“Twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin’ for me. . .the island of romance.” So serenaded the Four Preps about Catalina Island. Even the primary town in this resort community off the coast of Southern California has a mystical name: Avalon. People have been attracted to the island for thousands of years and enchanted by its magic. Over a million people visit the island each year by ferries, private boats or aircraft. With its Mediterranean climate, there is no bad time to visit and if it’s your birthday, your ferry fare is free (with a paying companion). So have fun learning about or becoming reacquainted with this amazing island.