On a one day visit to Catalina Island, there is so much to do, see and eat…read more To start, rent a golf cart or wear good walking shoes because this port is not too big for tourist exploration. There is also a "Circuit" ride share that will take you around the island for $2 per person. Coming in by tender from a cruise ship is great. The docking area is in town and so close to everything. I exited the tender and walked along the waterfront where I passed a few children's playgrounds with a pirate theme. Then on to where the golf carts are rented. I walked to the pier (Green Pier) where there are bathrooms and many small shops all hoping for the tourist business. They carry the typical port souvenirs. After a long walk on this short pier I got to the end where there is many people fishing with poles and the little set ups they will sell you for a few dollars and the bait too. There are plenty of benches to sit and watch the boat come in and out of the harbour. There is a small beach area that has lots of pretty colored little rocks along the shoreline. The walk to the round Casino Building is pretty much the end of the road before a mountainside resort. I passed by some waterfront restaurants that were even crowded on a cloudy day. My walk back to the tender was quick and the ride back to the cruise ship was also pretty nice and calm.

Catalina island interior is the best place to experience nature without having to travel far. We…read morehave toured the interior quite a few times. We booked a tour once to see bisons but didn't get to see animals cause it was raining. The tours we went by ourselves were much better! We saw many wild animals including bisons! The interior vineyard is so beautiful. The trips were very enjoyable but a bit of too much sun for me. Wear sunscreen and a hat to prevent sun exposure! Keep in mind that it takes 20 years to be able to buy a real car on island. Only one golf cart is allowed per residence. There are no spaces for real cars and more golf carts in Avalon. Our family and friends live here so they have a real car to take us to interiors. Yes you will need a real car to do that! Avalon has enough restaurants and bars to hang out. Casino is also a movie theater to show older movies on certain weekend evenings. They offer tours of this historic casino too. They host NYE gala every year. Beach club is great for summer times. Museum is small but still worth taking a tour. Too bad the spa has closed down, we used to go there all the time. This island has so much to offer. It's the best place for a lot of fun just a ferry ride away!

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!

Well. That was WELL worth the money. I honestly thought it was a steal of a deal if you ask me…read more Mike and his team were more than I could have asked for - in so many ways. His training, explaining and safety prep was comforting. He obviously knows his stuff and has been doing this for a very very long time. Just the interaction and education would have been enough for me - throw in the multiple 5-gs and every maneuver that plane was capable of - FIVE STARS from me!! I WILL BE DOING THIS AGAIN!! Thank you for making me feel alive, it was such a blessing. Ps. Girls, this isn't only for guys. Get out there and DO IT!!!!! We all know you want to

Skythrills provided such an AWESOME and exciting experience!!!! I initially thought it was a bit…read moretoo expensive for a couple of minutes in the air but it was totally worth it! How often do you have the opportunity to board a small open hangar craft and feel the wind blow by you as you soar over the world beneath you?! Not often at all. Mike was our pilot. He must be one of the friendliest guys I've ever encountered in quite some time. He gave us some nifty leather caps and a mic set so we could talk and hear from each other throughout the flight. You can tell Mike really gets a kick out of the joy others experience through flying with him. What I appreciated the most about this experience was how the plane was constructed. The biplane allowed my girlfriend and I to experience the whole flight together. I hiiiighly recommend giving Skythrills a try. Treat yo self!!!!!!

This hotel deserves 10 stars. The front desk staff were helpful and friendly. When you walk in…read moreyour in this peaceful beautiful space. Our room was fantastic with a the most comfy king bed, coffee maker, refrigerator. tv and a very clean shower. They left us milk and cookies at night and they had coffee and tea out in the morning. The fish tank is beautiful in the lobby. My favorite part was sitting in the lobby watching all the people below. The hotels location is right in the middle of everything which made it easy to come and go. If we ever end up in Catalina again we will stay here! Room 104 (I think) the first room to your right was just perfect!

Amazing staff and bed and pillows were so comfortable!! I even called recently to find out what…read morebrand they use. They were so kind and emailed me that same day! Can't wait to stay here again.

