Just off the coast of Southern California lies Catalina Island, with its main town of Avalon. Having lived in California my entire life, I grew up hearing about this tiny island that has inspired songs, television shows, and films since the early 1900s. In 1920, Al Jolson sang, "I found my love in Avalon beside the bay." In the 1950s, The Four Preps sang about the island "26 miles across the sea... Santa Catalina, the island of romance." And scores of movies have been filmed on the island.

I have always been intrigued by this place I had never been to, despite it being so close to home, so I recently took a friend and headed to Avalon for a couple of days of relaxation and exploration. What I discovered is that you do not have to go far to experience the perfect island getaway.

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What makes Catalina special?

Catalina is an island oasis with a small population of around 4,000, just about an hour from Los Angeles, and it truly feels a world away. Even before you set foot on this picture-perfect island, you’ll see much of what makes this picturesque place so special - hillside homes reminiscent of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the adorable town of Avalon that hugs the shore, the boats that dot the turquoise water in the bay, and the iconic Casino building on the other end of town. Once you reach the island, you’ll discover that there are tons of things to do on Catalina throughout the year including water adventures, beaches, off-roading and wildlife adventures, camping, historic tours, and more - not to mention shopping and dining. Oh, and it is home to a herd of wild bison!

How To Get To Catalina

Being an island, it is reachable over the water. Our trip began in downtown Long Beach, California, where we boarded the Catalina Express ferry. This is just one of four ferry terminals from which you can make the hour-long trip to the town of Avalon. This company also makes runs from San Pedro and Dana Point. Boats run nearly every hour on most days; we caught the 9:50 a.m. boat and watched the Long Beach skyline fade into the distance. The boat is the main, but not the only, way to visit Catalina. If you are up for a truly adventurous day, you can actually take an exciting jet ski trip from Long Beach!

Where To Stay In Catalina

Pavilion Hotel

There are several highly-rated hotels in Avalon. During our visit, we stayed in the beautiful Pavilion Hotel, which I highly recommend. The rooms are clean, stylish, and very comfortable. The lush tropical gardens throughout the property contributed to the island vacation vibe. Pavilion Hotel sits in the center of the main strip facing the beach, making it the perfect home base for a couple of days.

We were also delighted to find that the hotel offers a number of perks, such as a $20 food and beverage credit, discounts on tours and activities, a communal fire pit, and a free wine and cheese reception each evening which we came back and enjoyed after an afternoon of shopping.

Vacation Rentals

There are numerous Airbnbs in Avalon and Hamilton Cove, ranging from cozy little cottages to modern condos to spectacular homes. For the ultimate in luxury, this magnificent three-story home in Avalon offers the most incredible views of the ocean and the entire town from giant picture windows and a glass-walled deck. It is also a little piece of Catalina history, built in the 1920s but fully renovated for perfect comfort. Like many rentals on the island, it comes with a golf cart to explore on your own time.

On the rugged cliff known as Hamilton Cove, there are many condos and apartments for rent, like this sweet Catalina Cottage studio. Perfect for a romantic getaway, it features an open floor plan, lots of space for two, ocean views, and true island vibes.

Camping

You can also camp on Catalina for a true outdoor getaway. Most of the campgrounds require a boat ride or a long hike but offer a truly unique experience. For more of a “nature meets comfort” glamping experience, book a stay at Camp Catalina White’s Landing, where you will enjoy direct access to an unspoiled beach, stunning views, and thoughtfully outfitted tents and tiny cabins. To reach the campground, you can take a water cab or rent jet skis through Captain Scott. His information is on the campground website. You can also enjoy several more rustic backcountry camping spots, such as the gorgeous Little Harbor Campground, the only one on the remote “backside” of the island and rated “One of the Best Campgrounds in the West” by Sunset Magazine. You’ll take transportation from Avalon to Two Harbors, then access the campsite via a 5-hour hike or a 7-mile bike ride on an unpaved road. Gear hauls can be arranged in Two Harbors and will be dropped off at your site.

Things To Do In Catalina

One of the most fun things we did was to explore the town on foot. The thing about landing on a small island with a tiny walkable town is that you quickly slow down and relax. There are things to do on Catalina, sure, but there is no sense of urgency. We didn't plan too much ahead so we could be spontaneous, and we loved everything we discovered.

It feels like everything on this small island is just that, small. There are some cars on Catalina, but what you see most are golf carts. Even the mail carrier we saw was in a golf cart.

