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because bat rays and sea lions might also be spotted in between the swaying swaths of kelp .
If you prefer to stay on dry land , but still want to see the marine life , a unique opportunity has popped up at the Tour Plaza . “ Immersed : Ocean Wonders ” is a 30-minute film presented in a custom-made dome theater for a virtual dive into the world ’ s oceans — including Catalina ’ s kelp forests . Footage was shot underwater in 360 degrees to capture every angle . Choose a traditional theater seat ( or a beanbag chair up front ) and get ready for a tranquil experience that provides up-close encounters with manta rays , sea lions , whale sharks , dolphins and more , with narration and contemporary music . Audience members can feel good about buying a ticket as 10 % of profits are donated to conservation groups .
This same plaza is where participants meet for the Bison Expedition . A heavy-duty , four-wheel-drive Hummer vehicle will whisk you on a two-hour tour of the backcountry , past rolling hills , fields , ponds and majestic coastal views from blufftop overlooks . Feel the wind in your hair as your guide shares stories about the island ’ s history , flora and fauna . While not guaranteed , passengers might encounter California
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quail ; a Catalina subspecies of the Channel Island fox ; bald eagles ; and American bison roaming the area . Bison were brought to the island by a 1920s film crew , and the remaining herd of about 150 are descendants of those animals . An icon of the American West , these stately creatures were named the nation ’ s official mammal in 2016 . After a stop at Airport in the Sky , a cafe and gift shop at the summit , the return route follows a 19th-century stagecoach trail back to Avalon .
Another opportunity to head into the picturesque interior is a new excursion that visits El Rancho Escondido , an Arabian horse ranch built in 1930 by Philip Wrigley . In addition to housing the family ’ s horses today , the ranch is used to grow wine grapes for Rusack Vineyards , another family business . Visitors may watch a horse exhibition and explore the nearly-century-old , Spanish-style courtyard and stables in addition to viewing one-of-a-kind saddles , trophies won by Wrigley horses and other memorabilia .
Back in Avalon , walk along the palm tree-lined waterfront path to the Casino to enjoy the scenic vista , historic buildings for the Tuna Club of Avalon and Catalina Island Yacht Club , and a low wall decorated with enchanting tile mosaics depicting Catalina
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landscapes , marine life and landmarks . Upon reaching the Casino , marvel at the architecture , including elaborate ocean-themed murals at the entrance . Take in a classic movie on Fridays and Saturdays or sign up for a VIP backstage tour . Completed in 1929 , the Casino stands the equivalent of 12 stories tall and features 105,000 Catalina clay tiles on the rooftop .
The ground-floor Avalon Theatre is acclaimed for its acoustics as it was the first one built for “ talkies ,” or films with sound . A domed ceiling , impressive murals and the original pipe organ can all be seen . The upper-level ballroom , a grand 20,000 square feet with an arching 50-foot ceiling and chandeliers , can accommodate up to 1,500 dancers ; Big Bands led by Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw once performed here . Now , the island ’ s annual New Year ’ s Eve celebration , JazzTrax Festival and Catalina Film Festival all take place at the Casino . The tour includes areas once closed to the public , including green rooms used by Cary Grant , Errol Flynn and other Hollywood stars ; Wrigley ’ s private viewing room and the projection room , complete with equipment from a bygone era and celebrity signatures on the walls .
Catalina Museum for Art & History is another
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MIDDLE : COURTESY OF “ IMMERSED ” ; REST OF PAGE : COURTESY OF CATALINA ISLAND CO . |
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