A Guide To Visiting Catalina Island

Visiting Catalina Island is excellent for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The idyllic town of Avalon saw most of its development in the early 1900s and retains much of its historic charm. Built primarily as a tourist destination for those in Los Angeles, the Island has long been a favorite destination for those looking for an escape from the noise and congestion of Southern California.

Getting to Catalina Island is easy, with ferry boats leaving from San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, or Marina Del Rey. The boat ride takes about an hour, and a round-trip ticket costs about $75. A helicopter taxi, which can get you to the island in around 15 minutes, is also available from San Pedro or Long Beach, but it costs between $270-$300 per person for a round trip.
Another option is to take a cruise with Carnival Cruises, which departs from Long Beach and generally starts at less than $300 per person. The first stop is Catalina Island, where you have a full day, before moving on to points in Baja, Mexico.

Catalina Island Ferry Service:
Catalina Express
Catalina Flyer

Catalina Island Helicopter Service:
Island Express Helicopters
IEX Helicopters

Cruise Ship:
Carnaval Cataliana/Baja California Cruise

Once you get to the island, you can do a number of activities, such as renting bicycles and kayaks, touring the island in a vintage bus, having zip-line adventures, and much more. Cars are limited on the island, and if you plan on touring any of the more remote sections on a day trip, a tour is the best choice.

Staying on Catalina Island

Avalon offers several excellent restaurants, hotels, and shops, and feels more like the South of France than Southern California. There are over 32 hotels in Avalon, but space is limited, so be sure to book ahead of time. On my many trips to the island, I have stayed at the Hotel Atwater, a historic hotel from the 1920s, right near the water, the Banning House Lodge, once the private home of the Banning Family on the island, built in 1910, and the Holiday Inn. Prices for rooms on the island depend on the season, but rooms can be had for between $80-$600 or more. Airbnb does have a number of properties listed on the island, ranging from $75-$1,500 a night. Camping is also an option, with the island offering eight dedicated campgrounds. Camping permits are required year-round and issued upon check-in at one of the island’s visitor centers, but you can reserve a camping space ahead of your visit. Camping fees range between $22 and $35, depending on the campground. Also, cabin tents can be rented at some sites, but will cost nearly the same as a hotel.

Dining on Catalina Island

With over forty dining options on the island, you will not likely go hungry. For breakfast, Pancake Cottage is right on the harbor and offers great pancakes and other breakfast staples. Lunch at Mt. Ada is something you must do at least once on your visit. The former home of the Wigley family sits 400 ft above the harbor and the town of Avalon and offers amazing views while you dine. Lunch is served only on weekends from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The three-course meal is $58 per person, plus tax and tip. My favorite dinner spot on the island is Steve’s Steakhouse & Seafood, with great views of the Harbor and Casino. It is an excellent venue for a romantic dinner for two, or for larger groups, book the Rose Room. Steve’s is known for its Surf & Turf as well as excellent burgers.

Catalina is a special place. It feels like a little bit of the Mediterranean right here in the USA, like a mini Mallorca just off the coast of Los Angeles. If you are planning a trip to LA or thinking about a Baja Cruise, consider adding Santa Catalina to your list.

For more, visit the Island’s official website here.