grew up in SoCal, only been to Catalina once as a kid (avalon) but i remember riding the catalina express shuttle boat, good times - also wow, the end of that runway, my goodness that is dramatic 😮 thanks as always for the vid, Micah
I've only been to Catalina one time as a fourth grader. We didn't do much and we only stayed the night. The next afternoon we took the Catalina Express back to Long Beach.
WOW Micah! I had to pause the video just to comment because I am so blown away...I went to Catalina by helicopter back in the eighties...But definitely not like that! Truly spectacular!
When I was a kid (1960 or so) we lived in Lakewood and the amphibious planes used for shuttles to Catalina approached over our house. I thought they were cool. Never got there, though...so thanks!!
What an amazing video. The absolute best way to sit home and enjoy the incredible views of Catalina Island. The best video yet Micah. Thanks for taking me with you.
July 20th, 1969. Sailed to Catalina on the S.S. Catalina. We were on a glass bottom boat listening to the radio when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The captain was a naturalized Greek, New to America. He was so proud of his new country, he passed out little American flags and about blew his whistle sounding it. The other boats in the harbor took it up and the cheers and ships whistles made you so proud. Thanks for the flight!!
No the people who “hate California” include people like me that have lived here for 40+ years and love the physical beauty of California but hate what the politicians and various interests groups have done to destroy the quality of life for any one trying to live here.
I don't know. I've lived in California my entire life (almost 60 years) with 1/3 of that in SoCal and the rest in the SF Bay Area, and I hate what this state has become. If not for family I would be gone. The weather is great, but at what price? I do not want to die here, although I do want to be buried here.
Seeing the responses from haters confirms that they're old and cranky. They expect life to stay the same and hate change, including cultural and ethnic demographic changes, then they blame "politics". 😅
Thanks for going to Catalina, Micah! Best memory: camping at Two Harbors in October, during Buccaneer Days, and walking down to the beach to just go swim out to boats.
This is awesome! Thank you, Micah! I grew up and lived in Manhattan Beach for 37 years and never once went to Catalina. I'd often gaze at it from the Pier or beach but still have yet to get there. One of these days! In the meantime, thanks for taking me there!
That southern coast line!! Wow! And my best and only memory from Catalina was that it was the second of three stops on our honeymoon cruise back in 2008. My wife loves golf so that was what we did on our excursion to Avalon.
Thank you Micah..for doing this island tour...I was a counselor at Catalina Island camp at Howlands landing back in the 70's ..good times...never ever saw the west side of the island...beautiful.
Wow! Great video. I spent my senior year of high school (71-72) at Catalina Island School, which is now a marine biology entity of some sort. It was just a couple miles north of Avalon. This video brings back a lot of memories. Way cool!
This vid is especially great because it's something virtually no one ever sees. Yet it's just minutes away from some of the most populated areas in the USA!
Amazing shots! I was part of 2020 census. I had 8 zones under me, from Torrance to Catalina. Catalina (Zone 1) was the most challenging and fun assignment. Most tourist are limited to Avalon only primarily because island is run by conservatory. Only tourist companies or local residents with permit cars are allowed to go to remote areas. We had an amazing team of local resident who went to all remote areas by cars, bikes and boats to make sure everyone was counted..
I grew up in the Sea Explorers in the OC and have been to the island a zillion times. NEVER, though, have I seen the western/southern coastline. I've always been curious. Thanks Micah!! - Jason
NOT a waste of time! Loved this video. Took me back to my youth when we sailed over a couple of times from San Pedro. It's a magical place, and like most people, I too had never seen the back side of the island. Thank you!
Just now having the time to watch this! Merry Christmas Micah and to your family, as well! Your copter tours have been such a great distraction from an otherwise disastrous year 🚁❤️👏🏻
I love Los Angeles and Southern California and seeing this makes me love it even more! I always wondered what was on Catalina an now I know! I love that little town!
I grew up there and so I've always liked SoCal, in fact ALL of California. I just can't return because of what politicians have done to the state. It borders on criminal. California itself? It has every manner of geography, geology, climate, and history you could possibly get from every other spot on the Continent -- and to me that's what makes California special. I had some great memories sailing to Catalina when I was doing competitive yacht racing, and was lucky enough to grow up in a family and lifestyle that allowed for some of the fun things we used to do and the places we'd go when we lived there. But my absolute favorite place in CA is the mountains -- San Gabriel/San Bernardino/San Jacinto Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. In my mind that is God's country and it's the closes thing to Heaven I can think of.
