My family of 4 (2 boys, ages 6 and 8) loved it and can't wait to go back! We went over Memorial Day…read moreweekend 2026. Morning overcast burnt off by around 12 each day. Nights were cool but the comforters provided were sufficiently warm at night. Comfortable beds and pillows. Pay for the bedding/towel package in advance so they can make the beds for you. We'd like to go back in the summer months when it's warmer. We packed our own snacks, food to grill on the community grills, and more than enough stuff to make all meals on site. Everything u need to cook comfortably is provided, except maybe 1 or two things that I'll list below. We got the 4 person full size hut. We were towards the back of the camp but conveniently located next to bathrooms/sinks. Our hut faced the ocean so we were fortunate to have great views. The grounds are private and large enough for kids to explore but small enough that parents can let older kids roam free. The beach is perfect for little ones, and the communal spaces included a lot of outdoor activities and games. No wifi in the huts/yurts/etc. You have to go to the large communal building (where food is served for those who purchase the add-on meal package (95.00 per person per day; you can't select individual meals, it's all or nothing)). Meal planning is critical if you plan on cooking for yourself. We took too much but were happy that we chose to make our own food. There's a dishwashing station with hot water, sponges, dish soap. The huts have large bins to take your dishes over to the washing station. It was easy enough to do that after every meal. Advice- purchase ferry tickets AND water taxi when you book. You likely will not go back and forth to Avalon during your stay. Water taxi time slots are limited and not cheap. We each had our own backpacks, one large suitcase, a tote (for toiletries), a cooler and a dry goods bag. It was all manageable because we had it rigged up on wheels. u can also take a collapsible wagon on the ferry. The camp offers wagons on site to take belongings from the water taxi to your hut. That wagon came in handy, we used it often. We got in early on Saturday morning and left early Monday from the camp to hang in Avalon for a couple of hours. Avalon was cute but very touristy. Food there is just okay and expensive. Things to consider packing--If you take your own food to the camp site- I suggest you pack paper towels (none provided) and a cutting board. They provide a french press, so taking ground coffee is the way to go. They provide each site a burner and propane tank to boil water, cook, etc. We took a 60 qt cooler and a bag with dry goods. They provide a very large cooler to transfer your stuff into as well as ice packs that you can swap out as needed. We should have packed a table cloth for the picnic table outside our hut. We used a camping blanket and it worked out fine. The camp provides small rechargeable lanterns that were useful. Water refill stations in the communal building. Bring water bottles to refill. We took a beach blanket and a camping chair to use at the beach, both came in handy. We should have packed a smaller packable cooler for the beach. We also should have packed a wet clothes bag for wet/sandy stuff, and a dirty clothes bag. Bathrooms are individual stalls in an out house type setting that feels open and cold at night. Showers are the same. The shower stalls are open from the top so although the water gets warm, the stalls are cold because they are open. I showered midday while the sun was out and in my swimsuit. There's no changing area in the showers, so unless u want to get dressed in a wet stall, you should either take a robe and dress minimally or walk back/forth in a swimsuit and get dressed in your hut. Shower shoes are a must. The setting is ideal for large groups/familes. We want to go back with friends! There's a kayak/paddle board rental company on-site. We kayaked midday but the wind made it impossible to enjoy ourselves. If it's windy, don't bother. Mornings and evenings are the best time to kayak. Margot was our on-site host and was incredibly sweet and helpful. Our boys loved her. She hooked up s'mores and evening fire pits (u can't make your own fires there). They didn't have any organized crafting activities because it's slow season, but Margot mentioned that she could bring out the materials if kids were interested. The vibe is very chill and go with the flow. Staff was super friendly and always down to help.

Nice little camp ground if you want to be away from Catalina city. We came unfortunately there was…read morea large group of kids- which would have been fine but their adults were not supervising them, they were up past 10 screaming, filled our rental canoes with sand and just left the place a mess but that is not the camp's responsibility. I had my four kiddos so I understand kids and how they can be but these kids were well spoiled seeming. The land itself is nice it's a camp ground on an isolated part of Catalina. The little camp ground sells a few items - sort of random items. Ice cream, lollipops, basic sodas, etc then they have a few items for microwaving like fancy brand cup of nooodles they also sell Annie's Mac n cheese and nicer Italian pasta to boil and cook at your camp site. Each campsite has a kitchen kit with pots n pans and a little camp stove free to use which was nice They also have a buffet which no one told us about! $95 per person at the time of leaving this review for all the meals, I only had breakfast by a. Ident thought it was included lol The meals smelled amazing and looked great! They have a salad bar and fresh options for their meals next time we will do this option The tent was freezing we piled the blankets and huddled together. Could have been the time of year (Late april) beautiful spacious tent with a full bed and a sleeping cot The beach has rentals like kayaks and paddle boards with little caves and coves to explore. We didn't snorkel because it was so cold but there were a few scuba divers out. Because it's so remote if the weather isn't good I wouldn't come. We enjoyed our stay

