Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook view of Avalon Bay

This location is taken near the Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook on Catalina Island. The most common way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry. There is a port in Long Beach that departs at 6:00AM and returns from Avalon at 7:30PM. Once on the island, the easiest way to get around is by golf cart but they are only available for 2 hour rentals from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Consider this when planning your trip. When you get to the overlook, you will notice wooden stairs leading down to an abandoned foundation. If you continue to walk past the fountain towards the cove you will eventually see the tree at the edge of the cliff, which is where I took this photograph.

Due to the constrictions of ferry schedules and golf cart rentals, I found it ideal to come during the fall and winter months when the days are shorter. This gives you the opportunity to catch sunset on the island and still make the last ferry back to Long Beach. Otherwise, stay overnight!

The featured image was taken in the late-afternoon. But for more vibrant skies, visit at sunset. The direction of this shot is northwest, allowing the warmth of the sun to enter the picture from the left side.

I used a wide-angle lens (16mm) for this image as I wanted to capture as much of the tree in the foreground as possible.

I composed the image by balancing the warm light coming from the left with the view of the cove and the Casino in the distance.

While I was photographing this, the golf cart company was calling me as I was more than 30 minutes late in returning the cart. I was stubborn and selfish in putting my wants before the employees at the rental store. Dont be like me.

The Avalon Cove is nearby with a variety of restaurants and shops.