Catalina the perfect Californian getaway. Located just off the coast of Los Angeles, it is the perfect place to spend a weekend away from the city and on island time. This beautiful island was once owned by the chewing gum founder, William Wrigley and is now a hotspot for tourism and people seeking adventure.
Catalina Island is a beautiful 22 mile long volcanic island full of grasslands and shrubbery. The island is known for boasting some impressive scenic views with epic mountain viewpoints, beautiful coastal lines, clear water coves and picturesque towns. Additionally, one can also find a variety of wildlife animals such as bison, foxes and bald eagles. The coast lines are also home to some impressive aquatic life such as the local Garibaldi fish. Overall, Catalina Island is one beautiful place to visit. We hope this blog post can give you some inspiration and details about the island and all it has to offer!
Catalina The Perfect Californian Getaway
How To Get There
There are several ways you can get to Catalina Island. One is by plane, however, this is more of a private airport and not considered a traditional terminal. The second and most common is by ferry. The ferry runs multiple times a day, daily from the mainland to the island and back.
The Catalina Express is the preferred way to get to the island and will probably be the most convenient for anyone trying to reach it in a timely manner. The Catalina Express has several terminals, located in California you can find them at San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. On the Catalina Island they are found at Avalon and Two Harbours, the two main ports. The Catalina Express company boasts an impressive fleet of ships, so there are options for everyone wanting to visit the island.
During our trip to the island, we rode on the Catalina Express via commodore lounge tickets. This gave us access to priority boarding and free beverage tokens. This by far was the best way to get to and from the island. The service was first class and the staff and entire ride was comfortable from start to finish. Book your tickets Here at the Catalina Express Website.
Catalina The Perfect Californian Getaway
Things To Do
Bison Expedition
Considered one of the best tours on the island, the Bison expedition is a must if you’re here for a day or two. From start to finish, the tour takes around 2 hours. It is informative on the islands history and if you’re lucky, filled with Bison. The tour takes you through the middle Canyon and Cape Canyon which is found at the heart of Catalina. The drive is off road so be expecting a bumpy and dust ride, so it’s advised to be dressed accordingly.
Pick Up
To start, you will be picked up at the local tour guide centre. Here you will board the epic open air Hummer along with meeting other guest who are along for the ride. But don’t worry this Hummer is a converted to a eco- friendly engine to run on Bio Fuel. Once on board, you will embark on a brief tour through the town before making your way up the mountain.
The Bison
Next you will make your way up the mountain to visit some epic view points. We both absolutely loved these view points. You’re able to see all the way over to main land California and down to Avalon town. After this, you will have the opportunity to drive through the private land which is only available on this tour. Here, you get to drive through Middle Canyon and Cape Canyon for some epic views and potential sightings of Bison. During our trip we managed to see 24 of the 115 bison on the island. We were extremely lucky to see so many!
Back Home
Once you’ve made your way around the canyons, you are brought back down the mountain to the pick up point. We want to give a huge shoutout to our guide Laura during our trip. So if you see her, be sure to mention she’s on our blog!! Overall, the Bison Expedition was one of the main Highlights of the trip. This is a must if you’re on Catalina. Finally, 10% of all proceeds go to the Catalina Island Conservancy, so it’s a great way to give back. To book your Bison Tour experience check availability Here.
Undersea Expedition
If you’re into seeing the local wildlife then the Undersea Expedition is a perfect activity for families and couples. You get to see all the underwater gardens around the island of Catalina by sailing 5 ft under the sea. You also get to see a feeding frenzy with all the fish. This is a particularly exciting activity for younger generations. Overall, this is a great tour for families and couples, you get to experience the underwater life around Catalina and make some incredible memories in the process.
Grab Yourself A Beach Side Cabana
The Cabanas can be found at Descanso Beach Club. These make for the perfect place to relax and catch some sun. Here you are able to rent out some of their comfortable lounge chairs, or entire Cabanas for the day. The beach club is a great place to spend your afternoon relaxing as you can even order food from the local restaurant. If you’re in the area, definitely check this place out Here.
Zip Line
For those of you that come to Catalina Island for adventure, the zip line is the perfect activity for seeking that thrill ride adventure. This 2 hour tour will take you to several zip lines and will finish up at the local Descanso Beach Club. On your journey down, you will be able to reach speeds of 25 mph, and learn detailed information of the local fauna and flora by your guide. This is the perfect adventure for those adrenaline junkies.
Island Spa Catalina
If you are looking for the ultimate place for some relaxation and TLC you definitely consider spending a few hours at the Island Spa. The spa facilities are complimentary for the day with the purchase of a spa treatment, or you can simply pay an hourly fee to use the grounds. Included you get access to the incredible hot tub, pool, sauna, steam room and showers. They have plenty of towels, refreshments and toiletries for you to use in the facilities. They also have an incredible deck that overlooks the waterfront below. We absolutely loved spending a few hours here and highly suggest you do the same if you are looking to pamper yourself!
Kayaking + Snorkeling
Catalina is a beautiful island and there are ample opportunities to swim snorkel and kayak. The crystal clear waters and sunny skies make it perfect for water based activities.
Golf Gardens Mini Golf
The Golf Gardens Mini Golf is located right near the coast in Avalon and is the perfect activity for an afternoon of family fun, or a cute date activity for those couples visiting the island. The course is a scenic 18 holes and prides itself on the being a beautiful garden course. The stylised design and beautiful mini golf circles are award winning, making it an unforgettable experience on the island.
Catalina The Perfect Californian Getaway
Where To Eat
Avalon Grill
The Avalon Grill is a wonderful place to go for dinner on Catalina Island. They serve a variety of meat, fish and pasta with farmstead products. The restaurant itself is located right on the coast, giving you the perfect ocean view. In addition to the amazing food and dining area at the Avalon Grill, there is also a wonderfully designed bar where expert cocktail mixologists will make you any drink you want. This is the perfect place to spend your evening for a coastal dining experience. Check out their website Here.
Sweet Shop Lloyds
If you have a sweet tooth, you must stop by the candy shop, Lloyds. Lloyds is the ultimate candy experience. Fun fact, Marilyn Monroe once worked here before she became a famous actress. If you’re lucky you can even see the staff make some salt water taffy.
Luau Larry’s
If you’re looking for a fun bar to go to then look no further than Luau Larry’s. This Island life tiki bar is filled with small cozy booths and some open tables for a personal feel. They have a great menu which is Hawaiian themed, so for that tropical vibe, Luau Larry’s is the place to go.
Descanso Beach Club
For the perfect lunchtime meal, Descanso Beach Club has a beautiful deck and cabana seating on the island. Located beachfront, this clubhouse has a variety of food on the menu, from clam chowder to beer battered onion rings, burgers and salads. Overall, the Descanso Beach Club is a great place to stop for a quick lunch and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean.
Catalina The Perfect Californian Getaway
Where To Stay
Hotel Atwater
Hotel Atwater is a beautiful hotel on the island of Catalina and was the first hotel built by William Wrigley Jr in 1920. The newly renovated hotel has elements of island life found throughout the hotel. Each room is decorated beautifully, with a clean and modern look. In addition, to the beautiful comfortable rooms, the hotel also provides free tours which is a fantastic addition to the $40 dollar food credit given to each room per night. Instantly, you are made to feel like a VIP guest. The entire staff was extremely helpful and friendly and we strongly suggest that if you are planning a trip to Catalina you check out this hotel! Book your stay Here.
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