Catalina Island in 3 days

A Mediterranean-feeling island escape an hour from Los Angeles Best time to visit: May to October. Average daily budget: $150 to $250.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Avalon Waterfront, The heart of the island along Crescent Avenue, with restaurants, beach clubs, and the ferry terminal.

Morning: Snorkel or dive at Lover's Cove and Casino Point. Casino Point Dive Park is one of the best shore dives in California, with kelp forests, garibaldi fish, and visibility up to 30 meters.

Afternoon: Explore Avalon Waterfront, The heart of the island along Crescent Avenue, with restaurants, beach clubs, and the ferry terminal.

Evening: Kayak the coastline at sunrise. Paddle past sea caves and kelp beds before the day-trippers arrive, then refuel with a buffalo milk cocktail at the harbor.

Eat: Bluewater Avalon for seafood with harbor views

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Hamilton Cove, A quiet hillside enclave north of town with vacation villas and a private beach.

Morning: Tour the island interior to spot bison. A herd of bison has roamed Catalina since a 1924 film shoot. Eco-tours cross the rugged interior for wildlife spotting and sweeping ocean views.

Afternoon: Explore Hamilton Cove, A quiet hillside enclave north of town with vacation villas and a private beach.

Evening: Visit the Catalina Casino. Not a gambling hall but a stunning 1929 art deco theater and ballroom. Take the behind-the-scenes tour for the history and the views from the balcony.

Eat: Luau Larry's for the original buffalo milk cocktail

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Two Harbors, The rustic west end of the island, loved by boaters, campers, and hikers.

Morning: Rent a golf cart and drive the scenic loop. Golf carts are the island's main transport. The loop up to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden gives the best panoramas over Avalon Bay.

Afternoon: Explore Two Harbors, The rustic west end of the island, loved by boaters, campers, and hikers.

Evening: The Airport in the Sky, reachable by shuttle, famous for its buffalo burgers and views. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: The Lobster Trap for casual fish tacos and seafood

Hidden gems

The Airport in the Sky, reachable by shuttle, famous for its buffalo burgers and views
Descanso Beach Club, the island's only beach where you can legally drink on the sand
The Catalina Island Museum for surprisingly good art exhibitions

Getting around

Almost nobody drives. Walk Avalon's compact core, rent a golf cart for the hills, or take the Wildlands Express shuttle to the interior and Two Harbors. Ferries run from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach.

Safety

Very safe and family-friendly. The main cautions are sun exposure on the water and steep golf cart roads. Book ferries and carts ahead on summer weekends.

Catalina Island in 5 days | Catalina Island in 7 days | Full Catalina Island guide