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    Catalina Island

    3.9 (272 reviews)

    Catalina Island Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Catalina Island

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    Linda C.

    Omg I can't believe I slept on this place for so long. It's literally an island paradise just a ferry ride away, how is this real life? We came for a 3 day weekend and honestly, that felt perfect. Friday to Sunday would've been way too rushed. 3 nights, 4 days is the minimum for a Catalina trip I think, enough time to actually relax and explore without feeling like you're speed running vacation. We stayed in an Airbnb in Hamilton Cove for the balcony views. But the real MVP? The unit came with a golf cart. Absolute game changer. Renting one in town is like $60-70 per hour, which is insane. Having one all weekend made getting around easy, fun, and stress free. I genuinely can't imagine doing this trip without one. There's so much to do: beaches, food, drinks, views, and endless activities and somehow it still feels laid back and chill. Already planning a return trip because one visit just isn't enough. Catalina Island, I'm officially obsessed.

    Lizzie B.

    After all these years, I finally made it to Catalina Island. I'd give it a 5 star. Definitely a place to go and see at least once in your life. The ferry ride over from the Long Beach harbor takes about 1 hour. There are lots of different tours you can take. Lots of restaurants and bars. Lots of shopping with small boutiques and souvenir shops. Very touristy. The easiest way to see the island is to take a tour. I took the bison tour and it took you away from the Avalon harbor area and you really go to see the rest of the island. Make sure you book tours and get tickets for anything you want to do here in advance.

    Navigator of the Seas
    James A.

    Our first stop during our 4 night cruise on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas, Catalina Island (specifically Avalon) provides plenty of walkable places from the drop off point. It's the typical mix of restaurants and shops in a tourist area, with California level pricing. The water around the port isn't deep enough for a cruise ship so we had to take tenders. There were four boats (each being two decks and holding more than a hundred people) rotating between our ship and the docks, with the actual traveled distance taking less than 5 minutes (a lot longer to moor the boat and get people off). But unlike some ports where the tendering process makes you really think if its worth visiting the town, this method was pretty painless and you got to see some decent views. Our cruise ship arrived before 7 and left around 4 pm, so no opportunity for dinner. Golf carts (both the 2 person and 4 person types) are ubiquitous here, with many spots being occupied by them instead of cars. Which mean of course, pedestrians have to be leery of them when crossing the road. But because the roads are so hilly and narrow, they are a lot easier way to get around then cars. There are plenty of places to rent them, and it seemed like reservations were not required during weekdays (weekends, they definitely are when my wife and I have visited Catalina during the weekend).

    Jenn G.

    Despite being So Cal girl all my life, I had never visited Catalina Island until recently. As part of my 4 day Mexican cruise, Catalina was one of the ports we had a stop at. I was very happy to finally visit Catalina Island. It's beautiful and peaceful. I enjoyed visited the little town of Avalon. It was a cute little town filled with local shops and restaurants. Fresh air, a sandy beach, beautiful blue water- it was truly a wonderful visit to this island!

    Quantum of the Seas in Avalon Harbor
    Jim E.

    Nice place to spend a few hours or a day, stop on our cruise, tender from the ship, small town with lots of shops and restaurants. Easy to walk about town or rent a golf cart or e bike. Art Deco casino is a must see. About $20 for the interior tour or just enjoy the outside for free.

    Annie M.

    Updating my review from a few years ago. I came back to celebrate my cousins birthday! Tips: bring motion sickness pills and take them in case anyone gets sick in your group. Chew gum and stay hydrated for the fairy ride. We took off from Newport. Ensure you make the reservation for the correct times to spend the day or plans correctly. Tip: don't drink before renting a golf cart they can't smell any alcohol on you before renting you a golf cart. We had a DD so we were good. Only send the drivers 2 or 1 to get the golf cart. 2nd tip: arrive early to envoy most activities on island. Most activities shut down at 5 pm. Dayclub at Descanso was on our bucket list for next time we got there too late. It's a hotel restaurant and beach club with DJ. Top restaurant: blue water grill; 5 stars fresh seafood and cocktails! We got 2 hours of golf cart and ur was perfect to view all the pretty views from the top of the town. Shop, karaoke at chi chis bar after 9 pm. Had a better experience this time around and noticed the town has a lot to do but arrive early.

