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    Descanso Beach

    4.1 (31 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Descanso Beach Photos

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    Maruko X.

    Descanso Beach is within walking-distance from the town of Avalon on Catalina Island, and the private beach charges a small entrance fee and is located in front of the bar and restaurant. It's one of the last places in SoCal where you can legally have a drink in your hand while on the beach. The beach is overwhelmed during the weekend, so packed on the rocky beach, and I wouldn't suggest it if you're looking for a quiet place.

    michelada and piña colada
    Olyvia M.

    we rented a set of chairs on the beach, and the service and view and food/drink was so amazing. our server, angel, was really inviting as well as had some good recommendations from the menu. such a good place to go if you want to feel like you are on vacation for the day. relax and unwind. 4 stars bc getting to the water and the "beach" was all rocks.

    Steven C.

    Descanso Beach is a beach near by the city or port of Avalon on Catalina. Descanso is a must go if you happen to be on a Catalina Express. When I went to Catalina, I took the Catalina expressed and rented the golf cart to export the city of Avalon. There only few sand beaches in Avalon since it is mainly a porter. As a result, I would recommend walking a mile or so from Avalon or drive a golf car to Descanso Beach for more sandy beaches. The beach at Descanso is not huge but very pretty! There are drinks shops and a dining club literally right by the beach next to the sand. However, this review is purely for Descanso Beach as a whole. I like the vibe at Descanso Beach because it has a tropical escape vibe. I would strongly recommend checking it out when you're on Catalina Island. There are different watersports you can do at the beach or you can do ziplining near the Descanso Beach as well.

    The beach
    Anthony S.

    It is a nice little beach to relax for the day. Despite what people say, you don't need to be a member or pay $2 to enjoy the beach. However, there are lots of rocks in the water and that makes it hard to swim.

    Famous Buffalo milk

    I came here on a Friday and it was empty! I made reservations online for two lounge chairs. We were greeted by our server (super nice), who brought us bottled water and two beach towels. We sat right in front of the water , the water was amazing! Very rock, I recommend water shoes if you plan on going in. The Buffalo Milk is to DIE FOR. will be back again!

    Lisa F.

    It's kind of hard to rate a beach! It was clean and the water clear and beautiful but of course it was packed ! It just a little creepy that so many boats are parked right in front of all the swimmers ! I worried about the boat fuels/oils damaging the marine life or little kids swimming nearby.

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    Volleyball courts to private cabanas, plus a 360-degree bar and grills set up for nighttime bar-b-ques.

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    12 years ago

    Beautiful view. The Casino building is pretty nice too. They have a bar and food service out there.

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    Ask the Community - Descanso Beach

    Is there an entry fee if we don't reserve chairs or cabanas? If so, what is it? Thanks!

    Hi! Thanks for your inquiry. There may be a $2 usage fee for the public beach.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Descanso Beach

    When I went to Catalina, I took the Catalina expressed and rented the golf cart to export the city of Avalon.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    The Catalina Penthouse - Catalina Island Penthouse Condo

    The Catalina Penthouse

    5.0(1 review)
    0.8 mi

    This is the most upscale condo at Catalina Island. The entire place is immaculate and very…read morefunctional because it has two levels. All of the bedrooms are upstairs and the living room, dining room, outdoor patio and kitchen are on the first floor. There were four of us and we decided to spring for a few extra dollars for the Penthouse condo because it has two Master Bedroom suites that are really on an equal par. Both have king size beds, new bathrooms and Smart TV's with incredible picture quality and full internet! Who has that at home? The houses, hotels and condos in Catalina have always been a little funky but the Penthouse condo is in a league of its own. The hot tub on the rear deck is brand new and clean and it was all ours. To sip our wine and look at the stars from the Jacuzzi in total privacy was quite the experience. The rear deck is secluded as there are no other buildings above or around it. You are truly alone and during the day it gets quite warm so I laid out for a total body sun tan and it was worth it. The front patio off of the living room has a great view of the ocean and Casino so staying in this place was definitely special. The front patio has outdoor seating, so we also enjoyed ourselves with the view of the lights at night too. The second master bedroom suite also has a view from the bed and has its own balcony upstairs. Even the third bedroom with the twin beds has a view. There was plenty of space in the living room, dining area and kitchen and it was fully appointed with all of the pots, pans and dishes that were of high quality. It was like living in a fully equipped home. The one thing I loved was having a washer and dryer right in the unit. We felt so lucky to experience this place and for the price, it was a bargain. I hope the owners keep the rent where it is because we are coming back. We stayed in those small hotel rooms in the past and all I can say is "never again". We walked to town in the evenings, it was a couple of blocks, ate dinner and returned to our elegant condo. It was a little sad to leave because we had such a great time. We took care of this place just like it was ours.

    From the owner: The Penthouse is in the largest multilevel Condo, in the City of Avalon, on Catalina Island. It is…read morelocated just 3 blocks from the town and beach. Newly renovated. No other Catalina Island hotel has a private Jacuzzi, Internet and a Baby Grand Piano! Great for the romantic couple or a total of 8 people for weekly rentals. The Penthouse condo has views of the mountains and ocean by day and the lights of the City of Avalon by night. Most condos can be quite warm during the summer. This condo rental is unique because it has windows on all four sides of the unit allowing breezes to gently flow through the entire unit.

