As the country reopens to leisure travel, staying close to home and enjoying the great outdoors are key trends according to TripAdvisor. Catalina Island is just 22 miles from the coast of Southern California and known for providing visitors an experience that has been compared to the Mediterranean. Catalina Island, part of Los Angeles County, has been approved to resume leisure travel, and the island is ready to welcome back visitors!
Catalina Express has increased its schedule with departures from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point to Avalon, as well as Two Harbors. In just over an hour, visitors can travel to Catalina Island aboard the Catalina Express’ high-speed ferries (Two Harbors is serviced via San Pedro ferries.). Following County of Los Angeles guidelines, passengers and employees are required to wear a face covering or mask that cover their nose and mouth while in the terminal, waiting in line to board and on board the vessel. Learn more about Catalina Express’ social distancing procedures and robust cleaning protocols here.
Hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants (for limited dine in and carry out), and visitors’ favorite activities, from sipping cocktails at Descanso Beach Club, parasailing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, land and water-based tours, beaches, hiking trails, and camping are open. Click here for a complete list of what’s open.
Renowned for its wide-open spaces, natural scenery, pristine beaches and unique terrain, Catalina Island is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination. Here are a few ways to enjoy the incredible outdoors of Catalina Island:
● Hermit Gulch in Avalon: Perfect for families and first-time campers, Hermit Gulch Campground is ideally situated in Avalon Canyon with amazing views of the surrounding hills with traditional tent sites or tent cabins. Hermit Gulch Trail and other hiking paths are easily accessible, as is the town of Avalon with a grocery store and several restaurants open for carry out and dine in.
Hermit Gulch, Avalon
● Two Harbors: The rustic campground at Two Harbors offers traditional tent sites and tent cabins for a camping experience on the west end of the island. Just a short distance from Two Harbors Village and a few minutes’ walk from the pristine beach, this convenient campground has easy access to scenic trails and hikes, as well as kayak, paddle board and bike rentals. Many campsites have stunning shoreline views, with sites 1, 2 and 3 being the most coveted. As a part of its KeepWell Commitment, Catalina Island Company is offering food and drink delivery from Harbor Reef Restaurant and West End Galley to the campground with no delivery fees. Campers also have the option to dine indoors or on the patio at those establishment, or to have groceries delivered from the Two Harbors General Store.
Two Harbors Hiking and Camping
● Primitive/Remote Camping: To truly leave the world behind, Catalina Island Company offers secluded campsites at Parsons Landing, Little Harbor and Black Jack, accessible predominantly by moderate or difficult hikes.
o Parsons Landing: Wake up to the sound of the ocean at this beach campground with eight primitive sites
o Little Harbor: The only campground on the “back” side of Catalina, Little Harbor has 25 unique campsites close to a beautiful sandy beach
o Black Jack: Nestled among pine and eucalyptus trees, this campground has 11 sites with sweeping vistas of rolling terrain
There are also nine boat-in campsites with stunning views and unspoiled beaches – each offers an unrivaled experience.
Campers already on Catalina Island can travel to Two Harbors via the Cyclone power boat from Avalon.
In addition to hotels offering extra perks or discounts including the Hotel Catalina & Catalina Courtyard Suites and Hotel Mac Rae, there are ample Boat and Hotel Packages, such as:
Seaport Village Inn
· Roundtrip ferry aboard Catalina Express
· Transfer of luggage to the hotel on arrival (Relax and let us take your bags so you can leisurely stroll through town to the hotel)
· Early Check-in using paperless registration
· Dinner delivered to hotel
· Breakfast delivered to hotel
· Late Check-out so you can enjoy your breakfast and take your time
· Private Self-Drive Golf Cart Tour and Accommodations
Starting at $214 per person/per night
Link: Information and booking
Seaport Village Inn
Pavilion Hotel | Just 14 Steps from the Beach
· Pavilion Hotel has a large open-air courtyard, with all rooms accessible from the outdoors
· Round-trip transportation aboard Catalina Express
· Hot breakfast delivered directly to guestrooms
· In-room afternoon hors d’oeuvres
· Use of bicycles to explore Avalon
Starting at $417 per couple excluding taxes & fees
Link: Information and booking
Courtyard at Pavilion Hotel
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Special includes:
· Luxurious mid-week stay at Hotel Vista Del Mar through June
· Round-trip boat transportation on the Catalina Express
· Continental breakfast, milk and cookies, and more!
From just $214.50 per person.
Link: For information and booking
Hotel Vista del Mar
Avalon Hotel
- Two round trip boat tickets on the Catalina Express
- Taxi to and from the hotel once you arrive in Avalon
- Two-night stay in a Garden View room for 2 guests
- Continental breakfast
Please inquire about packages for more than 2 guests or upgrades to partial or full ocean view rooms. Valid June 2nd, 2020 to October 1st, 2020, weekend rate is higher.
Starting rate of $841.00 for 2 guests, 2 nights
Link: Information and booking
Avalon Hotel Guest Room
About Catalina Island and Catalina Express
Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from three ports via Catalina Express: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors, transporting over one million passengers annually. It offers comfortable airline-style seats and grouped table seating. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built/purchased specifically for comfort and speed. Catalina Express is an unparalleled resource in Southern California, and one of the world’s most respected ferry fleets. For information and reservations, call 800.429.4601, or visit Catalina Express.
Catalina Island’s clear blue waters and Mediterranean climate and ambiance are a Shangri-La. This laid-back island town is chock full of places to eat, drink and shop. Catalina has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, unique animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. Sightseeing opportunities are numerous and varied from escorted tours around town, adventure rides into the interior, Jeep eco tours, hummer rides, to zip lines, rock climbing and undersea adventures. Independent activities are plentiful, camping, hiking, snuba, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments, beach lounging, golf, motor boating, parasailing, fishing, boat rides down the coastline and more.