We'd only been dating for about a month, when my boyfriend and I decided to take our first extended weekend trip together. We were both about to start new high-stress jobs in completely different companies and knew we wouldn't be seeing much of each other, or any vacation time for several months at best. We only had a few days, and we were on a tight budget, which meant traveling out of state or the country wasn't a realistic option. A friend of mine had just come back from an overnight trip to Catalina, raving about the spa treatments at the Canyon Resort and Spa. It sounded fabulous, and I immediately hopped online to see if they had any rooms available. Alas, the resort was booked, but we decided to give Catalina a try, and booked a little trip for three nights at the Villa Portofino Hotel.

If you've ever been to Catalina, you might be wondering if perhaps three nights is a bit much considering that the island itself is only 76 square miles, and the town of Avalon is just one square mile. And when we arrived off the ferry and found that our hotel, which was the furthest down the beach, was only a short five to ten minute walk, we began to wonder the same thing. Could we really just have seen the entire town in our walk from the ferry to the hotel? What were we going to do to entertain ourselves for the next three days and three nights?

We'd really booked our trip last minute, so we didn't have too many hotel and lodging options from which to choose. We decided on the Villa Portofino mostly because it was well-priced and they were the only hotel that was available for the full three nights. We didn't realize until we got there, that perhaps that might have been because the hotel was under construction. Men with jackhammers, electric drills and paint-splashed overalls greeted us upon arrival. My visions of a relaxing three-day weekend began to slip away. But, knowing there weren't any rooms available elsewhere in Avalon, and determined not to let the noise get us down, we popped open the complimentary bottle of Chardonnay, picked up some cheese from the market and enjoyed a relaxing mid-afternoon glass of wine from atop the lovely sundeck at the Villa Portofino Hotel.

After dropping off our luggage and taking a look at our room, we decided that indeed the sundeck was the one little jewel of the hotel, and we should take advantage of it. With that, we decided to grab another bottle of wine and journey back to our rooftop deck where we enjoyed another bottle under the fading sunshine.

Without much of a plan, we set out to explore Avalon. I wanted to take a look at some of the other hotels we'd looked up online but were unable to book. We stopped at Snug Harbor and checked out a gorgeous ocean-view suite, with a sunk-in Jacuzzi bathtub and a king-sized bed with soft, billowy pillows and down comforter. Heaven, I thought, as I took a seat on the edge of the mattress and gazed out the window at the setting sun. If only it were available to us for the three nights. We looked at a few other places, and found that there were in fact a few others that we were happy we hadn't booked. One room we saw was completely purple, from the walls to the bedding. It reminded me of the grape Hubba Bubba bubble gum I used to chew as a child.

We trekked over to the Canyon Resort and Spa and found that not only did they have full spa service, but they also offered a crystal blue swimming pool, warm bubbly Jacuzzi, outdoor covered pool tables and a full bar. Ahhh... But, alas, they didn't have any rooms available, and we were bound to the Villa Portofino. We decided to enjoy a cocktail on the deck overlooking the pool, wander around the resort and then carry on our way.

Over the next three days we hit up nearly every restaurant and bar in Avalon. From Luau Larry's where a piano-playing singer covered Journey songs, to a high-school girls' softball team singing karaoke at El Galleon, a game of pool with local sailors at Marlin's, the Veal Parmigiana and Caprese salad at The Villa Portofino, tacos and tostadas at Catalina Cantina, and the freshest mahimahi at Armstrong's Fish Market, we were off to a pretty good start. In between our various jaunts to sample the local fare, we found a variety of other adventures that kept us far away from buzzing drills and hammering nails, and allowed us to discover some unique and beautiful sights.

While gazing up at one of the highest hills on the island, we noticed something that looked like a large pathway in the grass. We looked at it and immediately decided we were going to hike it. You won't find this particular hike in any of the guidebooks either - we stopped at a local bookstore to check. No, this hike was only for the truly adventurous, willing to carve and conquer their own paths. High atop the mountain is a photo of me, lying on a rock about half-way up, waiting for my more adventurous and athletic partner to return. From the hillside, we could see all of Avalon - the sailboats in the marina, the grand Casino, and the tiny streets with golf carts shuttling tourists to their hotels. We could see all the bars, cafes, and shops we'd passed through, and the amazing coastline we'd toured in sea kayaks, hoping to catch a glimpse of a soaring eagle above. Along the way, we met friendly locals from bartenders to art gallery owners, kayak salesmen, and teenagers selling coffee or playing guitar in an island café. We purchased kitschy knick-knacks, chatted in painfully broken Spanish with humoring bartenders over margaritas, played music on our sundeck and ate breakfast with the birds in our courtyard. And after three full days on Catalina island, I have to tell you, I didn't want it to end.

On our ferry ride back to the mainland, we decided someday we'll return to retrace our steps and see what if anything has changed. I hope that nothing has; I'd just like to be the one who chooses the hotel next time.

Recommended Lodging:

Snug Harbor Inn

108 Sumner Ave

Avalon, CA 90704

(310) 510-8400

Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa

888 Country Club Dr

Avalon, CA 90704

(310) 510-0325

Restaurants:

Armstrong's Fish Market

306 Crescent Ave # A

Avalon, CA 90704

(310) 510-0113

Catalina Country Club Restaurant

1 Country Club Dr.

Avalon, CA 90704

(310) 510-7404

Bars / Karaoke / Billiards:

El Galleon Restaurant

411 Crescent Avenue

Avalon, CA 90704

(310) 510-1188

The Marlin Club

108 Catalina St.

Avalon, CA 90704