Catalina Island - 26 Miles Across the Sea -

It's Actually 22 But Who's Counting!

Do you like historic B & B’s? Elegant four-star inns? Family-friendly Just 22 Miles Across the Sea…The Beauty of Catalina Awaits

Avalon Harbor is a SoCal boaters get away, as well as the main point of entry for small passenger vessels

Looking for a delightful climate? Want to experience some of the best snorkeling in the world? Quench your thirst for adventure?  Discover a rich and exciting history? Where in the world can you do all this and more in the same place?

The answer is Santa Catalina, popularly known as Catalina Island – with its Mediterranean charm and exciting activities – and it’s just 22 miles from the Orange County coast. Visitors can arrive in as little time as 15 minutes by air or about two and a half hours by sea with departures from Newport Beach, Dana Point, Long Beach, and San Pedro. The clear blue water, quaint shops, restaurants, overnight accommodations and friendly people of this one square mile town give the feeling of what California must have been like before the big cities.

Catalina is surrounded by some of the most pristine waters in the world. Diving, snorkeling and kayaking are a must. Colorful fish and marine life abound in giant kelp beds, from bright orange Garibaldi to playful sea lions. Getting wet isn’t the only way to experience the island’s underwater world. There are Glass Bottom Boat tours and be sure to check out the bright yellow semi-submersible submarines.

Where the Buffalo Roam

There’s no doubt Catalina can legitimately boast some of the greatest water sports in the world, including yachting, water skiing, fishing, and one of America’s favorite pastimes, swimming. But travel just a few miles inland to Catalina’s interior, and you’ll find a completely different world. The unspoiled wilderness of the interior is covered with broad valleys, isolated coves and beaches, and two-thousand foot peaks.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the world of camping, hiking and mountain biking. Permits and reservations are required and can be obtained through Catalina Island Camping by calling

Parasailing is a Catalina Favorite

310.510.2800. There’s also horseback riding, world-class golf, para-sailing and more to be enjoyed.

For those looking for complete relaxation, the sand awaits as well as several day spas, offering massage, facials, and restorative treatments. Avalon’s charming shops and galleries are also just waiting to be wandered.

And yes… there really are wild buffalo meandering through the mountains on Catalina, and the Island even has its own subspecies of the Catalina Island Fox and the Beechey Ground Squirrel. Look to the skies, and you’ll see American Bald Eagles soaring overhead.

Places to Stay and Spots to Eat

Hotels? Whatever your desire, there is a hotel room for you on Catalina Island. Whether it’s the family or just the two of you, the perfect place awaits you as you choose from more than 30 overnight accommodations, plus six vacation rental businesses. Hotels and bed & breakfasts with picturesque views dot Avalon’s hillsides while waterfront accommodations offer a close view of the water and proximity to the goings on about town. Most hotel packages include lodging and cross channel transportation, and some include continental breakfast and activities, such as a glass bottom boat tour or an Avalon City tour. On the other side of the bay, overlooking the town is the former home of William Wrigley, Jr., which operates today as the Inn on Mt. Ada, a four-star country inn. Visit catalinaisland.com and click on accommodations for a complete list and description of accommodations available on Catalina.

Restaurants and local eateries are in ample supply throughout Avalon. Visitors will find something for every taste in the family ranging from homestyle breakfasts to fine cuisine. Antonio’s serves Italian food and encourages guests to throw their peanut shells on the floor (great for families), Armstrong’s Fish Market and Seafood Restaurant specializes in seafood and also serves beef and chicken entrees, and Descanso Beach Club Oceanfront Bar and Grill on Avalon’s premier beach is the only cocktail and food service on the beach. Put your feet in the sand, a drink in your hand and enjoy superb food, beachside service, exciting water sports. For quick service, there are several bar stool spots along the pier, along with ice cream parlors and cookie shops. Be sure to visit Lloyd’s of Avalon and watch fresh salt water taffy pulled every day. El Encanto Courtyard Coffee offers the very best coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, teas, frappes, smoothies and more with indoor and outdoor seating in a relaxed courtyard garden. For a complete list of spots to eat on Catalina, visit catalinaisland.com and click on dining.

For more information about tours and things to do on Catalina, overnight accommodations, places to eat or to receive a free Visitors Guide, visit catalinaisland.com or contact the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at 310.510.1520.

Catalina – A Fast Getaway on Catalina Express

For more than 25 years, Catalina Express has been the leading provider of year-round, fast and frequent scheduled boat service between Catalina Island and the ports of Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. For those in a real hurry, its fleet of high-speed catamarans delivers passengers to Catalina in less than one hour.

Catalina Express prides itself on offering comfortable and personalized service to residents as well as visitors. The company was formed by three Island residents who saw the need for reliable transport and who worked tirelessly to develop the means of providing it. Today, the company is run by Doug and Greg Bombard, a father and son team. President Greg Bombard sums it up, “From the reservations agent to the captain and his crew, our goal is to offer passengers more than just a boat ride but a total travel experience. Our repeat business and increasing passenger loads over the years are proof that it works.”

For Catalina Express reservations and information, call 800.429.4601.