I'm not a camper but we had to stop here for a night because visibility was getting pretty bad and…read morewe couldn't go further on our 50 mile hike. The campground was quiet nice all things considered. There's a ranger station and also full facilities down the hill. I slept on the table because I didn't want to be down low with the crappy crawlies. Please come and create your own adventure.

We stayed here recently since we were doing the trans Catalina trail. Our campsite was near the…read morebeach which should have been lovely but our stay was horrible. After a long day of hiking we needed some rest. But there was a loud party at a near campsite. Loud techno music until well past 2am. There's no camp host or anyone else you can ask for help. Amplified music is not allowed at any time and quiet hours are after 10pm. But this is not at all enforced. I got hardly any sleep on this site. The loud party until well past 2am and in the morning I woke up from the portapotty door slamming that started at 5.30 am since hikers had to get up early. We complained at the visitor center the next day since they run the campground. They were not surprised and informed us that the same group had a similar party the previous night and they had received similar complaints from other campers. WTF???? They knew about the issue but didn't care? Why didn't they ask the group violating the campground rules to leave? or why didn't they check in on the campsite to make sure the group wouldn't party again like they did the first night? The campsites are expensive and I didn't ask for much, just a place to get some rest between long hiking days. Loud music is probably also not good for the wildlife. There's a lot of talk about the environment on this island but really it's mostly a money grab.

Absolutely loved this campground. We have been here twice. Once we stayed in a tent and the second…read morewe stayed in the yurt. When we stayed by the yurt, there were some baby foxes that were literally right next to our campsite. They even went in the yurt, but they were harmless and we were not there at the moment. We did see them run out though. The little shop they have there is really neat and has a little bit of everything you will need. Our kids took the bikes and it was a nice little ride for them to get back onto the main street. We took the hiking trail up to the top. It was breathtaking and just so awesome. And I say breathtaking because I'm a little out of shape and it literally took my breath away lol but it was a great achievement for my husband and my son for us to do! Can't wait to come back!

What a great weekend trip! We went on the last weekend it was open with a running group. Had a…read morelot of space, aspens yellowing and two big fire pits for warmth and cooking! Brought our dogs and had an amazing trip hiking around and camping.

The best outdoor camping experience you can have is at Camp Emerald Bay. It is a guaranteed…read moreunforgettable, unparalleled, and unique experience. Staff is fun too!

Stayed at Emerald Bay over the summer (my son as a scout, and myself as a adult leader), and we had…read morea great time. This was my first time at a summer camp, so I didn't know much to expect. The location was beautiful with the calm ocean, beach, and trails. My son learned a lot in the merit badge programs (including shooting a shotgun), and I even got to try scuba diving. Parson's Landing is a gorgeous beach there, and the staff there were excellent. In addition, the food was good too (for a scout camp). I totally recommend Emerald Bay as a fun summer camp for scouts!

Catalina Island…read more Little Harbor Campground really feels like a little getaway from modern life. Tucked away on the quieter side of Catalina, it's the kind of place where you can just slow down, enjoy the sound of the waves, and forget about all the noise of the city. The beach is right near the campground, and if you're lucky enough to snag a site close to the sand (it's first come, first serve for the best spots), you'll have some amazing views and easy access to the water. Amenities are simple but convenient. There's a shower, which comes in handy after a day at the beach or hiking around, but don't expect luxury--it's more about function than comfort. Cell service is spotty overall, though if you hike up the hill near the beach you can usually catch a decent signal to check in. What makes this spot special is the atmosphere. It's peaceful, scenic, and has that feeling of being far from the modern grind without being totally cut off. If you're looking for a campground with ocean views, some seclusion, and just enough amenities to keep you comfortable, Little Harbor is worth the trip.

