Catalina Facility

 Where is it?
KHYC's Little Fisherman Cove is an open anchorage area of Catalina Island's Isthmus Cove half of Two Harbors (Catalina Harbor on the other side of the Island being the other half).

From Palos Verdes Point it is a course of Magnetic South (180°) to Two Harbors. This allows for the North-to-South current

As you pass between Ship and Bird Rocks you will see the "downtown" of Two Harbors consisting of buildings and a pier. To the left (port for sailors) side of the main cove will be found "Little Fisherman Cove," and further to the left will be found "Big Fisherman Cove" (recognizable by the Spanish style buildings of the Marine Laboratory). Little Fisherman Cove is also just to the left of the buoy system of Two Harbors.

The redwood colored "A" frame building on the fine sandy beach of the Cove easily spots KHYC's facilities. From a yacht you can also see the dark colored "deadmen" posts for stern tying Tahiti Style.

How do we get there?
As noted above you sail 180 degrees for the 24 miles to Catalina, or you can take Catalina Express from San Pedro (located just below the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the end of the 110 Freeway). The Express has direct service to Two Harbors, and once ashore you can transport your bags, food and camping equipment to the cove for $1.00 per bag (go to pier office for this service). There is an easy trail from Two Harbors "downtown" to the Cove. If you go by yacht, then you can either rent one of the buoys ($0.50/ft/night) or anchor.

How to anchor at the Cove.
If you rent one of the buoys, all you have to do is pick up the "wand" that is attached to the bow and stern lines. Just drop the loops over your cleats and you are at Catalina. When anchoring be careful of the few rocks that jut out on the "right" side of our Cove. Back your yacht in so you can either drop a stern anchor or run a line from the yacht to the "deadman" on the beach. This is Tahiti style, and very popular with KHYC members. A stern line on the beach also means that you do not have to row back and forth. just pull yourself ashore.

I carry a special Cove stem line in addition to my two anchors and rode, and it is 1/2 inch by 200 feet long with 4 feet of light chain and a medium duty snap shackle on the shore end. All you have to do is have one of your crew row ashore, before you drop your bow anchor, wrap the chain around the "deadman," snap the shackle, row back out to 15/20 feet of water, and wait for you.

You then drop your bow anchor and back to the waiting crewmember. By this means you will have complete control of your yacht and not swing to either port or starboard, which can be an interesting experience. Another method is to look for the KHYC burgee, and ask a fellow member to let you "sidetie" to their yacht for a few minutes. Then you get your fenders ready along with bow and stern tie-up lines. Next you either drop your bow anchor and back up next to the KHYC yacht, or if the wind is blowing it is better to tie up to the other yacht first, and then row your bow anchor out along with your stem anchor or beach line. During KHYC's big weekends there are always numerous fellow members ready to help from their motorized dinghies, so anchoring even when the Cove is crowded is no problem. Also our caretaker (approximate residence May 27 to September 10) can assist you. Finally, your Cruising Captain, me, will be most happy to provide "Cove Anchoring" instructions, and even journey to Catalina with you on your first adventure.

What's at the Cove?
The Cove starts with a gently sloping sandy beach, but "reef" shoes or waterproof sandals are recommended. To the "right" side of the Cove (as you face the beach) is a small reef with interesting marine life, and to the "left" side a cliff with interesting diving all the way to the Marine Laboratory (about 1/2 mile). There are public campgrounds up the hill behind our Cove including tents cabins. The beach to the high tide line is "public," but KHYC has an enclosed area with numerous facilities, and be sure to fly your burgee and bring your club key. It is the "key" to every Cove facility. The "A" frame is open on the ends and one side, but provides a sunshade and keeps the dew off during dinner. Inside the "A" frame are 5 large picnic tables that easily seat 8 to 10. To the right is a huge 4-burner propane gas BB-Q, and to the left are 4 charcoal BBQs.

