Catalina Island is just a short boat ride from Los Angeles or Orange counties, yet it feels worlds away in terms of ambiance and charm. You can easily imagine yourself on a Mediterranean island rather than in California.
Visiting the island today, it's hard to believe that it was once home to Native American tribes and later served as a beef ranch. Catalina's development into a tourist destination happened in waves. The person with the greatest influence on the island’s development was chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. He purchased most of the island around 1919 and began significant improvements.
In 1975, Wrigley’s son Phillip transferred his island shares to the Catalina Island Conservancy, which now owns 88% of the island and oversees Catalina’s conservation, education, and recreation programs. For a more detailed history of the island, visit Wikipedia.
Catalina’s climate is considered very mild. Temperatures vary between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, with occasional cold spells in winter and warmer highs in the summer.
Catalina Lore: The last time it snowed in Catalina was in 1949.
Getting There
The most affordable way to reach the island is by boat from several ports. The Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer costs about $85 round trip (in 2024). Check the latest schedules and fares here.
A more luxurious option is to hire a helicopter for around $200 one way. The rich and famous may also fly into the Airport in the Sky or use private boats and yachts.
On my most recent trip, I took the Catalina Express from Long Beach. They also have services from San Pedro and Dana Point. The Long Beach terminal is well-maintained and offers convenient multilevel parking for visitors. The trip on their boats takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. See more here.
The boat ride itself is part of the fun. The boat departs slowly from Long Beach Landing, offering great views of the Long Beach skyline, Shoreline Aquatic Park, and Shoreline Village. You might pass by the Queen Mary and catch a glimpse of a cruise ship preparing for departure.
The boat then heads to Catalina at full speed. During the trip, you can get refreshments and snacks from the fully stocked bar. You can enjoy priority boarding and the Commodore Lounge with complimentary drinks and leather-trimmed seating for an additional fee. Check the website here for the latest prices and upgrades .
As you approach Catalina, you will first notice the cloud-covered mountains, and as you get closer, you will see the city of Avalon with its famous landmarks. The most iconic is the Round Casino building, which has never had any gambling.
To the left side of Avalon, you can spot the Wrigley Mansion, where William Wrigley lived with his wife, Ada, in the early 1930s. Straight ahead, you can see the beaches and the Green Pleasure Pier.
Cabrillo Mole Pier is usually the starting point of your visit. When you first disembark from your ferry, you will first notice a lot of fishermen.
You should also notice the Catalina Adventure Tours sign on your way out. If you haven’t already planned your stay on the island, you can stop at this tour operator and book a Glass Bottom Boat tour, a Submarine tour, or an inland adventure. 
Another major outfitter on the island is the Santa Catalina Island Company. They have many ticket booths throughout the town and offer great adventures. More about the adventures and attractions later.
Where to Stay
Although you can visit Catalina for just a day, you must spend several days fully exploring the island.
Many lodging options are available. You can stay at one of the hotels right on the main street on the beachfront. This main thoroughfare is called Crescent Street and is primarily a pedestrian walkway. The hotels there are very convenient for beachgoers and families with kids. Those hotels are ideal if you want to relax and enjoy the town and the beach.
Another option is to stay at one of the bed-and-breakfast inns sprinkled around town. For the adventurers who plan to get close to nature, several campgrounds are available throughout the island.
My favorite way to relax and enjoy the island is to stay at a vacation rental away from the busy downtown.
Hamilton Cove Villas
We recently stayed at Hamilton Cove Villas and loved every minute. The villas are part of a luxury gated community about 1.5 miles from the heart of Avalon. Each villa has a complimentary golf cart to help you get around during your stay.
Our villa had two bedrooms, 1.75 bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.
The master bedroom was very large, with an attached office/lounge area and a master bathroom with a luxurious bathtub. The villas also had a washer and dryer, BBQs, and flat-screen TVs. The kitchen had a large refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, and dishwasher. It was well-stocked with utensils, pots, pans, and dishes.
The best part for me was the stunning ocean views from every window and the large balcony surrounding the property. The balcony had a table and chairs, which we used to enjoy breakfast while admiring the scenery around us.
The property also offers a shared spa, pool, and tennis courts.
