Looking for a little slice of paradise without traveling too far? If you live in or are visiting the West Coast, consider taking a Catalina Island Day Trip. It will feel like a day trip to paradise! Located just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, the small island features crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and tons of family friendly activities.
While you could spend days exploring the island, especially if you venture further into the interior of the island, visiting Avalon (the main port), seeing the top sights, and experiencing some thrills/fun can be done in a day. I pieced together our favorite stops on the island to help you plan your itinerary!
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
Getting To The Island
To reach the island, there are two main options. You can take a ferry over, which is the most common (and cheapest option), or a helicopter ride. As ferry rides are much more sustainable, this is our recommendation (so we won’t go into the helicopter ride option).
The Catalina Express passenger ferry is one option. The ferry leaves from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. The ride is about an hour long. The Catalina Flyer is another ferry option, leaving from Newport Beach.The ride is about 75 minutes long. There is a full service bar and snack bar on the ferry. There is a chance you might see dolphins or whales on the way over, so keep your eyes out for them.
How To Get Around on Catalina Island
Cars are very limited on the island. There are no car ferries, no rental cars, and no public car options on the island. The best ways to get around on the island are golf cart rentals and bikes. There are rentals available for both (we will get more into this later). If you want to explore the interior portion of the island, a bike or jeep tour is the best way.
Things To Do On A Day Trip To Catalina Island (Avalon)
Explore Downtown Avalon
Walking through downtown Avalon is one of the best things to do on a Catalina Island Day Trip. The area is located right near the port and is very walkable. The downtown area features shops, dining, and historical, colorful buildings.
You can walk along the waterfront, visit South and Middle Beach, walk along the pier, or just spend some time relaxing in the sand. The Catalina Island Visitor Center is also located in this area, so you can stop here to get maps and current information on the area.
Head to the Beach
Naturally, when visiting an island you are going to think beach day! Avalon has three public beaches you can swim on, South Beach, Middle Beach, and Step Beach. These beaches are located along Crescent Avenue, in close proximity to shops, dining, and family friendly activities.
South Beach and Middle Beach are located next to each other, on either side of Green Pleasure Pier. Step Beach is located a little further down in front of the Via Casino Arch.
Descanso Beach is another option. It is a private beach, but does offer public access. This beach has the most amenities because it is part of the Descanso Beach Club. These include a restaurant, full service bar, restrooms, outdoor showers, changing rooms, and cabana rentals. There is a small fee to enter the beach, be sure to check current rates before your visit.
Catalina Island Day Trip: Drive a Golf Cart Around The Island
The most popular way to get around Catalina Island is to rent a golf cart and take a self guided tour. Golf carts are only permitted in the city of Avalon, so you cannot take them into the interior of the island.
When exploring the island by golf cart, you can visit many of Avalon’s highlights, including the Catalina Museum, Lovers Cove, the Three Palms overlook, Mt. Ada, Bird Park, the Nature Center, Botanical Garden, Zip Line, the Tremont Overlook, and Descanso Beach.
Golf cart rentals are available right near the ferry terminal, making it easily accessible. Most golf cart rentals are for a max of 2 hours. You can choose from Island Rentals, a family owned company and the one we used, or Catalina Island Golf Cart.
Island Rentals provides a 12 mile pre-planned route map that takes about an hour to complete. Please note that because of the limited time, you will not have a ton of time for stops, so plan your trip with this in mind. We enjoyed it as a scenic overview of the island.
Go For a Bike Ride
Going for a bike ride is another popular way to get around the island. Traditional bikes and electric bikes are available for rental. You can use a bike to explore the waterfront area, downtown Avalon, and the surrounding hills.
You can also explore the interior of the island by bike, but because it is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, you will need a bike permit to do this. These areas are also going to be more strenuous, so it may be better for older children.
Brown’s Bikes offer electric bikes, tandem bikes, and mountain bikes for you to explore the island with. Catalina E-Bike Rentals and Leyva’s Electric Bike Rentals offer e-bikes for you to explore the island on your own.
Tour the Catalina Casino
The Catalina Casino is one of the most popular activities on the island. It is the big, circular building with the orange roof that you see when arriving to Avalon by ferry. While the name suggests it is a casino, it is not a casino. It was designed to be a gathering place for performances and events.
There are two options for admission to the Casino. You can do general admission and take a self guided tour of the building, or do the VIP Backstage Tour, which includes a guided tour.
