🏝️ The complete guide
Catalina Island
Curated by Simir Shah
Getting there
No bridges, no rental cars — you reach Catalina by ferry or helicopter. Here are your options:
Catalina Express
~1 hr (longer from Dana Point)From Long Beach, San Pedro & Dana Point → Avalon (Two Harbors from San Pedro)
The workhorse — multiple daily departures year-round. Free round-trip on your birthday with a paying adult; a Commodore Lounge upgrade adds wider seats and a drink. Reserve ahead in summer.
💵 ~$80–95 round-trip adult; less for kids 2–11 & seniors
Book / details →Catalina Flyer
~1 hr 15 minFrom Newport Beach (Balboa Pavilion) → Avalon
One round-trip per day, roughly March–November (very limited or no winter service — confirm the season). Typically departs ~9am, returns ~4:30pm.
💵 ~$76–90 round-trip adult
Book / details →IEX Helicopters
~15 minFrom Long Beach & San Pedro → Avalon (Pebbly Beach, ~1 mi from town)
The fast, scenic way over — flying Catalina since 1982. Pricey but a memorable shortcut that skips the boat. Per-seat pricing varies, so check the operator.
💵 $$$$ — a splurge (see site)
Book / details →Tip: the crossings are real ocean rides, so pack motion-sickness remedies if anyone's prone — and reserve ahead on summer weekends and event dates, when ferries sell out.
Getting around the island
Forget the car. Avalon is genuinely tiny and walkable — you can cross the whole town on foot in 20 minutes, and most attractions cluster around the harbor. The classic move is to rent a golf cart (the island's beloved substitute for a car) to putter up to the scenic overlooks and the Botanic Garden, or rent bikes. The protected interior (about 88% of the island) requires a Conservancy tour or a free permit to enter — that's where the bison live. Golf-cart rentals run roughly $65–85/hour (most seat 4–6), and a self-guided ~12-mile loop of Avalon's hills takes about an hour.
🦬 The famous bison
Yes, real American bison roam Catalina. About 14 were brought over in 1924 — reportedly for a silent Western film — and simply left behind. The herd grew over the decades and is now carefully managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy at a sustainable size (roughly 80–150 animals) out in the protected interior. You'll most reliably see them on a Bison Expedition Hummer tour or a Conservancy eco-tour — they're rarely seen near Avalon itself.
Best time to go
Catalina's weather is mild all year, so the 'best' time is really about crowds, water temperature and fog. The sweet spot is late spring (late April–May) and especially fall (September–October): warm, sunny, the warmest ocean water for snorkeling, and far thinner crowds than peak summer. Summer (July–August) is peak everything — buzzing and fully open, but the most crowded and priciest, so book ferries and hotels well ahead. Winter (Nov–March) is quiet and cheap with gray-whale watching, though some restaurants and tours run reduced hours. One local quirk: 'June Gloom' (worst in May–June) grays over the mornings before usually burning off by early afternoon — so plan beach and boat time for the afternoon.
Things to do
From the glass-bottom boat and the Casino to zip lines and a bison safari — sorted by distance from you within Avalon.
20 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
Catalina Island Conservancy Eco Tour
Avalon · Animal & nature
A naturalist-led 4x4 tour into the protected interior where families may spot bison, deer and the tiny Catalina Island fox — the best shot at the island's wildlife.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid (2–3 hr tour)
Bison Expedition / Inside Adventure Tour
Avalon · Animal & nature
An open-air ride into the backcountry to find Catalina's famous wild bison herd, with a stop at the high-up Nature Center — a thrill for animal-loving kids.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid (~2 hr)
Lover's Cove Marine Preserve
Avalon
A protected, fish-packed cove that's the island's best easy snorkeling — rocky entry, so water shoes help, but the marine life is right there for kids.
🗓️ Year-round
Undersea Expedition (Semi-Submersible)
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Kids sit in an air-conditioned cabin below the waterline and peer out big windows at fish and kelp — great for little ones who can't snorkel yet.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid tour
Glass Bottom Boat Voyage
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A short, classic boat ride over the Lover's Cove kelp forest where kids press their faces to the glass to watch bright-orange garibaldi swim below.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid tour
Catalina Casino (Building & Tour)
Avalon · History & culture
The round 1929 Art Deco landmark (a theater and ballroom, NOT gambling) anchors the harbor; the behind-the-scenes tour climbs to harbor views kids love.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Free exterior ($ tour)
Casino Point Dive Park
Avalon
A protected underwater preserve off the Casino with ladders into the water — calm, marine-rich snorkeling for confident swimmers right in town.
