THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Catalina Island, CA
Places to Visit in Catalina Island
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See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Catalina Island.
Adventure Toursfromper adult₹4,557
Golf Tours & Tee Timesfromper group (up to 5)₹26,008
Historical Toursfromper adult₹2,666
On the Waterfromper adult₹3,096
Full-day Toursfromper adult₹7,394
Theatre Showsfromper adult₹2,575
Audio Guidesfromper adult₹442
Historical Toursfromper adult₹5,589
Golf Tours & Tee Timesfromper group (up to 5)₹25,364
Historical Toursfromper adult₹3,010
Ferries
Scenic ferry ride providing a blend of natural and leisure attractions, with the option for an upgraded lounge experience including priority boarding and refreshments.
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Casinos
Historic casino tour presents Art Deco elegance and architecture, with a highlight on the grand ballroom and a slice of cinematic history.
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Guided eco tours through the island's interior reveal stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and insights into local history and conservation efforts.
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Monuments & Statues
Botanic garden with a focus on desert plants and cacti, featuring a historical memorial and tranquil paths ideal for a serene stroll amid nature's beauty.
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Art Museums
Historic Sites
Visitor Centres
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- DTC8187 DaveWilliamsburg, VA198 contributionsgreat experience great crew clean and fast boats bring a wind breaker or light sweater great views and good picture opportunitiesWritten 31 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Julia B12 contributionsSo glad I found the VIP Tour on the Casino website. This is not a gambling casino, but a century old gathering place, built by Mr. Wrigley, Jr., as a gift to the people of Catalina. We were blessed to have the head curator, Sean, as our guide, and his energy and love for this historic gem was unmatched. From the over 1,100 seat auditorium and working movie theatre (later copied by Radio City Music Hall), to the backstage projection rooms and civil defense stockpile, to the dressing rooms, remarkable stories, and stunning dance hall with sweeping views, it was a perfect and incredible climax to our 48 hour stay on the island. The way the Wrigley family still contributes, in having the local public Avalon school perform plays and hold other events there, and the absolute reverence that curator Sean holds for this treasure, is truly beautiful to witness and share. Thank you Sean and the Wrigley family, for preserving this extraordinary masterpiece.Written 25 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tamra GTaft, CA58 contributionsWe did the 2 hour eco tour. Our tour guide Tom was very informative and gave us detailed information about the islands history and wildlife living there. We got to see 2 bison and a fox during the tour. We also stopped at the airport and saw a few planes come in and take off. Very interesting and worth the money.Written 9 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GhiaGirlClarkdale, AZ1,436 contributionsWorth a visit. We were there on an unusually hot day, so we welcomed the occasionally shady spot. The memorial itself, while no longer the final resting place of Wrigley, was beautiful. I had no idea the Wrigley Family still owned most of the island, or were the operators of the Catalina Island Co. As a fan of Wrigley Field and a Chicago-native, this was super fun to learn.Written 21 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jane LSan Diego, CA182 contributionsDon’t miss a visit to this charming museum. It’s a great history of the island and its residents. Go upstairs for an amazing patio and view.Written 20 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mick B222 contributionsGreat stop during our island tour by hummer. Great scenic views and where lucky to see two landings and takeoffs. Small cafe is oke.Written 14 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GhiaGirlClarkdale, AZ1,436 contributionsMy husband has long wanted to go to Two Harbors and scheduled this trip for his folks and us via Cyclone boat from Avalon. We spoke to some amazingly friendly and helpful agents from the Catalina Island Co. to set up reservations for two pair of chaise lounges at the beach club, because we figured we'd have a "beach camp" set up for the day. The chair rentals include umbrellas, towels and are about half the price of renting beachside chairs at Descanso Beach in Avalon. Two Harbors is mellow, with hiking trails, places to relax, swim, paddle, a campground. You can shop at the surprisingly well-stocked general store. We wanted to scout out Two Harbors for a future camping trip some day. My mother-in-law and I were determined to see both of the Two Harbors and made the short walk (about 1.2 miles round trip) across to see the 2nd harbor. That was cool.
My husband loved Two Harbors, preferring the peacefulness and wilderness vibe over the noise and hub-bub of Avalon. Though I did enjoy it, it wasn't as interesting to me as Avalon. This is a stop on the Trans-Catalina trail where hikers can stock up at the grocery store, shower, camp, etc. Not much else happening in "town". We brought floaties and snorkel stuff. You can rent kayaks at the pier.
The staff at the beach club were friendly, but really not very organized or efficient. Took forever to order drinks. We ended up just walking to the bar. So that was a li'l bummer, because that was supposed to be part of the fun of renting the chaise lounges and getting bar service to the beach. Ordering lunch became a comedy of errors as we tried to flag down our guy, and then the order was taken nearly too late, just before the kitchen closed, then order was wrong, then it was dropped on the ground on the way to us. Ha! It was good, when we finally got it, but we had to eat it more quickly than we liked, since we had to pack up to head back to the pier for the boat return trip.
Overall, a fun adventure.Written 20 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - GenXUrbanHippiePhoenix, AZ29 contributionsBeautiful building, fascinating history! Especially enjoyed learning about the theatre previewing some of the first "talkies".Written 30 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laurie VSan Mateo, CA168 contributionsTook the 8 mile out and back from town all the way out to Lone Tree Point. The views were phenomenal once we reached Lone Tree Point. It was extremely hot that day so bring tons of water and cover as there is no shade on this trail. I"m glad I wore long sleeves and a hat.Written 10 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- monleaWindsor, Canada46 contributionsWe caught the early ferry, and rented a golf cart with another couple (4 seater).
We had a great time touring the island. 3 hours was enough for us, though we didn't see everything. The scenery was breathtaking!
We saw whales, seals, tropical fish.
I loved the vegetation. It was amazing to see eucalyptus trees, many cactus varieties, bougainvillea, wild geranium. The view of the bay from the hills was spectacular! Ferry ride was cold! Dress for the weather.
Prices were high, as expected at a prime tourist destination.Written 27 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Michelle M7 contributionsThe ladies in the office were very friendly and helpful with the events and attractions on the Island.Written 27 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- seibert4dcSandy, UT25 contributionsNot exactly glamping, but close enough. If you like to hike, but don't want to rough it too much, the Trans Catalina Trail is an experience well worth the effort. It does require that you spend a bit of money in order to get there, in reality it's part of the adventure. If you are coming from outside Souther California, you have multiple airports to fly into. I recommend Long Beach. Once you are in Southern California, you can catch ferries from Long Beach, Dana Point or San Diego. If you want a bit of fun, spend the first night in the beach town of Avilion. It has many great hotels, restaurants and a campground near the trail head. The trail circumnavigates Catalina Island. Each of the campgrounds are unique with three of them right on the ocean. Some of the special features of the hike include a restaurant at about the halfway point at Catalina's airport, free roaming buffalos (you do need to keep an eye on them), the village of Two Harbors' amenities, and slack pack services for your gear, food, water and firewood. It should be noted most of this is ridgeline hiking and a challenging 38 miles. Give yourself at least three to four nights on the trail. It's a one-of-a-kind hike, great trail for a group or to go do solo. The best and most complete review of the Trans Catalina Trail I have read is by Alison on her She Dreams of Alpine blog.Written 29 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above hotel descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in one of these AI-generated descriptions is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
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