Speaking of Catalina Island let me share a trip report. Although still relevant, let’s go back in time a few years. This is how I worked on a project with The Travel Channel.

A Few Years Ago

As a travel addict working a job that required my attention 16 hours a day. I got about 3 hours of sleep before returning to work. It was hard, annoying and I hated everything! However, I’ll be damned if some crappy private investigation job is going to suck the life out of me. I still love to travel and travel is what I’ll do… On my own time. During my work week, I belonged to “The Company.” The world of private investigation isn’t as elegant as you think.

My incognito van was home all day and night. I was disguised. Changing outfits as required. I wore hats…Lied a lot. I snuck into places. All for The Company.

This job is not easy. The movies make it sound so glamorous. Sometimes it is… However, mostly it was a sweaty mess. I got home sweaty, in a bad mood wanting a cigarette each day to calm my nerves. Some people told me that’s a stereotype. Some people also say stereotypes are rooted in a grain of truth.

What Was My Outlet?

I devised a plan. I had odd days off but when I managed to get two days off in a row, I decided I could travel to any part of the world with one condition: Flight time could not exceed three hours, one-way.

From LA you can get to many places in three hours on a plane. Sometimes, staying nearby can be the best staycation you can’t imagine until you do it.

This required some planning and some effort. One weekend I flew to Portland for the night. The next to New Orleans (although that was pushing it…) Vancouver and even Seattle.

I began to think about nearby places. Which destinations are two hours or less?? I thought about it for a second. Palm Springs? San Diego? San Francisco if you fly, and Catalina Island.

As my birthday approached, I realized I could do a free boat ride to and from the Island. Considering, I have weird off-days, all I need is one day. Hell, all I need is a few hours. Catalina Island is small enough to enjoy in one evening.

I did my research, devised a plan, and set off to Catalina on a strict budget. I counted my pennies and documented every single thing.

The Boat Ride

Even though The Company paid me decently. I refused to give in to the “I got money so I can afford XYZ” mentality. I am going to do this my way. The way I always do things. I registered online for my free boat ride and walked the 2 miles to the Catalina Express station to claim my vouchers. I’ll do it the budget-friendly.

The boat ride has AC which is nice. It’s smooth and it lasts about an hour. If you’re seated in the open area on the second floor, the wind is great. The view is perfect.

Last time I ventured to Catalina Island, I was 15 years old. However, this time, I’m excited to come back as an adult.

Although The Company liked to play Spy VS Spy, I wasn’t worried about them. If they wanted to know where I was they could find me. However, you can call and text me all you want. You won’t get a reply today.

Catalina Island Review

We arrive at Avalon, one of two cities on the island. Catalina Island is about 90-something percent natural with only two small cities erected as a human playground.

I had a list of possible things I can do.

Catalina Island is so old, there’s a lot of crazy history. The history includes lots of tragic deaths and massacres. Many parts of the island are haunted. You can take ghost tours of many of its paranormal spots. I can’t remember why I didn’t do it, but I will definitely try it at some point.

I looked up haunted hotels and planned to walk by them. The casino, giant and circular, stands out like a sore thumb. It’s also beautiful and very haunted!

Sea Life is What My Nightmares Are Made Of…

They have a glass-bottom boat I thought would be neat to try. Although, I’m scared as shit of sea life in any form. This includes, but is not limited to, plant life and things that are not alive. As long as it’s in the water, I’m freaked out by it.

I went on the glass bottom boat anyway. Today is not about fear. It’s about letting go. Today is about adventure.

The glass-bottom boat is amazing. It’s cute. You can see the depths of the water as clear as day. The plant life sways to and fro in a dreamlike state. My nerves began to get the best of me. Then the fish began to swarm. Hundreds of fish surrounded the boat. I’m safe in this dry bubble. They fed the fish and we proceed on the tour of the nearby reefs. The glass-bottom boat is something I recommend if you’re planning on visiting. If I remember correctly, it’s a little pricey but not enough to break the bank.

After that I thought about zip-lining, but not for $200 plus a person. No thanks. That will break my budget.

I walked around the main drag (the only drag) took a video of the unique colored houses. They spread up the hill like we’re in the Mediterranean sea. Catalina Island looks somewhat European. It doesn’t even feel like we’re in LA anymore. What a contrast this is!?

I looked for a place to eat. The cheaper the better. I found a food shake with hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries for as low as $5 USD. Cash only. Just my luck. I only have my bank card with me.

Scanning the restaurants quickly, I decide on a Mexican Cantina beach shack for lunch. I get a giant burrito and a Bloody Mary. If you’re not aware, you should know I get a Bloody Mary every time I travel. It’s a tradition. It’s as gigantic as it is spicy. Just like I like it.

The burrito was more expensive than I wanted. For about $20 something USD I stuffed my face ’til I couldn’t eat anymore.

The Catalina Island Travel Vlog

I usually do videos of my travels and upload them on YouTube. This time is no different. I love doing it. There’s something satisfying about creating a work of art. I put a lot of time and effort into each one. Although some of them don’t come out great. Sometimes, they’re pretty amazing. Even if the world doesn’t like them, it’s a beautiful memory I can look back on.

I created a travel vlog on this trip. Every scene is beautiful. Catalina Island is extremely photogenic. I don’t believe anyone can take a bad picture here.

Check it out here if you want to see it:

A Year and A Half Later

This video is one of my most popular videos on YouTube. Although it only has several thousand views, it caught the eye of a production company that makes a show on The Travel Channel.

After a long 16 hour shift, I came home to find an email from a production company asking me if I wanted to be a part of their “Secret Beaches of California” episode. My first thought, it’s a scam.

I’ll spare you the details of the email. Suffice it to say, I was VERY excited after thinking hard about it. I replied and said I would consider it if I can get more information. They replied right away and attached a contract. I sent the contract to my partner who’s a lawyer. He read it over and told me it looked legitimate.

At this point. We exchanged a few more emails and… IT. WAS. ON! I signed the paperwork!

It literally took about a year for the project to be completed. It turns out, the production company decided they were going to release the Catalina Episode during their next season of the show.

I was eager and excited. After this, I’ll be able to say I’ve worked with the Travel Channel.

After they finished the production they emailed me a time and date the episode will air. They emailed me the entire episode. I literally told everyone I cared about to watch this episode.

I got to see it before anyone else considering it was sent directly to me. At the end of the episode, they list “James Quintanilla – Designing Life” at the top of the credits along with other YouTubers that also participated.

It’s such an amazing feeling to get validation for something you love to do. It’s all a part of how I, attempt to, design my life.

Let me break it down for you:

If you’re in LA definitely check out Catalina Island. It’s a gem and it appears only locals know about it.

Get there by helicopter or by boat.

If you’re in this neck of the woods check out the haunted Queen Mary.

Or if you want a unique tour of Los Angeles, make sure to hunt down the most unusual sites in LA I could find.

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