If you’re looking for an amazing weekend destination while in Los Angeles, look no further than this list of the 9 Best Things to Do in Catalina Island. Located southwest of LA, this is a great spot with great activities to suit any traveler, couple or family. If you want some adventure, you can explore beautiful beaches and awesome hiking trails. If you’re looking to relax, spend your days on a boat or the golf course.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about the island, there are multiple activities that will teach you about the landscape, history or food! There is no limit to the opportunities offered on this perfect island. Be sure to stick around until the end of the video, when we’ll go over the most adventurous activity Catalina Island has to offer!
Descanso Beach Club
We’re starting our list off with a Catalina Classic. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach with a snack or party the night away, Descanso Beach Club is the place for you. Located in a secluded cove behind Catalina Island Casino, Descanso is the island’s only beach side restaurant. It has something for singles, couples and families, with a variety of activities offered during the day and night, this beach club is always a top choice for travelers. You can choose from an array of water sports, and there is even an option for zip lining and climbing up the Catalina Climbing Wall!
You can relax on a lounger on the private beach, enjoy the water and have a pina colada delivered to you. When you’re hungry, you can visit the restaurants and bars around you, offering great food and beverages. It’s a fun beach atmosphere in the daytime and exciting nightlife as well. If you’d like to pamper yourself, opt for some of the high-end facilities such as private cabanas and personal staff. These include comfortable chaise lounges, specially prepared food and personalized massages.
No matter what you’re looking for, you are sure to have a great time at Descanco Beach Club. It’s a Catalina favorite and definitely an island must-do.
Trans-Catalina Trail
If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous and you’re not afraid to work up a sweat, you can check out the Trans-Catalina Trail. Hikers will love this 37.2-mile trail that stretches across the entirety of the island. It’s a fantastic way to get a feel for the beautiful landscapes and coastlines of Catalina. You also have the option to camp along with way, with five different campgrounds offered on the route!
If a multi-day hike is a bit too ambitious for you, there are multiple hiking options in the Two Harbors area ranging from easy to difficult. Expert hikers to easy-going walkers will all find something to enjoy in this beautiful area.
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
The Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden is operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy and honors William Wrigley, Jr. This place is located in Avalon Canyon and marks the start of one of the island’s most popular hikes, the Garden to Sky Trail.
With over 38 acres of beautiful plant species and fauna, this gorgeous garden is at the top of most peoples’ Catalina must-see list. Most of the plants are unlike any you have ever seen before, with many on the Endangered Species List. The gardens surround The Wrigley Memorial, which was made in honor of the largest chewing gum manufacturer in the world and who also had a significant impact in the history of Catalina Island.
Taste of Catalina Food Tours
Foodies will love the food tours offered on this island, particularly the Taste of Catalina Food Tour, which offers fun walking tours that visit many of the best eateries in the area! Visit the various restaurants and cafes while listening to the history and growth of Catalina cuisine and the buzzing food scene. Enjoy the sights along the way and historical landmarks which make this tour a special experience you’ll tell all you friends about.
Taste of Catalina Food Tours explores Avalon’s best eateries and enjoy culinary masterpieces along the way. You are sure to try something that blows you away, from unique tastings to craft beers. You may even get the chance to meet some of the award winning chefs along the way!
If you’d like to arrange an experience the whole family is sure to enjoy, schedule a private tour with Taste of Catalina Food Tours. They will craft a tour that is perfect for you and your family. It may just be your favorite activity on your island vacation! But be sure to wear your walking shoes!
Which activity would you choose? If you’ve seen something you’d like to try on your next trip to Catalina Island, give this video a like. Don’t forget to subscribe to ViewCation for more travel content and tips for your next trip!
Two Harbors
Don’t forget to stop at the rustic town of Two Harbors. This seaside village is located 20 miles from Avalon and named after the two harbors within the town, Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor. This is a good place to stay on the island and features many wonderful accommodate options, as well as recreational activities. Visitors will enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, boating, mountain biking and more. There are also many great restaurant options to explore in this area as well!
Silver Canyon Pottery
If you’re looking for a fun and unique experience, sign up for a pottery class with Silver Canyon Pottery. Located in Pebbly Beach, this spot was once home to the Catalina Pottery and Tile factory from 1928 to 1939. The owner, Robin Cassidy, is a local of Catalina Island who is known for her restoration of tiles in downtown Avalon.
Visit Silver Canyon Pottery for a view of the tiles used in restoration projects throughout the island. You can visit the studio and learn about the inner workings of the shop. The studio tours are very popular, and you can even make your own souvenir tile – no experience necessary! You can learn from experienced artists and get a look into how they mold and fire their own creations.
Catalina Island Golf Course
If you love golfing, then you have to check out the Catalina Island Golf Course. This incredible course was built in 1892 by the Banning Brothers and is the oldest operating golf course west of the Mississippi. The nine hole golf course is a favorite among visitors and was at one time the home of the Bobby Jones Invitational Tournament.
This 2,100-yard course takes about an hour to complete and is a par 32. It’s a popular stop for many visitors to Catalina Island, and on your visit, you can stop by the Pro Shop for a souvenir. You could also schedule a lesson by a PGA-certified professional. No need to bring your clubs to the island, you can easily rent them as well as electric or pull carts. If your kids want to join you, they will enjoy the Miniature Golf Gardens also offered in the club!
The Nature Center at Avalon Canyon
Catalina Island features two nature centers set up by the Catalina Island Conservancy, and the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon is one of them. These nature centers protect and restore the natural fauna and flora of the island. Walk along Avalon Canyon and enjoy the views to access the Nature Center, or opt for a golf cart, trolley or bicycle ride.
At the Nature Center, you can learn about Catalina’s natural landscape and conservation efforts through exhibits and displays. Kids will enjoy the interactive and hand-on activities offered for children to learn more about the island’s animals, plants, geology and marine life.
Scuba Diving
If you’re looking for the most adventurous, and maybe the best, activity available on Catalina Island, then look no further – it’s time to go scuba diving! In Catalina Island, you can find a wide variety of marine life, and there’s no better way to learn about these creatures than to get up close and personal! Scuba diving is an experience you will always remember, and it allows you the special chance to explore the under water world of the island.
Diving Catalina offers many different experiences for all levels of divers. If you’re not a diver, you can go for the Introductory Scuba Dive, which is an orientation to scuba diving and allows you to experience what it feels like diving in the ocean. If you love it, you could become a certified diver and experience more freedom in the water. Even experienced divers will love the underwater beauty if the Catalina. The Avalon Underwater Dive Park is great for divers and offers camps, tours and rentals. It is considers some of the best shore diving in California!
If diving isn’t your thing, go for snorkeling instead! The Casino Point Dive Park is a paradise for snorkelers with clear water and amazing coral reefs. Take a look at the wide variety of fish and underwater creatures that live in the underwater gardens. No matter what you choose, this experience will probably be your favorite activity in Catalina Island!
What activities will you choose on your trip to Catalina Island? Would you rather get a close look at the island’s marine life in the water or walk through the historic town streets on a food tour? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more ViewCation content and travel tips!