We have another CIVR guest blog post to bring you from a long time visitor to Catalina, a CIVR guest of both our Avalon homes and Hamilton Cove villas, and our “12 Days of Giveaways” grand prize winner, Marrilee G.  Her story is touching, and we’re sure many of you feel the same way – that Catalina has become your “home away from home.”  Read Marrilee’s story below about how visiting Avalon has become a tradition for her family.

(View from Marrilee’s Hamilton Cove Villa during her stay)

When I was 12 years old, I went to Catalina with my friend and her mom for a week.  We took the old seaplane over and landed on the end of the pier. How cool?!  We were able to have the most freedom we had ever had because we were safe no matter where we went.  We rode bikes, went to the beach, went horseback riding, and walked around town.  We were never out of our bathing suits long enough for them to dry.

Twenty years later I started taking my kids. They ran the Island; they tasted the same freedom I did when I was a little girl. My love of the island spreads like wildfire. You should have seen us coming over on the old Catalina Cruiser with all we needed for a week for 15 plus people. It was a sight to see.

Twenty years later, I’m bringing my grandkids. What a delight for me to have my kids and grandkids love Catalina like I do. My youngest granddaughter is even named Avalon. It is safe to say that my family’s love of the Island is forever. We religiously rent from CIVR (Catalina Island Vacation Rentals). In December, I won a 3 day/2 night stay for 2 from CIVR. I didn’t believe it and was sure there was a catch.  No catch, for once.

Soon after, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. As you can imagine, it was a tough time for all of us. A vacation was in order. I called Chay at CIVR and told her about my story and asked if we could turn it into a girls’ weekend. She was so accommodating.   We stayed in a Hamilton Cove villa for the first time. We old ladies knew we needed a great view with a golf cart. Our wandering around the island days by foot have passed.

We came over just after my sister completed her treatment. My sisters’ friends, and I have done some partying in Catalina (can we say wicki wack?), but this weekend was all about relaxing, bonding, and enjoying the peace of the Island we all love so much.

The villa was perfect in every way. The view was a treat and we spent most of our time on the deck just looking at the water. That is, when we weren’t enjoying ice cream from Big Olaf’s or a caramel apple from Lloyd’s!

Avalon is our home away from home; our happy place. Our trips are always filled with laughter, bonding, healing, joy, and serious fun.

Marrilee G.

Orange, CA

We have a special post to share today—one of our guests is guest blogging for us! Here at CIVR we love hearing about your experiences on Catalina, the activities you enjoy doing when visiting, and the traditions you’ve created. Read on to hear about Carlin and her family’s experience on Catalina Island and staying in one of the CIVR villas at Hamilton Cove.

In the quest for an unforgettable vacation that would match the stunning beauty of the Amalfi Coast, but had a closer proximity to home, I googled “most Mediterranean-like city in America”.  Catalina Island came up on the list and it did NOT disappoint!  Based on images I’d seen, I quickly booked a Hamilton Cove villa for our stay.

Catalina Island delivers that gorgeous Mediterranean feel, particularly if you stay in the lovely Hamilton Cove resort.  Built vertically into a cliff, the units overlook the ocean allowing an incredible view 24/7.  So many beautiful memories were made on this vacation.  Every morning we ate breakfast on our balcony, watching yachts and dolphins sail around the sea.  During the day we spent time on the beautiful Descanso Beach in a private cabana, paddle boarding, snorkeling, swimming and soaking up the sun, all while being attended to by excellent servers.  We zip-lined, went deep sea fishing and explored the gorgeous island vegetation in golf carts provided with each villa.  The evenings were savored by again eating on the villa balcony or at our favorite Italian restaurant, Villa Portofino.  Catalina Island was truly one of our best vacations, bringing huge smiles to our faces and gratitude in our hearts each time we reminisce.

Carlin W.

Saint Louis, MO

Love reading our blog and have a fun memory, experience or tradition you’d like to share about vacationing with us and visiting Catalina? We love hearing from you, and are excited to announce our new “Guest Blogger” program.

While we love sharing history, things to do, events and what we love about Catalina, we want to hear from you! Send us a favorite memory, experience, activity you love doing while on the Island, tradition you’ve started associated with visiting Catalina and your story might just be chosen to be featured as a CIVR blog post! As a thank you to our “guest bloggers,” we’ll be sending you a special gift.

Here’s what you need to do to submit your own blog post:

• Provide your first name, last name initial and city where you are from (for crediting purposes)
• Write 2 paragraphs sharing your experience, favorite activity or memory, a tradition you’ve created from visiting Catalina or anything else you’d like to share about Catalina Island or staying with CIVR
• Please provide an image to accompany your blog post
• Please no profanity or offensive language in your post, and only submit appropriate photos
• Send post & photo to blog@civr.com with the subject line “CIVR Guest Blogger”

If your post is chosen to be featured on the CIVR blog, we will contact you via email. We can’t wait to hear from you!