The Avalon Grille, Catalina Island

For those who think that fine dining on Catalina Island means a buffalo burger or a hefty portion of fish and chips, there is a refreshing new option in the heart of downtown Avalon.

The Avalon Grille is Catalina’s newest culinary sensation, located conveniently on the harbor facing the green Pleasure Pier. Open since May of 2011, The Avalon Grille has raised the bar of dining alternatives on the island. Guests are welcomed to an inviting dining room, decorated in the relaxed tropical motif of British Colonial style. Nearly every table has a view thanks to floor to ceiling windows that feature Avalon Harbor. The walls are covered in historic images of Catalina’s past, and a sizeable oil painting of the Avalon Casino comes from the Wrigley family collection. William Wrigley Jr., the famous chewing gum magnate, purchased the island in 1919.

The menu features classic preparations of steak and seafood, as well as some comfort selections like BBQ beef brisket with cheddar mac and cheese. Of course, Catalina traditionalists will be happy to find an excellent buffalo burger on the menu, updated with a gourmet pairing of parmesan truffle fries.

The Avalon Grille is a new Catalina classic with a sophisticated island state of mind. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after a full day of island fun.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/dini_avalonGrille.php

CorePower Yoga: Turn up the Heat

I've been waiting patiently for the new CorePower Yoga studio to open in my Woodbridge neighborhood, and today, I tried the a class. Yoga isn't new for me, but I've never tried hot yoga. The idea is that you practice in a warm studio, 98 degrees or more, and sweat while you stretch. 

I tried the 1:30pm introductory hot yoga class. OK, so it was more like warm yoga for those of us who were just beginning, but I could still feel the heat. About halfway into the class, I remembered that the Yoga Studio used to be a Chevy's Mexican restaurant and had a sudden urge for a margarita on ice. But I sipped my water instead and persevered. I actually felt that the heat helped me, loosening up my muscles and allowing me to work deeper into the poses. 

At the end, I was sweaty but serene. I'll definitely be coming back for more. After all, any activity that tells you to "balance,"  "breathe" and "push your heart forward." is a worthwhile way to spend a Friday afternoon.

CorePower Yoga

Woodbridge Village Center

4700 Barranca Parkway,

Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 551-9642

www.corepoweryoga.com

Avalon Theatre, Catalina Island

Every visitor to Catalina  is greeted by the Avalon Casino, one of the island's most recognizable landmarks. But few know that inside this famous building is a fully functioning movie theater, which has been open to the public since 1929.

A visit to the Avalon Theatre is not your typical trip to the neighborhood multi-plex. It is a trip back in time, to the Golden Age of Hollywood, when a night at the movies meant glamor and glitz. Movie theaters of the 1930s were palaces, decorated with beautiful murals and plush red velvet seats. Organ music filled the air, adding a soundtrack for the silent pictures on the screen. William Wrigley made sure that his theater was designed with excellent acoustics so it would be ready for the new-fangled "talkie" movies of the day. The theater's beautiful undersea murals were designed by John Gabriel Beckman, noted for his design of the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. 

Today, you can pay your admission to see a first-run, present day film and still be transported back in time. On weekends, if you arrive an hour before the movie starts, you'll be treated to a free concert by Robert Salisbury on the historic Page pipe organ. And just before the movie begins, you can imagine you're watching with Errol Flynn, Clark Gable or Mary Pickford. 

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/acti_casinoTheater.php

Zipping Across Catalina

Last summer I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour. Read all about it!http://www.ocregister.com/articles/zip-285270-line-above.html

The Pavilion Hotel, Catalina Island

Long time visitors to Catalina may remember the Pavilion Lodge, a 71-room inn that has been a harbor front staple since the 1950’s. But return visitors would hardly recognize the newly renovated Pavilion Hotel which opened in May of 2010. This sunny, yellow hotel has been beautifully transformed and now has the breezy casual atmosphere of a classic beach resort.

The heart of the inn is a quaint interior garden, where guests can relax on cushioned lounge chairs, tucked away from the foot traffic on Crescent Avenue. On my visit to the Pavilion Hotel, I was amazed at the meticulous care of the staff, which was always present, keeping the gardens and lounge areas in sparkling condition.

The rooms are still in the configuration of the original hotel and are a bit small in size. But the interiors have been fully redone in cheery seaside décor. I was pleased to find brand new fixtures in the bathroom and a flat screen TV on the wall. Also, I enjoyed special comforts such as a mini fridge, coffee service, and an Ipod dock so that I could hear my own music. The best guest rooms surround the interior courtyard and are worth a special request.

Service is the key at the Pavilion Hotel. Tropical fruit, pastries, and freshly brewed coffee greeted me every morning and a wine and cheese service welcomed me home after a day of fun on the island.