I'm a bit of a Mt Ada regular; this was my 6th stay and, due to the rainy/windy weather, the most…read moresurreal. I stayed just after the long Valentines/Presidents Day weekend. All boats to and from Catalina Island were cancelled on 2 days of my visit, forcing other guests to change their travel plans. I ended up being the sole guest for all 3 nights of my stay here! With some whispers of Mt Ada being haunted (but not as many as Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors), I was a bit concerned, but fortunately had no paranormal experiences. To briefly review Mt Ada's history, it was once the Catalina home of William Wrigley Jr. and family, of chewing gum and Chicago Cubs fame. He was instrumental in putting Catalina "on the map", and his descendants still own the Catalina Island Company, which runs Mt Ada, Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel and Banning House Lodge, as well as other businesses. All my stays at Mt Ada have been with the Company, although it was previously run as a private B&B. Mt Ada still runs as a B&B, as opposed to a hotel. It's a pricey stay but has many many perks that justify the expense. These include transportation to and from the boat or helicopter terminals, use of a golf cart throughout your stay, daily made-to-order breakfast and lunch, pre-breakfast continental breakfast, afternoon wine/cheese/charcuterie, 24-hour butler's pantry with snacks like gelato, chips, cookies and popcorn plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, discounts on Island Company tours and activities. Currently there are about 4 main people interacting with guests at Mt Ada, plus "behind the scenes" kitchen and housekeeping staff. My past reviews have mentioned a stay here is more like a visit to a home, as opposed to a hotel. There will be times when you may not see any staff (especially at night). But Pierre, Liz, Tim and Yoli (Yollie?) work their hardest to accommodate guest needs--they are the chauffeurs, front desk, waiters, luggage handlers, concierges, etc. I applaud them all. One of Mt Ada's pluses is its location on the hill (Mt Ada) above Avalon Bay, even above the main Bay viewpoint that all the rental golfcarts stop at (traffic jams are common here). It's quite peaceful, although in busy times the noise from "downtown" does carry uphill. Mt Ada has 6 rooms. The room I booked was the Grand Suite, Mr. Wrigley's former bedroom. It's the largest room, with a separate living and bedroom, a bathroom with a separate shower and tub, and a large terrace above the first floor terrace. It has a fireplace, as do 3 other rooms, and a raised bed that requires stairs to access, as does one other room. The living room has an antique "radio" that is seen in photos with Mr. Wrigley. There are radio stations hand-written on it; I was appalled to see "graffiti" defacing this historic relic. The terrace is fabulous, but alas the weather prohibited much use; I feared the high winds would blow the cushions on the chaise lounges over the railing. Even the dining tables on the first floor terrace were stored; in more temperate weather it's the loveliest place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. The breakfast and lunch menus have some new items and some old faves. Once again a fabulous and peaceful stay. Thanks again to all the staff. With the Pavilion Hotel reopening soon, Mt Ada may be the next property to undergo renovations. I hope it does not lose its charm or homey character.

Absolutely the best accommodation on the island. Spectacular views, the house is gorgeous, the…read morestaff is impressive and attentive. Highly recommend!!! There are only six rooms so book early!

My wife and I went on the 90 minute flight for her birthday. Smooth sign-up process, and a smooth…read moreflight as well. Wes delivered interesting and relevant information as he flew us around and across OC plus well known parts of south LA County. It's a one-of-a-kind activity you should not miss. You'll be comfortable and attentive throughout. Over land and coastal sea, this is a trip for you.

Wesley facilitated an amazing flight experience for us! I was a little nervous to fly in such a…read moresmall plane, but Wesley was calm and reassuring the entire flight. It was so neat to see all of Orange County from the air. Truly magnificent. Love Joy Air! I would go again in a heartbeat!

A wonderful place to stay with beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. The staff was welcoming,…read morethe rooms were comfortable, and the location made it easy to enjoy everything Avalon has to offer.

Newly renovated, clean and within walking distance to the ferry dock. The rooms are a bit small for…read morethe price, like a motel room. The complementary breakfast has just fruits, bagels with cream cheese and yogurt. Pavilion is the best option if a stay on the Avalon waterfront is desired.

We loved the hotel. Located on a side street and away from the busy Front Street shops and…read morerestaurants. We stayed two nights, and it was great. Our room offered a nice balcony with views of the bay. The bed was comfortable and cozy. The bathroom was large. We had cups and a coffee maker along with a mini fridge, so it was everything we needed for our two night stay. They offer a continental breakfast each morning out on the patio, which is a peaceful spot to just sit, enjoy the firepit, and koi pond. Or the roof deck is awesome with a BBQ, tables and chairs and stunning views. They also offer trays so you can take your breakfast back to your room and have breakfast in bed. Spoiled! The staff couldn't have been more helpful, friendly and accommodating. Evelyn was awesome, thank you for the smiles and truly wonderful service throughout our stay. Off the boat, we went to drop our luggage to store until check-in. Fortunately we were there during the week, and our room was ready earlier, so we chilled a bit before heading out to explore and have lunch. They also held our bags upon check out. After we returned from an adventure, they allowed us to sit on the patio and enjoy the sun before we had to be at our boat. We couldn't have asked for a better stay, and we will absolutely go back. Just a note for anyone who has mobility issues. The hotel is awesome, but note that you have to walk part way up a little hill to reach the stairs to the small lobby. There are stairs to the lobby and depending on which floor your room is located, there is no elevator, just stairs. For someone in a wheelchair or needing a walker and unable to climb stairs, it is not doable.

