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    Harbor Sands

    3.9 (33 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Beaches, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Harbor Sands Photos

    HARBOR SANDS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Your Turd Island Beach view.
    JJ P.

    The boat ride was better than the destination, and I could've done without the boat ride. Do yourself a favor and stay in Avalon. 3 items on the menu and a boring beach. I was praying I could fall asleep to make the afternoon go By faster. No such luck. However, this place is great for waking on bare feet over stab-rocks. I mean, it's a world class spot for that. I wish I'd overslept and Missed the boat. 5 more hours of whatever this is. BONUS: I don't need to eat dinner now that I had the lunch. I am unsure if it would've been better to have fasted all day or just done shots at the bar. It's weird to pay for the low point in yer stay on the island, but here it is! Also, there is a lovely view or turd covered islands so to help you pass the time!

    Janeth M.

    Note - This is the only Restaurant/ Bar in Two Harbors. You really don't have a choice. We ate and drank on Saturday and Sunday night. Per the hrs posted on Yelp, they were closed. Not correct. Mike the bartender was the one who took care of us on both days. Per Mike KITCHEN closes at 8p and the BAR usually stays open till 9p. All depending on how manny people are there. Saturday was a busy day at Harbor Sands. There were at least 15 ppl in the bar. Music was playing out of a juke box and several games of pool were had. Dinner - we ordered Swordfish Kabobs and and a Buffalo burger (clearly the burger was not for me) Swordfish came with rice and veggies. Swordfish was well cooked and seasoned. Rice and broccoli needed salt and seasoning. Buffalo burger came on a pretzel bun that was more like a sweet bun. Mike was on it with the drinks and even gave me a taste of Buffalo Milk, the island drink. We made it back on Sunday after a 16 mile hike. We were STAVING. So again, the only option we had for food. We ordered the following: - jalapeño cornbread - I wasn't a fan at all. I would not try this ever again - Cheesy beef pasta - it was ehhhhhhhh - cheese pizza - very greasy and the crust was just soft and seemed under cooked. But because we were exhausted & starving, we ate what we could. This isn't a place to exam too closely because it's the only place to eat! So ignore the red flags and icky stuff :-/

    Margaritas
    Shana S.

    Was totally blown away by how fun this place was on a Friday night. We got into town by ferry at 9pm and the bar/restaurant was still super lively. They have a bunch of TV screens and a pool table inside YOU MUST TRY THEIR FAMOUS BUFFALO MILK!!!

    jenny t.

    A very relaxing dining experience...the view, an even more relaxed sight. Customer service is as expected, nice! Food was delicious. Ordered appetizers because we were more tired than hungry. Got the ahi tacos, chips & salsa, calamari, & clam chowder. Served on disposable plates. Waitress was thoughtful to ask if we wanted to finish off the last bit of salsa & chips before she cleared our table. Had good drink selections. Had some craft beers & hot toddy. The quality was to be expected for this kind of dining. Straws available upon request. Breezes will keep you cool, but remember to hold on to your trash and napkin because they will fly with the breeze. Restroom is a short walk to the detached mobile structure shared by everyone. Very clean with a shower.

    Marina
    new york r.

    We took the Cyclone boat ride over to get to the Two Harbor port where this restaurant is, the 20 min boat ride over was fantastic at $15 each way like a taxi, beautiful scenery might even see a dolphin, once you land not much there but 1 store, 2 restaurants, shower and bathrooms, a beach with cabanas and loungers you have to rent, kayak, and camping. This restaurant is on the beach, seating under canopies, you can see all the boats and beach area, we ordered the fish tacos with chips and salsa, the food was average but not bad, they have a full bar, I ordered off the menu and got a Miami Vice which was perfect. It was a fun experience, boat ride, beach dining, for 2 hours of your day. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the boat ride and scenery

    Vuong T.

    Backpacked from Avalon to Two Harbors and stopped by this place for a nice treat. It's right on the beach which is awesome. I would suggest getting the bison/kobe burger. The buffalo milk is good as well. If I had the option, I would give this 4.5 because it's $7 for a 1/2 cup of beer and $10 for a 1/2 cup of mixed drinks including the buffalo milk. My friend and I spent about $100 total... but probably because of my friend who drank copious amounts of beer after our trek

    Relaxing on two Harbor Sands beach chairs.
    Sandros P.

