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.

Other California coast pages

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

    Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway

    There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • 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 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.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Following Improved Weather Conditions, Pacific Coast Highway Reopened

    Mar 16, 25 11:24 AM

    Following Improved Weather Conditions, Pacific Coast Highway Reopened Earlier than Anticipated Today to Businesses, School Buses and Residents Who Live in Palisades Fire Burn Area

    Read More

  2. Pacific Coast Highway Closure and Evacuation Warnings Issued as Storm Approaches Malibu

    Mar 13, 25 11:38 AM

    Effective Wednesday, March 12, at noon, Caltrans has implemented a full closure of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. The clo…

    Read More

  3. PCH to Close for Incoming Storm

    Mar 12, 25 12:29 PM

    March 11, 2025 -- A section of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will close at noon Wednesday as a winter storm approaches the fire scorched area possibly causing debris flows, Caltrans officials announced.

    Read More