Garden To Sky Summit — Attraction in Santa Catalina Island

We got started at 11AM on Oct. 28. It was warm, approx 80F, so even though it's fall, it is still warm on Catalina. Cool to see the west side of island. We explored a little further to ridges and bluffs nearby to get better views. Saw lots of wildlife; check out the fox in the photos. Did Wrigley memorial on the way back - see photos: I like how they had storm water drainage through the mouths of the gargoyles or faces of the wall. Also check out the non-functional phone booth at entry to botanical garden. We forgot to take sandwiches for lunch, but enjoyed the Sandtrap on our way back into town. The hike is a good workout; just over 1100 feet climb in elevation from our house rental in Avalon. Took us maybe 2 hours total, but we're fit and kept good pace the entire way. Round trip from botanical garden can be done in 1 hour if pace is kept. I recommend the Sandtrap on the way back, see review for it on...

It was a beautiful hike with excellent views all around us, but word to the wise, don't underestimate what 1.2 miles of uphill hiking is for kids. Came here late afternoon with my boys and we had the whole trail to ourselves and ended up making it back to the shuttle stop by the time the last bus came around. The hike was well worth the view, though you may want to be cautioned that there are a lot of busy bees in the area in case you are worried about that...

perfect panorama view of Pacific on either side of Catalina, plus continental and Santa Clemente. Serenity, serenity, serenity.

Be aware: this is a point in the middle of a loop trail of 6 miles more or less, under the brutal sun, you will need to bring water, food, and UV protection gears. Or, for those who doesn't enjoy losing water weight this way you could always take the jeep tour that last about 1 hour.

Good luck...