Planning a return trip to Catalina!

[robint]

We really are looking at a long weekend trip out to Catalina this summer! The past few years something has happened (injuries, work issues, etc) but this summer is looking good for a trip. We have only done boat trips from the mainland (Great Escape x3 times) so this will our first land-based trip there. We are hoping to use some free flights out, get a shuttle to the ferry, then spend Fri, Sat, Sun nights on Catalina. We'd like to do 3 boat dives 1 day and boat or maybe shore dives the other day. Nothing set in stone yet.

So .... what are the DIVER FRIENDLY hotels?
Inexpensive restaurant recommendations?

Should we go with a package with King Neptune or do stuff ala carte?

July a good time for a long weekend? I know we need to book hotel quick.

We will be bringing our 7mm suits, hooded vests, gloves, BCs, regs, mask & fins, etc but renting the tanks & wts there.

WE MISS CALIFORNIA KELP DIVING!

thanks!

robin

 

[blue steal]

I've stayed at the Seaport Village Inn a few times. Very diver friendly. They are a bit of a walk into town as they are located up a hill. Not bad for me. They will pick you up at the ferry dock and bring you back. also will transport you down to the casino point and back. I like the Catalina rooms. A bit more room and nicer. July is high season and the weekends even more so.
I like the lobster trap for the food and great micro brews, also Vons express for there deli goods.
I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[drbill]

It is nice to have a package put together for you by SCUBA Luv... saves a lot of the hassle and some $$$. If you do all boat diving, then it is great to leave your gear on board the King Neptune overnight. CDS has a great boat too but they generally do two tank dives.

If you go ala carte, Seaport Village is one of the two truly diver friendly hotels in town. The other is the Hermosa. As mentioned, Seaport provides transport to-and-from the boat and the dive park which can be a big money saver over taxis and a muscle saver over walking and carting your gear. My favorite reasonably priced restaurants are the Lobster Trap and Mr Ning's (Chinese).

 

[robint]

Thanks Dr Bill and blue steel... Seaport Village is the hotel I remember being recommended to me last time I asked.

Dr Bill - do you know which hotel the packages at ScubaLuv use? I know online it says "Standard" and "Deluxe". Does that mean standard is Hermosa and deluxe is Seaport? Just wondering. We really don't care about fancy, as long as no bugs and a hot shower and bed.

thanks!

robin

 

[drbill]

I don't think SCUBA Luv uses either of the hotels. They used to use the MacRae but I'm not really sure who they use now. You can call them at (310) 510-2350. I'd call after 1:00 pm our time as I think Tina is still involved with the kiddies school during the morning