🗓️ Year-round
Catalina Aerial Adventure
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A self-paced ropes course in the trees above Descanso with beginner-to-advanced rope bridges and mini zip lines, so siblings of different ages each pick their level.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Timed entry
Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Five zip lines rocket you 600 feet down Descanso Canyon toward the sea — thrilling for tweens and teens; check the height/weight minimums for younger kids.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid (age/weight limits)
Descanso Beach Club
Avalon · Water & beach
A laid-back private cove beach just past the Casino with sand, cabana rentals, a snack bar and calm water — an easy home base for a family beach day.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Small day-use fee in season
Descanso Beach Ocean Sports (Kayak & SUP)
Avalon · Water & beach
Rent kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear right off Descanso's sand, or join a guided paddle along the cliffs — calm enough for first-time paddlers.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Hourly rentals
Glass-Bottom Kayak Tour
Avalon · Water & beach
Paddle a clear-bottom kayak from Descanso and watch the reef slide by under your feet — a fun half-step between snorkeling and a boat tour for older kids.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Guided tour
Wet Spot Rentals (Snorkel & Kayak)
Avalon · Water & beach
A budget-friendly rental booth near the boat landing for snorkel gear, kayaks and SUPs — just a 3-minute walk from the fish-filled Lover's Cove.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Hourly rentals
Parasailing (Island Water Charters)
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Soar hundreds of feet above the harbor on a tandem parasail — kids can usually ride with a parent, and you stay dry taking off and landing from the boat.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid per flyer
Golf Gardens Miniature Golf
Avalon · Family fun
A charming, leafy 18-hole mini-golf course a block off the beach that's been an Avalon fixture for decades — an easy, cheap win with younger kids.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Cheap (~$7)
Avalon Beach & Green Pleasure Pier
Avalon
The town's main swimming beach and the stubby green pier where you buy tour tickets and grab snacks — the easy, central spot to let kids play in the sand.
🗓️ Year-round
Golf Cart Rentals (Avalon)
Avalon · Sightseeing & views
Renting a golf cart is the classic Avalon adventure — zip up to the scenic overlooks and the Botanic Garden, and kids love the open-air ride (most seat 4).
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Hourly (deposit required)
Catalina Museum for Art & History
Avalon · History & culture
A small, modern museum on Metropole Ave with a digital theater and rotating exhibits on island history — a good air-conditioned break, and kids get in free.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid (kids 15 & under free)
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
Avalon · Animal & nature
A 38-acre garden of cactus and rare island plants leading up to a grand memorial monument — an easy uphill walk or golf-cart ride from town with big views.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid (under 5 free)
Two Harbors Village
Two Harbors
A tiny, quiet cove village on the island's far end with a calm swimming beach and a few rentals — a mellow, crowd-free alternative for families wanting nature over bustle.
🗓️ Year-round
A perfect day-trip plan
A realistic one-day Avalon itinerary built around the ferry. The golden rule: pick one big-ticket activity, not three.
- 7–8 amCatch an early ferry to maximize the day — watch for dolphins on the crossing.
- 8:30 amArrive in Avalon; grab coffee and a pastry on Crescent Avenue and stroll the waterfront.
- 9 amDo your ONE big pre-booked activity: a glass-bottom boat / semi-sub at Lover's Cove (easy, all ages), the Zip Line Eco Tour or Aerial Adventure (teens), or a Bison Expedition into the interior (wildlife).
- 11 amTour the iconic Catalina Casino — the circular Art Deco ballroom and the 1929 Avalon Theatre.
- 12:30 pmLunch on the bay — Bluewater Avalon or The Lobster Trap, or a quick Eric's buffalo burger / Antonio's pizza slice.
- 1:30 pmBeach and water time at Descanso Beach Club (swim, kayak, SUP) or snorkel the fish-packed Lover's Cove.
- 3 pmEasy add-on: Golf Gardens mini-golf, the Catalina Museum, or the trolley up to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden.
