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A Weekend Escape to Catalina Island Just Got Even Better

05.04.25

Just a short ferry ride from Orange County, Catalina Island makes the perfect weekend escape—with scenic views, laid-back charm, and now, even more to experience. Whether you're craving ocean breezes, outdoor adventures, or great food and drink, Catalina has something new (and nostalgic) in store.

Catalina Horseback Adventures Are Back

After a 17-year hiatus, horseback riding has returned to Catalina Island. Catalina Horseback Adventures now offers scenic rides for visitors and locals alike, ranging from 45 to 90 minutes. Riders can expect panoramic ocean views from clifftops, tranquil valleys, hillsides, and even the occasional sighting of deer or island foxes.

The revival of horseback riding on the island draws on a longstanding tradition dating back to the 1930s, when the Wrigley family—then-owners of Catalina—established El Rancho Escondido. Located 12 miles outside Avalon, the Arabian horse-breeding ranch still operates today and is often open for Saturday tours.

Sip Island-Made Brews at Catalina Brewhouse

Catalina Brewhouse is the island’s only craft brewery, serving six small-batch beers created by brewmaster Danny Gutierrez. Popular picks include the Gariblonariblondie Blond, Rabid Fox Amber, Island Hop IPA, Lovers Cove Wheat, Dancing Goat Harbor Porter, and Buffalo Milk Stout. Each brew features a distinct flavor profile and malt aroma—click here to learn more.

Waterfront Dining at Pier 24

Pier 24 is Avalon’s newest waterfront dining spot, located where Antonio’s Pizza once stood. The modern restaurant pays tribute to the original Steamer Pier—where passengers aboard William Wrigley’s iconic vessels, the S.S. Avalon and S.S. Catalina, once disembarked. Vintage photographs, playful nods to island history, and large harbor-facing windows set the scene, while two patios invite guests to enjoy open-air dining with postcard-worthy views of the Catalina Casino and Avalon Bay.

Casual Fare at Sunset Bar & Grill

Sunset Bar & Grill at the Catalina Canyon Inn is now open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The casual eatery offers a mix of American and Mexican favorites, plus a full bar. Don’t miss the house specialty michelada. The restaurant is operated by Catalina hospitality veterans Francisco and Veronica Bravo and Miguel Chavolla.

Explore Avalon by Golf Cart

Get a local’s perspective on Avalon with custom guided golf cart tours. These 2-hour (or longer) experiences combine history, sightseeing, and local insights. Space is limited, so early reservations are encouraged.

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Bowers Museum Celebrates $500,000 Lead Gift for Terracotta Warriors Exhibition

05.02.25

With just four weeks to go before the opening of World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century, Bowers Museum announces a transformational $500,000 gift from Charles and Ling Zhang. Their generous contribution anchors a wave of support for the exhibition, which opens May 24, 2025.

Lead support for the exhibition also comes from Southern China Airlines, South Coast Plaza, PNC Bank, East West Bank, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and Huaxie Int’l Fine Art Freight Service Co., Ltd.

Curated by Bowers Chief Curator Dr. Tianlong Jiao, World of the Terracotta Warriors features more than 110 newly excavated relics from Shaanxi Province—many never seen before in North America. This historic presentation highlights groundbreaking discoveries that reshape understanding of China’s First Emperor and the civilizations that came before.

President and CEO Dr. Seán O’Harrow and Dr. Jiao will lead a press preview May 23, joined by a delegation from China’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Museum, and others.

The museum also thanks Chairwoman Anne Shih, whose decades of visionary leadership and fundraising have raised more than $30 million. Shih is leading the museum’s exclusive May 22 Gala, where guests will enjoy a first look at the exhibition. Gala support includes major sponsors Mei Yen and I Wan Huang, Dona Diane Anderson, and South Coast Plaza, among others.

The members-only opening night is May 24, and general tickets at bowers.org/warriors.

A full calendar of programs and events will begin prior to opening and culminate in a major symposium on June 21, featuring top international scholars.

Exhibition Details: