Catalina Island is an enchanting place everyone should visit and stay for at least an extended weekend. Just and hour away this picturesque place offers plenty of activities for all ages.
So many choices of outdoor activities for everyone. You can relax and sun bathe at the beach, go paddle boarding or even enjoy a relaxing undersea sub expedition.
If you look for a challenging thrilling outdoor adventure, look no farther than Catalina aerial adventure and ziplining. There is also rock climbing and parasailing.
Read this post and learn about Catalina’s marvelous hotels, charming downtown, and all the fun activities plus all the beautiful views.
Also, did you know that Catalina Island has year-round boat transportation with up to 30 departures daily? Boats depart from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point.
1 – Where to Stay
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One of the best parts of staying in downtown Catalina Island is that you can walk to all the water activities, bars and restaurants, and shops from any hotel in downtown. Enjoy different hotel styles including vintage, boutique, modern and even mansions.
Avalon Hotel is one of our favorites and affordable and here you can choose rooms with nice balconies and views. Just picture yourself in a robe while taking sweeping vistas of Avalon and the Harbor. Other options include Hotel Mac Rae which is right at the beach and was built in 1920s. There is also Atwater Hotel, some of the suits at this newly renovated hotel have mountain views.
Mt Ada is by far the most expensive choice but for a good reason. This gorgeous mansion is the former home of William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada, who once owned 99 percent of Santa Catalina Island. Today it is the most exclusive hotel in the island and it offers the best views of Avalon and the mountains.
There are many other accommodations for all budgets. And there is also a very fun and beautiful camp ground which makes it a fun choice for all adventurers out there.
Location: Downtown Catalina Island
Pic Credit: @ selectregistry
2 – Where to Eat
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When it comes to eats you can find everything you need just steps from your hotel, from upscale restaurants, to snack shops, great cafes and even a well equipped grocery store.
Avalon Grille is an excellent choice for dinner. This upscale restaurant is right Downtown just steps away from Avalon Bay. They sell premium meats, local fish, beautifully presented salads and great cocktails. They also serve great wines and beer.
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast stop by the quirky Original Jack’s Country Kitchen which serves delicious country breakfast and mimosas.
Catalina features plenty of small cafes, ice cream shops, fish and chips, and there is also a full Vons grocery store just a few blocks from the beach.
Some great snack and coffee shops are Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co, for fish and chips and beer head to Avalon Seafood and Fish Market right on the famous green pier.
Enjoy beer, wine and cocktails pretty much at every restaurant and Descanso Beach Club serves a variety of cocktails. The nice thing about drinks on Catalina Island is you typically wont have to drive anywhere as your hotel room should be close enough to walk to even when tipsy.
Location: 423 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
PIC Credit: @ visitcatalinaisland
3 – Explore Downtown
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Downtown is the center and has a lot of fun things to do for everyone. Stroll along the beautiful beach and take in all the amazing harbor views or grab a bite or a drink at one of the many restaurants. Cross the street if you wish and visit the cute shops and boutiques with amazing scented candles, while boutique shops carry casual clothing and swim wear.
You can find at Green Pleasure Pier plenty of fun water center activities such as Undersea Sub Expedition which is great for the youngest visitors as they can see underwater kelp, and a variety of fun fish.
Also, take a tour along the coast in the evening and watch flying fish, and sea lions, boats depart from Green Pleasure Pier. Parasailing, kayaking and just about every water sport you can imagine are also available.
Location: Green Pleasure Pier, Catalina Island
PIC Credit: @ lifehacksla
4 – Botanic Garden
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This magical place does not get mentioned much but is a must visit in our book. It has a beautiful display of plants, cacti and trees native to the island. And there are lots of birds who love to sing while you are visiting. If you are lucky enough perhaps you will see an island fox. These are some of the cutest animals but they are not a fan of people and try to stay hidden.
On the stroll through the desert like landscape botanical garden there are plenty of great spots and cute wooden bridges to take pictures. Walk up to the top and overlooking the garden explore the breathtaking Wrigley Memorial which is an important part of the history of the island.
Here you will have some of the most magnificent views and architecture that will make these pictures likely the most memorable in your entire trip.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. On the right side of the memorial there is a gate which is actually the entrance to Garden to Sky Trail, a beautiful hike that will leave you feeling happy and energized.
Don’t forget to pick up your hiking permit first, these are free. Entrance to the garden is $8.
Location: Wrigley Botanic garden, catalina island
PIC Credit: @lifehacksla
5 – Aerial Adventure and Zip Lining
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This is a super adventure for all the active and more adventurous people visiting the island looking for a fun outdoor activity. It is a unique and challenging outdoor experience, you will swing and crawl through fun obstacles that are suspended in towering eucalyptus trees.
The Ariel Adventure and Zip lining offers self guided courses that are made of ropes, balance beams, log bridges and zip lines. Although you will feel you are deep in the woods, this fantastic unique activity is only a short stroll away from Descanso Beach Club.
Ready for adrenaline fueled fun? Then your next stop is Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour. Take the shuttle to the ridge top 600 feet above Descanso Beach Club and zigzag down across the canyon at almost 35 mph.
This is a real treat for everyone who loves ziplining!
Location: 1 St Catherine Way, Avalon, CA 90704
PIC Credit: @gabrielcroom
you can find out more about Catalina island at: https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!