We asked the incredibly friendly staff at Pavilion for some dining recommendations and headed a couple of blocks down to the Metropole Cafe for an al fresco lunch. I would definitely order the Caprese “Pressed Sando” with sweet potato fries again!

We had purchased tickets for a Bison Expedition - one of several backcountry tours available - but due to heavy rain the day before we arrived, it was canceled. The tour company gave us an immediate refund, and now we have something new to look forward to on the next trip. We did see some wildlife after all though - two young deer spent the evening walking through town, though they evaded my camera.

After lunch, we walked around the cute Metropole Marketplace and farther down the main street, ducking into a shops to browse handmade soaps and candles, clothing, jewelry, and more.

One of our favorite shops was Catalina Pottery and Tile Company, which occupies what was once the town bank. The original vault now holds a treasure trove of antique island pottery made during the 1920s and 1930s.

Catalina Coffee and Cookies was so good we stopped in on both days that we were here. The spicy chai and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies will call to me until I return.

For dinner, we used our food and beverage credit at the elegant Avalon Grille, which I would recommend to anyone visiting Avalon. The Wagyu Burger was delicious, and so were the drinks. The sunset view wasn’t bad either!

We ended the evening with ice cream at Lloyd’s of Avalon, a fun old-fashioned candy shop full of homemade saltwater taffy, old-fashioned confections, and vintage collectibles. Next time on the island, I hope to see the taffy puller in action.

In the morning, we slept in and had a late breakfast at a local favorite, The Pancake Cottage. Like most restaurants in town, this breakfast and lunch cafe has a lovely view of the bay. And, no surprise, the food and coffee were delicious.

We couldn’t resist one of the most common tourist activities, renting a golf cart for a self-guided tour along the rustic hills around Avalon. It was almost impossible not to stop at every turnout to capture the breathtaking views.

Avalon is just so picturesque, from the narrow streets and cute homes to the foliage-covered hills that rise above the town to the incredible colors of the water. We also drove inland for a short stop at the Wrigley Botanical Garden.

Next up was a personal bucket list tour of the famous casino building, which is interestingly enough, not – and never has been – a place of gambling. Casino means "gathering place," and this incredible structure, built in the 1920s, houses a stunning movie theater and a 20,000-square-foot circular ballroom with panoramic views of Avalon Bay.

This expansive theater appears just as it did in its heyday, with original murals, red velvet seats, and a theater pipe organ. This theater was built to show the first talking films, the "talkies," and now plays recent movies on Friday and Saturday nights.

The tour was fascinating, taking us back in time as we visited the original projector room, peered into dressing rooms used by early Hollywood stars, and stepped onto the immense ballroom floor under a historic art deco chandelier.

You could easily spend more than two days here and create the perfect relaxing or adventurous getaway. There is a zip-line and adventure course, the oldest golf course in the west, mini-golf, and so much more. If you decide to visit during warmer months, there is a wide array of ocean adventures and water sports available. Enjoy glass-bottom and semi-submersible boat tours, snorkeling and diving in the kelp forests, kayaking, jet skis, sailing, sport fishing, swimming, and more. Or spend the day relaxing at Descanso Beach Club.

Need To Know Information About Catalina

Weather: With the exception of January, which is the wettest month, the weather in Avalon is pretty consistent and mild, a little warmer in the summer and cooler in winter, but nearly always pleasant to be outside. It does get cooler in the evening, so bring a sweater or light jacket, especially if you plan to get on a boat during winter. I visited during November and discovered that the fall means lovely mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

Accessibility: The Catalina Express ferries are wheelchair accessible, as are most of the walkways and sidewalks in town. Pavilion and a few other hotels have ground-floor, easily accessible rooms. And there are free paratransit rides in town via Avalon Transit. Some of the older attractions (such as the Casino) are not ADA accessible, so be sure to look up the places you are interested in before visiting or check in with the Catalina Island Visitor Center near the ferry landing.

Pet-Friendly: Catalina Express allows dogs, provided they are either in a carrier or leashed and muzzled. Several hotels have pet-friendly rooms and lots of the dining spots have outdoor patio dining and allow pets.

After two relaxing days, it was time to say goodbye, but I put Catalina Island on my list of places to go when I simply need to get away. After all, I still haven’t seen the bison.Check out our video guide to this lovely Southern California destination below: