The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Weekend on Catalina Island
Catalina Island is one of those destinations I seem to forget about. Not only is it totally underrated, but it’s located in sunny Southern California. Whether you’re planning a trip to California, or live in Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego and looking for a quick and easy getaway, Catalina is one of my top picks for a relaxing weekend!
The island is packed full of history; it was where Hollywood’s hottest stars would getaway in the 1920s. Not only was it the perfect destination to relax and let loose, the island had a very strict “what happens on Catalina, stays on Catalina” policy. Fun fact: both Marilyn Monroe and Ronald Reagan once lived on Catalina!
If you’re planning a trip to Catalina, you can stay in either Avalon or Two Harbors. Two Harbors is the smaller of the two, with only one restaurant and store. While Avalon is about one square mile, filled with tons of shops, restaurants, hotels & things to do. While I recommend staying for a few days, you can also plan a quick day trip to check out the main strip!
The Ultimate Guide to Catalina Island
A Little Background on Catalina Island
Catalina was originally inhabited by Native Americans. In the mid 1500s, Spain claimed the island. In the late 1800s, the island was passed over to the US. Then in the early 1900s, William Wrigley (you know, the gum)bough Catalina Island. He then built the town of Avalon, including the famous Casino Ballroom. The early 1900s was considered Catalina’s golden age. Movie stars and celebrities flocked to the island to relax and get out of the public eye.
Celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Winston Churchill all visited the island frequently. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, residents and travelers were afraid of being attacked, so the island became a military base and training camp. The island later reopened and became a resort town and celebrity magnet.
One thing I noticed while visiting Catalina is that it doesn’t seem to have changed a lot over the years. I think that’s what makes the island so endearing and charming. It’s ind of like going back in time. You can visit the spot where Marilyn Monroe used to work, hang out at the bars that celebrities of the 20s and 30s drank at and even stay at some of the island’s original hotels!
How to Get to Catalina Island
Getting to Catalina Island is really simple and relatively quick, particularly for how secluded it feels once you’re on the island.. Itβs takes about one hour via the Catalina Express, a high speed ferry that has service from Long Beach, San Pedro & Dana Point. Since we were coming from San Diego, we drove up to Dana Point and took the ferry to the island directly.
Fun fact: Catalina Island and the Catalina Express are dog friendly! That’s right, Doug got to come on the adventure too! If you’re planning on bringing a dog, just know that they either need to be in a carrier or have a muzzle. It was such a quick and easy ferry ride over. We got to watch tons of dolphins and had a couple of drinks while we waited!
Where to Stay on Catalina Island
If you’re brining your pup, I recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island. It’s one of two dog friendly resorts on the island (the Hermosa Hotel is another option), but I highly recommend it even if you’re flying solo.
The hotel is tucked back in the picturesque hills of Avalon. The resort offers a free shuttle service too. When you get off of the ferry, the shuttle is waiting and can take you up the hill to the hotel. The shuttle also runs throughout the island all day and into the evening, so if you don’t feel like walking from the hotel to shops and restaurants, you can easily hitch a free ride.
The resort was recently renovated, so it has comfortable beds, microwaves, refrigerators and free wi-fi! YES! Free internet! I will say that cell service is a bit tricky on the island, so having free internet access was really helpful. The hotel has an on-site restaurant called Seaport Bistro, as well as The Spa at Catalina where you can schedule a massage or range of spa services.Β You can also take a break from sightseeing and hang out by their relaxing pool, surrounded by palm trees and very relaxing!
Where to Eat on Catalina Island
First things first, you have to schedule a Food Tour with Catalina Food Tours. Not only is it “something to do”, you’ll also get to try a ton of great food! It was so much fun walking around Avalon, learning about the history of the island while dining like a local! It’s an all inclusive experience, so you get tons of bites and drinks. On our trip, we got to try six different restaurants while our tour guide told us stories about Catalina.
The restaurants we visited on our food tour:
Steve’s Steakhouse & Seafood
Owner operated surf & turf with an amazing view of Avalon Bay! I highly recommend their steak!
Lloyd’s of Avalon
Confectionery creating fudge, salt water taffy, & other locally made sweets. Fun fact, this is where Marilyn Monroe worked making taffy! They also have amazing ice cream and candy apples.
Coyote Joe’s
Traditional authentic Mexican food offered in a festive, casual atmosphere. If you follow me on Instagram, this is where we tried the mashed potato taco!
Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co.
Gourmet Coffee, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Hot Breakfast, Pastries, Brownies & Frozen Yogurt. We stopped in here every morning for breakfast! They have the best breakfast sandwiches.
Bluewater Avalon
Globally sourcing the best fresh seafood – serving high end cocktails, appetizers & entrees. We actually ended up eating here two more times! It was so good, we decided to go back for dinner & lunch! If you follow me on Instagram, you can check out my story highlights for tons of photos!
Maggie’s Blue Rose
SoCal – South of the Border fusion with fun decor and menu items. I highly recommend stopping in for one of their coconut margaritas!
We also stopped at the Descanso Beach Club. We sipped on tropical drinks and ate nachos while looking out at the ocean. I love the tropical vibe here. They have an open-air restaurant that serves lunch,Β two beachside bars,Β fire rings on the beach, and amazing views. They also haveΒ Cabana & Chaise rentalsΒ if you’re in the mood to lounge by the beach.Β No need to make a reservation, seating is first come, first serve!
Things to Do on Catalina Island
One of my favorite parts of our trip was getting to do the Catalina Aerial Adventure! The Aerial Park is one of Catalina’s newest activities. Basically, there are five self guided & self paced courses – all made up ofΒ rope ladders, log bridges, balance beams, zip lines and other challenging elementsβthat are arranged in beginner (2), intermediate (2) and advanced (1) configurations, offering aerial excitement for people of all “skill” levels. We had SO much fun.Β If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can also sign up for their Zip Line Tour!
After we finished the obstacle courses, we rented a golf cart to explore the entire island.
The carts are super easy to use and you can ride around Avalon on your own schedule. It’s a great way to check out the town, stop in and check out some shops & take in some amazing views. Since cars are restricted on the island, it’s the preferred method of transportation for residents and visitors!
Other fun things to do on the island:
- Snorkel or Scuba Dive
- Coastal & Fishing Tours by Boat
- Catalina Island Golf Course
- Parasail
- Catalina Island Conservancy
- Catalina Island Museum
- Boat Rental
- Golf Gardens Mini Golf
- Bike Rentals
- Jet Ski Rentals
- Kayak Rentals
- Helicopter Tours
- Catalina Sea Spa
- Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals
- Catalina Island Ghost Tours
- Jeep Tours
There are daily ferry routes, but if youβre looking to go all out you can also take a quick 15 minute helicopter ride! After you get back from Catalina Island enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants and enjoy the fun activities along the boardwalk before ending your getaway!
If you live in Southern California or are planning a trip here soon, I definitely recommend planning a getaway to Catalina Island. Thereβs so much to do and enjoy on the island!
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