    Alex H.

    In all my life living so close to the island I never been until recently during Labor Day My family went for the day and I was excited to check it out I knew it would be small but wow I had no idea how small Avalon (the only town in Catalina) would be! You get off the boat and within feet you're in town and within feet you are done walking the town lol If you really want to get the full effect and really explore then you need that kart but it's pricey and they don't rent it all day but I highly recommend so you can explore all areas and get the views I'd say this is a day trip if all you want to do is see what this is about but if you are in a relationship or want to have a boys or girls weekend this place is perfect because it's very chill and relaxed and the people are nice and there's many bars and places to eat and chill so it's perfect for that but don't expect to have a ton of things to do The beach isn't large and I'm not a camper but I'd assume camping would give you a different perspective which is why I'm not going lower than 4 but definitely not a 5 since there were things that lack or could be better but I'd say overall I'm glad I went and now I know and I'd go back again if I wanted to stay a weekend with someone or go with a bunch of friends to hang and drink

    Flowers of Avalon
    Theresa Renee W.

    As the primary caregiver for my mother-in-law, I have been respectfully exploring opportunities for us to experience a refreshing change of environment. Despite the challenges posed by her dementia, I am dedicated to ensuring that our time together is as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. We embarked on a delightful journey to Santa Catalina, where we were greeted by the island's captivating beauty. Upon our arrival, we eagerly purchased tickets for an exciting submarine ride, promising approximately 40 minutes of underwater exploration. The weather was simply perfect for an October day, with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze. As the evening approached, we anticipated the Jazz on the Beach event, a staple of the island's cultural scene since its early days. As we were walking from the casino, which was closed that day, we exited Via de Casino and witnessed an wedding on the beach right there. We stood and enjoyed the joyous event. We sent our congratulations as we walked away. We were hoping from store to store wondering what to get exactly. We found this cute but big sovereign shop. I walked out with 2 sweaters. There are golf carts available for rental it is always best to make reservations. There are multiple businesses to enjoy eating , shopping, boating. I enjoyed the fact that you can go and enjoy yourself for the day. We arrived on the island around 11 am my goal was to see what we wanted to do on our next trip and to stay there also.

    Thank you for your service, Leroy.  Rest in peace.
    Bryan F.

    Of all the Santa Catalina Islands I've visited, this one is my favorite. Mostly it's because of the statue of Leroy. I'm a sucker for cat statues. Any place that honors it's most famous cats with a statue is okay by me.

    I honestly thought Catalina Island would be super fun and exciting--but it wasn't quite what I expected. If you're not planning to do all the available tours, I'd say two days is more than enough to stay. I went on the semi-submarine to see the fish-- it was interesting, though it felt more like something kids would really enjoy. Still, it was a cool experience! We rented a golf cart and explored the island, including the Botanical Garden, which in my opinion was the best part of the whole trip. As for the food--overall, the quality on the island was pretty underwhelming.

    Catalina Island
    Monica H.

    I wanted to visit Catalina Island for years now. I'm so glad I was able to knock this one off of my very long bucket list, but I can honestly say that I don't ever see the need to revisit the island again. Yes, the views in and around the island are very stunning, but the beaches I visited were lacking. The sand is very rocky, so you cannot stroll barefoot on the beach and feel the sand between your toes unless you enjoy the feel of sharp rocks on your feet. If you do plan on visiting the beaches, make sure to bring some water shoes with you... trust me, your feet will thank you! There are lots of shops, stores, restaurants and more to visit here, but I thought everything was very much overpriced. I really tried to take into account the fact that it's an island and everything has to be brought here from the mainland by boat, but I just couldn't justify some of the costs. For example... my daughter was in urgent need to buy a certain product that can be purchased for $4.50 on the mainland. At Leo's Drug Store that same product cost her a little over $10.00. She really needed the product, so she had no choice but to pay the high price. As for the residents/workers of Catalina Island. I didn't really find many of them that I interacted with to be friendly or welcoming. No one smiled and most of them seemed complacent. I got the feeling that they are all just run-down and exhausted by the constant flood of summer tourists on their small quiet island. I live in Las Vegas, so I can totally relate. As far as things to do on the island, there isn't much outside of hiking, biking, trails, water sports, or watching a movie at the Casino (never an actual casino). If you just want to connect with nature, they have some great hiking trails. I also recommend skipping some rocks at Pebbly Beach, but don't expect to relax on the beach without a chair, unless you enjoy laying/sitting on pebbles. Overall, I enjoyed taking in the sheer beauty of Catalina Island, so I'm happy I had the opportunity to visit. Just make sure you plan out your activities before your arrival to the island so you can get the most out of your visit. Recommended for those who want to disconnect from the mainland!

