Catalina Island – One of Southern California’s Best Kept Secrets

Catalina Island

* VISIT *

A Romantic, Côte d’Azur Jaunt Without The Hassle Of Flying

Whisking off to Catalina Island for several days with my husband on short notice was like a Mediterranean escape but without the fussy long flight, or debilitating jet lag, and best of all, no passport necessary.

After all these years I’ve called Southern California my home, I’ve never been to Catalina. So this past August, we spontaneously planned a mini vacay to this island. We reserved the ferry tickets, researched and booked our hotel room, lined up our Descanso Beach Club package, and just crossed our fingers that nothing would go wrong.

Thankfully we had a safe, romantic, and memorable trip. We were there for three days and two nights. This was a perfect amount of time for our first visit, but still leaves us wanting to explore more for future trips.

Once A Playground For The Rich & Old Hollywood

Santa Catalina Island is definitely worth a visit. It’s an instagram-worthy destination that is 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. During World War II, Marilyn Monroe and her first husband called this place their home for about a year, circa 1943.

Also, because of its close proximity to Hollywood, it should come as no surprise that stars of the silver screen flocked to Catalina for down time and to escape the paparazzi in Los Angeles.

Glamorous stars that once enjoyed Catalina: Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Norma Shearer, James Cagney, Betty Grable, Ronald Reagan, Natalie Wood, Orson Welles, John Wayne, etc.

Hollywood’s Exotic Backlot

This island has served as the location for the filming of over 500 motion pictures, documentaries, television programs and commercials for over the past 90 years. It is Hollywood’s exotic back lot. With its unique natural beauty, accessibility, and vast, untouched mountains and beaches, it can be transformed into almost any place in the world.

Things To Do On Catalina Island

• Flying Fish – There are night, boat tours for visitors to observe a type of fish that can launch itself into the air using its fins to glide along the surface of the water.
• Beach Parties – Live DJs play at the Descanso Beach Club every Saturday during summer!
• Ziplining – A thrilling experience filled with spectacular views for the adrenaline junkies.
• Parasailing – Once in a lifetime adventure with the backdrop of a gorgeous island.
• Kayaking – Fun way to soak up the natural beauty of Catalina.
• Scuba Dive/Snorkeling – Catalina’s crystal clear waters are perfect for underwater exploration.
• Jet Ski – Cruise along the coastline on a jet ski.
• Stroll Avalon Bay – Main entry & departure point for visitors. It’s a leisurely, waterfront walk.
• Hiking – 165 miles of trails. Hiking permits are required.
• Biking – Get some great exercise with some amazing views.
• Glass Bottom Boat Tours – Gaze down at an undersea wonderland with this unique boat tour.

Catalina – Explore, Shop, Dine, Adventure

• Explore The Town Of Avalon – This town was made for walking, it’s so easy to navigate on foot.
• Art, Food, Wine, Beer, & Film Festivals – Many people flock to these entertaining events.
• Art Galleries & Museums – Explore the many art galleries and museums in Avalon.
• Paddleboarding – a popular, water sport to enjoy on the emerald green ocean of Catalina.
• Hummer or Jeep Tours – Safari vibes, keep your eyes peeled for the bison grazing on the hillsides.
• Descanso Beach Club – Let professional staff members cater to you as you relax in their cabanas or chaise lounges located steps away from the water.
• Sip On A Glass Of Buffalo Milk – Ew, gross! No worries, it’s not actually milk from a buffalo, but Catalina’s signature cocktail made with Tito’s Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Banana Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, Vanilla Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Nutmeg, and a Banana Chip.
• The Catalina Wine Mixer – Thousands attend this 2-day event year after year.
• Boating – A west coast boater’s paradise. Secluded locations to anchor, explore, swim, and enjoy.
• Pamper Yourself At A Day Spa – Rejuvenate and let the stress melt away at the many day spas available on the island.

Tour Catalina Via Golf Cart

Catalina strictly regulates how many cars are allowed on the island, so there aren’t too many cars around. Locals primarily utilize golf carts for transportation, and you can find several places on the island to rent them. There are no Uber or Lyfts here. Golf carts are a great idea, they allow you the freedom and flexibility to explore the island all on your own. I wish we were able to rent one, but hopefully that will be on the top of our to-do list for our next visit.