I always wanted to see "Two Harbors" because that is where famous actress Natalie Wood mysterously died. GREAt video and that small airport landing strip is crazy!
Wow Micah Good Job, I had no idea the back of Catalina was like that. Rocky, unoccupied, more barren than I thought. This actually a good educational film. Please do the northern Islands some time.
Few people doubt that California is a beautiful place. It's paradise, but for many the way it's governed leaves something to be desired. No rants from me though. Thanks for the video. Looks good on the laptop, but I'll have to watch it again on the TV.
It's your chopper, you go where you want, we enjoy through you. Don't stop. When I flew out of LAX, we came very close to the island, but your version is absolutely better.
Wow. That was amazing. I’ve seen the island in the distance. It’s like a piece of the mountains just sitting off the coast. That was amazing seeing the islands up close like that.
Micah I always enjoy your videos and they remind me of the many years and enjoyment of my flying. I used to own a Cessna 421 and have been flying since 1962 and only have less than 50 hrs in rotorcraft. Thanks for providing such great go pro videos and giving such a great narrative. Also, I have been a professional photographer/instructor for over 55 yrs and while I enjoyed seeing the guy taking pictures I was surprised that he was doing that a few photographers and many of my former students did..."Chimping" that is when you take a shot and look at the screen to see the results. If a photographer knows what he is doing there is no need to do that. That picture of Avalon could have been stunning because you positioned the copter at a perfect angle which couldn't have been better. The only problem is that it was shot at a very high ISO setting which introduced a lot of color noise (little speckles like grains) into the picture (especially in the water and hills) and a photo processing program was used to bring up the shadows which made the noise more pronounced and the highlights appear to be washed out. One last thing....he should have used a lens hood to prevent reflections and glare which would have reduced the contrast. I have shot thousands of times from aircraft and would never omit a lens hood. Really looking forward to more of your great video's .
Brother, this is your best video ever! I have seen several aviation videos from like Aviation 101 fly there in a plane but this is amazing. Please take us around more of California if you can, that would be amazing. One day I'll fly my plane out there and join ya. Keep making these scenic flights instead of just city only flights!
Hi Micah, hello from Australia, that was absolutely fantastic and spectacular, especially the western side of the island, the scenery is a remarkably similar to that of central, western and northern Australia. Keep up the good work Fella.
Micah looks like he moved into Everyman Driver territory...i.e. Washington and/or Idaho. At least that what I see in you're sunglass commercial. Great shots of Catalina Island, btw...watch out for sailboat masts, many vessels are moored out there.
Went to a Christian camp there as a teen for many years, the best memory was when a buffalo roamed into camp and a friend stupidly tried to get on its back. He got bucked off and was fine but it was crazy. Avalon is always nice, the Casino is beautiful. Learned to scuba dive there also back in the '80s, beautiful kelp beds and sea life, magical place. Thanks for the fly by!
Thank you for the awesome aerial tour of the other side of Catalina! That was beautiful! We have been to Avalon before and loved it, but want to go back and explore more of the island. Anyway, your videos are the best I’ve ever seen, great work, love it!
Catalina Island is on my list. I am a fixed wing pilot up here in SF and I need to find a good weekend and fly down and do it. Call it a bucket list item. (probably do it with a local instructor first before I do it myself. Call me chicken, but I have been flying for 27 years with no accidents or incidents - knocks on wood) Never been to Hawaii? I always rent a plane when we go and fly around the Island. I have flown around ALL the Islands now and it is incredible scenery. It can be crazy to be at 500' AGL next to the cliffs of Molokai and still be 1000' below the tops of them. ..or flying over the eruption at Kilauea with helicopters below you and other planes orbiting above you. You are right, this looks a LOT like Hawaii - minus the green.
Just got a new Mac Mini, I would have never guessed that background was Catalina not in a million years and I have lived in So Cal for 60 yrs. I thought it might be the Channel Islands.
What's your best memory of Catalina Island?
grew up in SoCal, only been to Catalina once as a kid (avalon) but i remember riding the catalina express shuttle boat, good times - also wow, the end of that runway, my goodness that is dramatic 😮 thanks as always for the vid, Micah
I've only been to Catalina one time as a fourth grader. We didn't do much and we only stayed the night. The next afternoon we took the Catalina Express back to Long Beach.
WOW Micah! I had to pause the video just to comment because I am so blown away...I went to Catalina by helicopter back in the eighties...But definitely not like that! Truly spectacular!
I’m actually embarrassed to admit I’ve never been there despite being born and lived in Southern California all my 61 years
The approach. It felt like I was in the opening scene of a Jurrasic Park movie!
Best video yet. Just wow!
Agree this is exhilarating even through a tv screen
When I was a kid (1960 or so) we lived in Lakewood and the amphibious planes used for shuttles to Catalina approached over our house. I thought they were cool. Never got there, though...so thanks!!
Approached to Long Beach airport, I should have said.
What an amazing video. The absolute best way to sit home and enjoy the incredible views of Catalina Island. The best video yet Micah. Thanks for taking me with you.
@Zachary Ty 🙏🏻😊
My pleasure. You're welcome in my 🚁 any time!
July 20th, 1969. Sailed to Catalina on the S.S. Catalina.
We were on a glass bottom boat listening to the radio when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The captain was a naturalized Greek, New to America. He was so proud of his new country, he passed out little American flags and about blew his whistle sounding it. The other boats in the harbor took it up and the cheers and ships whistles made you so proud.
Thanks for the flight!!
The ppl who hate California are mostly ppl who've never been here, they're just cranky ppl online dealing with snowstorms lol.
Honestly I would gladly take snow over what we currently have. In most of Europe we have fog and possibly a bit of rain. That's it.
No the people who “hate California” include people like me that have lived here for 40+ years and love the physical beauty of California but hate what the politicians and various interests groups have done to destroy the quality of life for any one trying to live here.
i drive the 10 from DTLA to SaMo and back daily. i hate CA
I don't know. I've lived in California my entire life (almost 60 years) with 1/3 of that in SoCal and the rest in the SF Bay Area, and I hate what this state has become. If not for family I would be gone. The weather is great, but at what price? I do not want to die here, although I do want to be buried here.
Seeing the responses from haters confirms that they're old and cranky. They expect life to stay the same and hate change, including cultural and ethnic demographic changes, then they blame "politics". 😅
And California has never and will never suck. Just some of the people on it..
Best Flying Eyes commercial of all time.
Oh my, this might be my favorite Micah Flies video yet.
From my side of things, I have to agree.🙂
Thanks for going to Catalina, Micah! Best memory: camping at Two Harbors in October, during Buccaneer Days, and walking down to the beach to just go swim out to boats.
Thank you Micah for showing us this beautiful seldom seen view of Catalina!
Great video!
I appreciate the support, Jason. Cheers!!
Beautiful Michael from a cold wet locked down York in 🇬🇧
I’ve dived all over the world and Catalina is still my favorite- the sea weed forest is the best
This is awesome! Thank you, Micah! I grew up and lived in Manhattan Beach for 37 years and never once went to Catalina. I'd often gaze at it from the Pier or beach but still have yet to get there. One of these days! In the meantime, thanks for taking me there!
Nice to be able to see the parts of the island most of us never get to see.
That southern coast line!! Wow! And my best and only memory from Catalina was that it was the second of three stops on our honeymoon cruise back in 2008. My wife loves golf so that was what we did on our excursion to Avalon.
Thank you Micah..for doing this island tour...I was a counselor at Catalina Island camp at Howlands landing back in the 70's ..good times...never ever saw the west side of the island...beautiful.
Wow! Great video. I spent my senior year of high school (71-72) at Catalina Island School, which is now a marine biology entity of some sort. It was just a couple miles north of Avalon. This video brings back a lot of memories. Way cool!
This vid is especially great because it's something virtually no one ever sees. Yet it's just minutes away from some of the most populated areas in the USA!
Amazing shots! I was part of 2020 census. I had 8 zones under me, from Torrance to Catalina. Catalina (Zone 1) was the most challenging and fun assignment. Most tourist are limited to Avalon only primarily because island is run by conservatory. Only tourist companies or local residents with permit cars are allowed to go to remote areas. We had an amazing team of local resident who went to all remote areas by cars, bikes and boats to make sure everyone was counted..
Absolutely spectacular
Had some great times at Catalina, way back in the 80‘s 😲
I grew up in the Sea Explorers in the OC and have been to the island a zillion times. NEVER, though, have I seen the western/southern coastline. I've always been curious. Thanks Micah!! - Jason
Quite possibly my favorite Micah Files video ever.
Been waiting for this one. It did not disappoint. Absolutely beautiful footage.
Awesome video Catalina Island. Thank you for that Micah!
And thank you for watching!
Very nice low-level flying! Catalina is beautiful.
Yes! I'm enjoying this very much!!! Your flights are rad!!!
NOT a waste of time! Loved this video. Took me back to my youth when we sailed over a couple of times from San Pedro. It's a magical place, and like most people, I too had never seen the back side of the island. Thank you!
