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    Catalina Island Conservancy

    4.3 (76 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Michael M.

    Christian was an amazing tour guide! We had a great time exploring the island and learned an incredible amount about the local flora and fauna. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Catalina Island...and ask for Christian!

    Catalina Island Fox (don't feed).
    Kathrin J.

    We had a great tour with Shaun. It was super informative and we got a great overview of the island and its history. 10/10 recommend.

    Bison
    Chloe R.

    We took a tour of the island with our tour guide Shaun and had an amazing time! Very informational, fun, and the views are stunning! It was only my boyfriend and I in the truck, so it felt like a very personable experience! Thank you Shaun, (Not Sean! lol) I would also like to say to the Conservancy, please get that stagecoach camp fixed up, that would be such an amazing place for visitors to get out, stretch our legs, and look at a piece of history! It's such a shame to see it falling apart.

    Some bisons were hiding from us
    Cinthia O.

    We were just there on October 12th, Lindsey was awesome explaining the history of the island. I loved how much passion she has over the island even tho she's been there only couple of years. I'll definitely come back for another tour next time I visit the island again.

    Bison
    Stephanie P.

    Our tour guide was fantastic--informative, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. My family loved the two-hour tour. She timed everything perfectly, even making a few detours so we could witness a herd of bison migrating. We were incredibly fortunate to see multiple bison up close--it was a truly unforgettable experience. I would absolutely take this tour again!

    Maliah V.

    My husband and I had the most amazing tour this morning. We stopped at multiple scenic views, got great pics, we enjoyed the stop at the airport (get the chocolate chip cookie), saw a buffalo, deer and enjoyed every second of our time. The vehicle was comfortable, clean, easy to get in and out of, and we loved that Andrew was so passionate, and knowledgeable about the island. His love and respect for nature, the ocean, other cultures, previous ancestors/natives/tribes was evident and really added depth to this tour and made it so special and enjoyable. We are looking forward to another tour on our next visit and cannot recommend it enough.

    Joe M.

    We had a group of eight people enjoyed a four hour tour of the back island with a lunch stop at the airport. Tom, our tour guide, was amazing source of historical, biological, and local lore as we took in amazing vistas, wild life, and the efforts to return the island to its native state. We highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about Catalina.

    Need T.

    It isn't what it used to be like in 2014. It's a pain trying to book the Catalina express from Dana Pt. Small shuttles and not so many. So you're stuck with having to go to Long Beach. Plan for three hours if you're coming from San Diego due to the absolutely horrible traffic. If you take the toll rd, expect to not pay the ticket on time and having it turn into a $100 fine rather quickly. They take a pick of your car license on the toll rd, so if you're driving a rental, it will be a while before you get it and I had a friend that had to pay a $1000. ticket!That said, I was so taken aback, from how lovely it used to be in 2014. The ocean in front of the beach right off the dock where you come in was kept clear and boats had to tie up over by the casino. Now, they just just fill up the bay. There's about 30feet of beach and then about fifty feet of water before it is blocked off by buoys and they just rental boats from a private company there off the dock and just packed thick with boats, not many sail boats, they probably are going into Two Harbors. That little ocean space is filled by kids, so forget a restful beach visit where you can swim, it isn't like that anymore. I imagine the pcb's in that area are immense. The epa should be taking tests, maybe it isn't even safe for kids. Maybe right there is just filled with kid urine and there's bacteria because there isn't a free flow of ocean. The most flow they get is from the boat shuttles. I do plan to call the epa and ask them to test the water. All these private homes have been turned into hotels and airbnb's. The Catalina Hotel was a dump. None of the windows locked, and they were at ground level and large. Our screen on one of the windows was half off. The three windows...anyone could have come in and our belongings were not safe. It also smelled like human urine. The Chinese restaurant we were going to in 2014? It was great and closed two years ago. Gone. People were on the harbor, catching a fish and just cutting the line on the hooks. Some conservation. The cabs to lug your luggage up a hill - better plan for an hour after you reserve it. There's one company that has the monopoly, I think it's illegal to do this. It's $18 to go much less than a quarter of a mile. Handicap access is zero. Cabs won't even pick you up just to bring you down. I have sent a note to the ADA folks. I have sent an email to the state attorney general about such a monopoly. And this company has huge white vans everywhere - and forget it if you need to catch the shuttle, they will mill around and try and get more business after you called for the cab. We waited while our cab dropped someone off, carried up their luggage and waved across the street to us and said they'd be right back because they had to take them back to the shuttle. So another cab came for us after that, the guy took off when my daughter's door was still open- He tried twice to get more people to ride and we had to catch the express. So we called. They said five minutes. And it took 30 minutes to nearly miss our shuttle. I wonder if the Wrigley's only gave this one company permits to bring the vehicles over. As there didn't used to be vehicles in eye shot - lots of golf carts but not nearly as many as there are now. Line upon line for food, and I don't know if it is just that there are no health regulations, or what, but it was crazy - the things you'd see the waiters do - clean the floor, the chair and the table with the same towel. I plan to see what health dept regulates them, if any. Maybe it's up to the Wrigley's and they just don't care. It was a sorry excuse for the Wrigley's preservation of the island (they now have a university teaching preservation on the main land). Golf carts now spew gas fumes-there are so many now-and they rent out only 4 seaters. So all these vehicles are clogging the roads and they have a Von's. There is no elegance any longer. It has come a long way from the no car policy to pollution in the streets and nowhere to swim. This conservancy was supposed to protect the island in the name of the Wrigley's family and the nature on the island and the ocean around it. Where is the sewage water going? What has gone wrong? There is no beauty on this side of the island. Just commerce. It should be renamed to Commerce Island. Such a sad tragedy :(