Or you can opt for a private guided golf cart tour instead. Let the professionals do all the work, this allows you to sit back and enjoy the ride. It’s an enjoyable, enlightening way to absorb a lot of information in a short amount of time.

• CNP Tip – There is also the Garibaldi bus ($2 per ride, children under 5 are free). Also, a taxi service is available from the ferry terminal. You can rent a bike too. Avalon is a bike friendly town.

All Aboard – Long Beach Port to Catalina Island

DURATION – About an hour from Long Beach to Avalon

ADDRESS – 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach, Ca 90802

OVERNIGHT PARKING – $23 for 24 hours

ROUND TRIP FARE – $77 per person

Catalina Express offers year-round boat service to Catalina Island. There are about 30 departures daily from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.

Parking Structure: The parking structure was clean and safe. Nothing happened to our car in their parking structure for the three days and two nights we left it there. If you wish to avoid the overnight parking fee for your car: 1) Arrange for someone to drop you off and pick you up 2) Arrive by public transportation 3) Uber or Lyft.

The Check-In Process: Arrive one hour before departure time. They claim your seats will be forfeited if you are not in line with ticket in hand 15 minutes before the ferry takes off. Plus, you need time to get your parking situated. Then you gotta stand in line to check in, this whole process can take up to an hour, the line was long the day we were there, and it was mid-week too.

• CNP Tip – You can alway arrive by helicopter! But that will be a lot more expensive than the ferry

I’d advise to avoid bringing luxury/designer luggage. The suitcase area on the ferry is communal. Nothing gets checked in, there are no employees that monitor or assist in that area. You just gotta hope no one walks away with your suitcase before you can get to it when exiting the ferry. Also, be informed and aware of the luggage requirements for boarding the ferry.

Catalina Express Seating Options & Upgrades

Indoor Main Seating Area: We didn’t mind the seats we picked, they were semi-private next to the window, and our area was quiet. My husband gets motion sickness quick, so he took an hour long nap. I didn’t move around much either, I got a bit queasy as well. The water was choppy, and the ride was a bit rough at times, so take all that into consideration, maybe avoid a huge meal before your journey.

First come, first serve – getting in line early will allow you to pick out the better seats throughout the boat.

• CNP Tip: Keep your eyes open for whales and dolphins during the ferry ride.

Light Refreshments: With our basic ticket purchase in the main seating area, there were light refreshments available for purchase. It was more like vending machine food and small drinks served in flimsy, plastic cups – meh. We waited till we arrived on Catalina for proper drinks and a meal.

Commodore Lounge, Catalina Express

The Commodore Lounge – $40 upgrade for each ticket, round-trip

• Priority check-in & boarding
• Comfortable seating – Leather-trimmed, wider seats that recline
• Seats are located in a more intimate lounge
• Complimentary beverage and snack
• Seat-to-ceiling level windows for great ocean views

We most likely will upgrade our tickets for the Commodore Lounge on our next trip – I will let you know if the upgrade is worth it in a future post!

Catalina Island Is A Perfect Destination For:

• Bachelorette Party – Rent out a cabana at the Descanso Beach Club, then spend the day sipping on champagne with your bridal party.

• Bachelor Party – Rent some jet-skis. Rent a boat and go fishing. Bar hop. Zip lining. Camping.

• Mother’s Day – Treat your mom to a relaxing morning at the day spa, afterward enjoy a delicious meal in a waterfront restaurant.

• Family Vacation – Go on a glass bottom boat tour. Book a flying fish boat tour at night. Parasailing, candy shops, play at the beach, rent a golf cart and go exploring. The ferry alone will be entertaining for small children.

• Birthday Celebration – Plan a fun filled itinerary and celebrate a birthday on this iconic island.

• Silver Haired Foxes – This island is casual with slow pace vibes. It’s not bustling and noisy, like LA. It’s a perfect, relaxing getaway for the older community. Spend the day exploring the shops and museums. In the evening, stroll along Avalon bay.

• Active/Outdoor – Adrenaline junkies will enjoy ziplining and parasailing. For the fit, active outdoorsy type: hiking, swimming, biking, jogging, kayaking, etc.

• Honeymoon – Many couples don’t have the luxury to go on long, exotic honeymoons. Catalina can offer newlyweds a quick, chic, mini one. They’ll get the tropical island or French Riviera vibes without the major cost or hassle. If planned properly, Catalina can be a budget-friendly, magical honeymoon.

