If youre coming from Orange County or San Diego, youll probably want to leave from Dana Point. The most common way to get to Catalina Island for the day is by taking a ferry. Normally, if transportation is cheap I dont feel so bad spending a little more at my destination. Enjoy a scenic walk, rent bicycles, rent a golf cart in town to get a quicker ride, or take the Catalina Shuttle to save precious time on your day trip to Catalina. They also have a map for a 12-mile scenic route that takes about an hour to complete which is a good place to start if its your first time on the island. Even though its getting a bit cooler, Id still say Catalina Island makes a perfect day trip. Right before catching our ferry, I decided that was the perfect time to shop for a t-shirt I was the last customer before closing and had limited options! Catalina Express - The Official Travel Resource for the San Diego Region Catalina Island is the perfect place to take a break from the demands of daily life. Catalina is a cute place that's popular with scuba divers, hikers, families, and anyone who needs to get away from the city or wants to take a romantic escape. **Round-trip tickets include $7.00 Island wharfage fee and tax which entails $4.00 from Long Beach / San Pedro to Avalon and $3.00 from Avalon to Long Beach / San Pedro. Valid until August 25, 2023. []. Bison Expedition In an all-terrain H-1 Hummer you will traverse the islands rugged outback including Middle Canyon and Cape Canyon on your way to find wild Bison! You also need to arrive to the ferry at least 30 minutes before departure going both ways. Rate subject to change during special events and holiday periods. She recently sold all her belongings to be able to travel the world without any materialistic limitations. Yes, Catalina Island is currently open to visitors. 2022 The Atlas Heart | Design made in collaboration withInk & Honey Design Co.+Michelle Robins Creative. Youll be taken through Lovers Cove, a State Marine Conservation Area sanctuary where youll see amazing undersea gardens and ocean habitats in a semi-submersible vessel designed after Americas first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus. Cruise around Catalina by Golf Cart. Sunset will not be visible from Avalon because of the islands positioning, 9. Catalina Island was and still is a popular place to shoot movies (over 500 films, tv shows, and commercials have been shot in the area). h6 { color:#000000; } If visiting Catalina Island during this time, youll be fighting the crowds and the charm of Catalina could get overlooked. Tip: Catalina Island makes a perfect day trip from both Los Angeles and San Diego. Restaurants stay open late so if possible try and push eating dinner out later when the town starts becoming sleepy. The two main ferry services are Catalina Express (Dana Point, Long Beach, and San Pedro) and the Catalina Flyer (Newport Beach). Why Plan a One Day Trip to Catalina Island? For booking on island activities, if you didnt purchase in advance (which is highly advised for the summer season) there is still a chance you can book all kinds of island excursions from boat rides, submarine rides, snorkeling, island tours, Casino tours and more. The ferry rides are operated by two companies: Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer and take about an hour. If youre hoping to do a cabana or chaise lounge rental, youll want to secure a reservation in advance. 2023 Calendar: Holidays And Notable Events. Hi William, With a variety of arrangements from a simple smash to an eggs-and-bacon option, you simply . There are tours ranging from one to four hours. Stop by Catalina Coffee & Cookie for a cup of coffee and a delicious sweet treat (including vegan options). Experience all the Island Style festivities of the rustic Two Harbors! $$$ Hotel Metropole If youre really looking for a luxury stay or are in need of some pampering this beachfront hotel has you covered. Catalina Island Ferry: What You Need to Know - TripSavvy The inland of the island is difficult to fit in on a day trip to Catalina Island unless you arrange a guided tour with one of the many different options for exploring the interior of the island ranging anywhere from as little as 45 minutes to 3.5 hours. Toddler and infant seats are available for your use. On your way up to the Inn at Mount Ada you can take a left turn as youre approaching the top and find a quiet bench with unbelievable views known as the Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook (on Google Maps). There are two different options to choose from to get from the mainland to Catalina Island: by sea or by air. Tip: if you are looking for hotels in Southern California, check out this list of unique hotels worth staying at. DAY 3. One of the best places to go where you can also grab a cocktail to sip out on the beach is Descanso Beach Club. Your guide will also teach you a ton about fish, the island, and the environment. Let's plan our amazing Catalina Island one day itinerary! This tour has the most total ratings out of any of the islands tours on Viator.com! We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Hiking Trails. When you first arrive in the city of Avalon, Id recommend spending some time getting acquainted with the cute downtown area and exploring the local boutiques. Reservations are not needed, they have plenty of golf carts in stock. Most shops, museums, and tours close early, 11. Book your Two