⛴️ 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.
31 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
The spots
Golf Gardens Miniature Golf
Avalon · Family fun
An 18-hole, par-51 course on Sumner Ave across from the library, run by Catalina Island Company for nearly 50 years. It takes about an hour, and Glow Golf uses light-up balls after dark.
🗓️ Daily 9am–9pm (last tee-off an hour before close); Glow Golf Wed–Thu 7–8pm, Fri–Sun 7–9pm
💵 From $15 (2026); Glow Golf at night from $20
Discover Avalon Motor Tour
Avalon · Sightseeing & views
A 7.5-mile narrated motor tour of the beachfront and hillsides with local history — the cheapest way to see town from a seat, which suits little ones and a hot afternoon.
🗓️ Check the booking calendar
💵 From $29.95 (2026)
Catalina Museum for Art & History
Avalon · History & culture
A small museum at 217 Metropole Ave with rotating exhibits on island history — an air-conditioned break, and kids are free with a paid adult ticket.
🗓️ 10am–5pm; closed Mondays Sept–May, open daily June–Labor Day; closed major holidays
💵 $14 adult; $12 seniors/students/military; kids 15 & under free with a paid adult
Golf Cart Rentals (Avalon)
Avalon · Sightseeing & views
Renting a golf cart is the classic Avalon adventure — putter up to the scenic overlooks and the Botanic Garden with kids riding open-air. Call ahead for rates and seating.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Hourly; price not published — call Catalina Island Golf Carts 310-510-2550
Catalina Island Conservancy Eco Tours
Avalon · Animal & nature
Open-air tours into the protected interior departing the Trailhead Visitor Center (708 Crescent Ave), where families may spot bison, deer and the Catalina Island fox. Minimum age 3; no infants under 2; cancellations inside 72 hours are non-refundable.
🗓️ Multiple daily departures; some sell out
💵 Wildlands Discovery Tour ~$98 (about 2 hr); Hidden Catalina Expedition ~$147 (about 3 hr), incl. tax/fees (2026)
Conservancy Trailhead Visitor Center
Avalon
At 708 Crescent Ave: pick up free hiking permits, browse exhibits and the gift shop, and climb to the third-floor observation deck and native plant garden. It's also the departure point for Eco Tours and the Wildlands Express.
🗓️ Daily 8am–5pm; hours vary seasonally
Avalon Beach & Green Pleasure Pier
Avalon
Avalon's public beaches (South, Middle and Step Beach) run free along Crescent Ave; alcohol, animals and smoking are prohibited. The pier houses ticket booths for tours, parasailing and dive rentals.
🗓️ Year-round
Glass Bottom Boat Voyage
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A 45-minute cruise from the Green Pleasure Pier into Lover's Cove Marine Preserve, where kids press their faces to the glass to watch bright-orange garibaldi in the kelp. Best for kids 3 and up; reservations recommended, required for groups.
🗓️ Daily departures, about 45 min; check the schedule
💵 From $29.95 (2026); ~$34 adult / ~$31 child 3–11 all-in via catalinatours.com
Undersea Expedition (Sea Wolf Semi-Submersible)
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A climate-controlled cabin about five feet below the surface with individual seats and portholes — good for little ones who can't snorkel yet. Boarding involves stairs and ramps, and no food is allowed.
🗓️ About 45 min; check the schedule
💵 From $49.95 (2026); ~$57 adult / ~$51 child 2–11 all-in via catalinatours.com; infants free but need a ticket
Bison Expedition (Hummer)
Avalon · Animal & nature
A 12-passenger biofuel Hummer through Middle Canyon and Cape Canyon to a Black Jack Mountain overlook in bison country. Minimum age 5; it's bumpy and dusty with no restroom, and not wheelchair accessible.
🗓️ About 2 hr; check departure times
💵 From $109.95 (2026)
Parasailing (IWC Parasail)
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Tandem parasailing from the Green Pleasure Pier (ticket office at 18 Green Pleasure Pier) with a dry launch and landing. Fliers must be 6 or older, ride-alongs 5, with combined-weight limits — confirm with the operator.
🗓️ First trips 8:30–11am depending on season
💵 600 ft $69, 800 ft $79, ride-along $25 (2026)
Speed Boat & Sea Lion Tour
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A high-speed Cyclone boat ride from the Green Pleasure Pier to Seal Rocks for seals, dolphins and seasonal whales; sightings aren't guaranteed. Minimum age 4; boarding involves steep steps and it's bumpy.
🗓️ Check the booking calendar
💵 From $49.95 (2026)
Cyclone Boat: Avalon to Two Harbors
Avalon · Sightseeing & views
A quick way to spend a day in quiet Two Harbors without a long ferry from the mainland. Outside food and drink aren't allowed on Catalina Island Company tours; confirm the last return before you go.
🗓️ Seasonal, May to early October; about 40 min
💵 From $29 each way (2026)
Wet Spot Rentals (Snorkel & Kayak)
Avalon · Water & beach
A rental booth at the Boat Landing, a three-minute walk from Lover's Cove. All rentals include life vests and instruction; online bookings have a two-hour minimum.
🗓️ Daily March–October
💵 Single kayak $20/hr, double $30/hr, paddleboard $25/hr; snorkel gear $15 for 2 hrs or $30/day
Knabe Park Playground
Avalon
A pirate-ship-themed playground near the Cabrillo Mole, handy after the ferry ride.
🗓️ Daily; hours not published
Catalina Casino (Building & Tour)
Avalon · History & culture
The round 1929 Art Deco landmark is a theater and ballroom — not gambling. General admission includes the Avalon Theatre, Marine Bar, Wrigley Ballroom and Ocean Promenade; the one-hour VIP tour involves 90+ steps. Wear comfortable shoes.