The Avalon Hotel: A Boutique Hotel In The Heart Of Avalon

The Avalon Hotel is an upper-mid-range boutique, and one of the highest rated hotels (also one of the more expensive) on Catalina Island. I’m gonna be honest with you, this hotel has seen better days. She’s no spring chicken, that’s all I gotta say. It’s in desperate need of a massive renovation. Maybe 35 years ago, The Avalon was considered a “bougie boutique”, but it’s not anymore. If we ever go back I’d rather stay somewhere else.

• CNP Tip: Consider staying at the Hotel Atwater or Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel for a more upscale vibe. For our next trip we’re going to stay at either one of these two hotels.

Don’t be fooled by the pictures on the hotel company website, looks can be deceiving. The expensive price tag doesn’t equal a luxurious experience. Lodging options are limited on Catalina, try to keep your expectations low when it comes to their hotels and restaurants.

The Avalon Hotel – Catalina Island

PROS 🙂

• Located in a walkable location
• Nice customer service
• Quiet, private, courtyard for meals/ reading/ relaxing
• Partial ocean view from our room
• More convenient & comfortable than camping
• Clean – I’d give it 7 out of 10
• Gorgeous, spacious balcony
• Across the street from the beach
• Access to rooftop lounging area with breathtaking views
• Near restaurants, shops, and bars
• Safe (Need to swipe key to enter hotel after hours)
• Not a party hotel (at least when we stayed there in the middle of the week)
• Equipped with mini fridge, flat-screen tv, microwave, coffee station
• Free continental breakfast
• Free taxi service from the ferry terminal
• Free refreshments in the lobby

CONS 🙁

• No elevator
• No taxi service when checking out and leaving for the ferry terminal
• Not all rooms have views of the ocean. The pricier rooms have balconies with views.
• Expensive
• Hardly no amenities
• No pool
• Overpriced for what was offered
• Old, outdated
• Needs a massive renovation
• Smelled musty
• Dark interiors and hallways
• TV cable service was horrible, there was nothing to watch
• 3 night minimum stay on holiday weekends
• No restaurant
• Long staircase to entrance door (no handicap access)

Rooftop and Balcony Views from The Avalon Hotel

ROOFTOP: The Avalon Hotel has a nice rooftop lounging area. As long as there are no noisy/rowdy guests, this lounging area can be a relaxing sanctuary. The views are spectacular. This is an excellent place for a meal, sun bathing, picnic, glass of wine, or reading.

OUR ROOM #303 – BALCONY VIEW: Our balcony was a quiet, spacious retreat and it offered some picturesque views. I wish we had more time to linger outside on our balcony and soak in the views, but this was a spontaneous, short trip, and not enough hours in the day – c’est la vie.

Bluewater Grill – A Bistro That Offers Stunning Waterfront Views

This is a pricey restaurant located on the Catalina ferry dock with stunning waterfront views of the beach, harbor and casino. The Bluewater Grill was the first restaurant we ate at once arriving on the island and after leaving our luggage in the room (it was also conveniently just across the street from our hotel too).

• CNP Tip: Research restaurants you might be interested in eating at prior to your Catalina trip. The majority of eateries there aren’t cheap. We picked the Bluewater Grill primarily for the views, and it was conveniently located across the street from our hotel, but the food wasn’t worth it.

I can confirm the high prices are mostly for the views and not necessarily the food. Unfortunately, maybe we just ordered the wrong meals. That’s why there are no other food pictures included because our dinners were just blah and meh. We won’t be back to eat here again. But our drinks were tasty and the views were breathtaking.

DESCANSO BEACH CLUB, Catalina Island

Catalina’s Ultimate Beach Club Experience

We came for The French Riviera vibes without the hassle of a 13+ hour long flight. And all I gotta say is, mission accomplished. We specifically came to Catalina to spend two days relaxing at the Descanso Beach Club, and it was an unforgettable summer experience. Our only agenda at this slice of paradise was – lounging, eating, drinking, relaxing, and enjoying the clear emerald green waters of the Pacific Ocean.

• This is a private beach, and one of the only places in California where you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage right on the sand – cheers!

Every morning when we checked in, polite and professional staff members greeted us with our “Welcome fruit smoothies”, then escorted us to our chaise lounge chairs. We were catered to all day and were provided with excellent customer service. It was also super convenient that the Descanso beach club was just a short walk from our hotel.

