Catalina Island

Want to experience the “island life” without paying for the big ticket prices of flying to well-known destinations or highly trafficked areas? Then Catalina Island is your place. Leave all the hustle and bustle to the city and absorb the peaceful and serene vibes from the island.

Catalina Island, also known as Santa Catalina is located southwest of Los Angeles, California. To get there, there are ferries you can take from San Pedro, Dana Point Long Beach, or Newport Beach. Ferries are the cheaper way to get to the island. However, for a more adventurous arrival, you can request a private plane, or helicopter. There are also private sail boats that will take you there.

Catalina Island is 22 miles long and has only two towns; Two Harbors and Avalon. We stayed in Avalon as this was the location that our hotel was in on package deal that we got. The city of Avalon has many eateries serving fresh seafood and other delicious dishes. Keep in mind, during the off-season, many restaurants close early due to the inactivity. It was nice to have quiet time by nine or ten at night. However, if you visit during the off-season, plan to have dinner by 5pm so you’re not running around trying to find something to eat. In Avalon, you can also find the Casino, where you’ll find a museum, a ballroom, and a movie theater.

Catalina has beautiful, relaxing beaches with clear waters. The weather is warm with a subtropical climate. We visited during the fall so the nights were a bit cold but warm during the day. The town is very mellow and kicked back. Residents of the island are friendly and welcoming. There are no traffic lights anywhere on the island, making it a perfect place to roam all around without a worry. In fact, we saw only a few cars when we visited. Most people either walk, bike, or use golf carts to get around.

Catalina has so many fun things to do and adventures to seek if you chose to. It is great for couples, friends, and family. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the slow pace of life. We highly recommend you to visit. We cannot wait to return to Catalina!

Best Time to Visit:

We visited during the end of November, but weather is usually beautiful year long in SoCal

Places Visited/Attractions: