The temperatures are warm, the days are still long, and the summer crowds are largely gone. Better yet, Catalina Island is only 22 miles from the mainland, but feels like it’s a million miles away. The island has a colorful past, a playful spirit, and a delightfully relaxed island pace. Thanks to the vision set in motion by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Catalina has been a popular getaway for nearly a century. Here are five great ways to enjoy Catalina this fall:

Soak Up the Atmosphere
The tiny town of Avalon spreads along a pretty crescent-shaped harbor and you can get just about everywhere without a car. It’s a playful mix of early 20th-century beach resort architecture dotted with colorful Catalina tiles. Explore the town, pull up a café table at an open-air restaurant, or plant a beach chair and enjoy the sunshine. If you can stay overnight, Catalina takes on added charm after the day-trippers have departed. A number of good restaurants dot the harbor. Or hop a trolley for the Catalina Country Club, the former spring training facility for Wrigley’s Chicago Cubs, for a delightful dinner.

Get a Close-Up View of Catalina’s Rich Marine Life
Catalina’s crystal clear waters are a magnet for snorkelers and divers, and the island has a city-designated marine preserve. Not ready to dive in yourself? Try the classic glass-bottomed boat or a semi-submersible submarine. Both bring you in close to the beautiful kelp forests teeming with fish, including the bright orange garibaldi. Or rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard, and enjoy the water at your own pace.

Peer into Catalina’s Storied Past
Towering over Avalon Harbor, the 1929 Casino building is the best place to start. Visit the Catalina Island Museum (on the ground floor). Take the tour to see the art deco murals, the world’s largest circular dance floor where thousands danced nightly to the nation’s top big bands, and the Avalon Theater (still in use), the first theater in the country built for movies with sound.

Look for Bison
Follow the old stagecoach route for a 31-mile trip out to El Rancho Escondido, Wrigley’s Arabian horse ranch. Enjoy views of sparkling coves, learn about the island’s unique ecosystem, and keep an eye out for bison, descendents of the original group brought over in 1924 for the filming of a Western. For the more adrenaline-inclined, the new Zip Line in Descanso Canyon offers a high-speed glimpse of the local scenery.

Take Your Pick of Fall Festivals
Check out the work of artists from all over the country at the Festival of Art (September 17 – 19). Sip wine from over 50 wineries at the Wine Festival (September 25). Enjoy the music of 30 smooth jazz artists at JazzTrax (Thursdays – Sundays over three weekends, from September 30 – October 17) or the family-friendly World Music Festival (October 23).

Getting There Is Easy and Fast
The trip is only 60 – 90 minutes from Long Beach, Dana Point or San Pedro via Catalina Express. Call 877-612-5252 to book your own fall adventure.

Looking for more fun on Catalina Island with Bonnie? She blogs as Explorer on Community.VisitThePlace.com. Or Check out Newbie or Cali Mama's blogs to read about more Catalina fun!