Unlike hotels, maid service is not included automatically in your reservations. This is not an issue for short stays but be prepared to do your laundry and clean up after yourself for extended stays. If you can't live without maid service, you can request it for an additional fee.
Although you can walk down to the town center, it is not recommended. The villas are situated on the slopes around Hamilton Cove, so climbing back up would be very strenuous and time-consuming. Hamilton Cove is managed by Catalina Island Vacation Rentals (CIVR). You can view available properties and book your villa here.
Things to Do in Catalina
Take a Walk Through Avalon
Avalon’s waterfront is full of shops and restaurants. Depending on your preference, you can spend hours enjoying the views, browsing through the shops, or dining on the beach.
This walk starts from Cabrillo Mole Pier and follows the curve of Avalon Bay all the way to Descanso Beach. The seawall along the beach (Serpent Wall) displays beautiful murals depicting life in Catalina and telling tall tales about the sea.
The main track is called Crescent Street. Along the way, you will pass by activity outfitters like bike rentals and parasailing. Then, you will see families enjoying a day at the beach. The first beach has a pontoon that kids can swim to and jump off.
Next on your walk is the Green Pleasure Pier. The pier is the launch point for many water activities, such as paddle boats, kayaks, and glass-bottom boats. It is also home to several casual restaurants.
On the left side, you can browse the many boutique shops offering resort fashion, artwork, and souvenirs. You also pass by Island Spa, where you can get a massage, soak in a pool, or enjoy hot sand therapy. 
Crescent connects to Casino Way through the famous “Via Casino Arch“. Continue your walk along Casino Way, enjoying the commanding view of the round building. The casino was just a gathering place and was never used for gambling. It has a large ballroom on the second floor and a movie theater. It is also home to the Catalina Museum.
The casino facade showcases three large murals, and the interior walls have the original Art Deco murals by John Gabriel Beckman. A guided tour is available for a fee and runs three times daily, starting at 11:45 am. The 40-minute tour costs $12.
After you visit the Casino, continue to Descanso Beach Club. The club is a private business offering water activities, cabanas, bars, and restaurants, but the beach is open to the public. If you rent one of their cabanas or beach chairs, you can enjoy drinks and food delivered to the sand. Because it is a private facility, alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach.
Descanso Beach is also the starting point of one of Catalina’s most exciting adventures: Zip lines. More about the Zip-Line adventure later.
Discover Avalon Tour
If visiting Catalina Island for the first time, consider going on the Discover Catalina tour. This tour takes you to the most popular spots in and around Avalon. Many of these points of interest offer stunning views of the town below, the ocean, and the distant mainland shore.
Some tour highlights include hillside homes, the zipline tour entrance, the beautiful Wrigley Home, Mt. Ada, and wildlife along the route.
Our driver, Carlos, was friendly, funny, and knowledgeable about Avalon and its local history.
Taste of Catalina Food Tour
Another great way to explore Avalon is to take this three-hour foodie tour. You'll try delicious food and drinks while learning about Catalina's history and culture.
We met our guide, Lili, at the waterfront before Steve’s Steakhouse. Lili introduced us quickly to the various people who called the island home and the founding of Avalon.
We started our culinary experience at Steve’s Steakhouse, where we enjoyed savory tomato soup, coconut shrimp, and a tender marinated steak.
During the tour, we enjoyed five more tastings and learned a lot of information. Lili was very informative and entertaining.
My favorites were the coconut shrimp at Steve’s, the orange chicken at Ning’s Chinese Garden, the dark chocolate/pistachio bars, clam chowder and exclusive beer at Bluewater Avalon, and the salted caramel ice cream float at C.C. Gallagher.
Towards the end of the tour, we were so full that we had to ration our tastings. We just couldn’t eat everything that was offered.
We played the Fortune Cookie game with Lili at Ning's Chinese Garden. Each person had to say their fortune while adding “… in bed” at the end. Needless to say, there were a lot of comical situations.
We were so impressed with Bluewater’s food and location that we returned the following day for lunch.
On future visits, we plan to return to CC Gallagher to enjoy their sushi and artwork. We will also have a full meal at Ning’s Chinese Garden.