First time at Avalon and this hotel was a blessing to stay at. The views are great and the bed is…read morevery comfortable. Stayed two nights. They have packages that include the ferry back and forth so I recommend checking out their website. Continental breakfast is the basics but very good. Customer service and house keeping staff was amazing. They're super nice great people. Location is great! Definitely would stay here again.

My husband and I stayed here on June 16-19, 2025. We came to the Bellanca a few years ago in Winter…read moreand loved it, loved our room, loved the hotel. We wanted the same experience and the same room. We got a Studio Suite room in the back of the hotel in the upper private area. The last time we stayed here, our room seemed bigger, and I was a bit disappointed about how small the room seemed compared to last time, but we ended up really enjoying our stay. The room was clean, although housekeeping did not clean our room the first time we asked the front desk. Before our third and final night, we went up to the front desk and told them we were extremely upset our room was not clean the day before when we had asked them to clean it so they promptly came up and cleaned our room. The linens were clean, white, and fresh and the robe was nice though short. The towels were comfy and clean and they gave us more towels when our room wasn't clean the second night we stayed after we asked them. The outside the patio was amazing. We had a gorgeous view of the city behind us and the ocean in front of us. We loved to sit outside in the comfy chairs and just soak up the view and drink coffee/tea that was provided for us with a Kuerig machine. We had plenty of free water bottles and ice and kept asking for more and more because we drink like fish and they gave it to us all for free. The room had a couch and a little table, but the table was too short for my husband to use his laptop. He said he would have liked a bigger table, but we made do with what we had. Also, there were no nightstands in the room and the closet space was very, very small, just a small wooden box in the room with only enough space to hang our jackets. There were no real drawers to place our clothes in so we left them in the luggage the entire time. The bathroom was made of beautiful Italian marble with a large bathtub that we filled to the top with warm water for our nightly bath soaks. The only thing we didn't like about the bathroom was that the toilet was right next to the wall, giving us little room to sit and do our business and the sink had no area around it to place our bathroom essentials except for a really, really small glass area above the sink to place our toothbrushes. We took really long naps while we were there with the air conditioner on full blast and really loved our bed. It was sooooo comfortable. Also, our room had a refrigerator where we placed food we bought from the market and left over food from the restaurant. We are definitely coming back again to the Bellanca hotel for a simlar Studio Suite room, hopefully next time, a bigger one light last time, but even though there were things we didn't like about this room, we may request the same room again because the view outside looking towards the ocean was amazing. Oh, and the hotel gave us two free drink vouchers worth $15 each for mixed drinks at the Naughty Fox which we used and enjoyed.

I loved this hotel so much! The staff were super friendly and helpful. It's super close to…read moreeverything and has a beautiful balcony for a beach view! I also loved that they have free bikes for a little cruise around the town :)

Absolutely love using this service! Rich and his team always provide excellent service and go above…read moreand beyond. Most recently, I needed to use the service for a pick up from UCLA to home for my baby Bruin who wanted to come home for the Halloween weekend. While I easily could have went with Uber, Rich gave me an incredible deal that came out to the same as Uber. Our driver was Harry. Not only was he amazing, but he was completely reliable and most importantly safe. The car was spacious enough for my Bruin to bring home laundry to do at home. So if you have a college student who needs to arrange a ride home, Happy Shuttle is definitely the place to call. They continue to exceed expectations and their prices are affordable. Will definitely be using them again!

We booked this service because of all the five-star reviews, but our experience was the exact…read moreopposite. For our roundtrip airport transport, we confirmed twice over the phone that we needed a rear-facing car seat and a vehicle that could fit five passengers with luggage. The driver showed up without the correct car seat, and the car was too small for our bags. When we brought this up, we were told the driver "forgot." This created a stressful and unsafe ride for our baby. On our return ride, the same driver was over 20 minutes late, joked on the phone that "no one's coming," and when we asked for an ETA, gave no clear answer. When my elderly father expressed frustration, the driver threatened to leave us at the airport. This was deeply unsettling--especially since the driver knew our home address. After the trip, I spoke with Rich (the manager), who acknowledged both incidents were unacceptable and promised a refund and a free ride to make it right. Neither happened. It's not about the money--it's the principle. The broken promises and continued lack of follow-through make me feel we were lied to just to de-escalate the situation. I don't take writing negative reviews lightly, but this experience was unacceptable. This company may have good ratings, but if something goes wrong, you're on your own. I would not trust them again--especially if you're traveling with children.