What do Gilligan’s Island, Wrigley’s gum and the Chicago Cubs have in common? Hmmm…give up? It’s Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Ha!
Well...maybe I fibbed a little. Fun fact for all of you Gilligan Island aficionados: Gilligan’s Island is not Catalina Island as many have speculated. The island shown on Gilligan’s Island is called Coconut Island, off Oahu, Hawaii. Okay, lovey? But it is true that the Wrigley family of the chewing gum empire acquired Catalina Island and the Chicago Cubs (formerly owned by Wrigley) practiced on Catalina Island for their spring training for almost 30 years. Do you know which President did radio broadcasts of the Chicago Cubs at their spring training? I’m full of trivia in this blog so beware. ;)
Why all the Catalina talk? It’s because I recently took my very first trip to San Catalina Island. Not being a native Californian, this island was never on my radar. A good friend of mine had told me about her summer there, but it was never on my “have-to-go-visit” list. But what a great day trip it is!
We ferried the “not-so-express” boat to the island from Long Beach and then hopped on our very own golf cart to tour around. The weather was gorgeous (but it’s always summer in Southern California, right?) and we headed straight for the Wrigley Memorial.
William Wrigley Jr. acquired the island in 1919 while blowing bubbles with his chewing gum. (true or false?) I’m surprised they didn’t give us all a sample of Wrigley’s gum as we took the tour. That would've been fun and tasty! Note to self. Perhaps the gum would end up on the floor of the state-of-the-art movie theatre? Another note to self. The acoustics in the movie house are incredibly advanced for being built in 1929. In fact, it was technologically ahead of its time. When Radio City Music Hall was in the process of constructing their own building in NYC they visited the Wrigley Memorial and copied the outstanding acoustics design. Also, in the casino as it is called in this same building, we two-stepped into the biggest circular ballroom in the world. Need to plan a ballroom dance party? It would be the perfect place! Just ask!
After cruising around at “not-so-lighting speed” we crept slowly up the hillside to get a bite to eat at the Wrigley mansion, now known as The Inn on Mt. Ada. The view from atop this hill was majestic. Registered guests have the house to use at their own leisure while being served a nice lunch. While we were there, we were told that the Wrigley family was coming back to live in the mansion this year – so hurry up and make a lunch reservation to take advantage of the spectacular view before it’s too late.
After our day trip, we headed back to the mainland to live it up in Los Angeles. I recommend experiencing two great restaurants for the next time you’re in LaLa land:
1. Bestia
2. République
We stayed at a fun and fashionable hotel with the biggest front door. Which one is it? Just ask!
One last trivia question: Which celebrity was married on Catalina Island? The first person to answer it correctly will receive a free R Essentials bag!
