Did You Know

Catalina Island is a haven for sunshine, stunning scenery, and endless outdoor activities. But even paradise experiences the occasional rainy day. However, fear not! A little rain doesn’t have to spell a downpour on your island adventure. In fact, Catalina offers a surprising variety of indoor activities and hidden gems that can make your rainy…

Ready to escape to Catalina Island? Great idea! As you’re planning your getaway, keep in mind that while spontaneity is a virtue, some planning is required. Whether you need reservations on the island depends on a lot of factors, but reservations on Catalina can save you a lot of disappointment. Let’s break your trip down…

While there are plenty of options for getting to Catalina, if you’re like most island visitors, you’ll get to the island aboard Catalina Express. IEX Helicopters and Newport Beach’s Catalina Transportation Services are other options, but Catalina Express offers up to 30 departures a day and travelers can choose from three different ports: Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. Once onboard one of the boats in the company’s fleet of vessels, Catalina Express offers a full bar and a range of snacks to keep you fueled up for the crossing. The friendly bartenders are happy to craft just about any concoction, but locals and frequent travelers know just what to order. Catalina Express is famous for its Bloody Marys. For decades, these crave-worthy cocktails have pleased the palates of the Catalina ferry service’s passengers and once you’ve had one,…

The waters around Catalina Island teem with a myriad of marine life. Bright orange garibaldi, playful sea lions and massive wreckfish share this fascinating ecosystem with otherworldly nudibranchs, toothy morays and toothsome lobster. Scuba divers and snorkelers are likely to encounter these remarkable creatures alongside schools of calico bass, shy octopus and captivating mermaids. Wait,…

Need a good laugh? There will be several opportunities for chuckles, guffaws and giggles at the inaugural Catalina Comedy Island event coming this September to the Avalon Theatre. Scheduled for September 9 and 10, Catalina Comedy Island will bring together world-class comedians for a four-show comedy extravaganza in one of the most unforgettable theatres in…

As winter warms into spring and Southern California hopefully shakes off the last of Covid’s restrictions, Catalina’s events calendar is beginning to resemble the island’s normal array of a festivals, concerts and galas. Here’s just a few of the Catalina events we’re looking forward to in the next couple of weeks. Catalina Spring Art Fair…

Now that you’ve finally decided its time to experience Catalina Island for the first time, you have even more decisions to make and how to get to Catalina Island is an important one. Most visitors to Catalina Island arrive via Catalina ferry – also referred to as cross channel carriers. Currently there are two companies…

If you’re exploring Catalina Island for the first time, you may be wondering where to go. For most first-time visitors, the answer is Avalon. This charming seaside resort has been the center of tourism on the island for more than a century. With its colorful homes, dramatic hillsides and quaint streets, Avalon is frequently compared…

Those of us who live on – and love – Catalina Island are regularly amazed at how many times we hear the phrase “I’ve lived in Southern California my entire life and I’ve never been to Catalina Island.” Well, what are you waiting for? Here’s our guide to planning your first visit to Catalina Island….

The holidays on Catalina Island are magical. An island-style Christmas, a romantic Valentine’s Day and a sun-soaked Labor Day are just a few of the amazing holiday experiences you can have on Catalina. There’s one holiday, however, that rises above the rest. If Catalina has an “official” holiday, it is definitely Independence Day. Avalon goes…