Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

Santa Catalina Island off the California coastSanta Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island is in Southern California, and almost directly due west from Dana Point. It’s visible on the horizon from Huntington Beach, but you can only get there by boat from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

Santa Catalina Island Facts and Figures

Santa Catalina Island covers an area of just under 75 square miles, and its highest point is the 2.097 feet (639.2 meters) of Mount Orizaba. Its population is just over 4,000, the majority of which live in the main town of Avalon. It’s part of the Channel Islands of California, though not one of the five islands which make up the Channel Islands National Park.

Map showing Santa Catalina Island off the California coastMap (c) Google Maps

How to Get to Santa Catalina Island

It only takes about an hour to get to Santa Catalina Island, and there are ferries for foot passengers from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point. Long Beach and San Pedro also offer helicopter services. There is an airport on the island, Catalina Airport, but at the moment it is only open for charter aircraft.

Boat Going to Santa Catalina IslandBoat Going to Santa Catalina Island

Getting Around Santa Catalina Island

You cannot take your car over to the island on a ferry. There is a limit on the number of cars allowed on the island. Even if you move to the island from the mainland, you could be waiting several years for your car to get permission to join you.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

As a result, your transport options are limited. There are taxis, though most people use golf carts or bicycles. You can rent both of these, although if you want to explore the island you’ll first need a permit, which you get from the offices of the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Santa Catalina Island off the California coastSanta Catalina Island

When to Visit Santa Catalina Island

The island has a Mediterranean climate and you can visit all-year-round. Even in winter, average daytime temperatures are in the 50s, though it very occasionally drops below freezing at night. Most rain falls December-Match, with very little in the summer months.

Santa Catalina Island off the California coastSanta Catalina Island

What to See on Catalina Island

Bison

Surprisingly, there is a herd of about 150 American bison on the island. The fact that the island is quite easy to get to from Hollywood means that many movies have been filmed here. For one of them, several bison were brought over. They were left on the island and subsequently bred to build up quite a herd. Several tours will take you to see them.

Santa Catalina Island off the California coastSpot the Casino!

Catalina Casino

You can’t miss the casino as it’s the biggest building on the island and you see it as the boats come into the harbor at Avalon. It was built in 1929 by William Wrigley Jnr, of chewing gum fame, in an attempt to bring tourists to the island. Despite the name, it’s never actually been a casino, as we generally understand the word. It’s never been a home for gambling. It used to house the island’s museum and today is home to a cinema and a ballroom. The cinema isn’t currently operating as such, though there are daily tours. visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/catalina-casino.

Catalina Island Museum

This museum, in the center of Avalon, inevitably tells you all about the history and culture of the island. It’s much more than that, though, as they also organize visiting exhibitions, outdoor movies, comedy nights, cruises, family days, lessons, talks, and tours, including a Behind the Scenes tour at the island’s casino. catalinamuseum.org.

Mountainous interior of Santa Catalina Island off the California coastThe Interior of Santa Catalina Island

Island Tours

Although you need a permit if you want to tour the island yourself, you can join an organized jeep or bus tour to take you around Santa Catalina Island. You can also take boats around the island, notably from Avalon to the second-biggest settlement, Two Harbors. A bus also links the two places.

Enjoying a Boat Trip on Santa Catalina IslandEnjoying a Boat Trip on Santa Catalina Island

Water Activities

You can take a tour around the island in a glass-bottom boat, while the more adventurous will want to go snorkeling or scuba diving. There are a few beaches where you can also go paragliding.

Santa Catalina Island Accommodation

Other California coast pages

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

    Mendocino

    Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

    Laguna Beach

    The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

  • Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

    Newport Beach

    Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

    Best Beaches in California

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

    Crescent City

    Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

    Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings

    There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

  • Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

    Oceanside

    Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-things-to-do-in-newport-beach

    Aug 14, 25 03:15 AM

    Dubbed the ‘Hamptons of Hollywood’, and familiar to many thanks to The OC , this coastal city is a great stop on a Southern Californian road trip.

    Read More

  2. LA County is about to find out what happens when you fire weather experts

    Aug 13, 25 04:05 AM

    California weather offices responsible for Los Angeles fire warnings will remain “criminally understaffed” after Trump administration cuts while new hires get on board, former NWS meteorologists warn.

    Read More

  3. 2025's 8 Best Small Towns To Visit In California

    Aug 09, 25 04:20 AM

    California is a state of extremes, where golden beaches meet snowcapped peaks and ancient redwood forests stand just miles from arid desert dunes. Beyond its world-famous cities, the Golden State hide…

    Read More