How to Spend the Perfect Weekend on Catalina Island: Ferry Info and Top Attractions
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About 30 miles off the coast of Southern California you will find Santa Catalina Island. On a clear day you can see the coastline of Catalina from the mainland, but when you’re on the island, it feels like you’re in another country!
Having Catalina so accessible from Southern California makes it a perfect weekend getaway or even a day trip destination.
Whether you’re staying for a couple days or only have a few hours between ferries, you’ll want to keep reading to make the most of your time.
What You Need to Know Before You Visit Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island has two main towns to visit, Avalon and Two Harbors.
Avalon is the more popular of the two with a larger town, more places to stay, and more activities.
Two Harbors is smaller and more outdoorsy, a great place to camp! (So I’ve heard)
I have only traveled to Avalon, but I hope to visit Two Harbors next time visiting to see another part of the island.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing, vacation-like experience, Avalon is your town. The main downtown area is relatively flat and walkable, making it easy to shop, eat, and sightsee.
For adventuring off the main road, you’ll want to rent a golf cart to fully experience the island.
💡Pro-Tip: Bring cash for the golf carts at Island Rentals!
There are plenty of golf cart and e-bike rentals just steps away from the ferry terminal. All are first come first serve, so if you don’t get a chance to rent a cart right away, grab a bite to eat and stop back a bit later.
How Much Time Should I Spend on Catalina Island?
Catalina Island overall is not very large, and depending on what you want to do, you likely don’t need to spend more than a few days on the Island.
For visiting Avalon, I would recommend spending 2 days, 1 night on the island for your first time.
It is possible to see most of Avalon in one day, but depending on the activities you may be doing, it is nice to have a place to stay and shower or relax during the day.
Overnight accommodations can get pricey, though, especially during the summer months, so you may opt to just stay the day based on your budget.
If you want to have time to explore and relax in the town of Avalon, then a weekend trip (2 days) is the perfect amount of time.
Catalina Island Ferry Guide: How to Get to Avalon
The easiest and fastest way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry. There are four ports to choose from on the mainland, so you’re sure to find one close to where you’re staying.
If you’re departing from Dana Point, Long Beach, or San Pedro – the Catalina Express is your ferry.
If you’re departing from Newport Beach, then you’ll want to take the Catalina Flyer.
💡Pro-Tip: If you’re planning to visit Catalina in the summer months (May-September), be sure to book the ferry at least 2 months in advance to guarantee the departure/arrival times meet your needs. Even in the off-season, tickets tend to sell out fast.
I’ve made this mistake a few times of waiting until the last minute to book ferry tickets, they do sell out!
Once you get on the ferry, it is quite a nice ride. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and a small concession stand with light snacks and drinks.
The ferry ride to Avalon takes just under an hour and a half, departing from Dana Point. The timing is about the same from the other departure locations as well.
Catalina Island, California: Best Things to Do in One Day
Catalina Island is a perfect destination for a day or weekend trip because of its size. Even though the town of Avalon is on the smaller side, there are plenty of things to do and explore.
Make sure to leave time for food, beach time, and even water sports! The past two times that I’ve been in Avalon, it has been too chilly for water sports, so sightseeing and restaurants have been my go-tos.
6 Top Attractions in Avalon, Catalina Island
- Rent a golf cart– This is an absolute must. Touring the Island by golf cart is the easiest and most fun way to get your bearings and the best views of the island. To make it even easier, the golf cart rentals are located right across the street from the ferry terminal. I usually like self-guided tours, but if you don’t wanna drive your golf cart and want expert history lessons, you can book a private tour for your group.
- 💡Pro-Tip: Drive your golf cart up to Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook for the best photo ops of the harbor!
- Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Gardens – During either a stop on your golf cart tour or a walk up from town, the botanical gardens are a must-see. Admission is $13.56 per adult, and tickets can be purchased online. The botanical gardens are also home to the start of one of Catalina’s most popular hiking trails, the Garden to Sky trail.
- Submarine Excursion – Cue the Beatles “..we all live in a yellow submarine..” and climb into the yellow submarine tour. I haven’t gotten a chance to do this one yet, but I can only imagine the views are sweet! The water all around the island is incredibly clear year-round.
- Get in the Water – One of the first things you’ll notice in Catalina is the pristine, clear water. If you’re visiting during the summer months at a warm time (or not, more power to ya!), then doing some kind of water activity is a must. Snorkeling will get you closest to the marine life, but kayaking or paddle boarding are also great options.
- If you are planning to do water activities, I would recommend staying the night in Avalon so you have a place to change! I’ve seen people carry snorkel gear on the ferry over, so it can be done, maybe just not as comfortably.
- Beach Time – This is where you’ll question if you’re in Italy or California. The Descanso Beach Club is a private beach area, perfect for relaxing or if you have a larger group. Book a cabana or lounge chair for the day, which will get you access to their full-service restaurant and bar. Like everything else in Catalina, book early so you don’t miss out!
- Dinner on the Dock – After a long day of adventure or relaxing, my favorite restaurant in Avalon is Bluewater Grill. Bonus points because there is outdoor patio seating over the harbor where you can watch the seals swim by, but the food and drink selection is also great. This location does not take reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait in a bit of a line if you want to sit on the dock.
I love Catalina Island for the diversity of activities you can have in just a short weekend. Even the ferry ride over to Catalina is a great experience itself!
No matter if you’re planning a one or two-day weekend trip to Catalina Island, you’re sure to have a great time.
