Santa Catalina Island, commonly called Catalina, is a longtime leisure destination off the coast of Southern California. The island can be reached by ferry from Long Beach in about an hour, and the plentiful attractions range from riding glass-bottomed boats to taking tours of the wildlife that populate the more remote sections of its rugged terrain.
Fans of the Will Ferrell movie Step Brothers will also note that the island is the site of the movie’s climactic scene, the Catalina Wine Mixer—which is, in fact, a real event. If you don’t believe it, check its official website, which has a page titled The Catalina Wine Mixer is Real.
The island was a regular attraction for LIFE photographers. Ralph Crane, Peter Stackpole and Martha Holmes all had their turn at documenting what made the island so special.
Stackpole’s photos at Catalina became the basis for a big feature in a June 1941 issue. He followed two starlets, Patti McCarty and Betty Brooks on their adventures around the island, and took photos of them playing beach volleyball, posing with a peacock, and riding a glass-bottomed boat to look at the abundant sea life.
The photo from Holmes and Crane, taken in 1946 and 1959, respectively, capture the same holiday spirit. The final photo in this collection shows the Catalina Casino (not a gambling establishment but a picturesque nightlife spot on the water), which is still in operation today, and is one of the attractions that continues to inspire Californians to take that ferry across the channel.
Actresses Betty Brooks and Patti McCarty rode a motorboat at Catalina Island, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Young actresses Betty Brooks and Patti McCarty played volleyball at Catalina Island, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Starlet Betty Brooks played volleyball during a visit to Catalina Island, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Betty Brooks and Patti McCarty encountered a white peacock at Catalina Island, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Starlets Patti McCarty and Betty Brooks rode a glass-bottomed boat as part of a visit to Catalina Island, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock
On Catalina Island, young actresses Patti McCarty and Betty Brooks return to their hotel for a rest before dinner, 1941.
Peter Stackpole/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1946.
Martha Holmes/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1946.
Martha Holmes/Life PIcture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1946.
Martha Holmes/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Horseback riding at Catalina Island, July 1946.
Martha Holmes/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A couple enjoyed the port view of Avalon Bay at Catalina Island, 1946.
Martha Holmes/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1959.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1959.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1959.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Catalina Island, 1959.
Ralph Crane/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
