Activities & Attractions

Most visitors to Catalina never explore beyond the limits of Avalon, the island’s only city. With its charming waterfront and quaint streets, the seaside resort offers the perfect respite from the mainland. But venture beyond Avalon and you’ll be rewarded with an entirely new vision of Catalina Island. Camping, hiking and boating and are few…

Just in case you need a reason to escape to California’s favorite island paradise, here are three reasons to visit Catalina Island this summer. The weather: Every summer, thousands of Southern Californians beat the heat by escaping to Catalina Island. With it’s ocean breezes and inviting beaches, Santa Catalina offers an ideal respite, which is…

Summer on Santa Catalina is a magical time, when refreshing ocean breezes cool sun-warmed sands and the clarion call of island life seems irresistible. That irresistible clarion call means that summer is Catalina’s busiest time of year, making planning group travel during the season just a bit more challenging. Here are three secrets to making…

Santa Catalina’s idyllic seaside resort atmosphere can sometimes obscure its fascinating history and unique environment. Here’s just a few activities on Catalina Island that will get you off-the-beaten path and immerse you in an authentic island adventure. Catalina Happy Hour Tour: Avalon features more than two dozen bars and watering holes. Sample some of the…

There’s nothing like an island summer filled with ocean breezes, sandy feet and the charms of Avalon. Here are just a few things to do on Catalina this summer. Take in a Catalina Concert with the Catalina Island Concert Series: This year there will be three of the popular concerts on Wrigley Stage. The first,…

The island’s newest adventure has quickly become a must-do activity, with visitors young and young at heart returning to challenge the Catalina Aerial Adventure again and again. Located in a grove of eucalyptus trees at the top of Descanso Canyon, the Catalina Aerial Adventure is composed of mini-ziplines, suspension bridges, cargo nets, log bridges, balance…

It’s getting scary around here thanks to the Catalina Island Museum. This spring, the Catalina attraction has two new exhibits that – at least in days past – curled the toes and brought a shiver to the spine. In 1975, it definitely wasn’t safe to go in the water thanks to the first summer blockbuster….

Every April, black ties and ball gowns take over the Catalina Island Casino for the annual Conservancy Ball. This extravagant event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the non-profit Catalina Island Conservancy through a combination ticket sales, sponsorships and a covet-worthy auction. Throughout the evening, bejeweled and bedecked supporters, dine, dance and bid big,…

The days when Catalina Island was a seasonal destination, with activities and services only in the summer months, are long gone, but there are still many Catalina activities that aren’t available in the winter months. This spring we’re looking forward to taking advantage of the expanded availability of adventures, including: Take a ride — E-bikes…

For nearly 100 years, the Catalina Casino has greeted island visitors, the magnificent architectural marvel providing a dramatic welcome to Avalon Harbor. Home to a theatre and a ballroom, the building is an integral part of the island experience. For many Catalina visitors, the most important secret to know about the Catalina Casino is that…