Seeing the architecture and art in the building is one of the main draws. The historic building features hand-painted murals by John Gabriel Beckman. The lower level features the Avalon Theatre. You can explore this room on a self guided or guided tour. The theatre also hosts live performances and films throughout the year.
Also located in the Catalina Casino is the Wrigley Ballroom. You can rent roller skates and skate around the ballroom. After exploring inside the casino you can head out and take a walk around the building, which features great views of Avalon and the harbor.
Take the Catalina Island Conservancy Jeep Tour
A jeep tour of the island will take you to the less developed, interior section of the island that is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy. The conservancy offers guided tours that typically last 2-3 hours. During the tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to spot wild life, including foxes, bald eagles, and bison. Tours leave from the Trailhead Visitor Center in Avalon.
You can also take a private Eco Tour with Catalina Tours. These tours are a little more pricey. The tour can be 1.5 hours, 2.5 hours, or 3.5 hours, depending on what you are looking for. These tours take you to Airport in the Sky, the nature center, and summit overlook. One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to see the island’s bison.
Take an Underwater Sub Expedition
One of the best things to do on a Catalina Island Day Trip with kids is to take a semi-submersible Sub trip to Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve. The sub takes you five feet below the surface and allows you to see a variety of marine life up close, including orange Garibaldi, spotted calico bass, urchins, rock fish, and bat rays.
Each passenger has a seat with their own port hole, making it easy to take in the sights.
Go Kayaking or Stand Up Paddle Boarding
For those looking to get out on the water, Descanso Beach Ocean Sports offers rentals for kayaks, stand up paddle boards, snorkel gear, wet suits, and boogie boards.
Guided kayak tours are also offered. The Journey to Frog Rock tour takes you along the Catalina Island coast and to Frog Rock, where you are able to get off, enjoy a quick snack, and go for a quick swim if you would like.
The Willow Cove Expedition is a half day tour that takes you along Catalina’s shoreline to Willow Cove. The tour lasts about 4 hours with a total distance of 5.5 miles. When you reach Willow Cove, you will be able to enjoy a picnic lunch and do some snorkeling at Mike Nelson Rock before heading back.
Catalina Island Day Trip: Go Parasailing
Parasailing is not only a great activity, it will also give you a different perspective/view of Avalon and the harbor. Take a boat ride out on the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Catalina Island and enjoy a flight overlooking Avalon, the harbor, and the island. There are a few options for parasailing.
Catalina Xtreme Parasail offers 600 and 800 feet parasailing rides. Rides last about 8-10 minutes. Children as young as 6 can participate, so it is a great family friendly activity for those looking for some thrills.
Catalina Tours also offers parasailing rides. Tours leave from Green Pleasure Pier. There are options for 600 feet and 800 feet rides. Children as young as 6 can participate. Passengers can also ride without parasailing for a lower fee.
California Parasail is another option, offering similar rides just off of Catalina Island. California Parasail offers 600 and 800 feet rides. They also offer tandem and triple flights, so you can go together with friends/family.
Visit the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Gardens
The Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden is one of the best Catalina Island Day Trip activities for kids. The memorial and garden is located at the top of Avalon Canyon.
The botanic garden is a 38-acre garden with a variety of plant species, including some found nowhere else on the island. The memorial is built almost entirely of materials found on the island.
Another highlight of visiting the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden is the view looking down into the canyon to the San Pedro Channel and Avalon. Climbing the stairs to the top of the Wrigley Memorial offers the best views.
To reach the memorial and gardens it is about a 30 minute walk from downtown Avalon. You can also take the island’s public transportation, a bike, or golf cart.
Visit the Catalina Museum For Art & History
The Catalina Museum for Art & History is a good way to see a different side of the island. The museum introduces you to the history of the island, with permanent exhibits containing artifacts from Santa Catalina Island. Exhibits include photographs, films, and other artifacts that show what life was like on the island beginning in the early 1800’s.
The Catalina Museum for Art and History also hosts events throughout the year, including the Tamale Festival and Oktoberfest. The museum also hosts movies during the summer in the outdoor amphitheater.
The Art to Go program for kids gives art kits to kids every Thursday, which can be picked up outside the museum. The kits include an art lesson and project for the kids to do, or for you to do as a family.
Play Mini-Golf
If your family is anything like mine, mini-golf is always a fun activity for us! Golf Gardens is a great option on Catalina Island, located only a block away from the beach. Golf Gardens is an 18 hole mini-golf course. The course has a garden/natural setting.
