Hiking and Camping on Catalina

On an island, undersea adventures beckon, especially on Catalina, where the water sparkles brilliant blue, water clarity is outstanding, and fascinating sea life abounds. The hub of many water sports and activities is Descanso Beach, a pretty 1-mile/1.5-kilometer stroll north of Avalon Harbor. Here you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (lessons and guided tours available)—a great way to see dolphins, seals, sea lions, and, if you’re lucky, resident flying fish.

While California’s Pacific waters are refreshingly comfortable here (up to 70°F/22°C in summer), most snorkelers and SCUBA divers don wetsuits to explore underwater; gear and instructors are available on the island. For a novel way to see pumpkin-orange garibaldi fish and other ocean creatures, join a SeaTrek adventure: A specially outfitted diving helmet lets you literally walk across the sea floor while breathing fresh air. If you prefer to keep your feet dry, join a glass-bottom boat tour or entertaining mini-submarine tour of Avalon Harbor.

Adventure seekers can take a ferry ride or rent a boat in Avalon to reach rustic Two Harbors, on the island’s west end; the off-the-grid hamlet is a popular place for overnight sailboat and powerboat trips, as well as snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. Head all the way around the island to the remote and wild Little Harbor cove—one of the state’s prettiest campgrounds.

Tucked away in scenic Avalon Canyon, the meandering Catalina Island Golf Course is a public course that feels like a private resort. Its nine challenging holes offer canyon and ocean views, and each hole has two different tee boxes in case you want to play 18. There’s also a shady putting green, popular with dads and kids. In fact, Tiger Woods played this course as a young boy. Originally a clubhouse for William Wrigley Jr.’s Chicago Cubs, who held spring training on the island from 1921 to 1951, the historic Catalina Country Club is a nice spot to enjoy a relaxed al fresco lunch, even if you’re not a golfer.

What’s an island getaway without a swanky place to sleep? Choices on Catalina include the Avalon Hotel, the carefully restored California Craftsman-style building that combines rich mahogany wood with Catalina’s signature tile artwork. And the hotel’s rooftop deck might just be the perfect place to relax with a glass of bubbly. Rooms at the oceanfront Snug Harbor Inn rooms come with jetted tubs and fireplaces. Hotel Metropole, named for the island’s original grand hotel (which burned in 1915), was rebuilt with sumptuous, coastal style—for an unforgettable splurge, book the 2-bedroom, 2-bath Beach House, where you can wrap yourself in soft robes and take in panoramic ocean views from your private deck.

High above Avalon, with fantastic twilight views of the harbor and Avalon Casino, there’s The Inn on Mt. Ada, housed in the original Wrigley mansion, with nice touches like ice cream available for guests in the butler’s pantry, plus appetizers, wine, and California bubbly, served every evening. For a roomier option on the island, consider renting a condo in the posh Hamilton Cove area; many units include golf carts so you can make the 5-minute drive down to Avalon—if you ever feel like budging from your chaise on your deck or by the pool. Exclusive Descanso Beach Club rents chi-chi private cabanas, plus beach valets and other spoil-me touches.

For a more remote getaway, travel to Two Harbors, north of Avalon, and Banning House Lodge, with expansive views of the Isthmus of Catalina and Catalina Harbor. 

That beautiful stretch of ocean between Catalina and the Southern California coast does make for a magical setting; it also makes for a little bit of extra planning to get to the island getaway. Ferries leave regularly year-round from four mainland ports (Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, and San Pedro). Keep your eyes peeled—dolphins and whales are frequently seen.

On this island, walking is the preferred mode of transportation. In fact, cars are so frowned upon that there’s a 14-year wait list to own one on the island. Luckily, the main town of Avalon is only one square mile, making most attractions an easy stroll apart. Cabs and shuttles meet all incoming ferries, so it’s easy to catch a lift to your lodging. Or just walk into town from the ferry landing. There’s also a taxi stand in the center of town, and trolley services run regularly along two scheduled routes in the summer, plus weekends in the off season. Golf carts are popular for touring the hills above town—rentals are easily available, as are bike rentals. If you plan to explore beyond Avalon, shuttle bus and charter van services are available from Avalon to the Airport in the Sky, the town of Two Harbors, and campgrounds in the island’s center.

Ready to arrive in style, or maybe just in a hurry? Private plane or helicopter service is available.