    Not the welcome I was expecting
    John H.

    Usually nature preservation organizations are helpful.  Not this one.  It felt like a for profit organization.  The space felt more like a store than a conservancy.   I went in for some bike route information, and all the woman would do was try to get me to buy a $35 trail access pass.  I kept telling her I was there only for a day, but she continued to press the sales pitch.  The least she could have done was to highlight the local area and where there are "public" roads. My general feeling for the island is the same.  It is a tourist trap.

    Protected Fox!!

    AMAZING ! Truly the best life experience. We did the 2 hours tour and we saw allot of buffalo up close and fox as well. We learned all about them and the island. We went up to the very top of the mountain all the way to the airport. We learned all about the conservancy and the island. We learned about Wrigley and how the island was founded and all about others who lived there and visited. We saw where Zane Grey painted and lived. Many details of the island living..I would highly recommend even if you can't stay to take the boat ride over do the tour right as you get off the boat eat at Antonio's pizza and get and ice cream at Scoops and head back. You will have the BEST DAY EVER!!!!

    My advice to Dennis Morris please train your coworkers to respect customers  ‼
    Maria V.

    I came on 9/4/24 at 11: am with my family of 4 , for a tour adventure for two hours drive I purchased 4 tickets for four person total was $471 We asked the girl before we purchase the tickets , in Spanish and English so there's no confusion, on the counter if there was enough room for all of us & we ask her if we can pick our seating. She said it will be fine & also will be enough room . So we waiting until the driver came , I we had the worst experience with Sean made me and my family very uncomfortable , Sean the driver is (( races ) tours Hispanics he made me feel very uncomfortable with his bad attitude. I was there with my family waiting for an hour , when no one was there as soon. As it was 12 noon other people was coming , he pick his race before us, he said he don't pick the seating , which we knew he was lying !! 1# I was very upset 2# he made me and my family fill very comfortable because he choose his race before us #3 he lied about he doesn't choose the seating when i went inside to complain to the customer service that I purchased the tickets too , she said she was going to talk to him , he told her he does pick the seating , when he told me he don't so you see he is racist.and a liar as well !! So i requested my refund !!! I will never come back to this company that hires people with a worse attitude even the manager was not compromising, but Sean thank you I will never go back. I will let my family and friends know not to come to your company. Worst experience.ever I'll give you no stars but in order for me to do this review I have to put one. May I add my advice, to Denise Morris please train your coworkers to respect customers it doesn't matter what their ethnicity , if we purchased our tickets we all should get the same. Respect ‼

    Marty F.

