We took a girl’s cruise out of Long Beach and one of the ports was Catalina Island. The ships and ferries dock at the city of Avalon and it is pretty much the cutest little town ever!
Not only is Catalina Island a popular cruise port, but you can also take the ferry over from Long Beach or Newport Beach. If you only have one day, keep reading to discover the best things to do on Catalina Island!
Top 6 Things to Do on Catalina Island
Table of Contents
- 1. Explore Crescent Avenue
- 2. Rent a Golf Cart
- 3. Spend the day on the water
- 4. Take an Excursion on Land
- 5. Relax on a Private Beach
- 6. Best Places to Eat on Catalina Island
1. Explore Crescent Avenue
Crescent Avenue is filled with charming shops lining Avalon Bay.
Take a stroll along the boardwalk, buy some souvenirs, and grab some ice cream at Lloyd’s to eat at the beach!
2. Rent a Golf Cart
Renting a golf cart is one of the most popular things to do on Catalina Island. It is such a fun way to explore the island and enjoy the views.
Here are some tips for renting a golf cart on Catalina Island:
- There are a few different companies to choose from. We went with Catalina Golf Cart Rentals and had a great experience.
- You will be given a map marked with a recommended 12-mile scenic loop.
- The cost is $45/hour (with an additional $45 refundable deposit) and the loop takes about an hour to complete.
- They will pro-rate the amount if you decide to take it out a little longer.
- Reservations are not needed, they have plenty of golf carts in stock.
- Toddler and infant seats are available for your use.
- Drivers need to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license and everyone needs to be in a seat belt (most carts seat 4).
3. Spend the day on the water
There are plenty of options if you want to spend a few hours or the day out on the water.
A kayak tour is a great way to explore otherwise inaccessible coastlines of Catalina. We would recommend THIS tour.
Enjoy the outdoors, get a workout, see some wildlife and learn a lot from the knowledgeable tour guides!
Other water activities on Catalina Island:
- Parasailing: Get a thrill and a bird’s eye view of the island on a parasailing trip!
- Lover’s Cove: Lover’s Cove is the best spot on Catalina Island for snorkeling. There are several snorkel rental shops in the vicinity.
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour: A glass bottom boat tour is the best way to see the beauty of the ocean while staying dry!
- Jet Skis: Jet Skis are fun, but Jet Skis in the ocean are a complete blast as you jump the waves! Rentals start at $140/hour for a double-seater.
- Dolphin and Sea Life Excursion: This excursion takes you on an exhilarating boat ride, so not only do you get to see some cool wildlife but you get an adrenaline rush too!
Many of the tours leave from the main pier. An advanced reservation is recommended but not required.
You can also just wander around the pier to compare tours and see what is available.
4. Take an Excursion on Land
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground and not on the water, don’t worry there are plenty of options for you too! Here are a few recommendations of the top tours and excursions on Catalina Island:
- Eco Jeep Tour: These Eco Jeep Tours are recommended as one of the best tours on the island! See rugged terrain and wildlife, learn about the area, and have a blast doing it!
- Catalina Casino: The Catalina Casino is not an actual casino, but an art deco masterpiece. Casino is Italian for “Gathering Place”. Take a tour to learn the history of this unique historical building. You can also enjoy a movie or performance at the Avalon theater.
- Zip Line Tour: If you are a thrill seeker then be sure to check out this zip-line tour with 5 separate lines!
- Guided Electric Bike Tour or a Segway Tour: Electric bikes and Segways are a fun and unique way to explore the island. Enjoy an informative guided tour to learn more about the history of the island.
- Hiking: There are many hiking trails to be discovered, keep in mind that a (free) permit is required for hiking outside of Avalon. Click the link for all the information you need.
- Ghost Tour: If you happen to be on Catlina Island at night, a ghost tour is creepy, funny, entertaining and historically informative. Who knew this cute town was a place of supernatural sightings?!
5. Relax on a Private Beach
Descanso Beach Club is one of the last private beaches in all of California that offers public access.
It is located in a beautiful cove just north of the Casino. You can reserve a cabana or chaise lounge for a day of relaxation in the sun.
Prices vary depending on the season, check the site for updated information.
You can also enjoy dining al fresco at the Descanso Beach Club Restaurant. This popular open-air restaurant is the only beachfront restaurant on the island. The restaurant has a beachside bar and fire rings as well.
If you’re visiting in the summer between May-September, join the free beach party with a live DJ from 2-5pm.
6. Best Places to Eat on Catalina Island
Whatever your taste, you’re likely to find it here! Here are some of the best places to eat on Catalina Island:
- Blue Water Grill: Home of the freshest seafood around.
- Maggie’s Blue Rose: The best Mexican food on the island, famous for their homemade tortillas.
- Original Jack’s Country Kitchen: The best spot for breakfast (only open for breakfast and lunch), with local farm-sourced ingredients.
- Antonio’s Original Pizza: Delicious pizza, reasonably priced
- Avalon Seafood: The best spot for your classic fish & chips
I hope this list of things to do on Catalina Island will help you make the most of your day there! And if you’re planning to go to LA, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Family Friendly Guide and our guide for The Best Things to Do in Downtown LA!
I enjoy your writing style genuinely loving this web site.
but you can also take the ferry over from Long Island.
I think you meant to say Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach all California ports.
Yes! Thank you so much for catching that, I’ll make the correction!
Since the first activity was focused on the island interior, the second activity should center around Catalina Island’s incredible water activities. There are many water tours, like the glass bottom boat or the semi-submersible. Because the semi-submersible is underwater, you can journey inside of it even when it’s raining. It’s a great experience that includes the option of feeding the fish! Day trippers who want a lazier afternoon can grab a drink at Descanso Beach. It’s one of the only places in California where you can legally drink on the beach. Visiting Descanso Beach after a water tour is highly recommended because one of the greatest enjoyments of Catalina Island includes being able to relax on the beach.
Thanks Amelia for your great recommendations!