10 US Islands Where You Can Beat the Winter Blues
Where: California
In summertime, rocky is teeming with tourists who’ve taken the 25-mile ferry ride from Los Angeles, but in winter (with comfortable average temperatures in the mid-60s) you’ll feel like you have it to yourself. Catalina severely restricts cars; you can rent golf carts, but walking is the best way to discover —the little town that chewing gum built. William Wrigley’s circular, art deco is a good first stop, housing the first theater built specifically for “talking” movies in 1929. From the center of town, head a mile inland on Avalon Canyon Road to begin climbing the Hermit Gulch Trail—you'll be rewarded with expansive views of the town below and the Pacific Ocean on both sides of you.
Insider Tip: The Catalina Conservancy, which owns nearly 90 percent of the island, requires hikers to get a (free) before going out on any of the trails.
Plan Your Trip: Visit
(© Peter Guttman)Who says you need a passport to escape to an island in wintertime? As the countdown to warmer weather begins, now is the perfect time to escape to any number of American islands that will banish your cold-weather woes. Besides being conveniently located, these islands are often budget-friendly, too. Read on to discover 10 destinations that are guaranteed to put some spring in your winter step.
By Deb Hopewell
Deb Hopewell is a freelance writer and editor whose travel stories have appeared in Fodors.com, TravelandLeisure.com, FourSeasons.com, Yahoo Travel, and the San Jose Mercury News, among others.