Harbors mooring reservation, Independence Day Celebration in Two Harbors. If you do have more time, check out this article about the best places to stay on Catalina Island. With so many activities to choose from, your visit to Catalina Island can be adventure-packed or filled with rest and relaxation. Santa Catalina Island isnt exactly known for its foodie scene, but its still surrounded by the ocean so if youre a fan of seafood you should make time to grab some delicious lobster rolls before you get back on the ferry. A Day Trip to Catalina Island (from Los Angeles) - Entertain the Idea You can also rent private cabanas at Descanso if youre with a group or choose to simply enjoy the sand with a beach towel. It has the worlds largest indoor circular ballroom and can be rented for events. This is an even smaller town with about one restaurant and one store thats more popular among those who are fortunate enough to have their own boat and come spend a day here. For example, the parking garage near the Catalina Flyer currently charges $28 a day. Hop onboard the Catalina Flyer for daily ferry service from Newport Beach to Avalon, Catalina Island in just over 1 hour. You can purchase round-trip tickets for the same day. They will pro-rate the amount if you decide to take it out a little longer. Round-trip for 2 on Catalina Express (Dana Point $4extra), Free morning Kona coffee, tea, juice and donuts, 10% discount at Original Jack's Breakfast Kitchen. Golf carts are the cars of the island, seriously you wont see many actual cars on the island but everyone drives golf carts! Several hundred years ago around 7000 BC, Santa Catalina was first inhabited by Tongva (indigenous people of California) who made settlements all throughout the island including modern-day Avalon. --wpforms-button-text-color: #ffffff; Packages starting at $187per person, plus tax. His descendants still own most of the Santa Catalina Island Company today. Absolutely love posts like this that give the real deal of traveling somewhere. Also Read: Things to Do on a Family Day Out in Los Angeles. Many people agree that it's a hidden gem in California that everyone should visit at least once. Undersea Sub Expedition Get a glimpse at the creatures that lie underneath the waters surface on this underwater cruise! Catalina Island Ferry Trip From Los Angeles With Avalon Tour 2023 - Viator Hilary. To keep things simple, I put together this Catalina day trip itinerary based on starting your day in Avalon. We rented our golf cart for 2 hours, but 1 hour ended up being more than enough time to drive around and discover the island. Packages are based on double occupancy, per person subject to availability and includes tax. Both of these options come with a personalized beach butler who will come and take your drink and food orders and deliver right to where youre lounging plus other perks like welcome drinks! $$$ Bellanca Hotel Newly opened hotel with modern decor and personal balconies. There are 4 different ports to travel out of; San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point. The journey takes just over an hour. Pin one of these images for future reference. If youre lucky you might even spot some of the bison that live on the island that were left over here from a movie that was filmed here decades ago, endemic fox species that are as small as a house cat, or bald eagles on your journey. Winter is a great time to bundle and save with Boat & Hotel Packages. Then simply walk around the small area that makes up downtown Avalon. Catalina Express Discover paradise on Catalina Island with daily ferry trips to and from the island. If you get through everything on this Catalina Island itinerary, you probably wont have time to do a guided tour on the island as well. Renting a golf cart from Catalina Golf Cart Rentals also requires a $50 deposit and its cash-only but theres a nearby ATM. In the off-season, its usually only a couple of departures and returns per day and that goes up to around 5-6 to Avalon and 7-9 to Two Harbors in the high season. THIS SCHEDULE IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Bum a ride. 4. If you can plan your day trip to be here for both lunch and dinner, we recommend that! Looking for more Southern California travel inspiration? And it will be a lot less crowded than in summer! Dont miss these related posts below! Schedule & Fares : Catalina Express Rates starting at $244 per person, plus tax. We use cookies to improve your experience and to analyze the use of our website. Specials & packages change throughout the year, so check back often to find the perfect package for your next adventure to Catalina Island. h5 { color:#000000; } This option is especially great if no one in your group is legal to drive the cart (25 or over). Unless youre doing a multi-day trek along the Trans Catalina Trail which covers the length of the island, which if youre doing a day trip isnt possible, youll need to be a part of the tour because the other parts of the island often require off roading vehicles as golf carts arent allowed on the interior of the island as its dangerous. Here are a few activities to choose from: Note: Another very popular water activity on Catalina is the islands semi-submersible submarine and glass-bottom boat tours. Public transportation in California is among the worst in the county. Hurricane Hilary Prompts Tropical Storm Watch In Southern California; Flash Flood Danger Ahead For