If you’re traveling to Los Angeles, you’re probably going to Disneyland, taking photos on the Walk of Fame, or hiking up and seeing the famous Hollywood sign. But did you know about the sunny, Mediterranean-inspired Catalina Island? If you’ve never heard of it, I definitely recommend adding it to your list.
Catalina Island is the perfect day trip from Los Angeles. It’s great for families, couples, and solo travelers; there are dozens of cafes and restaurants; and a range of activities for the adventurous travelers to the casual beachgoers. Interested in visiting? Keep reading and find out more!
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HOW TO GET TO CATALINA ISLAND
Since Catalina Island is, well, an island, the only way to get there is by taking a ferry. There are three piers where you can depart for Catalina: San Pedro, Long Beach, or Dana Point.
If you’re staying in Los Angeles proper, I recommend taking the ferry from Long Beach to Avalon – it’s the closest ferry to drive to, and goes straight to the main city of Catalina Island. The trip takes approximately 1 hour, and the ferries are extremely comfortable. You can buy tickets online or on Viator:
–Round trip tickets to Catalina Island from Long Beach or San Pedro (you choose which departure point)
–Round trip tickets to Catalina Island from Dana Point (best if you’re driving from the south)
*NOTE* Tickets are usually $75 round trip, but you can sometimes find them for HALF OFF on Groupon, especially during low season – click here and see if this deal is available!*
And if you’re really going all out, you can even take a private helicopter ride to Catalina Island!
WHAT TO DO ON CATALINA ISLAND
Like I mentioned before, Catalina Island is the perfect destination for families, adventure seekers, and even those looking to relax by the beach. Here are some of my favorite things to do on Catalina Island:
Casual Activities
Walk & Enjoy the Views – If you’re looking to get a quick but informative tour of Avon and the island, check out the Catalina Island Scenic Walking Tour. It’s budget-friendly, perfect for all ages, and you’ll get to cover 7 miles — almost the entire island! — in a minibus. This tour is also perfect for those who don’t have enough time to see Catalina on their own, or for those who have kids or can’t walk far.
Catalina Island Food and Walking Tour- If you’re a foodie, this is your tour! Your guide will take you on a 3-hour journey to some of Catalina’s best restaurants, cafes, and bars, where you’ll get to try local favorites, sweet treats, and seafood dishes (something that Catalina is known for!). The tour is also great for families with kids over 12 and groups.
Shopping on Catalina Island – While you’re on Catalina, don’t forget to pick up a few souvenirs – some of the best souvenir stores and boutiques can be found on Crescent Avenue. For a full list of stores, check out this link.
Tour Catalina Island’s Famous Casino – Go back to the days when bands were big and movies were just starting to talk with a guided tour of the Catalina Island Casino. Dating back to 1929, the casino symbolizes the glamorous era of Santa Catalina Island and is home to art deco murals. Watch a brief film about the building’s history and connection to Hollywood and see the 1920s pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows movies on its large screen. There are four tours per day – click here to book.
Adventure Activities
Zip line on Catalina Island– For those who crave excitement (and gorgeous views) – try zip lining 600 feet in the air! Zip Line Eco Tours include five different zip line “stations” with speeds up to 40 mph, plus a tour guide to explain fun facts about the island.
Bonus: There are different tour times during the day, so you can pick a departure that works for you.
Catalina Island Hiking- With gorgeous nature and wildlife, how can you not hike on Catalina Island? 
There are multiple trails (over 37 miles!), although be prepared: you need a permit to hike outside the city of Avalon. Permits are easily available – just order one here.
Catalina Island Safari– Remember what I said about the wildlife? You can actually take a safari tour and see many of Catalina’s “locals”! This 2.5 hour tour will take you away from city life and into the natural habitat of foxes, bison, eagles, and more, with plenty of photo stops along the way.
Water Activities
Relaxing on the beach – If you came to Catalina Island for a relaxing escape, here’s your activity ;)
Catalina has over 5 different beaches (!) spread out on the island. My favorite is Descanso Beach – we discovered it the first time we visited Catalina Island, and we’ve been coming back ever since. There’s a small fee to get in ($2/person), but it’s less crowded and has all the amenities you need (shower, restaurant, and cabana rentals). To see more info about Catalina Island’s beaches, click here.
–Snorkeling – Apart from relaxing on the beach, snorkeling on Catalina Island would be the 2nd most popular activity. Catalina Island is home to hundreds of colorful fish and marine wildlife, plus the water is so clear that you’ll be able to see everything! There are daily tours available.
–Glass bottom boat tour – Finally, if you have small kids, a glass bottom boat tour is the perfect casual activity. The tour is around an hour long and like the name says, the boat has a huge glass bottom where you’ll be able to see (and feed) the fish without getting wet. If you’re interested in a more immersive experience, there’s also the submarine tour and an underwater tour.
WHERE TO STAY ON CATALINA ISLAND
Luxury Hotels
Pavilion Hotel: Isn’t the photo above gorgeous? Well, what if I told you that you could be sitting in one of those chairs, roasting yourself a s’more, and looking out at the gorgeous view? You can! The Pavilion Hotel is one of Catalina Island’s top-rated hotels for under $175/night, and includes a hearty European breakfast, complimentary wine & cheese reception every evening, and free cabanas in the garden.
Aurora Hotel: Out of all the Catalina Island hotels, Aurora has some of the best views of the island. It’s a short, 5-minute walk from Avalon, offers continental breakfast, and the staff at the hotel are fantastic. Our family chose this hotel during our first trip to Catalina and absolutely loved it. ($150/night)
The Avalon Hotel: This vibrant and upscale hotel is perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary getaway. Each room has its own private balcony, and there’s a large rooftop deck with amazing views of the beach. Bonus: breakfast is served in their lush garden patio that’s filled with colorful plants and a relaxing fountain!
Budget-friendly Hotels
Hotel Atwater: Located steps from the beach, this stylish retro hotel has rooms on the second and third floors, so you’re guaranteed with a fabulous view of the bay. One of my favorite things about Atwater is that they have a complimentary breakfast menu that you can customize, and there’s a cute little bakery adjacent to the hotel!
Hotel Catalina: For under $100/night, you can stay in the center of Avalon in the lovely Hotel Catalina. The blue-and-white color scheme will make you feel like you’re in Santorini. Each room includes a tub, and there’s an outdoor fire pit in the garden and a jacuzzi in the courtyard.
Camping on Catalina Island
Did you know you could also rent a campground on Catalina Island? Hermit Gulch Campgrounds are less than $25/night and include showers, lockers, and BBQ facilities, along with a professional staff that work on the campgrounds.
That’s it for my mini-guide to Catalina – are you interested in visiting, or have you been there? Let me know in the comments below and happy travels! ❤️
I wanted to go to Catalina Island last year with my family but this pandemic destroyed our plans. Thank you for this article! I bought a new Catalina boat this spring. I think it’s a sign that we definitely should visit this place when this virus is over. I hope it’s gonna be soon.