Peaceful and scenic, Little Harbor campground (on the west side of Catalina Island) offers large…read morecampsites with picnic tables, drinkable water, large fire pits, secure boxes for food, porta-potties, and cold showers. You'll need to bring everything else you need. (TIP: If you're coming over on the Catalina Express, be aware of the baggage restrictions. Fuel is prohibited on the boat and only two bags per passenger are allowed, plus one sleeping bag. Fuel/supplies can be purchased at the store in Little Harbor.) I rented a propane stove which was delivered diretcly to the campsite, along with a can of propane. You can also have the rest of your gear delivered directly from the harbor to the campsite for a fee. A fellow camper ordered firewood, also delivered directly to the campsite. Hiking: Trails along the coastal bluffs and in the hills around the campground are well-maintained and full of beautiful native plants. The beaches are pristine, stunning, and a great place to catch the sunset. The hike from the harbor to the campsite is about five miles and moderately strenuous. Animal life: I almost stepped on a rattlesnake on a trail, so be alert. Foxes apparently stole some of my fellow campers' food, so use those fox boxes to store your provisions. We saw a large herd of bison along the main trail to the campsite with no issues, great for photos. Sleep: Choruses of frogs in the creek and the crashing waves kept me up the first night, being a light sleeper. Some may find these sounds soothing, like white noise, but some might consider bringing noise-canceling headphones. Reservations for the whole year open up on New Year's Day at 12:00 am online at the Catalina Island Co. website and are apparently gone in the blink of an eye for the most desirable spots. Mark your calendar now. Due to a gorgeous setting and camp services provided without a hitch, five stars all the way. Highly recommended!

I just got back yesterday from chaperoning middle school kids at CIMI, Fox Landing…read more My 5 star review is for the activities we did as well as the incredibly passionate, patient, and knowledgeable staff we got to work with, Brenna and Sofie. As a company, I hope you acknowledge, compensate generously, and appreciate the staff on your team for their hard work and dedication to the people who visit your camp and for giving us the experiences we have that make us want to send our kids the following years. It is them, and their talents, that turn a 2-star facility into a 5-star experience. I can not emphasize that last sentence enough, so a little louder for the people in the back: BRENNA AND SOFIE TURNED YOUR 2-STAR FACILITY INTO A 5-STAR EXPERIENCE. Our school signed up for intro to snorkeling, a night snorkel, a second day snorkel with play time (jumping off the floater), tide pooling, the large air swing, and kayaking. I read quite a few of the 1-3 star reviews from years past and could not disagree with them more. Could the facilities be upgraded? Yes. Should they be? Maybe. But this is camp. Have none of you gone camping before?? Camping is dirty. It is dusty. There are bugs. You're lucky when there are flushing toilets. This isn't a hotel with maids! And all of these kids- they could all use a lesson or two on cleaning up after themselves. You want the bathrooms to be clean? Teach your kids to not piss on the seat. You want camp floors clean? Teach your kids to shake off sand before coming in, and how to sweep the floors. It was embarrassing to see how many 13yo didn't know how to sweep the cafeteria of the food THEY DROPPED ONTO THE FLOOR 5 mins ago. I felt like all of these things, they were learning experiences for the kids and the ones that complained the most needed the lessons the most. The only time I had a real concern during the camp was during the night snorkeling; as the chaperone, I had a few minutes of panic when I felt claustrophobic as half of the kids (Sofie and I were watching 16 13yos) were climbing on top of me/the boogie board I was given, and the secondary chaperone, not a strong swimmer, also started to drag on me. During the night dives, I wonder if it would be possible to provide not just a buddy system, but have a handful of body boards provided to the kids? Some of these kids have 0 swim skills and not knowing if school-appointed chaperones are good swimmers, taking 16 kids into the ocean at night, hoping for the best... feels like there could be a couple extra measures in place. Food was sufficient- it was all "edible" and while I did see kids eating only cereal all three days, I also saw kids piling up their plates and eating it all. I did wish there was a way to keep the hundreds of small black fruit flies off of the salad greens and broccoli in the salad bar. Our rooms were inspected upon departure and another school did arrive by boat as we were departing. This means that the only cleaning done for bathrooms/cabins was by our departing kids, so my advice for future parents sending their kids- pack clorox wipes so your kid can wipe down the plastic mattress before setting up their bed and to wipe the toilet seat before their cheeks touch the pee-splattered seats. Pack crocs so they have shower slippers- shower floors were really gross. Know in advance that your kids will be wearing recently-pissed-in wetsuits, about 2 hours after another kid has worn them- but I'm going to guess this is true for every single rental gear dive spot at any vacation destination. And also know that they'll have a great time at camp.

