Things to do nearSanta Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island is a rugged Southern California island retreat known for its clear waters, wildlife-filled interior, and the laid-back harbor town of Avalon.
Santa Catalina Island has a layered history that stretches back thousands of years. The Tongva people, also known as the Gabrielino, inhabited the island long before Spanish explorers arrived in the sixteenth century. In the early twentieth century, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. purchased a controlling interest in the island and shaped much of what visitors see today, including the 1929 Avalon Casino, a grand Art Deco structure that was built as a ballroom and theater, never a gambling hall despite its name.
The town of Avalon remains the island's only incorporated city, a compact and walkable place lined with restaurants, dive shops, and galleries. The waterfront promenade is ideal for an afternoon stroll, and the water itself is remarkably clear, making Avalon Bay one of the more rewarding spots for snorkeling and kayaking along the California coast. Glass-bottom boat tours offer a look at the kelp beds and the bright orange garibaldi fish without getting wet.
Away from the harbor, the island's rugged interior is protected largely as a nature conservancy. Hiking and mountain biking trails wind through scrubby chaparral and offer sweeping views of the Pacific on clear days. The resident bison herd, numbering in the hundreds, can often be spotted grazing on open hillsides, an unexpected and memorable sight.
Santa Catalina Island rewards visitors who slow down and pay attention to its details, from the painted tiles on Avalon's buildings to the eagles circling overhead. It is a place that manages to feel genuinely remote while remaining accessible, making it one of Southern California's most distinctive destinations.
7-day forecast
Tips for visiting Santa Catalina Island
Visit during spring or early fall to enjoy mild temperatures and fewer crowds than the busy summer season.
Try the locally made buffalo milk cocktail at one of the waterfront bars in Avalon for a taste of island tradition.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as ocean breezes off the Pacific can make evenings cool.
Rent a golf cart in Avalon to explore the town and nearby coves, since personal cars are heavily restricted on the island.
Take an inland jeep or hiking tour into the island's interior to spot the free-roaming bison herd descended from animals brought over for a 1920s film production.
Top tours & experiences near Santa Catalina Island
Taste Avalon on a 2.5-Hour Walking Food Tour
Sip and sample at 5+ Avalon stops with a guided walk
Oceanfront Archery Lesson in Rancho Palos Verdes
Shoot arrows on an ocean-side range with instructor-led games
Guided Ocean Kayaking Tour in Rancho Palos Verdes
Paddle the Palos Verdes marine protected coast with a guide
Plein Air Painting Kit In Rancho Palos Verdes
Paint at your own pace with a plein air kit and take your artwork home
Dolphin & Sea Lion Tour From Avalon, Catalina Island
Cruise from Avalon to spot dolphins, sea lions, and more on a small-group boat
Parasailing Over Catalina Island Up To 800'
Soar above Avalon Harbor with solo, tandem, or triple parasailing flights
Dana Point Limited-Load Fishing Trip
Cast for seasonal catches on a limited-load route to Catalina or offshore
Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey Aboard a 105' Yacht
Cruise the Southern California coast with expansive decks, lounges, and kayaks
105' Yacht Charter in Marina del Rey
Private coastal cruising with expansive deck space
37' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail past Santa Monica Pier and set course for Catalina
51' Sailing Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail a 2024 Beneteau along the coast or toward Catalina
38' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or Catalina aboard a four-cabin catamaran
34' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or cruise to Catalina aboard a modern two-cabin yacht
40' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Charter a 2023 sailboat for coastal or Catalina cruising
42' Catamaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or Catalina with room to relax and stay overnight
47' Trimaran Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail coastal routes and island escapes aboard a 2023 Neel 47 trimaran
37' Sailboat Charter in Marina Del Rey
Sail the coast or reach Catalina aboard a modern two-cabin cruiser
34' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast, Catalina Island, or the Channel Islands on your own itinerary
46' Sailboat Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or reach Catalina aboard a 3-cabin 2025 Beneteau
40' Sailing Charter in Marina del Rey
Sail the coast or cruise to Catalina aboard a 2023 Beneteau
2-Hour Night Dive at Casino Point
Build night-diving skills while exploring Casino Point after dark
Catamaran Fishing Charter in Catalina Island
Fish Catalina’s rugged coastline from a stable catamaran
Avalon 24' Fishing Charter
Fish Catalina Island waters with a captain, gear and bait included
Catalina Island Private Boat Charter
Customize your day on the water around Catalina Island
Catalina Island Guided Night Scuba Dive
Discover Catalina Island’s underwater world after dark
Romantic Jeep Tour of Catalina Island
Toast with wine and charcuterie on a private open-air Jeep escape
Avalon to Summit One-Way Shuttle
Ride to the summit, then walk back to Avalon with island and mainland views
Private Catalina Island Yacht Charter
Cruise to Catalina’s boat-only coves on a private 48' yacht
Long Beach 48' Yacht Charter
Cruise the harbor with spacious lounging and premium sound
Newport Beach 55' Yacht Charter
Cruise Newport Harbor or the open ocean aboard a private 55-foot yacht
Avalon Full-Day Bike Rental
Explore Avalon’s paved streets with a bike rental suited to your day
Huntington Beach Sunset Cruise
Cruise Southern California harbors as Catalina’s mountains frame the sunset
Guided Scuba Dive Charter in Catalina Island
Dive Catalina’s kelp forests from a captained charter boat
Private Catalina Island Yacht Charter
Cruise privately to Catalina Island for shore time, coves, and swimming
Long Beach 15-Minute Helicopter Tour
See Long Beach's harbor, ships, and skyline from a helicopter
Catalina Island Game Fish Charter
Fish Catalina waters from a captain-led boat with time to swim and relax