It really is another world back there. Thanks for watching, Mark!!
super cool! thanks Micah - Loved watching the backside of the island
Wow! My favourite by far! You put a smile back on my face after being put in lockdown yesterday. Can't wait to go back to Catalina again.
I enjoy your videos, Micah, but this one... Wow! I love Catalina Island. Thanks for showing me the parts I don't get to see.
Just awesome seeing the other side! A lot of sharks hang out on that side apparently...
Well then, I'm glad the engine didn't quit!
A really spectacular video, Micah. Thank you!
Probably your best flying video you have ever done. Totally enjoyed it as I have never seen the backside of Catalina ever.
It's remarkable how untouched the backside of Catalina is, despite its proximity to LA. Such a cool place. I'm glad we could share it!
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for your output this year. Hoping for better things next year.
I'm pretty sure we all need a video of you flying your family to a remote beach here, landing and playing around all day.
Oooh. THAT is an excellent idea!
Just now having the time to watch this! Merry Christmas Micah and to your family, as well! Your copter tours have been such a great distraction from an otherwise disastrous year 🚁❤️👏🏻
Nice thanks again!!!
I was Born in Santa Barbara and raised in Southern California. I had no clue the backside of Catalina was anything like that. Amazing!!. Thank you!!!
I love Los Angeles and Southern California and seeing this makes me love it even more! I always wondered what was on Catalina an now I know! I love that little town!
I grew up there and so I've always liked SoCal, in fact ALL of California. I just can't return because of what politicians have done to the state. It borders on criminal. California itself? It has every manner of geography, geology, climate, and history you could possibly get from every other spot on the Continent -- and to me that's what makes California special.
I had some great memories sailing to Catalina when I was doing competitive yacht racing, and was lucky enough to grow up in a family and lifestyle that allowed for some of the fun things we used to do and the places we'd go when we lived there. But my absolute favorite place in CA is the mountains -- San Gabriel/San Bernardino/San Jacinto Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. In my mind that is God's country and it's the closes thing to Heaven I can think of.
I always wanted to see "Two Harbors" because that is where famous actress Natalie Wood mysterously died. GREAt video and that small airport landing strip is crazy!
This and big bear is my favorite to date. Thanks.
Great video, and pictures! Thanks for doing this one.
I’ve literally watched this 6 times already, and I feel like my stress levels decrease with each watch. It’s stunning
Yay! I've been waiting for a Catalina/Buffalo video. Can't wait till it's safe to go there again!
Michael, I could not stop saying wow. FYI, I appreciate that you are a nice human being. Rough week in Colorado with not so nice humans.
We have to find joy where we can. Stay strong. This too will pass. :)
Wow Micah Good Job, I had no idea the back of Catalina was like that. Rocky, unoccupied, more barren than I thought. This actually a good educational film. Please do the northern Islands some time.
Yes do more of these!!
Absolutely Awesome.
Great vid! Love the shoreline flyovers.
Thanks again Micah! If you ever go back please linger at Camp Fox for a bit. Thousands of So Cal kids have been going there for decades. Memories...
Will do!
Thanks Dude!!!
Great Santa Catalina Island tour! Please do the Channel Islands off the Santa Barbara coast next!
Thanks for the tour. I love the low level flying !
Thank you!
One of those shots show the exact spot where I proposed to my wife! Awesome video!
Beautiful
Few people doubt that California is a beautiful place. It's paradise, but for many the way it's governed leaves something to be desired. No rants from me though. Thanks for the video. Looks good on the laptop, but I'll have to watch it again on the TV.
It's your chopper, you go where you want, we enjoy through you. Don't stop. When I flew out of LAX, we came very close to the island, but your version is absolutely better.
Wow. That was amazing.
I’ve seen the island in the distance.
It’s like a piece of the mountains just sitting off the coast.
That was amazing seeing the islands up close like that.
Badass video! Thanks for sharing, really enjoyed it.
Some beautiful footage, just amazing! Didn't know much about the island so enjoyed the info. Really a unique place...and the buffalo part is wild.
Best one yet.
Beautiful!
Definitely my favorite video. Awesome and thank you. Merry Christmas and happy new year.
And a Merry Christmas to you too!!
Finally! Can we now see you fly from Los Angeles to this beautiful island on future videos and vice-versa?
