Should i go to catalina island

On Two Harbors, you will find a beach club, a restaurant, a lodge, and a general store. It is also a haven for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and more. Unfortunately, the Cyclone was not running during our visit, but this is at the top of my things to do on Catalina Island on our next visit! I mentioned Descanso Beach Club earlier on this list of things to do in Catalina Island, but felt it should get another mention here.

We ordered the poke bowl and ceviche and both were super fresh and tasty. You must also grab a fruity cocktail here — try a buffalo milk, the official drink of the island!

It almost tastes like a boozy banana milkshake. We loved the Naughty Fox so much that we ended up stopping in twice once for dinner, and then dessert and cocktails the second night! You must try the ahi tuna poke nachos here, which are served up on crisped wonton chips, for a fun twist! Everyone who orders one also gets a straw hat — it was funny walking around the island and seeing all the people with one on! The thin crust has the perfect crisp to it. A favorite of both locals and visitors alike, the Lobster Trap serves up delicious seafood dishes in a casual setting.

We got the lobster roll and it was so, so good — super buttery and saucy! The Sandtrap is located right next to the Catalina Golf Course about a 10 minute walk from the center of town , and is a great spot to stop for a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the main part of Avalon. The tacos were super tasty, and so were the margs! Located adjacent to Hotel Atwater, the Bistro at the Atwater is an awesome spot to stop for a quick breakfast and coffee before starting your Catalina Island adventures.

They have some delicious breakfast sandwiches and pastries! They also have salads, smoothies, cold pressed juices and more. Everything is made using farm-to-table ingredients. Like this post? Save these things to do in Catalina Island on Pinterest for later! I was there in when i went on a cruise to Mexico.

Spent the day there. Hopefully get to go again soon. Great tips. Medha Verma. Definitely taking this roadtrip from Los Angeles the next time I am there. Descanso Beach Club looks like the perfect place for someone like me to just lay back, sip on some cocktails and enjoy the vibe! Catalina Island looks really beautiful!

Wow I had no idea there was so much to do on Catalina Island! I had heard about it and want to go diving there and so much more. Portia Jones. Oh my gosh, this is such a comprehensive guide and your photos are so gorgeous. Elena Pappalardo. What a fantastic post. Chalk and cheese travels. Cynthia von Berg. Hazel Joy. Thanks for the comprehensive post. Catalina Island looks like such a dreamy destination! Thanks for this awesome guide.

Such an informative article! Maybe this summer! Ashlee Fechino. Jacqueline Le. I lived in SB for many years and never made it here!! I really need to make it here one day! Go Wander Wild. I loved reading about your experience in Catalina Island.

Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sep 24, 0 Comments.

Jul 18, 31 Comments. Mar 4, 0 Comments. I wander the world aimlessly in search of delicious food, spend way too much time dreaming of my next adventure, and kinda miss the fog after complaining about it every day for 11 years.

I live for good design, coffee, red wine, pretty paper, and ramen which I work off by running half marathons. Follow along as I search California and the world for the tastiest desserts, the most colorful photo spots, the coolest hidden gems, and more! All Rights Reserved. Keep on reading for all of the best things to do on Catalina Island!

Via Private Boat Catalina Island is also accessible via private boat. So, how does one get around Catalina Island? How Long to Stay on Catalina Island? Flip Flops or Sandals : For the beach. A pair of Rainbows are super comfy! Cardigan or light jacket : The evenings get breezy here. I just threw on a denim jacket during my stay. You can also bring this packable windbreaker, which you can fold up and throw into your bag! For cooler days, a packable puffer is ideal.

Hat : The sun can get super bright, so I highly recommend having a hat. A straw hat like this one not only keeps the sun out of your eyes and is perfect for the beach , but also looks cute in photos this one is another favorite for photos!

Sunglasses Beach Tote : like this one Sunscreen : This one is my favorite and is reef-safe to protect the marine life. Battery pack : I never travel anywhere without this one. It can charge up to five times on one full charge! Reusable water bottle : I have this one on me at all times. More Catalina Island Travel Tips While you will generally have cell service in downtown Avalon, it is kind of spotty and gets pretty unreliable the further inland you go.

To help you navigate around the island, I highly recommend downloading offline maps before you arrive. Because of older filtration systems, the tap water on the island is not the greatest. I would recommend bringing or buying some water and then filling up your reusable water bottle. Yes, things are a bit expensive on Catalina Island — it is an island after all.

