Fun Day Trip to Catalina Island: Itinerary and Things to do
Last summer, I visited Catalina Island on a day trip from Long Beach, LA. I was blown away by how beautiful and postcard-perfect it is, especially the main Avalon Bay with the Catalina Casino building landmark.
Located just off the sun-kissed shores of Southern California, Catalina Island is so picturesque that you will feel transported to a coastal town in Italy.
We had so much fun on our day trip to Catalina Island. We rented a golf cart and drove along the island, taking in all the vista points and landmarks. We explored the cute boutique shops in Avalon and tried a few restaurants. The beaches and activities there are super fun, too!
My Perfect Catalina Day Trip Itinerary
Catalina Island, or Santa Catalina Island, is only around 22 miles from the coast of Los Angeles. This gem of an island offers the perfect day trip, providing an escape from the mainland’s hustle and bustle.
Below is a perfectly planned Catalina Island day trip itinerary. Catalina Island is small, only about 76 square miles and one day is just about enough to explore the top things to do on Catalina Island.
When you have more time, consider returning for a weekend on Catalina Island and enjoy the island life!
Let’s dive into the specifics of what to do on Catalina Island for a day!
Arrival at Catalina Island
You can reach Catalina Island by ferry or helicopter ride from Los Angeles or as part of a cruise stop. Taking a ferry from LA is the most common way to go to Catalina Island.
Catalina Island can be reached by a one-hour ferry from Los Angeles. You can catch the ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point. Long Beach is the most common port to catch a ferry to Catalina Island. Catalina Express is the official ferry company.
โก Check ticket rates and availability for Catalina Express Round-Trip Ferry Service from Long Beach or San Pedro
We were staying in Long Beach and took the morning ferry from Long Beach to Catalina Island. The ferry ride is scenic and provides beautiful views of the Long Beach coastline and the Pacific Ocean.
By Air: You can also take a helicopter ride to reach Catalina Island. This is the quickest way to reach Catalina Island, as it is a short 15-minute ride from LA.
By Cruise: Many cruise ships going to Mexico stop at Catalina Island for a day. This is another way for tourists to arrive at Catalina Island. The day we visited, a cruise ship was docked at the island, so it was way more crowded than usual.
Most ferries arrive in Avalon, the island’s main town. As you disembark, you’ll be greeted by the charming Mediterranean-style architecture and the relaxed island atmosphere.
Avalon downtown and breakfast
As you disembark the ferry, you will be in the town of Avalon, with the most beautiful view of the Island in front of you.
The Catalina Casino Building, The Green Pier, the Avalon Bay with the boats, and the surrounding mountains paint a stunning picture you could marvel at for hours! I absolutely can!
Crescent Ave is the main Avalon downtown Street, lined with restaurants and stores. It is right next to the ferry terminal. You can walk everywhere in the Avalon downtown as it’s quite small and walkable.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at one of the local cafes in Avalon. Pancake Cottage, Original Jacks County Kitchen, and The Naughty Fox are great breakfast restaurants in Avalon downtown.
After breakfast, take some time to soak in the views, and if you are like me, click a crazy amount of pictures. I couldn’t get enough of the iconic view of the Catalina Casino and Avalon Bay!
Morning activity: Explore the Island on a golf cart!
For your morning activity, I recommend taking a golf cart tour or renting a golf cart and exploring the island on your own. This is what we did and was the best way to explore the island.
Did you know that golf carts are Catalina Island’s primary mode of transport? There are very few cars here and almost no rental cars, and you don’t need one.
A golf cart is the best way to see this small, hilly island. If this is your first time, I suggest taking a private guided tour.
โก I recommend this 2-hour highly rated Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon – best way to see Catalina Island!
You can also rent a golf cart from Catalina Island Golf Cart Rentals, which is right next to the ferry building.
It took us some time waiting in line to get a golf cart. It was extremely busy the day we went due to the cruise ship’s arrival. But in summer, always expect some waiting to get a golf cart.
They have limited online reservations, but walk-in reservations are available. The golf carts are 4-seater or 6-seater.
Once you get your golf cart, they will also give you a map of the suggested loop route to explore the scenic vista points.
The entire route can be done in about an hour, but we booked the golf cart for 2 hours, considering the time needed for photos. Driving the golf cart took a little getting used to, but it was fun.
Remember to hold on to the map they give you and take a picture of it at the beginning! We lost ours at the halfway point and then had to figure out our way by asking for directions. There are a lot of one-way streets on Catalina Island, so be careful!
Below are some scenic vista points on the golf cart route. If you are taking a private golf cart tour, these will be covered for sure!