Southwest. p { color: #000000; } You can do this by visiting their website and booking a reservation from Long Beach (Downtown) Departure and Avalon arrival. Choosing which side to visit ultimately depends on your interests! An overnight isnt necessary while visiting Catalina Island, 7. There are 3 Ferry Locations to Catalina Island, 3. There are 4 different ports to travel out of; San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point. One of the easiest ways to enjoy the insane views on your day trip to Catalina Island is by walking up towards the Inn at Mount Ada on Wrigley Road, the mansion historically owned by the Wrigley family that is now the most fascinating place to stay on the island with views of Avalon and the ocean below its hilltop location. Another famous activity in Catalina is kayaking. This 45-minute experience costs $48.50 USD and is fun for younger kids and adults alike. She thrives on helping people follow their travel dreams and motivating them to get out there and see the world. Round trip tickets for the Catalina Flyer are $70 for adults, $65 for seniors 60+, and $53 for children 12 and under. Based on availability, some restrictions apply. Already have travel and lodging sorted out and just need to find some fun islandactivitiesto do during your stay? Hilary was downgraded Saturday from a Category 4 to a Category 1 hurricane, and then to a tropical storm ahead of landfall on Sunday. Discover the Catalina Island Casino The casino is Catalinas most visually appealing and historical building dating back to 1929. Summer days can be overcast until noon or later. With its year round Mediterranean climate, it's the ideal place to enjoy ocean air and sunshine. The casino on the island, which was never actually a gambling hall and never will be, means gathering place and thats exactly what it was on the island with a movie theater featuring the first motion picture with sound! Come prepared with sunscreen too! All Rights Reserved. It gets even better, bikes and beach chairs are complimentary for you to use! Youll find the best weather during this time of the year and slightly fewer crowds than you will in summer. Youd definitely have to plan your day around everything closing early. $$ Catalina Island Seacrest Inn One of the cheapest hotel options on the island. Come prepared with things that settle the stomach like ginger ale or purchase ginger chews, Dramamine for motion sickness, or try a motion sickness patch. Your guide will walk your group around Avalon while sharing paranormal stories and mysteries. More than one million travelers choose Catalina Island as their getaway each year and Catalina Express' large fleet of boats make the trip in about an hour, operating every day, year round from three mainland ports - Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. And similar to the Long Beach Port, the number of ferries leaving and returning per day depends on the time of year. :root { Expert recommendations on beach spots, restaurants, shops within easy walking distance. A fireplace and balcony are a part of some rooms and views are either ocean, courtyard, or hillside. You never know but you might also spot foxes and eagles too! Eventually, in 1542 Europeans settled on the island years later and the Spanish explorer named the island San Salvador after his ship. Discover paradise on Catalina Island with daily ferry trips to and from the island. Catalina Island Packages and Special Offers | Catalina Island If youre not a fan of paying for beach access, you can also lay out on the small beach near the ferry dock, called Middle Beach (although it doesnt have quite the same ambiance). By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Round-trip Boat Transportationon Catalina Express, Complimentary Continental Breakfast to your room. Poke your head into shops and find some souvenirs that you might want to pick up later before you hop on the ferry back to the mainland. More than one million travelers choose Catalina Island as their getaway each year and Catalina Express' large fleet of boats make the trip in about an hour, operating every day, year round from three mainland ports - Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. --wpforms-button-size-padding-h: 15px; --wpforms-field-size-input-spacing: 15px; Travel Gifts, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It is also a much cheaper option than renting your own golf cart, especially if you dont have more than 2 people in your group to split the cost with. Planning to Visit Hawaii? What to Know About Fires on Maui and Big Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co., Perfect for a sweet tooth or a cold drink! A Perfect Catalina Island Day Trip - the Ultimate Guide The overhead speakers will provide commentary about the different fish and underwater ecosystems. 911 lines down in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Indio. If you want to step inside and learn about its glamourous Hollywood era and see the art deco murals youll need to join a tour such as this one. If youre planning to lay in the sun Id plan to go before mid-late afternoon because as the sun starts to set the beach will quickly become shaded. I went to the Lobster Trap while I was in town and although the service couldve been friendlier, their lobster rolls were a great way to end my time on Catalina Island before making my way back to the mainland.
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