    This is the second time our family of five took the island tour with the Conversancy, but this time we did the three hour tour so we could see more of the back country and beaches. Luis was once again our guide and, as before, he made sure we had a fantastic time from beginning to end. We enjoyed view after view of pristine valleys, virtually untouched beaches, and incredible wildlife, including lumbering bison, deer, and even a group of foxes just off he road. Catalina is absolutely beautiful and there is so much to see - and so much history to hear about. The Conversancy really does an excellent of preserving and maintaining the island, and their tours are a perfect extension of their mission. I really don't know of a better way to get to know Catalina - and have a great tie doing it! Thanks again Luis!

    March 28 eco-tour with Beth, taken at Airport-in-the-Sky, Catalina Island

    A group of 7 women took a 2 hr Eco Tour with Beth in a safari style Toyota which actually is a Toyota vehicle. Beth was very knowledgeable about the plants and trees we saw on the trip and the history of the island. A three hour trip would have included a trip to the area where bison can be seen. The island was quite year from heavy rains and wildflowers were blooming. The road to the airport was paved the entire way. The views were stunning across the Catalina Channel to mountains with snow.

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    9 months ago

    The island tour is the best ever. You get to see Bison and foxes and the famous iron wood trees and the most dangerous airport in the world.

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    Lindsey was our tour driver and she did an amazing job . She's very informative and nice .

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    Very good service in store. Just not as top-notch as a 5-star rating.

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    Ask the Community - Catalina Island Conservancy

    Review Highlights - Catalina Island Conservancy

    Our tour guide was fantastic--informative, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Catalina Backcountry

    Catalina Backcountry

    4.6(37 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Jess and Aaron are incredible humans. If you are planning a trip to Catalina to stay anywhere…read moreoutside the civilization of Avalon you need to know about them and I'd recommend utilizing their services. They take packs and humans to each campground along TCT. We learned about them as we were dangerously hot near mile 9 of TCT and found they generously provided ice water. Our crew of 7 were so grateful. The next day after a long hike into little harbor we decided we would like to get our packs taken for us so that we could continue to hike the TCT but without the toll of a 25lb pack on our backs. Jess was so kind and helpful. Immediately booking the transaction taking our bags from LH to Parsons. Sadly shortly after my daughter started throwing up and we decided we needed to cut our trip short. I asked Jess for help on recommendations how to get a ride out. She quickly made adjustments to her schedule and said "we can take you". Aaron was there early to ensure we had plenty of time to get on the boat while providing tour level information about the island during the drive. We can't say thank you enough! These people are gold and backpacking Catalina, while beautiful, is no joke. I wish I knew about their service before starting TCT. I highly recommend connecting with them to help you with your trip.

    We were a small group hiking the TCT, we at were just finishing one of the longer climbs on Day 1…read moreheading to Blackjack and right when we were at our hottest we found an oasis in the form of a cooler full of ice cold water left for any hiker who needed it. While we were cooling down a gentleman (who I never caught the name of) came by to restock it. Apparently Catalina Backcountry provides his water for free for any hikers who need it out of the kindness of their hearts. To top it all off there was a 78 year solo hiker who was having some trouble and Catalina Backcountry helped him out and brought him back to town since he didnt feel like he could make it. If they take care of random strangers like this for free I can only imagine how amazing they would be for their paying customers. If I never need services, they have won me over and will be my first call.