Glow golf is offered during certain hours with LED-light up golf balls, giving your mini-golf game a unique spin. Because of its proximity to other downtown Avalon attractions, it is a great option for a Catalina Island Day Trip with kids.
Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour
The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour is one of the best things to do on a Catalina Island Day Trip with kids. Here you can enjoy five consecutive zip lines with eco stops in between where you can learn about Catalina Island’s wild life, geology, and history. The ride begins at 600 feet above sea level and takes you down to Descanso Beach.
The zip line tour begins at the Hogsback Gate, descends through Descanso Canyon, and eventually ends at Descanso Beach. The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour is one of the more thrilling family friendly activities on the island, reaching speeds of up to 40mph. The entire tour lasts about 2 hours.
If you plan to do the zip line tour, you will want to make sure you make reservations ahead of time. Spots are limited and they tend to sell out, so plan ahead. The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour is located at the Descanso Beach Club.
Catalina Aerial Adventure
The Catalina Aerial Adventure is another one of the best activities on Catalina Island for thrills. It is a ropes course that features zip lines, suspension bridges, balance beams, and climbing structures. The Aerial Adventure course is located above the trees, giving you some of the best views on Catalina Island.
The Catalina Aerial Adventure is located at the Descanso Beach Club. The activity is great for families, with children as young as 7 welcome to participate. There are also courses of different difficulty levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) so everyone can enjoy the course at their own pace.
Catalina Island Day Trip: Ride a Glass Bottom Boat
A glass bottom boat ride is a great way to see the ocean life around Catalina Island. Catalina Tours offers 45 minute glass bottom boat rides from Green Pleasure Pier. The tour takes you to Lovers Cove, which features crystal clear water, making it easy to spot a variety of fish species and underwater plants.
Children of all ages, including infants, are permitted on the boat ride, making it a great activity for families on a Catalina Island Day Trip.
Go Snorkeling at Lovers Cove or Casino Point Dive Park
Lovers Cove just offshore of Avalon is one of California’s best and calmest snorkeling areas. Lovers Cove is a Marine Protected Area, so crystal clear waters and ocean life abound.
The cove reaches about 20 feet deep in some areas. Common marine life in the area includes orange garibaldi, calico bass, and sheepshead. Lovers Cove is about a 15 minute walk from downtown Avalon. You can rent snorkeling gear from Catalina Divers Supply.
The Casino Dive Park is another great spot on the island to snorkel. The Casino Dive Park is also a Marine Protected Area. Common ocean life in this area includes orange garibaldi, calico bass, sheepshead, eels, and occasionally sea lions or giant black sea bass.
The Casino Dive Park is about a 0.75 mile walk from the ferry terminal. The Casino Dive area is a no-take marine conservation area with no boat traffic. The Casino Dive cove goes to 95 feet in some spots. Underwater, there are artificial reef wrecks and a Jacques Cousteau memorial plaque.
Aside from snorkeling, you can also take a guided scuba diving tour of the area. Children as young as 10 can join in on the tours. Night dives are also offered for a different perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Worth Going To Catalina Island For a Day Trip?
Absolutely! There is so much to do on Catalina Island, particularly in Avalon. The ferry ride to the island is only about an hour, so it gives you plenty of time to explore the island on a day trip.
Can you explore Catalina Island’s interior on a day trip?
Yes, but you’ll need to plan carefully. Guided island tours are one of the easiest ways to see areas beyond Avalon when you have limited time.
Can you see wildlife on Catalina Island?
Yes. Catalina Island is home to unique wildlife, including the Catalina Island fox, as well as birds, sea lions, and other marine life. Bison are one of the most common spottings when exploring the interior of the island. An eco-tour is a great way to spot them.
Is Catalina Island good for a weekend trip?
Absolutely. Staying overnight gives you more time to explore beyond Avalon, hike, participate in additional water activities, and experience the island after many day visitors have returned to the mainland.
What is the best time of year for a Catalina Island day trip?
Catalina Island can be visited year-round. Summer is popular for swimming and water activities, while spring and fall can provide pleasant weather for exploring with fewer crowds.
Do you need to book Catalina Island activities in advance?
It’s recommended, especially during the peak season. Popular excursions can fill up, and booking ahead allows you to build your day around your ferry schedule.
Do you need a car on Catalina Island?
No. Visitors can explore much of Avalon on foot and use bicycles, golf carts, taxis, shuttles, or guided tours to reach other areas. There are no car ferries and personal vehicles are very limited on the island.
***The Navigating Mom (and this post) may contain affiliate links. If you purchase from one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.****
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