⛴️ Plan a Trip
Catalina Island with kids
Curated by Simir Shah
⛴️ How to get there
Catalina sits just 22 miles off the coast, but stepping off the ferry feels like landing in a tiny Mediterranean village — no traffic, no chain stores, just a half-moon harbor and the round white Casino. There are no bridges and no rental cars; you arrive by boat or air. The Catalina Express runs the most departures, sailing from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point in about an hour; the Catalina Flyer crosses from Newport Beach in just over an hour (weather permitting). Both are real ocean crossings, so pack remedies if anyone gets seasick. A helicopter makes the hop in ~15 minutes for a splurge. Book ferry tickets ahead in summer — round-trip fares add up fast for a family.
20 spots within 60 miles of 92692
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)
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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)
Get directions →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
Get directions →Getting around (no cars!)
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.
Day trip or overnight?
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.
Is Catalina good for kids?
Yes — genuinely one of the best easy adventures in Southern California for families. The novelty alone (a boat ride to a car-free island!) sells it, and the activities skew perfectly kid-friendly: garibaldi-spotting on the glass-bottom boat, a semi-submersible for non-swimmers, gentle snorkeling at Lover's Cove, mini-golf, golf-cart joyrides, and a real shot at seeing wild bison and the island fox on an interior tour. The honest caveats are cost and logistics — the ferry, tours and rentals each carry a price tag, so pick two or three anchor activities rather than trying to do everything. Plan a relaxed pace and Catalina rewards families with a day (or two) your kids will talk about long after the ferry home.
Book Catalina tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Ferry packages, glass-bottom boat rides, zip lines, and island tours on Catalina — booked through Viator.
Free cancellationYellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon
Free cancellationCatalina Island 2-Hour Inside Adventure Tour
Free cancellationParasailing in Catalina Island: Soar Above The Stunning Coastline
Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour
Free cancellationCatalina Island City and Scenic Mount Ada Tour
Free cancellationCatalina Island Parasailing Adventure
Where to stay in Catalina Island
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Catalina Island on one map — then book on your favorite site.
More experiences via GetYourGuide · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)
Frequently asked questions
How do families get to Catalina Island with kids?
Most families take the ferry, with the Catalina Express running from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point to Avalon. The trip from Long Beach or San Pedro runs about an hour, and from Dana Point closer to an hour and a half. Kids' fares are discounted and children under two typically ride free, but book ahead for busy summer weekends and pack layers, since it can be breezy on the water.
Can you do Catalina as a day trip with kids?
Yes, a day trip to Avalon is very doable and popular. Take an early ferry to maximize your time, and you can easily fill a day with the beach, a glass-bottom boat or semi-submarine tour, mini-golf, and strolling the walkable town. Just keep an eye on the last ferry departure time so you don't cut it close. An overnight lets you slow down, but many families are happy with a full day.
What should families budget for a Catalina trip?
Plan for round-trip ferry fares for each family member (kids are discounted) as your main fixed cost, plus any tours, activities, and meals once you're on the island. Because Avalon is a small island town, food and activities can run a bit higher than on the mainland, so it helps to decide on one or two paid activities in advance. Bringing snacks and water can keep costs down during the day.
Planning an island day trip?
Get day trips, seasonal guides and the best family things to do in your inbox — plus you're entered into this week's $50 giveaway. Unsubscribe anytime.
More escapes: day trips by drive time, best family beaches and the best time to visit SoCal. Attraction list verified 2026 — tour schedules and prices are seasonal, so confirm and book the ferry ahead in summer.