- 4:30 pmSaltwater taffy and fudge at Lloyd's of Avalon; a Buffalo Milk for the grown-ups on the waterfront.
- 5:30 pmBe at the Mole ~30 min before the last ferry home.
Catalina is absolutely doable as a long day trip — catch an early ferry, pack snorkeling and a tour or two, and head back at dusk. But the early-morning boat and late return make for a big day with little kids, and Avalon gets noticeably calmer and more magical after the day-trippers leave. If your budget allows, one overnight turns a rushed checklist into a relaxed weekend across two unhurried days. Best time: late spring (May–June) and September–October — warm water, sunny skies and thinner crowds than peak summer.
Where to stay (multi-day)
Most Avalon hotels are small, historic, family-run buildings — quaint, but often no elevators, so ask about stairs. Book early for summer and festival weekends.
⛺ Camping & glamping
The only campground inside Avalon city limits (in Avalon Canyon near the Botanic Garden), with tent and gear rentals — the most convenient for first-timers.
A quarter-mile from the village, with sites plus tent cabins sleeping up to 6, BBQs and picnic tables — the best family camping base.
Sunset-praised beachfront sites mid-island — great for beach and water play (cold-water showers).
Remote and primitive (no running water), reached only by a 7-mile hike or a boat from Two Harbors — for experienced backpackers.
Cozy camping cabins with heaters in the village (seasonal), plus private-beach glamping with full-board dining at Camp Catalina.
Tip: Catalina Express and the Catalina Island Company sell hotel + ferry packages that simplify logistics and often save money. Camping needs both a campsite reservation and a ferry/shore-boat booking.
Where to eat
Catalina's signature frothy cocktail (a creamy, banana-and-cacao White Russian), invented at Doug's Harbor Reef in Two Harbors and served all over Avalon. Adults only — many spots do a kid-friendly virgin version.
A beloved, lively local seafood spot with fresh catch — family-friendly.
A bayfront sustainable-seafood restaurant with a patio and harbor views — a good sit-down family lunch.
A ~75-year Avalon institution on the Green Pleasure Pier famous for its buffalo burger — a cheap, easy, kid-friendly bite.
A bayfront pizzeria and deli slinging slices since 1977 — classic family casual.
An old-school confectionery famous for saltwater taffy, fudge and ice cream on homemade waffle cones — a must for kids.
Festivals & annual events
Catalina packs a full calendar into its tiny harbor town. Dates shift yearly — confirm with the organizer.
Traveling with kids? Our Catalina with Kids guide has the family-specific picks. Prices, schedules and dates change — always confirm on official sites before you book.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Catalina Island?
By ferry or helicopter — there are no bridges or rental cars. Catalina Express sails to Avalon from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point (about an hour) and to Two Harbors from San Pedro; the Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach (roughly March–November). IEX Helicopters makes the hop from Long Beach or San Pedro in about 15 minutes for a splurge. Book ferries well ahead in summer.
Can you do Catalina as a day trip?
Yes — catch an early ferry, pick one marquee activity plus the Casino, add beach time, and head back at dusk. It's a big day with little kids, though, and Avalon gets calmer and more magical after the day-trippers leave, so one overnight turns a rushed checklist into a relaxed weekend. See our suggested day-trip itinerary above.
When is the best time to visit Catalina?
Late spring (late April–May) and especially fall (September–October) are the sweet spot: warm, sunny, the warmest water for snorkeling, and far fewer crowds than peak summer. Summer is busiest and priciest; winter is quiet and cheap with whale watching but reduced hours. Note 'June Gloom' grays over May–June mornings before clearing by afternoon.
What is the Catalina Wine Mixer — is it real?
Yes! Made famous as a fictional event in the movie Step Brothers, it became a real festival in 2015 and now runs each year (around late May) at Descanso Beach Club — a two-day wine-and-music party, with a Step Brothers screening at the Avalon Theatre. There is no separate 'Catalina Wine Festival' — the Wine Mixer is it.
Are there really bison on Catalina?
Yes — about 14 American bison were brought over in 1924 for a film and left behind; the herd is now managed at a sustainable size (roughly 80–150 animals) in the protected interior. You'll most reliably see them on a Bison Expedition Hummer tour or a Conservancy eco-tour, rarely near Avalon itself.