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Depends on the weather. A typical day you might get tossed around a little depending on what speed you are going. I go over at least once a month to anchor in a cove or snag a mooring somewhere. Just don't cross in the afternoon. Leaving in the morning and coming back in the morning I average 31-35mph and it takes 45-55 minutes. Ride is pretty good at those speeds for me, and everyone seems comfortable. Just find out your sweet spot depending on the weather. You might want to follow some of the bigger boats if you can.
Another issue to consider is fog. Do you have radar? The channel can get some really serious fog which could be interesting without radar, especially in the shipping lanes. As for sea conditions, Will is correct about avoiding the afternoon crossings, especially heading over there. The return trip with a following sea and a westerly wind won't be as bad, but if winds are out of the east or southeast it can be aweful coming home as well. I had the pleasure of getting pounded both ways a few weeks back.
I would perfer to launch from either Long Beach, Anaheim landing (Huntington Harbor, sunset aquetic park) or San Pedro). Reason: The distance is shorter, and you are going a bit more across the wind/waves than from Newport.
Get over early in the morning. Leave before 9 AM and same before 9 AM going home the next day. Although you could do it in one day, it will be rough after noon. Typically the Westerly breeze begins at 11AM and builds until about 6 PM, then decreases.
I have crossed the channel hundreds of times, the smallest was a 12 foot inflatable. I commuted one summer from Huntington Harbor to the Isthums, where the larger boat was moored, with wife and children, in an 18 outboard powered deep V runabout. Early in the Morning I could go 40 to 45 mph. Going back, I went up inside the breakwater, and up to Pt. Firman, then across. Speed on that part averaged about 15 knots....
Take full safety gear, radio, bilge pumps, Have a GPS, could even be hand held. Fog is relitatively rare, but it can occur. The secret if you run into fog is to slow down and listen for other boats. The GPS chart plotter will get you home.
Do not go if a Santana Condition is predicted or a North Westerly storm is evident.
Have fun!
While serious fog may not be that common, certainly not an every day occurrence, I do end up in minimal visibility conditions riding the radar accross at least a couple of times a year.
Help the newbi to Catalina 