The tour costs $89 for adults and is worth every penny. They also offer a happy hour tour for $69. Get more info here.
Rent a Bike
Another way to enjoy Catalina is by bike. You can rent a bike from several shops in Avalon and ride around town. The town is mostly on level ground until you reach the surrounding hills. If you want to explore those hills, consider renting an electric bike or a golf cart.
If you plan to bike through the wildlands, contact Bike Catalina and get a shuttle ride to the airport. Then, you can bike back to Avalon. The trails are mostly downhill with several steep inclines, especially toward the beginning of the trip. Go here for details.
Water Activities
If you're looking for something more adventurous than a day on the beach, try parasailing, kayaking, paddle boats, scuba diving, or snuba diving.
These activities can be booked and started from the Green Pleasure Pier. You can rent the equipment and have fun on your own or join a guided kayaking or scuba diving tour. Kayak tours can last several hours and allow you to explore hard-to-reach beaches and coves.
If you want to scuba dive on your own, Avalon City has set aside an area next to the Casino for this purpose—called the Underwater Park. Concrete steps lead you into the water for a convenient start.
Snorkeling is very popular in Catalina due to the calm, clear waters around the island. You can rent snorkeling equipment and explore independently or join a guided snorkel tour to get helpful information and expert instructions. One of the highly-rated outfitters is Catalina Snorkel & Scuba. Check out their info, ratings, and reviews on Trip Advisor.
Zipline Adventure
A great way to get your adrenaline going without venturing too far into Catalina wildlands. The Santa Catalina Island Company runs the adventure and starts behind Descanso Beach.
After checking in, you'll be outfitted with your equipment and given a quick lesson on zip-lining. Plenty of free lockers are available to store belongings before the tour. A shuttle then takes you up a winding road through the hills to the highest platform of the ride.
Five ziplines are between six wooden platforms, running from the top of the hill to the beach. Each zipline has a different personality. Some are short and fast, while others are long with great views. One of the runs took us nearly 40 miles per hour—what a rush!
The guides were excellent. Mike and Deny were very friendly and informative. They filled our experience with jokes and tidbits about the area. The tour is billed as an Eco tour, which means you are supposed to get a lot of information about the environment, animals, and plants. Thankfully, the guides asked us how much “Eco” we wanted during the tour and tailored the experience accordingly.
If you are not the adventurous type, stay away from this ride. You will be suspended from a steel wire and propelled from one platform to the next by the force of gravity. However, if you decide to take the plunge, you must trust the equipment and the guides.
The harness and carabiner used are in excellent shape and can hold a lot of weight. The guides double-checked and tightened the harness before every run.
You will relax and enjoy the views once you overcome your fears and take the first leap. You can see the beach far below and the Casino building in the distance from the platform or while sliding down the line. You will probably also spot some kayaks, speed boats, and parasails.
The zip-line tour takes around 2 hours and costs approximately $150 (in 2024). Discounts are available on their website here.
East End Adventure
This is a great way to get introduced to Catalina Island. It is a tour on dirt roads through the hills surrounding Avalon, riding in open Hummers. Santa Catalina Island Company operates the tour, starting from Tour Plaza, a few blocks from the beaches.
I arrived early and waited in the covered seats while enjoying the most delicious ice cream from Lloyd's of Avalon Confectionery. Several tours and activities start from this tour plaza.
A few minutes before the tour, we climbed onto the huge Hummer and were handed cold water bottles and blankets. The blankets may be needed at higher elevations due to wind and colder weather.
Our adventure began by driving through narrow Avalon streets, accompanied by a continuous stream of information about Catalina. Our guide was knowledgeable about the history and environment. He pointed out important landmarks like the Wrigley Mansion, now called the Inn on Mt. Ada; the Green Pleasure Pier; the Tuna Club, a fishing club; and Cabrillo Pier, where the ferries land; and the main port where Catalina receives most of its supplies.
Along the way, we saw the only gas station on Catalina, with shocking gas prices approaching $8 a gallon. 
Heading up higher, we left the main road and began our journey on the dirt road through the wilderness. Most of Catalina Island is considered wildlands and protected by the Catalina Conservancy. The Conservancy owns nearly 88% of the land and is responsible for keeping it pristine and protecting the flora and fauna.