    04.30.23 the island is just 22 miles long and 8 miles across.
    May A.

    Santa Catalina Island, California We reached Catalina Island by a ferry boat. This was my second time visiting the city of Avalon. It seemed like a world away when in reality we're still in California and only an hour away from Long Beach and still a part of L.A. County. We had brunch at M Restaurant's outdoor patio on Crescent Avenue overlooking the ocean and the Catalina Casino. Really it was hard to choose where to eat here in the island. There are so many dining options. We walked over to Island Rentals to rent a golf cart and do a 12-mile overview of the island. My hubby enjoyed this a lot. This was the highlight of our trip. We got to see breathtaking sceneries at our own pace. The island is beautiful. This was the best way to see parts of the island. We followed a map. After about 1-1/2 hours we returned the golf cart and decided to do some shopping... as we begun our stroll we got hungry again LoL! Forget shopping! We found NDMK Fish House on Clarissa Avenue. We enjoyed delicious fish & chips while watching the NBA playoffs on the big screen. We then got in the queue to get some ice cream at Scoops and we enjoyed our sweet treats at the bench overlooking the ocean . Had to have dessert! Before we knew it it was time to leave the island. The weather was a little overcast and a bit chilly. We didn't do any water activities or hiking. We had a wonderful day trip in Santa Catalina celebrating my hubby's birthday that day. Review #2961

    Emanuel V.

    One of the most beautiful places in SoCal, I recommend to visit it for at least 2-3 days so you can feel the magic. It gives you Italian coastal town vibes. 10/10 I fall in love with this little island and it's polite and kind residents. Can't wait to go back this upcoming summer.

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    Falconry experience was amazing! Dave was very knowledgeable and involved all parties.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Catalina Island

    How is it since the fire? Is it still pretty and will there be things to do and available

    Almost ten years I think. You can do anything you want, everything is back in business and recovered.

    Anyone know how the reception is here on the island?

    The reception is good, no problems at all.

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    Review Highlights - Catalina Island

    We rented a golf cart to drive around the island from Catalina Golf Cart Rentals (see my review for them).

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    Catalina Tours - Scenic vista stopping point.

    Catalina Tours

    4.6(147 reviews)
    0.0 km

    My boyfriend and I went for a quick day trip to spend some time at the island since he had never…read morebeen. We booked the 50 minute Discover Avalon tour and we loved it! It was the perfect amount of time to get acquainted will a little bit of Avalon and hear a few fun facts. Our tour guide was Laura and she was so funny and knowledgeable! I highly recommend the tour. A small warning, the tour bus is open air and a bit bumpy, so if you have injuries or issues with rough rides, I would maybe reach out to Discover Avalon and double check if you are good to tour with them :)

    We took the bison expedition tour yesterday, Saturday, February 21, and had the absolute best…read moreexperience thanks to our guide, Andrew. From the moment we started, he was funny, warm, and incredibly engaging, while also being super knowledgeable and educational about the island and wildlife. What really stood out was how perfectly Andrew balanced the experience -- he knew exactly when to share great stories and facts, and when to let us simply soak in the sights, sounds, and beauty around us. He never rushed us and made sure we had plenty of opportunities for amazing photos and genuine wildlife sightings. We truly felt like we were seeing the island at its best. The tour felt safe, well-supported, and action-packed, without ever feeling overwhelming. You could tell Andrew genuinely cared about everyone having a great time and walking away with memorable moments. We also saw a fox and bison! Highly, highly recommend this tour -- and if you're lucky enough to get Andrew as your guide, you're in for a treat. Side note: when guides and drivers go above and beyond like this, please remember to tip. Andrew, if you ever read this -- thank you for such a fantastic experience. Hope your boss sees this and rewards you big time!

