Escape to Catalina Island for a day of beauty and adventure just off the Southern California coast. A short ferry ride transports you to this picturesque paradise, where rugged hillsides meet pristine beaches. Whether you seek snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, hiking scenic trails with breathtaking views, or simply strolling through quaint shops and eateries, Catalina offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. Catalina Island beckons as a great day trip for those looking for a memorable coastal escape.
Getting to Catalina is easy from Laguna Beach. The Catalina Flyer departs from Newport Beach, and the Catalina Express sails from Dana Point. We chose to take the 7:45am voyage from Newport Beach, and seemed to arrive on the island in no time at all.
Avalon Bay shimmered in the beautiful morning light, providing an amazing foreground for the quaint, crescent shaped town climbing up the hillsides.
After a stroll through the fun streets flanked with cottages and shops, we found the Catalina Coffee & Cookie Company. The peanut butter cookie was amazing, and the coffee was just what I needed before our next adventure on the island.
Walking along the shore, past the majestic and iconic Catalina Casino, we checked in at the Aerial Adventure. This is an amazing elevated obstacle course hanging from trees in a small valley behind Descanso Beach Club. After our guide, Ian, made sure our harnesses were secure and that our helmets fit, we tested our strength for the next two hours balancing, hoisting, pulling and pushing our bodies over fun obstacles hanging by ropes from tree to tree. Our group had teenagers in it, so we kept to the intermediate and advanced options, but there are great beginner options for younger adventurers. This was an amazing experience, and is an absolute must do if you come to Avalon with teens or young adults.
After the unforgettable experience at the Aerial Adventure, we walked back to the Descanso Beach Resort and had lunch at the outdoor patio/bar. This was the place to be with people everywhere, a DJ, swimmers, loungers, and happy kids. Great food, great drinks, great fun.
We walked back to the main part of town by the harbor, passing the Catalina Casino. While it is no longer a casino, it is open for tours. We chose to admire the amazing architecture and murals from the outside, though, and made our way to a golf cart rental shop, across from the Trailhead Adventure Center which is the Catalina Island Conservancy’s visitor center. Armed with a free map and an easy to follow route, our 6-seater cart zoomed us up and around the hills of Avalon, providing numerous amazing photo stops for our postcard-worthy pictures. Another must do for a first time tourist to Catalina.
Back in town after the 90-minute rental, we found plenty of options to fill our time before boarding the ferry back to the mainland. Ice cream shops, outdoor basketball courts, kayaking, paddle-boarding (SUP), shopping, or simply relaxing on the beach were all within easy reach.
For a day trip full of adventure and fun, Catalina Island promises a memorable experience.
1-Day Itinerary:
Catalina Flyer (book a same-day round trip voyage)
The Catalina Casino
Catalina Island Conservancy / Trailhead Adventure Center
Return on the Catalina Flyer
*I am not sponsored by any of the above - they are what I enjoyed on my family's trip to Catalina.
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