As we climbed higher, we noticed breathtaking ocean views from almost every direction. At one of the stops, we could see Avalon from a high vantage point. It was a great place to pose for photos. It's a good thing we were in a Hummer. The road is steep and bumpy sometimes but worth every minute.
Along the way, we caught glimpses of red-tailed hawks, Catalina (midget) foxes, many squirrels, and bald eagles. The foxes are adorable, resembling a cross between cats and dogs.
Catalina Lore: Catalina is famous for its bison (aka buffalo). The North American bison was brought to the island in 1920 as a prop for a Hollywood movie. When filming was done, it was cheaper to leave the bison roaming the island.
On the way back, we passed some popular hiking trails like Hermit Gulch and Garden to Sky Hike. Those hikes start from Avalon and cross the dirt roads at the top, more about hiking later. We also passed several campgrounds, the Conservancy’s headquarters, and the water reservoir protected with the largest pool cover I have ever seen.
After two hours full of excitement and adventure, we returned to Tour Plaza and thanked our guide for a great trip. I will definitely be returning to try more adventures with the Santa Catalina Island Company. See tour details here.
Hiking Catalina
I love hiking, and Catalina is a haven for hikers of all levels. You can find easy hikes that are less than a mile long and very strenuous hikes that span 37 miles.
Some hikes start from Avalon, but most require some form of transportation inland or to the other side of the island.
One way to reach the hikes on the island's windward (west) side is to take the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro directly to Two Harbors.
Here is a list of the most popular hikes:
Hermit Gulch
This hike starts from the Hermit Gulch Campground in Avalon. You can walk up Avalon Canyon Road to get to the trailhead at the campground.
The trail is around 1.7 miles but steep, reaching 1,200 feet high. Your effort is rewarded with amazing views of Avalon and the ocean. Once you get the top of East Road, turn left and continue for a little while. Look to the right, and you will be rewarded with a great view of the west end (windward).
This part of the trail climbs gradually up to 1,600 feet, offering commanding ocean views from both sides. At this point, you can turn back to retrace your steps or turn left to start descending back to Avalon. The turn left will take you by the Inn at Mt. Ada (the old Wrigley Mansion). The entire loop is close to 12 miles long.
Garden to Sky Hike
This is an easy hike that starts from the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. You can begin by hiking to the gardens, a 20 to 40-minute walk from Avalon, depending on your pace, and spend some time at the botanical gardens.
You will need to buy a ticket for general admission, which is around $7. While there, you can also walk up a flight of stairs to visit the Wrigley Memorial.
The trailhead for the hike starts from the gardens, but if you prefer to avoid paying the entrance fee, you can take the Hermit Gulch trail around it. The sky trailhead is hidden behind the stairs to the memorial.
Tips: You will need to obtain a free hiking permit from the Catalina Conservancy. Permits are available online, at the gardens ticket booth, and at many locations throughout Avalon.
The hike to the top is 1.2 miles and takes you to a viewpoint where you can see the ocean from both sides of the island. You can backtrack through the garden to Avalon or continue on a 4-mile loop with more breathtaking views.
Trans-Catalina Trail
This hike is not for the casual hiker. It takes several days to complete and involves 37 miles of rough terrain. The East End is also accessible to bikers.
You can start your trek from the Hermit Gulch trail or from Renton Mine Road. The trail has five main nodes:
- Node 1: Avalon to Black Jack
- Node 2: Black Jack to Little Harbor
- Node 3: Little Harbor to Two Harbors
- Node 4: Two Harbors to Parsons Landing
- Node 5: Parsons Landing to Starlight Beach
Read full details at the conservancy’s website here.
Guided Hikes
A great way to explore Catalina hiking trails is with an expert. These hikes are offered during the summer by the Catalina Conservancy. Check schedules here.
Jet Ski to Catalina
Another exciting way to explore Catalina is by taking a Jet Ski ride from Long Beach. This thrilling adventure isn't for the faint-hearted, as you'll navigate high waves for about two hours each way. You can read more about this incredible experience here.
Some images were contributed by the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce.
Some images were contributed by the Santa Catalina Company.
Some images were contributed by Catalina Food Tours.