San Marcos To Santa Catalina Island Recon

Map of the full 225 mile route

Always looking for another "different" sort of rando route, I figured Catalina Island would fill the bill. Take the ferry from San Pedro, land at Two Harbors, cycle across the Island to Avalon, jump a afternoon ferry back to the mainland and continue on the rando route to ?. To be all inclusive, you would be adding 4 hours(ferry time) and no credit for the ferry miles. Add to that the big climb out of Two Harbors on "gravely" roads (included in route distance & time) and a rando shorter route wouldn't work at all (200km or shorter). I surmised it would have to be a longer route of at least 300 km. to have enough cushion to finish within the time parameters established by RUSA.

Bike Pass, Membership Card and Catalina Express info.

Rethinking my priorties, I decided on a route start from San Marcos for sure. Change the ferry to one leaving from Dana Point. 204 km with a time limit over 13 hours! Leave San Marcos, ride to Dana Point, ferry to Catalina, ride to the Island Airport and back, ferry to Dana Point, ride back to San Marcos. Take out 3 hours ferry ride time and the non-ride time on Catalina and that leaves around 8 hours to ride a 200km+ route. A flat tire or bathroom break and you're done!

I finally settled on a San Marcos to Dana Point route (102km). Reverse it for the ride back. Leave out all the things on the Island and just ride around and enjoy yourself there. Submitted and approved, it became RUSA Route #3392, "Dana Point XP". Next up was the full recon ride.

Full sun as the Ferry approaches Avalon

Leaving San Marcos early in the dark (start time is predicated by the Catalina Express Ferry departure time from Dana Point) the route follows a non-traditional path around Palomar College before hooking up with the well ridden route to Champagne Boulevard. Weather was overcast and I had my arm warmers pulled up on the downhills. Standard fast section to Bonsall, where the McD's wasn't open but the AM/MP was. Then a few very fast Hwy.76 miles (smooth and nice) before departing for the quiet San Luis Rey Bike Path to Oceanside.

Depending on early traffic thru the Base, I opted for the I-5 speed run up to Las Pulgas Road. As usual, some interesting things going on a the mandatory Rest Stop ride thru. See VIDEO for some fun things. Lots of campers at San Onofre Campground but didn't meet any early cyclists. Bathroom #1 seems to be always open year round and water refill was in order there. Normal Trestles Bike Path surfer traffic. I see more and more of them riding electric fat bikes with surf-board mounts!

Up on top, half-way to the airport

After my normal donut stop in San Clemente (where they always throw in a few free donut holes), I was off to easy riding on the newly finished bike way along Coast Hwy. and arrived at Dana Point Harbor well before Ferry departure time of 0745.

I had a reservation, so got my boarding pass in short order (one for me and one for the bike). Rode around checking out boats and ended up sitting on a bench, relaxing and talking to several passengers while others boarded the Catalina Express. The "Express" was built with it's sister ship in 1994 at Greys Harbor, WA. Plenty of horsepower from it's twin engines drive this mono-hull up to 32 knots.

Once underway, I spent most of my time in the fantail near the bike or wandering around taking
pictures. This trip was sold out, but there were a few empty seats as others were up top in the wind or in the bow taking pictures. Ferry slowed while a pod of Pacific White Sided Dolphins darted under and around us. Approaching Santa Catalina Island, the sun broke thru and it felt like the South Pacific!

Some bad buffalo rutting around this pond.

After landing at 0915, it was a bit of a scramble. Hit the dockside bathroom, refilled by bottles and rode over to the Island Conservancy to pick up my inland cycling pass. I had registered online last week and handed a copy of that over to the clerk. Within a few minutes had the permit in hand and after a quick chat with some hikers was soon off. Went down by the waterfront and soon found out it was blocked off to cyclists/cars. Found an alternate route and within 3 minutes was into the climb out of Avalon. Up, up and away! Started out with several double digit "gasper"s!

Mile 1.6 has a junction. Right is the "tourist" scenic one-way road back down to Avalon via the Zip Line start. Left has a gate. Travel beyond requires a permit. I rode around the arm and continued climbing on the deteriorating hard surfaced road. Around mile 4 the road levels out and turns to gravel. Also there is a gravel road to the left called "Divide Road". It's supposed to circle around Avalon. I'll check it out next trip. Continuing on, the road was off and on gravel with several scenic overlooks. Passed a small park like setting that looked to have outside water but was filled with buffalo! For sure, I didn't stop there but continued up and down to the airport.

Super view of "Little Harbor" near Avalon Bay

Interesting little airport at mile 10.2 with a restaurant and water. Didn't linger long as I wanted to get back early enough before boarding the 2:00 PM Ferry back. Off and on gravel rollers on the way back which turn into a rough hard surface as the downhill grade increases. Couldn't wait to get to the junction where there is only one way to go (one-way... the way I came up earlier). This narrow road was smooth and I stopped for a few zip-line action shots. Then followed a cart down the steep scenic hill as the 2 lovers came within inches of going over the edge (no guardrails here). 

With a few minutes to spare, I sat by the kiddie park and watched the excited tourists pass. Had a
short wait in line before boarding the return "Catalina Express". Same boat as earlier, different crew. Much quieter and smoother ride back to Dana Point, where we arrived at 3:10 PM. After washing up & filling bottles, I was off for the long haul back to San Marcos.

Managed a short stop in San Clemente for some calories, as I was a little "off kilter". I figured it was the fresh salt air and the ferry vibration? After Oceanside, the route goes south and then inland back to San Marcos. Didn't want the route more redundant than it already was. Arrived home with lights on the last few miles. Good day and managed lots of video and still shots.

Route Video

- randorides