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    Catalina Outdoor Adventures

    Catalina Outdoor Adventures

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Catalina Outdoor Adventures was the highlight of our trip to Catalina Island thanks to the…read moreextraordinary knowledge and experience of the owner and guide, Scotty. We spent a few days on Catalina Island and during the trip took an island tour with Catalina Outdoor Adventures. The tour took about three hours and was worth every minute and penny spent. We started off in the center of town (Avalon) at the "Tour Plaza", which is very well known by all locals and many travelers alike. Scotty arrived on time and there were the two in my party, a father and his young son and Scotty. We set out on our adventure which took us all over the island including the "Airport in the Sky" where we stopped for a break. We were there for about 15 minutes which was ample time to enjoy a beer, speed shop for a souvenir if wanted and enjoy the massive tile map of the island. The views were incredible from this vantage point. We were so fortunate for Scotty to take us down to the beach where he to time to teach the young son in the group how to skip rocks on the ocean. The water was nice and the setting was incredible. There was a handful of campers there when we were there and it became evident very quickly that this would be an excellent future camping trip destination which by-the-way Scotty / Catalina Outdoor Adventures offers as well. We saw American Bison throughout the guided tour, some within feet of the vehicle and other in the far distance. There were American Bald Eagles, island foxes and huge ground squirrels everywhere. We stopped by an eagle exhibit and was able to see a Golden Eagle and an American Bald Eagle both in separate aviaries due to injuries and being well cared for by the Catalina Island Conservancy. The weather could not have been better during our three-hour adventure and the knowledge and experience of Scotty (along with some side-splitting jokes) made the trip all the more worthwhile. If you're ever on Santa Catalina Island, do yourself a great favor and reward yourself and those with you to an adventure with Scotty. The guy is top-notch and you will certainly not be disappointed. We will most definitely do this trip again or one of his weekend camping adventures. Thanks again Scotty and Catalina Outdoor Adventures for helping to create a lifelong memory that I will never forget!!

    Don't even bother looking anywhere else. Scotty is a great guide and good guy. Sightseeing or…read morepaddle boarding or surfing or scuba -- you name it he can make it happen and show you Catalina like only a local can. Book him soon before he leaves for his cross USA charity bike ride for the needs of Puerto Rican's after the hurricane. Scotty should be the Mayor of Avalon! Thanks and see you next time.

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    Catalina Outdoor Adventures
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    Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook

    Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    The Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook is an absolutely beautiful overlook of Avalon and Catalina…read moreisland! We took a ride circuit vehicle to this overlook and got dropped off here so we could walk around and really soak in the spectacular views! This is a great spot to get way to see the city, mountains and ocean, while then taking a walk down to the city afterwards. We really enjoyed this overlook and would highly recommend to anyone visiting the island - it did not disappoint!

    I have been to Santa Catalina Island, Avalon, California three times. There isn't a Yelp page…read morelisting, so I am creating it here. Lots of reviews and photos on Google. I think more tourists need to know about this gorgeous Buena Vista Point Scenic Outlook on Wrigley Rd. This is the spot for hikers and hilltop scenic view lovers. It's located on the far upper left side if you're looking at the island with the casino on the far right. Yes, you would have to hike up some streets/hills, passing by the lower terrace/middle terrace/upper terrace paths, but it's fairly easy to get on foot if you want to walk/hike 25-30 minutes from the boat docks to get up here. You will pass by a street that goes to Mt Ada/breakfast/brunch hotel area. Keep going up following Wrigley Rd. There's some history if you research William Wrigley Jr., popular Wrigley gum entrepreneur. Rich/wealthy area. Homes costs millions of dollars on this island. Perfect for morning strolls before the hot sun comes out. Saw beautiful townhouses/apartment complexes/church/island homes along the way. You really get the island experience by walking, observing & feeling the nature in person. This is perfect for photographers and adventurers. Highlights recommended. Most tourists would rent carts to drive up here on the slopes, but in my opinion, this is a much easier hike for the average person compared to the other far right side of the island (from cruise ship view) towards Chimes Tower. That hike was much more strenuous and takes a lot longer to achieve. Breathtaking views. It's definitely worth the expedition if you are up for it. If you drive up here, visitors tend to just park near the edges of the roads to stop for photos. It can get busy around here.

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    Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook - Great photo spot

    Great photo spot

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    Catalina Island Conservancy - parks - Updated May 2026

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