    I reserved two beach chairs for the fourth of July and it was a good thing, because the Sheriff was kicking people off the public beach due to COVID-19. We ordered some delicious burgers and cocktails and sat under the umbrella enjoying the view. What a great afternoon! Service was a bit slow but way better than it could have been with the Coronavirus still going on. We had plenty of space from other people and felt safe. The staff were really friendly. We will be back!

    Lauren S.

    Incredible Wedding Venue! My husband and I had the best day of our lives celebrating our wedding at Two Harbors, Catalina with the Catalina Island Co. EVERY little detail was taken care of. A special shout out to Leslie, their Sales & Events Manager. Other than my husband, Leslie was my favorite person involved in my wedding. She remembered every request and ensured everything went off perfectly. From the catering (Harbor Sands is delicious), to the flowers (Tracy is amazingly talented), to all the vendors she recommended - there isn't a single thing I'd change. Thank you Catalina Island Co!!

    Dave B.

    Great spot right on the beach. A bit more upscale and classy then what Two Harbors had to offer beforehand. The theme is South Pacific Island and they even imported white sand. This is because back in the 30's Two Harbors was used by Hollywood as location and it used to have thatch huts. Now they have private palapas you can rent but they are very pricey ($129 weekday-349 for holiday) Food is good. Real friendly service. Definitely worth a visit.

    Some Elysian IPA ($9.50) for celebration after 45+ miles
    Jessica S.

    Harbor Sands is located right next to the Harbor Reef Restaurant. They have an outdoor bar which opens up into an expansive patio overlooking the beach and harbor and also an inside sitting area/ bar. The inside bar area is actually connected to the Harbor Reef Restaurant, BUT different menus are offered at each. Harbor Sands probably has slightly cheaper and what you might call grungier food. So expect some bar food, appetizers, and burgers. For drinks, their local specialty is a mixed cocktail called *Buffalo Milk*. I had a sip of this and wasn't a fan mostly because it tasted heavily of banana and I personally am not so fond of them. A very frothy and cooling drink otherwise. I went ahead and grabbed for an IPA like a crazy woman. I needed some pain meds after 4 days of hiking on the TCT! It was $9.50 in like a 12oz cup, so a tad pricey for sure! But I suppose kegs are heavy and costly to transport onto an island. My friend also went for a Bloody Mary which wasn't bad at $9.50 although it comes in a small plastic cup too. Such a relaxing atmosphere on the patio with some shaded spots under the awning and some in full sun closer to the railing. It's the only place you can grab dranks in Two Harbors and honestly it's not a bad choice.

    Some of the best calamari with capers I've ever had.
    Jim E.

    This place is a great destination when in Two Harbors for lunch or dinner. Beer is pricey so mixed drinks is your best bet. Calamari and fish and chips we're good. Actually the calamari is exceptional. The shaded deck it's impressive and ideal place to have your lunch by the beach. Everything is served in plastic cups, plates and silverware on the patio .

    Noah, we had a wonderful time being served by you. Food is always good even though it took the kitchen 45 minutes to make. Bummed that my Calamari was cold, didn't want to tell you because I knew a warm dish probably would have taken another 45. FYI, my main reason for 20+ years going to your spot to eat is the Calamari steak and the Buffalo milk yet quite dissatisfied this time, not you but the kitchen needs to get their ish together. Then to make it worse, we came back that night for inside meal with our Yacht club and the rib-eye was so chewy, Crème brûlée was delicious but the thinnest ever, ugh, sorry to vent but sad that it's gotten to this. See you soon and hopefully for a hot Calamari steak.

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    Same menu and servers as the deck, but a bit quieter and nicer. No reason not to try it if you want to watch the harbor.

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    11 months ago

    Food was excellent, bartenders were great and relaxed island vibes. Highly recommended.

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    9 months ago

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    6 years ago

    I love harbor sands but Mike the bartender is the worst. The best bar with the worst bartender. Period

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    9 years ago

    Get yourself a cocktail and bison/kobe burger. Jorge is da man behind the bar. He'll take care of you.

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    General M.

    Thank you Bonifacio! We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

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    7 years ago

    Great location right on the sand at Two Harbors! The food is good, service is just a bit slow-bit its summer and they are busy!

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    Review Highlights - Harbor Sands

    I would suggest getting the bison/kobe burger.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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