Ahoy KP
I would recommend attending the Catalina Rendezvous next summer on Thetis Island
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/...-2011.html?soid=1101939382311&aid=fdhW0AHfpgk
last year's event was a lot of fun, and was attended by all Catalina sizes capable of making the trip. We really enjoyed the 2011 event, and plan on returning for the 2012 rendezvous.
Best Cruiser's guides;
dreamspeakerguides.com/guidebooks.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=cruiseguide.tpl&category_id=1&product_id=2
landfallnavigation.com/ban095.html
I don't yet have a favorite anchorage, there are thousands of them.
In 2012 we plan on the Catalina Rendezvous, the Saturna Island Lamb festival, followed by a cruise to Victoria, and then back to Horseshoe Bay.
2011 we did 5 Gulf Islands, all of them spectacular.