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.
7-day forecast
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 Catalina Island Horseback Bluff View Ride
Ride horseback to a Catalina bluff viewpoint above Avalon
Guided Horseback Trail Ride in Avalon
Ride to a scenic overlook above Avalon on a small-group horseback tour
Parasailing Trip in Avalon
Soar above Avalon Harbor with smooth boat-deck takeoffs and landings
30-Minute Mermaid Transformation in Avalon
Slip into a mermaid look and take home a souvenir photo