In 1919, William Wrigley Jr., known for his chewing gum empire, bought Catalina Island as a gift for his wife Ada Wrigley Jr. Since then, the Catalina Island Company has seen continuous improvements by different members of the Wrigley family. Today, the company is run by descendants like Alison Wrigley-Rusack and her husband Geoffrey C. Rusack, overseeing hotels, dining options, tours, and activities on the island.
The historic Hotel Atwater, named after Alison’s great grandmother, has recently been renovated to update the guest rooms and amenities. The hotel offers a credit for food and drinks and is conveniently located a block away from the beach in Avalon.
Visitors can now enjoy the newly restored Flxible Touring Bus, known as ‘Betsy’, which takes tours to El Rancho Escondido, a ranch revamped by the Wrigley-Rusack family. The ranch boasts Arabian and American Quarter Horses, vineyards, and breathtaking views of Catalina Island.
One of the highlights of the ranch is the incredible ‘Bishop’s Chapel’ with a view of the sea, where visitors can delve into the chapel’s history and take in the picturesque scenery. The ranch also cultivates grapes for Rusack Vineyards, providing visitors with a taste of their Santa Catalina Island wines.
Other activities on Catalina Island include renting electric bicycles for exploring Avalon, savoring meals at restaurants like Avalon Grille serving Rusack wines, and visiting the Flx Biergarten – the island’s first beer garden.
For a deluxe experience, visitors can opt for the Commodore Lounge on the Catalina Express, enjoying priority boarding, comfortable seating, and complimentary snacks and drinks. The island plays host to a variety of events all year round, drawing in tourists from around the globe. For more information and to plan your trip, check out the Catalina Island Company website.
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