A few years ago I tried to anchor in Cat Harbor on Friday night of LD weekend. I actually did anchor but it was so congested that I had to shoehorn between a couple of big [one really big] power boats and hang on very short scope (ca. 1.5:1) all evening. To say the place was a ZOO was an understatement. Next morning (Saturday), wife and I and another couple went to Santa Barbara Island [25 n.mi. distant from Cat]. BEAUTIFUL day; a grand total of nine (9) boats at Landing Cove. Went ashore; hiked; dinked around the island, etc. I stood in total wonderment. There we were, two nights of a 3-day weekend in a gorgeous Marine Park only 45 miles from 9 million people (or about 20,000 boats) with only 9 others to share with!!!! While most of the rest of the So. Cal. boating scene was jammed up at Catalina Island, surrounded by unending hoopla, standing in line for an overpriced Buffalo Milk, & overlain by the steady hum of Honda 2000 generators running on more than half the boats, and paying $$$ for the privilege. Have fun!!!
PS Normally, Cat Harbor is one of our favorite anchorages!!!