There are so many fun things to do in Catalina! We've been to Catalina Island via the Catalina Express many times and even went for the day during a cruise. We've explored Catalina for couples and brought the kids for an adventure. However you choose to explore the island, you'll want to plan a few things to do while you're there. Check out our favorite options below!
Why Visit Catalina?
Catalina Island is located off the coast of California, west of Huntington and Long Beach. Taking a boat ride from Long Beach takes about 1 hour. Catalina is a fun small island to explore, for a quick trip to get out of the city and enjoy a little island time nearby.
What to do in Catalina
Firstly, Catalina has amazing views in the Avalon Bay. I could sit for hours just enjoying the views of all the boats, the ocean and the colorful homes. Make sure to set aside time to just sit on the beach to enjoy some time by the water. We like Descanso Beach which is about a mile walk from the dock. I also like to plan a few activities while I'm there. Depending on the length of your stay, you can arrange your days with various things to do.
Our top options include visiting the Catalina Island Museum, spending time at Descanso Beach, shopping, playing at the arcade or mini golf and doing a boat or land tour.
The Catalina Island Museum
We learned a lot about Catalina when we did a tour at The Catalina Island Museum. I highly recommend you check out the museum when you first arrive in Catalina. They have a really good video that explains all about the history of the Island. Did you know that William Wrigley Jr., (founder of the chewing gum) invested millions into the island after a large fire in 1919?
"Catalina is the playground for all, rich or poor, youth or aged. All classes mix with democratic spirit". - Wrigley.
He felt he was doing something definite and useful for humanity in developing the island as a place for all. He brought the Chicago Cubs to the island each year for their spring training and to get travelers to come. I found the story fascinating and really enjoyed learning about it at the museum. The museum also had Art Nouveau and graphic prints on display while we were visiting. These are some of the images that inspired me while I was in college for graphic design!
Play in Catalina
Most places can be walked in the main area of Catalina. If you want to go a little further or take a self guided tour, you can rent a golf cart. Golf carts are the primary method of travel on the island. Driving around a golf cart to tour the island is super fun! There are a lot of tours and excursion type activities available. Choose options like zip lining, a ropes course, mini golf, kayak rentals, undersea sub adventure, glass bottom boat tours and more.
Where to Eat and Drink
We've had some really good food in Catalina. First, you have to try the "Buffalo Milk" at Descanso Beach. It is made with Creme de Cacao, Kahlua, Creme de Banana and Vodka. It's creamy, delicious and a perfect daytime cocktail to sip by the beach. Three Palms Avalon Arcade is an awesome spot for families. They have an arcade with bowling, a restaurant and a bar with tasty cocktails. Try the pink mermaid!
Some of our favorite meals have been from Maggie's Blue Rose Cafe. All of their food is made fresh in house or sourced locally and flown in on ice. Our favorite dishes are the lobster enchiladas, the crab + corn empanadas and the Mexican style shrimp cocktail.
We also really enjoyed The Lobster Trap, Jack's Country Kitchen, Scoops and a nice place for dinner with a view is at Bluewater Grill Avalon. They have excellent customer service and really tasty dishes. Lloyd's of Avalon is a great stop for a scoop of ice cream or fresh made salt water taffy.
Travel by Boat
We typically travel by boat on the Catalina Express from Dana Point or Long Beach to get to and from Catalina. We've also sailed on a Carnival Cruise ship which had a port stop on the island. It's a great destination to enjoy for the day or stay longer for some added relaxation.
Have you been? Tell us your favorite things to do in the comments below. xo, Bri
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