Catalina Island Travel Guide
Avalon Bay with view of Catalina Casino
Santa Catalina Island is a stunning destination located off the coast of California and is part of the Channel Islands of California. It takes about an hour to get to Catalina Island from one of the three mainland ports (Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point) making it the perfect weekend getaway from Los Angeles!
In This Guide:
Related Posts: Visiting Channel Islands National Park
View of the town of Avalon (from Catalina Casino)
Catalina Casino exterior
Beautiful Two Harbors scenery
Why Is Catalina Island Famous?
The recorded history of Catalina Island dates back thousands of years and it has been known as a resort destination for over 100 years. It was made famous by William Wrigley Jr., who made it a desirable location for the Hollywood elite and it has kept up this image of class, elegance and relaxation to this day. Part of Catalina Island is also conservation land which is home to Catalina’s famous Bison as well as native wildlife and vegetation to the Channel Islands which adds to all of its beauty.
What Is Special About Catalina Island?
Santa Catalina Island is a special place because it combines the luxury and glamour of Los Angeles, with the rugged natural beauty of mountains and the clear blue waters. Many people in America describe it as a European riviera without the airfare!
How Much Does A Weekend Getaway To Catalina Island Cost?
It depends on what type of trip you’re going for! If you want a relaxing luxury holiday, it’s quite pricey. It would be about the same cost as staying in nearby Santa Barbara, but it has the added excitement of a proper island getaway. You can also camp and go backpacking on the island, which would be less expensive.
How Long Is The Ferry Ride To Catalina?
Approximately 1 hour ferry ride from Long Beach to Avalon with Catalina Express. It costs $76 for one round-trip ticket.
Is It Worth Staying On Catalina Island?
You can definitely enjoy Catalina Island as a day trip just like Channel Islands National Park, but I think it is worth experiencing at least one night stay on the island.
How Many Days Do You Need On Catalina Island?
I think 3-4 days is an ideal length of trip, but many people do one day or weekend trips. The beauty of the island is that everything is relatively close so you can enjoy a lot of outdoor adventures or just relaxing and dining all in a short space of time.
What Is The Best Month To Go To Catalina Island?
Pretty much every month is a good time to visit Catalina Island. If you want to avoid the crowds, go before or after the summer. We went in July and it was a bit crowded, but the weather was stunning! If you’re looking to get away from the July heat on the mainland, then it’s a great time to go and cool down in the waters just off the island.
What Is The Difference Between Avalon and Two Harbors?
Avalon is where the restaurants, hotels, golf carts and ‘nightlife’ are. Two Harbors is more quiet and the gateway to many hiking trails including the Trans Catalina trail. We went to both and really enjoyed spending time at each of them! If you’re staying in Avalon for a few days, I recommend taking a boat ride to Two Harbors, more details below.
Are There Bison On Catalina Island?
Yes! These bison are not native, and were brought to the island in the 1920s by a film crew who left them to roam the land. You can take a tour to see the American Bison on the island, but you won’t see them near the towns.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Golf Cart On Catalina Island?
It costs around $120 for a 2 hour rental. We went with this company right on the main street of Avalon and had plenty of time to explore, it was so much fun!
Scenic Overlook from Wrigley Rd
Catalina Island Itinerary
Here is what we think is the perfect guide on things to do in Catalina Island…
Rent a golf cart and explore the hills of Avalon
Discover Two Harbors boat ride. Take a day trip from Avalon to Two Harbors where you can eat, relax on the sand, kayak/snorkel etc. The boat ride along the island was so much fun! ($32 for one round-trip ticket)
Book a tour to explore the island such as the Bison Expedition or Zip Line Eco Tour
Stroll along the main streets of Avalon for shopping, food and easy access to a beautiful sunset in the evening by the water
Relax by the water in Avalon at the centrally located Step Beach or walk/bike/golf cart to Lover’s Cove (and yes you can swim in the waters!)
Visit the famous Catalina Island Casino, a beautiful historic building that means “the gathering place” in Italian (no gambling) & from here you can also walk up to the Catalina Chimes Tower
Visit the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens for beautiful views of the island and a relaxing walk ($10 per adult admission). We didn’t go in because it was a hot day, but we drove past on the golf cart.
Relax in a cabana or lounge chair at Two Harbors or at Descanso Beach Club. We recommend Two Harbors for this. The Descanso beach club was busy when we stopped by, the staff weren’t very friendly and overall wasn’t really our vibe so we skipped it.
Discover Two Harbors boat ride
What To Eat
These were our favourite places to eat at during our stay, but there are lots of places for you to choose from, especially for dinner.
Breakfast & Coffee:
Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co.
Bistro at the Atwater
Lunch:
Cafe Metropole (Avalon)
Harbor Reef Restaurant & Patio Bar (Two Harbors)
Dinner:
Avalon Grill
(These all had vegetarian options and were nut allergy friendly)
Date night at Avalon Grill. We got the cauliflower tacos, so delicious!
Where To Stay
There are many great options for places to stay in Avalon that are centrally located, so you can’t really go wrong with location. We stayed at Hotel Atwater and loved it! It was built in the 1920s and I believe it was just recently renovated. Another place we would love to stay at next time is the Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors.
Catalina Island is also an amazing place for camping! There are really cool options to stay at campgrounds or go with primitive camping on the island. More details on that here.
Travel Tips
You need to check in at least 30 minutes before the ferry departure.
You can book a lot of tours/activities and also cabana rentals online in advance from here.
Booking accommodation that allows you to drop off your luggage before check-in was really useful!
This is a great destination to go to for a celebration or romantic getaway (we went for our anniversary and had a great time!)
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