🗓️ Hours not published; check the booking calendar
💵 General admission from $19.50; VIP Backstage Tour ~$42 adult / ~$40 child 2–11 (2026)
Skate the Wrigley Ballroom (Casino)
Avalon · Family fun
Roller skate on the Casino's circular ballroom floor for one session of about an hour. Socks are required and not included, so pack a pair; age limits aren't published.
🗓️ Scheduled sessions; check the Casino booking calendar
💵 From $28.50 incl. Casino admission and a one-hour skate (2026)
Avalon Theatre (Casino)
Avalon · History & culture
A 1929 movie house with 1,184 seats, a 50-foot domed ceiling and Art Deco murals, one of the first theaters built for talkies. Films run from current to classic — check the rating before you go.
🗓️ Movies Fri & Sat evenings per Catalina Island Co. (check the theatre's site)
💵 Ticket price not published
Casino Point Dive Park
Avalon
A marine protected area off the Casino with marine-rich water right in town, better for confident swimmers. Rentals are available at Catalina Divers Supply.
🗓️ Year-round
Lover's Cove Marine Preserve
Avalon
A protected marine area and the island's best easy snorkeling. The entry is rocky, so bring water shoes; the Wet Spot rental booth is a three-minute walk away.
🗓️ Year-round
Descanso Beach Ocean Sports (Kayak & SUP)
Avalon · Water & beach
At 5 Saint Catherine Way, the entrance to Descanso Beach Club: rent kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear, or join a guided paddle listed separately.
🗓️ Seasonal, opens about 9am, weather permitting
💵 Kayak from $40/hr single, $60/hr double; SUP from $40/hr; mask/snorkel/fins $30/day (2026)
Guided Kayak Tours (Frog Rock & Willow Cove)
Avalon · Water & beach
Guided paddles from Descanso Beach Ocean Sports. Willow Cove is a half-day trip of about 2.5 miles each way with snorkel gear and lunch included — a long day for young kids; ask about age minimums when booking.
🗓️ Seasonal, weather permitting
💵 Journey to Frog Rock from $79.95; Willow Cove Expedition from $159.95 (2026)
Catalina Zipline Eco Tour
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Five zip lines at 35–40 mph over Descanso Canyon. Minimum age 10, weight 80–240 lb and height at least 55 in, weighed clothed at check-in; closed-toe shoes required. There is no refund if a child misses the limits.
🗓️ About 2 hr 15 min; check the calendar
💵 From $149.95 incl. tax/fees (2026)
Catalina Aerial Adventure
Avalon · Adventure & tours
Five self-paced ropes courses (two beginner, two intermediate, one advanced) at 1 Saint Catherine Way. Minimum age 7, height at least 55 in and weight 50–270 lb, so it is not for younger siblings. Closed-toe shoes required.
🗓️ 90-minute timed entry
💵 $69.95 incl. tax/fees (2026)
Catalina Falconry Experience
Avalon · Animal & nature
Kids learn basic falconry, wear a glove, cast a trained raptor and call it back. Minimum age 7; meets in Descanso Canyon at 1 Saint Catherine Way.
🗓️ Seasonal, April to late October
💵 From $94 (2026)
Descanso Beach Club
Avalon · Water & beach
A private beach facility just past the Casino with a full-service bar and restaurant, cabana rentals and calm water. Outside food and drink are prohibited.
🗓️ Restaurant daily 11am–5pm; cabanas Mon–Fri 11–4, Sat–Sun 11–5 (Sept 2026)
💵 Reported small beach-access fee (~$2/day per Love Catalina); cabanas and lounges extra
Catalina's Adventure HQ
Avalon · Adventure & tours
A locally owned hub at 1202 Avalon Canyon Rd (the old Nature Center building) with guided backcountry tours including a family-friendly Picnic Tour, snorkel rental and shuttle service. The former Nature Center no longer operates here.
🗓️ Opened spring 2026; hours not published
💵 See site (prices not verified)
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
Avalon · Animal & nature
A garden of cactus and rare island plants leading up to a grand memorial monument, 1.7 miles up Avalon Canyon Rd from the ferry terminal. It's uphill: walk, bike, taxi or golf cart, or take the free round-trip shuttle from the Trailhead Visitor Center with a ticket.
🗓️ Daily 8am–5pm
💵 $13.58 adult; $8.15 child 5–12; under 5 free (2026 — re-confirm)
Airport in the Sky
Avalon
A mountaintop airfield about 10 miles from Avalon with a restaurant known for buffalo burgers and cookies. Reach it on the Conservancy's Wildlands Express (advance reservations required), or by bike or hike. Plan a full half day.
🗓️ Airfield 8am–5pm; restaurant 8–5 in winter, 8–7 in summer
Two Harbors Village
Two Harbors
A tiny, quiet cove village on the island's far end — a mellow, crowd-free alternative for families wanting nature over bustle. Harbor Sands beach club offers palapa and lounge rentals; the Cyclone from Avalon runs May to early October.
🗓️ Visitor Services at the foot of Isthmus Pier open 8am–5pm daily
Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center
Two Harbors · Water & beach
Rents kayaks, SUPs, snorkel gear and mountain bikes (with helmet, map and permit) and hands out disc-golf discs; visibility is often 40–100 feet. Cashless.
🗓️ Wed–Sun 8am–4:30pm as of Sept 2026 (check seasonal hours)
💵 Snorkel package $40/24 hr; single kayak/SUP $27/hr; double kayak $39/hr; plus tax and eco fee (2026)
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 cancellationCatalina Summit and Bison Safari
Free cancellationYellow Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon
Catalina Island Bison Expedition
Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour
Free cancellationCatalina Island City and Scenic Mount Ada Tour
Free cancellationParasailing in Catalina Island: Soar Above The Stunning Coastline
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?
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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.