We booked a combination of hotel stay, taxi, ferry, and two attractions online for a sizable discount. We took the Catalina Express ferry on April 3 from Dana Point, which is much closer for us than Long Beach and only a few dollars more. We got there in time for lunch which we enjoyed at Armstrong's by the bay, since it was too early to check into the hotel. The Saint Lauren looks old, but isn't. A very nice hotel, not on the bay, but since the town is on a steep valley, we had a good view from our balcony and an excellent view from the hotel's top-floor deck. We had a peaceful time on the day we arrived, but could not take the glass-bottom boat tour we had booked, since it was not running, due to insufficient demand. The next day was hectic since the Carnival lines cruise ship "Paradise" arrived Monday night for the day and the town was crowded until the passengers went back. We did get to go on the city tour which was also in the package before the cruise passengers arrived and were able to take the glass-bottom tour the next day. We had wished to take the island bus tour also, but it was not running in April. On Monday evening we saw the movie "The Pacifier" starring Vin diesel in the historic Casino, which has lovely Art Deco murals inside and out.