In the center of Catalina Island is Bishop’s Chapel at El Rancho Escondido. From its coastal perch, the small adobe building is alone with scrub-covered hills that look as if they are rolling into the distant rugged shoreline. The blue sky above is mirrored in a vast stretch of ocean.
This could be a scene from rural Spain or Italy, and if it were springtime, the green isle of Ireland. But this is, by technical definition, greater Los Angeles. Those basking in the scenery — including myself — can’t quite believe it.
Visiting the recently renovated ranch is one of the many new and under the radar experiences around Avalon, Catalina’s largest town with just over 3,000 people. If you haven’t made a trip in a while, it’s time for a reintroduction. This little getaway across the channel has been attracting visitors for over a century.
Longtime Avalon resident and musician Vern Altieri found his place in this community after living in Malibu for 20 years. He explains, ”There’s no traffic light. There’s no traffic.
There’s one store for shopping and just one gas station. It’s just one mile square and people come here from all over the world for a good time. I love it.
” With strands of hair framing his face, he lights up to talk about his music, which he played every Friday night at the Marlin Club (Avalon’s oldest bar) prior to the pandemic with his classic rock band, the CIA. Whether intentional or not, the name, which stands for the Catalina Island Alls.