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Catalina adventures for the whole family

a boy sitting at a dock

There’s a reason Catalina Island has a new nickname. With smile-inspiring activities for every age group, “Kidalina” is an all-natural, authentic alternative to a theme park vacation.

There are so many things to do on Catalina Island as a family, we had to break it down into two parts. Here’s part one, our three favorite things to do with younger kids:

Babies and toddlers:

  1. The beach is never a bad idea. Protected waters and gentle waves make Avalon’s beaches a natural destination. The sun can get hot, sunscreen and sun shades are a must.
  2. Take a stroll. Avalon’s pedestrian friendly front street easily accommodates a even double-wide stroller. Take in the sights and the share the view.
  3. Grab some ice cream – or some frozen yoghurt. Sweet treats on vacation are always a great idea and you’ll cherish the photos of your littles enjoying a cone almost as much as they will cherish eating it.

Pre-schoolers:

  1. Get out and play. Avalon has several great parks and playgrounds preschoolers will love, including Knabe Park, near the boat terminal, City Park, at the corner of Crescent Avenue and Pebbly Beach Road and Peoples Park, across from the Avalon City Hall. You’ll also want to spend some time in the sea and sand.
  2. Take an Undersea Tour. Kids love the marine life and thrill of riding beneath the waves. This semi-submersible features a trip to Catalina Island’s undersea gardens at Lovers Cove, where fish are protected and put on quite a show.
  3. Grab a paddle. Kayaking on Catalina Island’s protected leeward waters is fun for everyone. Young children will love the splashing in the water and adults will appreciate learning more about the island.
a group of people sitting in a parking lot

Everybody loves a sweet treat