channel) Islands, in the Gulf of Santa Catalina off southern California. With an area of 194 sq km (75 sq mi) it is rugged and mountainous with an irregular coastline, and is a popular resort and centre for sports fishing; tourism is the principal industry. The only town is Avalon with a population of circa. 3000. The island was sighted in 1542 by the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. In 1919 it was purchased by the American industrialist William Wrigley, Jr., who developed the resort facilities. His family still owns much of the island.