Lover’s Cove Scenic Viewpoint – Great stop near the main town with a small rocky beach. This is a great snorkeling spot as well.
3 Palms Scenic Overlook – Excellent viewpoint at an elevation and gives a birds-eye view of Avalon. Really nice spot to capture photos with the famous view in the backdrop!
Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook – This was my favorite stop on the entire route! Walk down the steps and past an old gate to get to the scenic overlook which has the best views of Avalon downtown! I even saw a deer family here! Across the street is the Mt. Ada luxury hotel. You can also hike to this viewpoint from the downtown area. It is a 1-mile uphill hike.
Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden – This detour takes around 30 minutes round trip to just reach the gate of the garden. As we had the golf cart for 2 hours, we drove to the garden. You will need more time if you plan to visit the garden.
The garden features a historic Wrigley Memorial Tower and a variety of native plants, offering a tranquil escape with scenic views. You can also hike from the downtown area later to visit the botanical garden, but it is a long 3-mile hike one-way.
Catalina Chimes Tower – A historic landmark with stunning views of Avalon Bay from a different angle. The chimes can be heard every 15 minutes from the tower. The road leading to the Chimes Tower is one-way, so be careful of the route.
Alternate Morning Activity: Adventure and Wildlife Tour
A large part of Catalina Island is protected, and visitors are not allowed to explore on their own. Taking a tour is the best way to explore the protected areas of Catalina and see wildlife like bison, deer, and even the Catalina Island fox.
โก I recommend this 2-hour small group
Inside Adventure Tour on Catalina Island to see some wildlife!
Lunch in Avalon downtown
After the golf cart adventure, we were back in the main Avalon downtown area. The two-hour excursion filled our hearts with Catalina scenery and fueled our appetites!
Enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the local restaurants or grab a picnic to enjoy by the beach. Fresh seafood is often a highlight of the island’s culinary offerings.
We ate at Antonio’s Pizzeria, which serves good pizza and appetizers. It has patio seating by the water and epic views of Catalina Casino.
The Lobster Trap is a popular seafood restaurant and is open for both lunch and dinner. It gets busy at peak dinnertime. The lobster roll is recommended here.
Cafe Metropole is a great option for a lighter lunch, like sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, etc. Their sweet potato fries are amazing. Several options for vegetarians and vegans on their menu.
Afternoon: Water-based activity
In the morning, we explored the land part of Catalina Island. In the afternoon, try one of the water-based activities or tours offered here.
Take your pick from the Catalina Island water activities:
Semi-Submarine Tour – This is a great activity for families with kids who are young for snorkeling. The kids will get excited to see fish come up to their submarine window.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour: Another great water activity for families and adults alike.
Kayaking / Paddle Boarding – Consider renting a kayak or paddleboard to explore the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island.
Snorkeling – Bring or rent snorkeling gear on the island and experience snorkeling. Lover’s Cove, to the right of the main downtown area, is a great spot for snorkeling. The marine life here is diverse and colorful, making it a great opportunity for underwater exploration.
Time for an afternoon snack? Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co is great for coffee and delicious baked goods. Scoops Homemade Ice Cream has amazing ice cream and long lines! Well, it was a cruise ship day, so we had to wait in a lot of queues!
Late Afternoon: Beach Fun
Grab a snack and relax at the beach. Catalina Island has some of the best beaches in Los Angeles. The are two beaches in the main downtown area, Middle Beach and South Beach, one on either side of the Green Pier.
Pick one that seems less crowded and soak in the sun. The water near the shores is shallow, and we saw a lot of kids playing in the gentle waves.
Another popular beach here is the Descanso Beach Club. This is a private beach where you can rent a chaise lounge or a cabana for the day. They typically range from $125 to$450 for the day with food and beverage service.
The signature drink here is the Buffalo Milk drink, which is a blended cocktail made with vodka, cacao cream, ice cream, and nutmeg.
More things to do in Catalina Island (if you have time)
Catalina Casino VIP Backstage Tour – You can take a guided Casino VIP Backstage Tour of the iconic Catalina Casino and learn all about this century-old art deco landmark’s history. Visit the ballroom and the theatre as part of the tour.
Ziplining – Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour runs 2-hour ziplining adventures near Descanso Beach Club.
Catalina Aerial Adventure runs a rope course aerial adventure with beginner, intermediate, and difficult-level adventure courses.
Hiking – There are several amazing hiking trails on Catalina Island, like the legendary Trans Catalina Trail, which is 38 miles long and a multi-day hike. This hike is too long for a day trip, but there are other shorter hikes, like the Garden to Sky Trail, which is around 3 3-mile round trip and starts at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden.