The bathrooms near the cabins are actually ahh. DO NOT GO THERE, go to the bathrooms that is near…read morethe food cafeteria where there it is cleaner and mostly less crowded or you could go to one at the RV bathroom where there is a shower and a toilet. The food is pretty nice. But the activities are actually pretty fun. My school did kayaking and night snorkeling. But then everything fell apart when a rainstorm struck on the last two days of camp, since our cabins were close to the shore the waves were humongous and they were really loud during the night. The waves made it really hard to sleep and I got around 6 hours worth of sleep, so be ready. Then the next day I woke up which was our last time with our camp instructor. There was water all over our cabins and somehow leeches got over our friend's suitcase.

I brought my son here for his birthday. We were greeted by Gordon the tour director for the ship…read more Throughout the tour, he was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. My son absolutely loved the experience. Gordon took us to the bridge and the cargo holds. The friendly crew gave a demonstration of cargo loading. Then we went to the engine room. My wife and I enjoyed it as well. I want to thank Gordon for making it such a great and memorable experience.

We boarded the ship shortly after opening. Our tour guide was Gordon who was amazing. He was an…read moreabsolute wealth of knowledge, had countless stories, and really just gave our group a very personal and memorable experience. I've been to the Iowa, the Queen Mary, and even the O'Brien which is a very similar ship to this. None of those ships came close to the Lane Victory in terms of the level of access we had to spaces inside the ship, and the level of passion from our tour guide. Gordon gave the best tour of any museum that I've ever visited. Highly recommend you come check out this ship. These guys are eager to get back out on the water and they need our help to do it!

May 28, 2026 | Catalina Island Avalon | Love Catalina Island Visitor Center hosted the 2026 Taste…read moreAround Catalina culinary event! What a lively food, dessert & drink filled event! Tickets | $2 & you receive a map of where the restaurants are located, which are in walking distance, just steps from one another! Where | Downtown Catalina! I had no idea that it would be such a huge event! There were people everywhere, having a good time, walking around, eating and drinking... Good vibes all around! Prepare | Be sure to stop by the bank and pick up $1 & $5 bills! It's easier to give the exact amount, as most of the items are between one and six dollars, and most places won't have change! There is a US Bank in Downtown Catalina! Tasty | The Taste Around Avalon event was well organized, gave generous portions, a variety of food at about 34 restaurants! You need to have a bite & signature/stamp at 10 restaurants to be eligible for the drawing! Culinary Extravaganza | I made it to 10 restaurants, even when it started to rain a bit towards the end! I enjoyed clam chowder via Bluewater Avalon, the mango tango refreshing drink from Pier 24 was absolutely delicious, and the taco was seasoned well! Tasty ravioli at Original Jack's Italian! The Seabass at Avalon Grille was a full on delicious WIN for me, easily 5 stars & made quite the impression; tender, flavorful and seasoned to perfection!! The chef was also right there on site cooking on the grill!! The bite of warm butter cake was full-on yum via El Galeon! The Dole Whip at Scoops was a standout & especially when he topped it with Tahin...yes!! it was even worth the temporary brain freeze! Haha! The $1 shrimp & pasta dish at Steve's Steakhouse...wow, both delicious and a great deal! At this point, it was full on raining, but that didn't stop me! After all, I had on my cowgirl hat to somewhat shield me from the rain! Though my battery was running low, thank goodness, I was equipped with my pink sparkly portable charger! The show must go on! I didn't come this far for nothing! Lol! The shrimp enchilada and mango salad at Maggie's was mouthwatering delicious and I would easily order again! Feeling like a champ, I finished off the evening with a memorable spicy guava margarita...yum! Fun Note | The next day, I walked over to US Bank and ended up returning several $1 bills for larger notes! Customer Service | Beth & Suzanna were the sweetest when I went to purchase my ticket at the Visitor Center! They were just as friendly as ever & gave me plenty of info about how to navigate the event! One of the many reasons why I love Catalina Island, the people are so kind! During the event | Top-of-the-line customer service everywhere I went at the event! The crowd was really friendly as well! I also saw plenty of familiar faces, as I've been to Catalina Island Avalon many times! There were so many cute dogs too! At the end of the event, you turn in your restaurant scorecard for a chance to win prizes! Fun!! Overall | Yes, Please! It's a super fun event, I discovered a few new restaurants and I would easily go again in a heartbeat! Great food, refreshing drinks, delicious desserts & and all-around good time!

I had printed out maps of two hikes on the island, but I wasn't sure which one to do. Moreover,…read morethere was very little detail on either map on where the trail started or where the turns were. When I presented my dilemma to the nice woman working there, she said one hike was significantly better than the other. Then, she pulled out a map of the area, and proceeded to mark the hike turn by turn, with a Magic Marker. OMG that was so helpful! She was even nice enough to mark the scenic spots. We did the hike without any problems. We always knew where we were, and where to go next.