Lloyd's-Avalon Confectionary

This one is worth the boat ride alone. This is located on the main street in Avalon and visitors are drawn inside by the sights and smells coming out of this store. It looks like an old time candy shop and offers the quality of that lost era. My favorite are the gourmet caramel apples that usually two people can share (but I love to hog all for myself). They also offer a variety of candy, both homemade and national brands. Friendly staff and fair prices make this a must see (and taste!) on your visit to Avalon.

Island Express Helicopter Services

One of the most thrilling things I've done. This beats the boat ride any day. As someone who easy gets motion sickness, my husband suprised me with this service and it was impressive. The employees know exactly what they are doing and make sure that all involved are safe at all times. The views while up in the air were great and the ride was under 15 minutes from Catalina to Long Beach! Although the price is 3 times that of the express boat, it is well worth it for someone who is as sensitive to motion as I am.

Hermosa Hotel

"Sleep Cheap" is their motto and they live up to it. It is an adorable older building dating back to 1896 and offers a variety of rooms. Offering some of the cheapest rates on the island, the Hermosa Hotel is actually just a short walk form the water. My husband and I stayed there with friends so we had a room with a semi-private bath, which we shared with our friends. It wasn't a bad deal since there were two sets of locks on each bathroom door (on bathroom side and room side). If you're not staying with friends, you'd probably want a more private room. If you're on a budget, this is a great choice!

Paulette's Ambiance

As the cutest little bridal shop I've ever seen, it looks like a cottage house that was converted into a store. The inside is beautiful and has wonderful displays of dresses. The woman I spoke to seemed very knowledgeable and even knew, before anyone else, that Dessy was going to come out with a size zero just in time for my wedding (I had a very slender bridesmaid). But I got a sense from her that she was kind of pushy. Once she found out that we were just looking around and not planning on placing an order for dresses that day, she became cold to us and was pushing us out of the door. We wanted to take a second look at a dress and she wouldn't let us. We ended up getting those dresses from another place because we didn't want to go back to this one.

Bridal And Special Times

Bridal N Special Times is a smaller store, but carried most of what I was looking for in bridesmaid dresses. Customer service was okay and the owner let us try on dresses for a good amount of time. Prices are average as compared to the rest of the bridal boutique community. We didn't make a purchase that day but we were able to get a real sense of what we liked.

A Time For Elegance

I first heard about this store at a bridal show and after looking at some of their items there, I was really excited to visit the store. But once I actually went to the store (with bridesmaids in tow), they were closed because they were gone to another bridal show! Although I was impressed by them at the bridal show, I was disappointed that I couldn't even go inside to try things on. I peeked inside the store and it looked small, like there wasn't much to look at. I wish I could have seen more, but on my tight schedule as I bride I had to move on and take my business else where.

Games For Less

I was searching for the Legend of Zelda promotional disc. No stores carried it, I found a few on ebay, but I found a copy at "Games for Less" for a better price. There's great customer service, average prices, but they are mostly able to supply games that are hard to find.

Surf City Car Wash

Located on the corner of Springdale and Edinger, the Marina Classic Car Wash offers car washes, detailing, and gas. The washing is actually done by machine but the drying is done by hand. Although it's a little more pricey than what I'd like to pay for a car wash, the employees do a great, professional job. It's always busy there, so be ready to have a wait.

Amf Bowling Center

As one of the few activities to do in Arcadia, Bowling Square Lanes is a good choice for having fun. On Saturday nights, the bowling alley turns into a Rock n Bowl, with top 40s music and blacklights. Prices are decent and the place is well taken care of. Their selection of music is good as well. Just as any other Rock n Bowl make sure that you have a reservation and that you arrive a little before your time. It's one of the better bowling lanes I've been to.

Marina High School

Marina High School is located in the west side of Huntington Beach. The school is profoundly known for its high academic goals and qualities as well as for student achievements and matching test scores.

MHS's sports programs may not be the best in the county, but they have won a few CIF championships in the years past. As an alumni of MHS, I can tell you that there are great teachers and administrators who actually care for the students' successes.

One thing that may seem to lack from this wonderful campus is the drama program. MHS's drama program was the leading source of artistic vision.