Two Harbors town – On another visit, you can check out the smaller town of Two Harbors if you are interested in exploring more of Catalina Island. This smaller village is very rustic and laid back and not touristy. You wouldn’t find much to do in Two Harbors and probably only a couple of places to eat. Some people like Two Harbors as it is more rugged and relaxing. I would recommend exploring Avalon on your first visit to Catalina Island as it has more things to do.
Dinner
After chilling at the beach, grab some dinner if there is time before your ferry back to LA or before you head back to your cruise ship. Below are some great restaurants to try for dinner.
Luau Larry’s – Restaurant with Hawaiian cuisine and theme.
Steveโs Steakhouse and Seafood – Great place for a steak and seafood dinner. Their second-floor seating has great views of Avalon Bay.
Bluewater Avalon is a waterfront seafood restaurant with great cocktails and a nice harbor view from the patio seating.
Departure
Make a note of your ferry’s or cruise ship’s boarding and departure ahead of time. We were in line 30 minutes before the boarding started. Our ferry departure was at 6 PM.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to the gorgeous Catalina Island and head back to LA with beautiful memories of an incredible day!
Travel tips for Catalina Island
Below are travel tips that will help you plan your visit to Catalina Island for the day:
How to get to Catalina Island?
You can get to Catalina Island by taking a ferry from mainland ports like Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point. The ferry ride takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. We took a round trip ferry from Long Beach and it was a comfortable ride.
Alternatively, you can take a helicopter from Long Beach for a quicker but pricier option. The island has a small airport for those who prefer flying in.
How to get around Catalina Island?
Most attractions in the main town of Avalon are within walking distance, making it a convenient way to explore. Renting a golf cart is a popular option, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace and enjoy views from scenic vista points. We rented a golf cart for 2 hours to explore on our own.
Renting bicycles is an eco-friendly way to explore Avalon and the surrounding areas, but keep in mind that the roads are uphill around Avalon to get to most viewpoints.
When is the best time to visit Catalina Island?
Catalina Island is a year-round destination but the best time to visit Catalina Island is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and crowds are relatively smaller. These seasons offer ideal conditions for outdoor activities, exploring, and enjoying the island’s charm.
The summer months of July and August are great weather-wise, with long daylight hours, but it can be very crowded, and accommodation rates can be very high. Weekdays in summer can be relatively less crowded.
We visited on a Wednesday in June end, and it was crowded because a cruise ship had arrived that day. We still had a great time, so if summer is when you can go, you should still go.
Where to stay on Catalina Island
Catalina Island can easily be explored as a day trip from LA, and staying in Los Angeles Long Beach area like we did is convenient to catch the ferry in the morning.
If you are planning to stay overnight on Catalina Island, there are some amazing hotels in Avalon where you can stay. In fact, the ferry allows passengers to check in bags if they are planning to stay on the Island.
Or perhaps after your day trip to Catalina, you would like to return to spend a few days here. Below are some of the best places to stay on Catalina Island:
Hotel Atwater is a boutique hotel near the harbor with a golf course. Walk to all the restaurants and attractions in downtown Avalon.
Hotel Metropole is near the shopping plaza and has a full-service spa. It is within walking distance of Avalon’s downtown shops and restaurants.
Is a day trip to Catalina Island worth it?
Absolutely, a day trip to Catalina Island is worth it for the stunning views of Avalon Bay alone. Outdoor excursions, water activities, and a unique island experience are other reasons to visit.
How much does it cost to go to Catalina for a day?
The cost for a day trip to Catalina varies. Ferry tickets can start at around $85 round trip per person from various ports in LA, and additional costs may include activities, meals, and transportation.
Can you go to Catalina Island just for the day?
Yes, you can certainly go to Catalina Island just for the day as that is what we did. The ferry schedule allows for day trippers to explore the island’s highlights during the day.
Do I need a rental car on Catalina Island?
Rental cars aren’t necessary on Catalina Island and are not readily available. Most attractions and restaurants are within walking distance of the main town of Avalon. Renting a golf cart is a fun way to explore the island.
Is it cash only on Catalina Island?
Catalina Island does accept credit cards, so it’s not cash-only. We used our credit cards for most transactions, including dining, shopping, and activities and excursions.
Final Takeaways: Catalina Island Day Trip
Catalina is truly a hidden gem on the Southern California Coast, and it is so easy to visit on a day trip from Los Angeles by taking the ferry.
Whether you’re a nature lover, looking for water activities, or simply wanting a refreshing island getaway in California, I hope you make great memories on your day trip to Catalina Island like we did!
โญ Got questions about your trip?
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