Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-12
A Uniaue watering Place.

A Unique watering Place.
Los Angeles is exceptionally favored
with seaside resorts, all OF which are
easily reached, and all of which possess
peculiar attractions. In short ride by
train one can reach Santa Monica, Ba-
Iona, Redondo Beach, San Pedro or Long
Beach, and each OF these places possesses
attractions which make them favorite
points to such of our people who prefer
the seaside to the mountains. But there
is one watering place that is coming
yearly into greater vogue, that possesses
attractions which are not to be found
anywhere else on the coast of California.
We allude to Catalina Island. In
the past two years that resort
has grown into great favor on &C.
count of the advantages it has over
the mainland. The leeward side is shell
tered from the prevailing winds, and
there is little no surf upon the beaches
of the little valleys to which the campers
resort. This renders swimming and
boating peculiarly safe and pleasursble.
The waters OF the island abound in fish,
and this is another great point with most
people. There are few better fishing
grounds anywhere than those that are to
be found in the waters of the island, from
the Isthmus at the northwest end to Seal
Rock at the southeastern terminus. The
variety and character of the fish are such
as to insure the most fastidious disciple
of Izaak Walton the chance to indulge
in the exact kind of sport he is partial to.
From pan fry to huge monsters weigh
ing four or FIVE hundred pounds, he can
take his choice. The catch varies
Som etimes for several days sll varieties
take to the hook eagerly, and they are
brought in by the ton. At others they
will refuse the hook persistently for a
week or go, and the eager sportsmen
become discouraged. During the barra-
couda season there are days in which
this fine fieh can be hauled in as fast as
the lines are thrown out. Then, for no
apparent cause, they will be perfectly
Indifferent to the most tempting bait, al.
though they may be seen lying in shoals
in the water at fathom's depth. The
yellow tail-a large, gamey fish, and
greatly resembling in action the blue fish
of the East-shows the same disposition.
Bottom fishing is nearly always good.
Fine white fish, rock bass, sleeps h cad,
medialunas, etc., can be caught at all
times.
The fact that the fine fisheries at this
island are supplemented by placid waters,
insuring good boating and easy swim.
ming, will continue to make Catalina Is
land favorite resort with large class
of people, and one which will grow in
popularity as those who own it improve
it's accommodations for visitors, and rem
der it attractive by the judicious expend-
iture of money in improving and orna-
menting the grounds in the vicinity Of
the beaches Of the principal valleys.
1t is understood that the English syn
dicate which has purchased the island
intend to spend great deal of money in
rendering the island the unique resort OF
the Pacific Coast in one respect. A gen.
tleman of this city vino recently met sew
eral OF the chief men of the syndicate in
London, says that they intend to turn
the island into an immense park, stock
it with game suited to the climate
and the feed, and after a few
years open it to hunters. Quail already
abound on the island, and the English
pheasant would thrive there. Deer would
doubtless multiply rapidly, and great
variety of game birds could be natural
lied there with success. At some point
on the island-Wilson's is the one now
deemed by them the best-they intend
to build hotel that will cost quarter
million dollars, and at Avalon (anglice,
Apple Island, misnomer,) they intend
to lay out gardens and lawns and erect
handsome cottages.
II these mooted plans should be car
ried out, Santa Catalina Island would at
tract crowds of people from all parts of
the State and from ths East 1t would
not only become fine summer resort,
but place that would be visited by
great numbers all the year round, for
winter there is like spring in other parts
of the country.
In the meantime it will continue to be
a favorite local resort, and divide the
patronage OF our people with the many
other attractive places we have within
easy reach from our city.
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THOSE cherubic journals, the Times