India, Sept. 7 -- Living in California certainly has its perks. The weather is almost always perfect, the mountains are endlessly inviting, and state's inland gems, like the ever-popular Palm Springs, offer plenty of magic for weekend wanderers. But for Californians who love to travel (my former self included) there's one common gripe: getting to the gorgeous Caribbean islands takes the better part of a day-10 hours at best. Fortunately, there is one way to get that tropical feeling without ever stepping on a plane. Just head to Catalina Island instead.
Located just an hour's ferry ride off the Southern California coast, Catalina has earned a reputation as the "Caribbean of California" thanks to its bluer-than-blue water, charming beachsi...