• CNP Tips: 1) If it’s just you and a plus one, then the chaise lounge chairs will be perfect. However, the cabanas are ideal for larger groups. 2) Outside food and beverages are not allowed, so enjoy a meal or drink before you arrive, this can save you a little bit of money.

Time stood still for us at The Descanso Beach Club as we euphorically listened to the hypnotic ocean cadence; observed cheerful children frolicing in the ocean as we sipped from a glass filled with Catalina’s sweet signature cocktail, Buffalo Milk. Swaying palm trees took center stage, performing for us beachgoers, as they danced lazily from side to side under the warm summer sun.

Chaise Lounge Rental – Descanso Beach Club

$130 (from 10:00am to 5:00pm) package includes everything listed below:

• Personal Beach Butler

• Complimentary bottled waters

• Two free, fruit Welcome smoothies upon arrival

• Two comfortable chaise lounge chairs under a huge umbrella and side table

• Clean towels provided

• Food & beverage service

Descanso Beach Club – Chase Lounge Reservations & Location

Chaise lounge chairs need to be reserved online, then you must pick out their actual location. On our first day, we reserved chairs in the second row. On our second day, our chairs were in the first row, like two steps away from the water. We enjoyed both locations.

• 1st row chairs – Like, literally, you are just steps away from the water (feels like you’re in the ocean without actually getting wet). It’s a rocky shore right in front of this row, which makes it hard for people to camp out right in front of you, but it can become a bit noisy with people walking by or kids frolicking in the ocean. And there is less privacy.

• 2nd row chairs – A bit of an obstructed view, but with more privacy, and still close to the water. You can’t go wrong with either the 1st or 2nd row. I wouldn’t pick anything further back. The cabanas are so far back, it’s like they’re in a park, and not close to the ocean at all.

• CNP Tip: The shoreline is rocky, water shoes are a necessity (We observed many people walking in pain as they maneuvered around all the slippery, sharp rocks). We were so grateful that we remembered to pack our water shoes.

• CNP Tip: Pack your own pool float with a portable air pump. The pool floats sold at the beach club are far more expensive than a cheapie that can be purchased on Amazon.

• CNP Tip: The Buffalo Milk cocktail was rich and sweet, consider splitting it with someone, they’re $16 for the smallest size at the beach club. I couldn’t even finish mine.

Avalon – Strolling, Shopping, Eating, Dancing, Relaxing

Avalon is a cozy, small town that is easy to explore in one weekend. It is filled with boutiques, bars, candy shops, bakeries, restaurants, day spas, art galleries, and museums. Don’t forget to look up and admire the adorable, colorful vintage hilltop homes that hug the mountains of this intoxicating isle.

On the last night of our trip we stumbled upon a taco stand type of Mexican restaurant. It was a minimal, all outdoor eatery. My husband and I split some nachos and enjoyed a couple of cold beers as we listened to a local band play some classic rock. By the end of the evening we were all dancing and singing along to the loud music and we just had a blast.

Catalina Island – Tips For Your First Visit

• Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

• To fully take advantage of everything that Catalina has to offer – a lot of research, reservations, and planning needs to be done prior to arriving.

• Waterproof/sandproof cell phone pouches – Incase you don’t want to leave your phone/money/bank cards unattended, take them with you in the water.

• Pack your layers – Depending on the season: bring a jacket, sweater, hat, pants, sweats, etc.

• Bring some of your own food, drinks (alcohol), and treats.

• Don’t forget sunscreen, plus other various sun protection accessories (hat, sunnies, umbrella, etc.)

• Remember all your beach must-haves (bathing suit, sandals, beach towels, chairs, etc.)

Things To Know Before You Go – Catalina Island

• The ocean is FREEZING – We visited in August, it was still so cold, but refreshing.

• Businesses close early. You’ll need to wake up early to take advantage of a lot of services and activities that are offered on the island

• Consider visiting in the middle of the week, especially during peak summer season. We went mid-week and it was still crowded.

• Money, money, money! This is not a cheap getaway

• The public beaches can get crowded quick. Get there early to find an ideal resting spot.

• Don’t forget to pack an emergency kit: medication, band aids, tampons, etc.

Have you ever visited Catalina before? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Have a beautiful day 💕

⭐ Ciao for now