4 Things You Need to Know for the Ultimate Catalina Island Adventure!
I’m so happy to say I had my first post-quarantine vacation and it was amazing! I haven’t been anywhere since January, and all the trips I had planned for Spring/Summer (including my wedding) were cancelled due to covid. Since covid related restrictions on travel have been slowly easing up, I started thinking about local vacation ideas that I could take that would be safe and fun! I didn’t want to get caught up in any travel bans or restrictions on domestic or international flights. I’m still avoiding flights and long-haul travel, but I had the chance to visit California’s Catalina Island for a few days. If you haven’t heard of Catalina Island, add it to your travel bucket list immediately!
Catalina Island is off the Southern Coast of California, easily accessible by ferry from Long Beach. I partnered with The Catalina Island Company to get a taste of the best the island has to offer. Keep reading for my tips on everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Catalina Island!
Where is Catalina Island
Catalina Island or Santa Catalina Island is part of the Channel Islands of California archipelago, but is considered a part of LA County. It’s a small island, with only about 4,000 residents. Most of the action is in Avalon a sparkling town on the waterfront with gorgeous Italian Riviera vibes. You can get there in about an hour by ferry from Long Beach, and there is also ferry service from several other ports near Los Angeles. The ferry is running on a reduced schedule due to covid, so make sure you book reservations and show up early to ensure a good seat. You don’t want to miss the views when the boat pulls into the gorgeous harbor in Avalon!
What to do on Catalina Island
Catalina Island has something to offer for everyone, no matter your travel style. Whether you’re a beach babe who wants to lay out in the sun all day or a thrill seeker looking for an adventure, Catalina Island has something for you! We found a balance between both adventure and relaxation on our 2 night stay.
The first thing we did was rent golf carts to explore the island. Avalon is completely walkable, but you need a set of wheels to take in the scenery and explore up in the hills. Cars are allowed on the island but have restrictions and are limited so a gold cart is your best bet. The average cost to rent a golf cart that seats 4 people is $50 an hour and 2 hours is more than enough time to have a leisurely drive around the island, stopping for pics at the viewpoints.
On the next day we hopped on a Dolphin/Sea Lion Tour with Catalina Coastal Adventure. The company takes you on a scenic sail around the bay where you’ll have the chance to spot sea lions and dolphins. The views are incredible, and we saw tons of sea lions, seals, and a whole pod of dolphins! You don’t always see dolphins since they move around so much, but we got lucky and stumbled upon a whole group of them.
If you want a real adventure, check out Catalina Island’s Zip Line Eco Tour. You’ll zip line across 5 lines, going as fast as 35mph at 600 feet elevation! It was terrifying at first, but so much fun! The zip lining tour ends at Descansco Beach, so you can pop into the stylish Descansco Beach Club for beachfront cocktails.
Fair warning, packing in all these activities can cost a pretty penny! Catalina Island is a close trip to LA, but it’s definitely not a cheap one. Look for discounts and promos on Visit Catalina Island and on Instagram. We tried to go parasailing after finding a 50% code on Instagram, but the tour got cancelled due to the weather.
Where to Eat on Catalina Island
The food on Catalina Island did not disappoint. Descansco Beach had a great menu that was perfect for a day at the beach, and the island had plenty of fresh seafood, high quality steaks, and great casual dining. We planned to go to Avalon Grille since it’s also one of the most popular restaurants on Catalina Island, but it was still closed due to coronavirus. Don’t miss the fresh catch at Bluewater Grill or the classic 50’s diner breakfast at Jack’s. And Steve’s Steakhouse is a classic restaurant with great views.
Best Times to go to Catalina Island
While Catalina Island is gorgeous year round, summer is definitely the best time to visit. I would suggest late summer, like July/August for the best weather all day. LA is known for the May Grey and June Gloom, and the sun didn’t come out until after 12 or 1 every day on Catalina Island. If you want longer days with brighter sun, definitely go in between late June-early September. That will help make sure you can have the most fun in the sun, especially for water based activities.
Hope these tips help! If you are planning a trip to Catalina Island let me know in the comments if you have any questions! Be sure to check on any changes to travel restrictions, coronavirus related executive orders, or guidance from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention before booking travel.
And special thanks to The Catalina Island Company for sponsoring my trip!
