Love Vacationing in Italy? Try This Similar Spot in Southern California

Oh, Capri. That magical Italian island of sun-kissed cliffs, sparkling waters, fragrant lemon groves, swoon-worthy cuisine, and celebrity-studded beach clubs. But its greatest magic trick? Making your money go 'poof.'

Because before you’ve dipped one toe in that crystalline sea, you’ve already spent months braving the jungle of tickets, reservations, and ever-increasing airfare — frantically trying to outsmart the algorithms and lock in the “least outrageous” price before it inevitably rockets again.

What if I told you there’s a way to save your money and your sanity — and still get your fill of coastal glamour? Because there’s a sun-soaked island just off the Southern California coast that exudes all of Capri's effortless luxury and Aperol-spritz vibes minus the jet lag.

Say hello to your Mediterranean dupe: Catalina Island. Aesthetically, Avalon — the postcard-perfect heart of Catalina — is a sunlit fresco of charming cottages, vibrant bougainvillea, turquoise waters, and gently bobbing boats.

Afternoons here are best spent strolling the waterfront promenade, where the sights, sounds, and smells of California's breathtaking coast blur seamlessly into the bustle of lively local boutiques and eateries. Visiting on a Friday or Saturday? Cap off the day with a movie at the iconic Catalina Casino, whose stunning Art Deco architecture evokes the same old-world elegance as Capri's glamorous Piazzetta.

Everyone has their own vacation style. Me? I lace up my boots and walk from morning till night, chasing the serendipity of unplanned moments, getting completely lost, stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall café, and allowing the day to unfold on its own terms. There's no denying the allure of Capri's narrow streets, whose twists, turns, and quirks are steeped in the city's deep history. That said, Avalon contains its own share of gems, hidden just off the beaten path.

And let’s be honest, navigating them is a lot easier when you’re not relying on your shaky Duolingo Italian. Between recovering from your flight and the time it takes to work up your courage, many travelers need a moment to settle into speaking a different language abroad. If your vacation window is short — as it so often is — this acclimation period may be more stressful than exciting, preventing you from diving into a new culture with ease.

There’s beauty in both international and local travel, but exploring closer to home allows for a vacation that's more closely tailored to your interests. While it’s true that planning an overseas adventure has never been easier, practical hiccups still arise: time-zone mix-ups, forgotten bank notifications, or the sudden realization that you’ve packed three adapters and none of them fit.

What’s more, many international destinations rely on well-oiled tourism industries designed to deliver a fantastic, but fairly standardized, experience. Catalina, of course, is no stranger to visitors, yet I’d argue it’s easier to breach the tourist bubble on domestic soil. With fewer cultural or linguistic barriers, you're more likely to connect with locals, happen upon authentic spots, and shape a getaway that feels uniquely your own and all in a shorter time frame.

Is Catalina exactly Capri? Of course not. There's no Blue Grotto, and you won't spot George Clooney peeling an orange at the next table. But if you're craving Italian charm on a California budget — and timeline — Catalina Island delivers. It's the vacation dupe you didn't know you needed. You just need your appetite for sunshine! And if you're looking for more things to do on the island or other beachy getaways to find inspiration from, our itinerary planner can help you do exactly that!