As the island of romance, Santa Catalina is aptly named. It was her second European discoverer, the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino, who dubbed her thus on the eve of St. Catherine’s Day in November of 1602. St. Catherine of Alexandria is celebrated for refusing to wed unless it would be to someone better than her in all things. She was promptly transported to heaven and married to Christ. If that cosmic connection weren’t enough, the sister-in-law of George Shatto, the island’s owner in the late 19th century, designated the main town Avalon, the name of paradise in Arthurian legend. It is indeed a pleasant place, renowned for its climate, turquoise waters and relaxed lifestyle. Situated just 35 km (22 miles) off the coast, there’s almost no traffic and so little crime that the island’s only judge works just one day a week. Avalon’s resident population is just 3,500, but in late summer that number swells to 10,000 or more. Even then, there’s plenty of beach to go around and you can always find a secluded cove if you rent or hire a boat to the deserted, opposite side of the island.

Avalon is nestled in the green hillsides above a graceful bay. The local waters are so translucent and swarming with marine life that it has been called Southern California’s largest aquarium. It’s a favoured destination for divers, kayakers, and fishermen and one of the most popular attractions is the semi-submersible sub tour run by Catalina Adventure Tours (310 510 2888; www.catalinaadventuretours.com).

The town is ringed by rugged hills, beyond which lie pristine open ranges. Nearly all of the island is wild – and likely to remain so, thanks to the Wrigley family (of chewing gum fame) who entrusted it to the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy in 1975. Wrigley also turned Avalon into a fabled resort for Hollywood’s elite. Several films were shot on the island, including Mutiny on the Bounty and The Ten Commandments. It was in 1925 that The Vanishing American was filmed here – and although the movie is long forgotten, it left on the island a living legacy of 14 American bison. The herd has grown to more than 200 and you can hike into the island’s interior in search of them, or take a Jeep Eco-Tour (310 510 2595; www.catalina.com/jeeptours).

As the owner of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley built the team a hacienda-style clubhouse that is now the Catalina Country Club (310 510 7404), which today features the island’s finest and most elegant dining. But it was Wrigley’s Casino, opened in 1929, that drew the greatest crowds. An elegant 12 storey masterpiece of art deco, the circular casino is built on its own jetty in the little bay. The top floor is the country’s largest circular ballroom and at its centre hangs an enormous Tiffany crystal chandelier. This was one of the great homes of the big bands, led by the likes of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller, and it is from here that big band music was broadcast across the country in the 1930s and 1940s. The Avalon, as it is simply called, with its mythically themed art deco murals, is so stunning that it remains a favourite among Hollywood types who still go there to get married, some of them two or three times.

Those wanting to spend a weekend on the island can choose from the luxurious Inn at Mt Ada (310 510-2030, www.catalina.com/mtada), the stylish, in-town Motel Metropole (800 300 8528, www.hotel-metropole.com) or the historic Glenmore Plaza Hotel near the beach (800 422 8254, www.glenmorehotel.com).

Several ferry companies service the island and regularly scheduled trips leave from Marina del Rey, Newport Beach and Long Beach. Contact one of the companies to the left to see which service best suites your needs. Those with private boats can also access the island. Avalon and Two Harbors both have mooring facilities and services. There are also many coves around the island that have moorings or anchorages. The Catalina website (www.catalina.com) has more details. To get there even faster, you might want to splurge and take the 15 minute Island Express Helicopter trip (www.islandexpress.com).