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    Catalina Tours
    Catalina Tours
    Catalina Tours - Catalina fox who was surprisingly interested in us...

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    Catalina fox who was surprisingly interested in us...

    Hattas Studios - Hand-painted Wonder Woman Mural for Production Studio, Beverly Hills, CA

    Hattas Studios

    4.9(27 reviews)
    76.1 kmDowntown
    20 years in business
    11 employees

    This is an excellent company and I'm so happy with my decision…read more Let me start by saying this is the first time I've hired a muralist and I am also a first time father. This was important to me. Jeanine took the time to listen to what I was looking for and suggested a few things to help grow my idea. I loved that. She came over and was so kind and really took time to understand this was more than just a job; this was something my kid is going to grow up with. She took measurements, and even took color swatches of the carpet and furniture to make sure we matched the color palette! She quickly mocked something up and a few days later I had a photoshopped mockup for approval. Once we approved it we setup a date and I paid the deposit. Marcus was the artist that was assigned to this project. He was so kind and wonderful in my home. He let my wife and I peek and see progress, and would check in with me if he had any questions. He's a really talented artist and executed my vision faithfully. At the end of the day my wife cried (with joy), we have our incredible mural and I couldn't recommend this company enough. Really pleased with how it turned out and I will be calling them again for my next mural or art project.

    The mural in our dining room by Hattas Studios is the absolute HIGHLIGHT of our home. Jeanine and…read moreher team took a few ideas we had and turned it into an absolute DREAM. There is not a person who comes into our house who does not remark on how beautiful it is. We documented the process on our TikTok @Living_in_History if anyone would like to check it out to see how they work. The design team is incredible at what they do. The muralists they send are such professionals, so talented, and a joy to have had in our house. They are extremely tidy while they work, and I just have nothing but positive things to say.

    Photos
    Hattas Studios - Painted mural of eerie landscape for Master Bedroom.

    Painted mural of eerie landscape for Master Bedroom.

    Hattas Studios - Painted "wallpaper" collage for Moroccan-themed night club.

    Painted "wallpaper" collage for Moroccan-themed night club.

    Hattas Studios - Hand-painted triptych on canvas for Moroccan -Themed Night Club

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    Hand-painted triptych on canvas for Moroccan -Themed Night Club

    Surfside Murals

    Surfside Murals

    5.0(1 review)
    75.5 km

    I love Surfside Murals. I asked for a mural in a child's bedroom and they did a great job…read more Their prices are super reasonable and the quality of their work was perfection. I will use them again. The mural they made is just ever so lovely. The service from the phone call to the work to the billing was all great. You should try these guys out. You will be so happy.

    From the owner: Transform your walls with Surfside Hand Painted Murals and digital style gradient walls (ombré…read morewall, mesh and aurora gradient s — custom interior & exterior mural painting for every style, every space, and every vision. We create high-end murals for homes, businesses, architects, and interior designers across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and up to Santa Barbara. At Surfside Murals, we handle all types of mural art, including: • Illustration, abstract, landscapes, animals, children’s themes • Minimalist, geometric, portrait, cartoon, pop art • Surrealism, impressionism, expressionism, graffiti, and more We specialize in acrylic-painted murals, and we’re happy to work with mixed materials like wood, texture elements, and custom artistic additions to match your design vision. Our services include: • Interior & exterior murals • Residential & commercial projects • Design sketching + full concept development • Wall prep for clean, long-lasting finishes If you’re looking to elevate a home, storefront, restaurant, office, studio, school, or public space — we deliver clean, detailed, professional mural work that stands out. Serving Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara. Let’s bring your vision to the wall — contact Surfside Murals today for a free consultation.

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    Surfside Murals - Airbnb wall mural design and painting

    Airbnb wall mural design and painting

    Surfside Murals - Nursery mural painting for with forest and tress simple style

    Nursery mural painting for with forest and tress simple style

    Surfside Murals

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    Catalina Island - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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