Things to do nearCatalina Casino
The Catalina Casino in Avalon, California is a landmark Art Deco masterpiece offering stunning architecture, a historic ballroom, and a beloved movie palace.
Built by William Wrigley Jr. and completed in 1929, the Catalina Casino was conceived as the cultural heart of Santa Catalina Island. The circular building was designed by architects Sumner Spaulding and Walter Weber in a sweeping Art Deco style, with exterior murals, ornate tile work, and a grand promenade deck that frames panoramic views of Avalon Bay.
The ground floor houses the Avalon Theatre, an acoustically refined cinema that opened alongside the building and still screens films today. Above it, the Grand Ballroom spans the entire upper floor, a 10,000-square-foot space where the big-band era came alive through broadcasts carried live on radio to millions across the country. The room retains its original sprung dance floor and wraparound murals.
The Catalina Island Museum, located within the casino building, traces the island's history from its Tongva inhabitants through the ranching era and into its Hollywood golden age. Just outside, Casino Point offers a marine preserve popular with divers and snorkelers drawn to clear, kelp-rich waters. Guided tours of the casino depart regularly and remain the best way to access areas not open to the general public.
Few buildings on the California coast carry this much layered history within a single structure, making the Catalina Casino a genuinely rewarding stop for anyone visiting Avalon.
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Tips for visiting Catalina Casino
Visit on a weekday morning to explore the exterior and the museum with smaller crowds and better light for photos.
Take a guided tour of the building to access the ballroom and learn about the Art Deco murals painted by John Gabriel Beckman.
Catch a film at the Avalon Theatre on the ground floor, one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the United States.
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk the Casino Point marine park directly outside, where paths hug the rocky shoreline.
Arrive by the first ferry from the mainland to give yourself a full day in Avalon and time for both the casino tour and the waterfront.
Top tours & experiences near Catalina Casino
Guided Horseback Trail Ride in Avalon
Ride to a scenic overlook above Avalon on a small-group horseback tour
Private Yacht Day Trip to Catalina from Marina del Rey
Choose a quiet harbor or a lively island town aboard a private 57-foot yacht
Guided Kelp Forest Snorkeling in Avalon, Catalina Island
Explore a protected underwater forest with a guide to help you spot marine life
Parasailing Trip in Avalon
Soar above Avalon Harbor with smooth boat-deck takeoffs and landings
Catalina Island City & Mt. Ada Scenic Bus Tour
Explore Catalina in an open-air safari vehicle with a live guide
Historic 9-Hole Golf Round on Catalina Island
Test your game on a canyon course with views of Avalon Bay
Catalina Island Day Trip with Hotel Transfers & Avalon Tour
Take in Avalon's harbor views and local history, with roundtrip mainland transport included
Guided Catalina Island Horseback Bluff View Ride
Ride horseback to a Catalina bluff viewpoint above Avalon
9-Hole Golf Round at Historic Catalina Island Golf Course
Test your game on small greens and deep bunkers
Catalina Island Horseback Ride with Ocean & Canyon Views
Explore Catalina’s hills from the saddle, with sweeping views over Avalon Harbor
9-Hole Replay Round at Catalina Island Golf Course
Play a historic canyon course with views of Avalon Bay