Micah I always enjoy your videos and they remind me of the many years and enjoyment of my flying. I used to own a Cessna 421 and have been flying since 1962 and only have less than 50 hrs in rotorcraft. Thanks for providing such great go pro videos and giving such a great narrative. Also, I have been a professional photographer/instructor for over 55 yrs and while I enjoyed seeing the guy taking pictures I was surprised that he was doing that a few photographers and many of my former students did..."Chimping" that is when you take a shot and look at the screen to see the results. If a photographer knows what he is doing there is no need to do that. That picture of Avalon could have been stunning because you positioned the copter at a perfect angle which couldn't have been better. The only problem is that it was shot at a very high ISO setting which introduced a lot of color noise (little speckles like grains) into the picture (especially in the water and hills) and a photo processing program was used to bring up the shadows which made the noise more pronounced and the highlights appear to be washed out. One last thing....he should have used a lens hood to prevent reflections and glare which would have reduced the contrast. I have shot thousands of times from aircraft and would never omit a lens hood. Really looking forward to more of your great video's .
Micah..wow. Been watching you fly around Cali for awhile now. Best low level HD video yet! Subscribed, hope to see you at 100k soon.
We'll get to 100k. But for now I'm just grateful to have such an awesome audience. Thanks for supporting me and the channel!!
This was the best video I’ve seen you do.......thanks.......
That's so kind of you to say. I'm really proud of this one!
Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
@Micah, many thanks for this epic tour of Catalina Island. Bravo!!!
Yes there is camping at two harbors.
Check out the Trans Catalina trail.
Brother, this is your best video ever! I have seen several aviation videos from like Aviation 101 fly there in a plane but this is amazing. Please take us around more of California if you can, that would be amazing. One day I'll fly my plane out there and join ya. Keep making these scenic flights instead of just city only flights!
Yes! Come on out and we'll go flying. Until then, we've got plans to expand the heli videos on my channel in 2021. Good things coming!
Have only been there by cruise ship - this was great!!! I think my favorite video of yours ever!!
Hi Micah, hello from Australia, that was absolutely fantastic and spectacular, especially the western side of the island, the scenery is a remarkably similar to that of central, western and northern Australia. Keep up the good work Fella.
Thanks for the reminder, I'm LONG overdue for a trip to Australia!
SO AWESOME!!
This was awesome thank you
Wonderful video... thanks
that was one of your best videos for sure!
Best ever video ever. Great Job!!
Just stellar!!!👍🏻
A step above!
Micah looks like he moved into Everyman Driver territory...i.e. Washington and/or Idaho. At least that what I see in you're sunglass commercial.
Great shots of Catalina Island, btw...watch out for sailboat masts, many vessels are moored out there.
Yes!! This is awesome!
Awesome. Thank you
Loved Avalon!
Fantastic! I wish I could fly with you.
Amazing Micah!
That was fun to watch.
Went to a Christian camp there as a teen for many years, the best memory was when a buffalo roamed into camp and a friend stupidly tried to get on its back. He got bucked off and was fine but it was crazy. Avalon is always nice, the Casino is beautiful. Learned to scuba dive there also back in the '80s, beautiful kelp beds and sea life, magical place. Thanks for the fly by!
Whoa. That's wild. I'm glad your friend was ok!
Awesome video! I especially enjoyed the visages of the cavalcades. My only gripe is that the high five at the end was a little bit weak sauce.
I would really love to see the flight out there or back!
Awesome ! Lived in So Cal all my life and been to Catalina many times but never seen the other side of the island. So different
Thank you for the awesome aerial tour of the other side of Catalina! That was beautiful! We have been to Avalon before and loved it, but want to go back and explore more of the island. Anyway, your videos are the best I’ve ever seen, great work, love it!
Cali dreaming 👌cheers from Alberta
Sending love to you and all my Canadian friends!
Catalina Island is on my list. I am a fixed wing pilot up here in SF and I need to find a good weekend and fly down and do it. Call it a bucket list item. (probably do it with a local instructor first before I do it myself. Call me chicken, but I have been flying for 27 years with no accidents or incidents - knocks on wood)
Never been to Hawaii? I always rent a plane when we go and fly around the Island. I have flown around ALL the Islands now and it is incredible scenery. It can be crazy to be at 500' AGL next to the cliffs of Molokai and still be 1000' below the tops of them. ..or flying over the eruption at Kilauea with helicopters below you and other planes orbiting above you. You are right, this looks a LOT like Hawaii - minus the green.
Frankly it's crazy I've lived this long without visiting Hawaii. Your comment gives me just a bit more motivation. Cheers!
My wife and I love this video. We got engaged on Catalina in 2017!
Amazing
Great video and photos
Stellar Video!!!!
Just got a new Mac Mini, I would have never guessed that background was Catalina not in a million years and I have lived in So Cal for 60 yrs. I thought it might be the Channel Islands.