I must admit, my favorite part of the Pavilion Hotel experience was relaxing in the outdoor guest lounge with a glass of Cabernet while envious tourists walked by. I found it very easy to set my internal clock to what the locals call “Island Time.”

Ipads and Blue Ray players are available as well as a full selection of movies to check out for free.

The Pavilion Hotel offers several all-inclusive packages that cater to your specific vacation needs. Families may be interested in the “Unlimited” Package, which offers access to a wide range of tours and activities as well as discounts on the popular Zip-Line Eco-Tour.

For more information on the Pavilion Hotel on Catalina Island, check out their website at www.visitcatalinaisland.com  or call (800) 322.3434.

Catalin-ahhhhhh

It has always been one of my favorites. Ever since I first floated into its harbor more than 30 years ago, Catalina Island has held a place close to my heart.

The first thing you notice about Catalina is the color. The red and yellow boats bobbing in the water near the emerald green Pleasure Pier, the multi-colored cottages and Victorian hotels that cover the hillsides, the vibrant Catalina tiles that decorate the walkways and walls. The sunlight seems more intense as it's reflected off the sea, making all of the colors shine even brighter.

I came back to Catalina to see what's new, but I was hoping to still  find what's old.

What I found was a pleasant mixture of both. Familiar favorites remained next door to new hotels and restaurants, all contributing harmoniously to the new Catalina Island that is waiting to be discovered...
or, in my case, rediscovered.

Looking for Fall In Lake Arrowhead

In Southern California, fall doesn’t arrive in a flurry of autumn leaves and chilly temperatures. The seasonal shift is more subtle. It comes in little things, like street corner pumpkin patches and empty parking spaces at the beach. In the land of perpetual sunshine, you could miss the season altogether if you don’t pay attention. Around here, if you want to find fall, you have to look for it.

September may have gone out like a blast furnace, but relief can be found in the local mountains. High in the San Bernardino National Forest, Lake Arrowhead is dressed and ready for fall. It takes only a ninety minute drive to go from palms to pines and to find blue skies above the haze. There you’ll be greeted by an alpine village on the shores of Lake Arrowhead where the leaves are turning golden and fall celebrations are in full swing.

All this month, Lake Arrowhead Village is celebrating the season with activities for the whole family to enjoy. Oktoberfest runs from October 2^{nd -} 30^th, with Bavarian music and authentic German food every weekend. You can also sample local microbrews at the first annual Lake Arrowhead Brew Fest on October 16th. Kids of all ages can pick their own pumpkin at Jack’s Pumpkin Patch. Even dogs can get a taste of fall, with homemade pumpkin dog biscuits available at Three Dog Bakery. Just be sure to stop at Jensen’s Fine Foods in Blue Jay on your way home to pick up a fresh apple pie for dessert.

If you’re dreaming of amber colored leaves, bratwurst and apple cider, Lake Arrowhead is ready to satisfy your autumn craving. After spending an afternoon with the sweet aromas of cinnamon and sauerkraut, listening to bearded men in lederhosen playing “The Chicken Dance,” you’ll know that you’ve found fall after all, even if it’s only for a day.

IF YOU GO:

Getting There: From Orange County, take 91 Freeway east to Riverside. Follow Fwy. 215 North (toward San Bernardino, Victorville, Barstow, Las Vegas). From right lanes, exit onto Hwy. 210 East. Exit Waterman Avenue. At top of off ramp, turn left onto Waterman Avenue (North, toward mountains). Proceed approximately 20 miles North on Waterman Avenue (which becomes Hwy. 18, as you begin your climb up the mountain).Shortly after passing the turn-off for Crest Park, you'll reach the intersection of Highway 18 and Highway 173 (the turn-off for Lake Arrowhead). Turn left onto highway 173 (toward Lake Arrowhead) and proceed approximately 2 miles.

Listen to the Music at the Lake Arrowhead Village Oktoberfest. October 2^nd-30^th, every Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-4pm. Admission is free. www.LakeArrowheadVillage.com

Sample Microbrews at the First Annual Lake Arrowhead Brewfest, Saturday October 16^th at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Event begins at 1pm. Admission is $25. Call (909)337-3715 for more information. www.Lakearrowhead.net

Pick your Future Jack-O-Lantern at Jack’s Pumpkin Patch. Opens October 9^th. Friday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Weekdays 10am -6pm.

Enjoy Lakeside Dining at Woody’s Boat House, Lake Arrowhead Village (909) 337-2628. Sit at a teakwood table and watch the speedboats go by. Try the Oktoberfest Special : German Sausage sandwich with warm potato salad and homemade applesauce.

Don’t Forget Dessert from Jensen’s Fine Foods in Blue Jay, 27264 HWY 189, (909) 337-8484. The Old Country Bakery makes fresh apple and pumpkin pies daily.