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 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 coast

Map (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 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

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

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

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.

Spot 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 coast

The 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 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

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.
Eureka Inns
Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.
Whale Watching in California
Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.
Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Vagabond's House Inn
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
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.
Santa Barbara
Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.
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.
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.
Laguna Beach
The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visiting Hearst Castle
This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.
La Jolla, in southern California
La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch 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.
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.
Moss Beach Hotel
For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.