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    Catalina Island Conservancy - Garden flowers

    Catalina Island Conservancy

    4.3(78 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Hummer Tour Review If you only see Avalon, you've only…read moreexperienced one chapter of Catalina. I think Catalina is one of those places where many visitors never venture beyond Avalon and the beaches. This tour completely broadened my perspective. Our guide, Christian, made the experience exceptional. I love when someone's personal experience complements their professional expertise. He lived off the grid in Hawaii for nearly a decade, and it showed. His knowledge of the terrain, wildlife, plants, and even how to read the landscape came from years of living it, not just memorizing facts. Experience is the best tour guide, and Christian has a lifetime of it. As a hiking enthusiast, the mountains were calling my name. Exploring Catalina's rugged backcountry was the highlight of my visit. My teenager was fascinated to discover the island is so much more than beaches, and my mom found the peacefulness that only nature can provide. Three generations experienced the same tour in completely different ways, and each of us walked away impressed. The 2 1/2-hour tour takes place in an open-air Hummer-style vehicle that seats about nine people. We never got out during the tour, but honestly, I never felt like I was missing anything. The off-roading was exciting, and the time flew by because Christian kept us engaged from beginning to end. We learned so much, not only about the island's wildlife and landscape, but also about the people who have shaped Catalina's history. And that no so good takeover. I won't spoil the stories because discovering them yourself is part of what makes this tour so memorable. Booking was incredibly easy. Reservations were completed online, payment was seamless with a credit card, and when you arrive you'll simply check in and sign a waiver before heading out. The tour starts with a digital reservation but ends with memories that can't be captured on a screen. TIPS: I wouldn't wear white because of the dust. I recommend closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. In July 2026, it was about 75 degrees. The moving vehicle creates plenty of airflow, so a light layer is optional but not necessary. For families, I think children who are naturally curious, enjoy wildlife, and like learning will have a wonderful time. Because it's a small group, it's best suited for kids who enjoy listening, asking questions, and exploring. We saw plentiful bison, horses, and even a dwarf mule. The only thing I didn't get to see was the Airport in the Sky, which had been on my wish list, because our group chose to spend more time exploring the backcountry and searching for wildlife. I have no regrets. The views are so spectacular that words become inefficient. Some places simply have to be experienced. This is one of those tours that might sound ordinary when you read the description, but it's anything but. If you only see Avalon, you've only experienced one chapter of the island. The wild heart of Catalina is waiting just beyond the pavement, and this tour is the best way to discover. BTW, the conservancy offers guided hiking tours and backpacking tours. In October you can have the chance to hike the Trans Catalina Trail 35 miles. Are you in?

    My wife and I visited this place when we were on a cruise in May. We stopped in on our way back to…read morethe tender. There are many informative books and maps. They also have a lot of merchandise for sale. Some of the proceeds help support the conservancy and other parks. My wife liked a book on bison that she saw. Unfortunately we didn't purchase it and later she regretted doing so. I contacted the conservancy and spoke to Yesi. She was very nice and helped me to purchase and mail the book to our address. My wife was very surprised and happy to receive it. Yesi took ownership of the purchase and followed through to make it happen. If you are on a cruise or just taking the ferry over to the island, stop by the Catalina Conservancy. It's only a couple of blocks from the docks where the tenders are. Not only is it a worthy cause to support, but they have some great information and merchandise. You won't be disappointed.

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    Wet Spot Rentals - Kayaking in Catalina Island offers a unique opportunity to bond with family and friends. Rentals available daily!

    Wet Spot Rentals

    4.7(88 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I would absolutely go here for your snorkel or kayak rentals. The guys who work are so nice, they…read morereally just want to see people enjoy the island!!! Very well priced!!!

    Great experience! I…read morebooked a Kayak and Stand-up Paddle Board online 3-months in advance of our arrival to ensure we would have access to them when we arrived. I'm so glad I did because while we were signing the wavers, people were coming up asking about rentals and they were sold out of everything for the day. The online reservation process was quick and easy. Rentals are for a minimum of 2 hours and you have to choose your date and block your arrival time. After arriving, we had a short wait to get into our rentals. Their process was very efficient. The only downside is that they are located in the busy marina with the boats/yachts. My daughter was so excited about her kayak that she wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings, she didn't notice that a yacht was leaving the marina and headed right for her. It came so very close to plowing her down. Just watch your surroundings and you'll be just fine. Overall, everyone had an absolute blast. My daughter was absolutely shocked when a seal swam right up to her Kayak, poked his head out, made some noises, then playfully splashed water on her. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Highly Recommended!

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    Wet Spot Rentals - Snorkeling Gear rentals available daily. Make sure to check out our snorkel packages

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    Wet Spot Rentals - Our rentals offer a unique opportunity to bond and immerse yourself in the vibrant ecosystem of the island suitable for all ages and skills.

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    Descanso Beach - beaches - Updated August 2026

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