Also to the right is a concrete "bunker" where we store club equipment and such items as charcoal, lanterns, glasses, utensils and other "eating" equipment. To the right is a double sink with fresh water and a nice shade tree (great for. really hot days). On the beach side of the "A" frame is a fire pit. Directly behind the "A" frame is the area where our caretaker camps out during his tenure at the Cove (Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend). A set of stairs leads to the 2 indoors camp style toilets and running water for hand washing. Continuing up the hill you will find a single shower with propane heated or natural temperature water, or a place for your Sun shower to be hung up, and campsites for 6 or 7 tents. The facility also has a low voltage lighting system with lights around the beach enclosure, inside the "A" frame, by the BBQ, up the path to the toilets, inside each toilet. and by the caretaker's tent.

The camp "A" frame and a wire fence surrounds other facilities on three sides, and on the fourth beach side is a single low chain to mark the enclosure. A trail leads from our facilities to "downtown" at the main Isthmus Cove, and it is an enjoyable 1 minute walk.

What's to do at the Cove?
Despite the obvious fact that relaxation at the Cove is one of the prime activities, there are numerous other activities that KHYC members engage in during our six-month season. Activities include: Sun bathing and watching your children play on our gently sloping beach. Swimming and snorkeling the various reefs. Diving with sharks at the Marine Laboratory (safe!). Fishing at Ship and Bird Rocks. Beach combing at the other Catalina coves. Visiting the other coves and sightseeing the shore. Scuba diving including renting equipment at Two Harbors downtown. Kayaking with your own or rented equipment. Strenuous hiking all over the island or gentle walking to Cat Harbor. Dancing to disco at the Harbor Reef (be sure to try a "Buffalo Milk"). Barbecuing at the Cove. Dining out at the Harbor Reef (breakfast, lunch or dinner). Lunch downtown at the deli located in the market (where you can purchase limited supplies). Cocktails at the B&B Banning House on the hill. Dinghy hopping from boat to boat for food or cocktails. Cocktail Hour ashore with fellow members (look for giant KHYC flag and share goodies with other members). Campfire activities where one can enjoy an evening fire songs and roast "smorers." Camping in our private camp area. Just trading stories with other members. Taking the bus or Catalina Express boat to Avalon for the day. Bird watching with Catalina;s unique Quail Ravens and other smaller birds. Tennis at Two Harbors downtown. Adding all the activities together, the Cove at Catalina is the ideal spot for adults and children to have "old fashioned" clean fun and togetherness. I have been visiting Catalina every summer, less WW II, since I was carried ashore as a baby, and I never tire of Catalina as the Paradise only 28 miles from the KHYC Clubhouse.

What's downtown at Two Harbors?
First, there is a dinghy dock so you can land with dry feet. This is also the location where the Catalina Express arrives and departs. The overland bus to and from Avalon also departs from this area, as does the truck to bring your things to the Cove. The gas dock is also here where you can purchase fuel, but at greatly inflated prices. This is the location of the world famous Harbor Reef Saloon and outdoor dance floor where disco dancing goes on every Friday and Saturday Evenings. There is also a short order eatery for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a sit down restaurant for Sunday Brunch, some lunches, and dinner, a small deli in the market and an indoor bar. Downtown also has pay-as-you-go hot showers, toilets, clothing washer-dryer, an ATM, dive/kayak shop, outboard repair shop, telephones, message center, island tour office, and "Baywatch" for first aid services (sans any blond Pamelas). There is also a small market, sports equipment and booze store, but most important is the ice machine for both block and cube. If you forget to bring reading material, the market has a free lending service. From downtown there are numerous trails that lead all over the island, and include a nice walk past the 1864 Civil War barracks to Cat Harbor or up the hill to the Banning House (a B & B inn). Public camping is behind KHYC facilities, but one can rent the summer employee housing facilities from November to April for "on the cheap." Two Harbors also has two tennis courts and a children's play area, and you can rent Buffalo Park or BBQs on the main beach, if needed.

Five Years from Now?
Amenities that are being considered at the Cove:

1. Ice maker and refrigerator.

2. Propane and/or microwave oven.

3. Several Yosemite type tent cabins.

4. Beach lockers.

5. Flush toilets.

6. Permanent pier and dinghy dock.

7. Sports equipment for members use at the Cove.

8. Give us your ideas!