Another way to save money is to get food and wine at the grocery store. There are plenty of beautiful spots around the island beaches, viewpoints, etc that are perfect for picnicking!

Things to Do On Catalina Island Drive a golf cart around the island This is one of the most popular things to do on Catalina Island — pretty much anyone I talked to said I needed to do this!

Go on a bison expedition This ended up being one of our favorite things to do in Catalina Island! Chill at the Descanso Beach Club One of the best things to do on Catalina Island is to chill at the beach, and what better way to do it than at a beach club? Tours offered am — pm daily Admire the amazing views There are no shortage of incredible vistas around the island, and stopping at a few viewpoints is one of the best things to do in Avalon.

Amazing views of the harbor, the clifftop homes, and waterfront. Chimes Tower Rd, Avalon, CA If you plan on renting a golf cart, the suggested route should already include these stops.

These viewpoints are also great spots for a sunset picnic! Visit the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens Located about a 30 minute walk from downtown Avalon or a quick golf cart ride away , the Explore the waters by kayaking or SUPing Catalina Island has 52 miles of pristine coastline, and one of the best ways to explore it is by kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Take a trip to Two Harbors While there are plenty of amazing things to do in Avalon, taking a trip to Two Harbors gives you a different glimpse into the island.

What are some of your favorite things to do on Catalina Island? Spread the love. Catherine March 27, at am. This is def on my bucket list for my next Cali visit!! Medha Verma March 27, at am. Lina March 27, at am. Krista March 27, at am. Melinda March 27, at pm. Portia Jones March 27, at pm. Elena Pappalardo March 27, at pm. You can also visit Catalina Island as a day trip from Los Angeles. Or as a stop on a cruise ship. A day trip would still give you more than enough time to get a feel for Avalon and decide if you ever want to return for a longer stay.

The Catalina Island Company, known online as Visit Catalina, seemed to me to be marketed as the primary tour company on Catalina Island. Do your research and make sure any tour company offers the tours you want and need to ensure you will have the best experience possible. IF you like tours. Friendly locals will ensure you still have a good time. And it includes a visit to the Catalina Country Club; which was the Chicago Cubs Clubhouse when they did Spring training on the island.

Because I love history and Spanish colonial architecture, this was fun for me to see. Instead, I would have rented a golf cart and driven myself around to see the sights that I had already learned about at the Catalina Island Museum.

It is an amazing collection of historical treasures with lots of information about the Wrigley connection to the island.

The museum also has temporary exhibitions. Recently, that included work by noted glass artist Dale Chihuly. One of the pieces stayed at the museum and you can see it on the roof under a sort of gazebo. We were provided with golf cart rentals for two hours on the island.

It was very fun for us as a group of singles, couples and families! I did not!! I learned that and so much more. Because I love architecture, Art Deco, history, old movies and I studied film in college….

If that sounds anything like you, I recommend this 90 minute tour for you as well! Heavy cloud cover prevented us from actually seeing stars. However, I loved learning about the night sky and its meaning from KathleenAstro.

Her family has been on the island for many generations so her knowledge is particularly applicable to Catalina! Other members of my press group did zip-lining and kayaking with the Catalina Island Company so if those are your type of activities, know that you can do them on Catalina.

We dined at several restaurants on the island. Two of which were also owned by the Catalina Island Company. There are all kinds of options from Mexican to seafood to American food to a small brewery that serves pizza and even a candy and ice cream shop. Our first lunch was at Bluewater Grill just after arrival. I loved the Aussie Burger. Our online system makes booking a reservation easy. Or if you prefer to talk to a person, you may contact one of our knowledgeable agents at If you forgo making reservations, you may walk up on the day of departure, but you are not guaranteed travel.

Catalina Express has three conveniently located terminals in Southern California. The Long Beach terminal provides the most flexible schedule and is only located 10 minutes from our San Pedro location. For passengers traveling from San Diego or southern Orange County, the Dana Point location will be the most convenient. For directions and parking information, please visit our port page on our website. Check-in time for all of our reservations begins an hour before departure.

Passengers must have their tickets in hand and ready to board 15 minutes prior to departure. We know that sometimes you may get stuck in traffic and not be able to make your scheduled departure time. Please give us a call before your departure, so we can see how we can assist. If you have never traveled to the Island, you might wonder what are the essential items to pack.

First and for most, bring a light jacket and wear soft-sole shoes. Traveling on the boat does get chilly, especially if you will be spending time outside so a jacket is a must.