Two Day Getaway to Catalina Island

FIRST OFF…. How on earth have we lived in LA together for 4 years and are JUST NOW writing this blog! Do you know how close Catalina Island is to LA? RIDICULOUSLY close! I’m almost embarrassed to say that this is our first trip there together and Leo’s first trip EVER!

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is just 20 miles off the coast of LA. If you don’t have a boat of your own you have to take a ferry to get there. There are several ports you can leave from. Newport, San Pedro and Long Beach. Keep reading to find out where we stayed, played and chilled!

Keep reading to find out where we stayed, played and chilled!

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We hopped on the ferry in Long Beach because it is closest to our house, but make sure to check out The Catalina Express website to see what options are best for where you are coming from.

A Little Island History

Santa Catalina Island has been inhabited for at least 8000 years. At the time of first European contact in 1542, it is thought that the Native Americans living on Santa Catalina Island called their island Pimu and themselves Pimungans (or Pimuvit)

In more recent years, Catalina Island was once owned by William Wrigley, Jr. of Wrigley chewing gum fame. He developed Avalon as a resort island destination and brought the Chicago Cubs baseball team (which he owned) to the island for spring training from 1921-1951 (with the exception of a few years during WWII).

Where the Buffalo Roam

The island also served as a location for many of the movies filmed in the early days of Hollywood. In fact, one of the movies filmed in the 1920’s brought 14 bison to the island and left them on the island. 

Now a herd of about 150 bison roam the island’s interior. In the 1970’s Wrigley deeded 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy so it remains undeveloped and wild very much like Hollywood’s “back lot” in early filming days.

In 2013, the City of Avalon celebrated it’s 100th anniversary.

Leaving from Long Beach

We chose to leave from the Long Beach port on The Catalina Express. The Catalina Landing at Downtown Long Beach is located in the heart of the city, along the waterfront beside the Pike and the Aquarium of the Pacific near Shoreline Village.

The port is easily accessible from Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego. It’s only $37.25 for a general ticket or you can upgrade to the commodore lounge for $52.25 on The Catalina Express.

The Catalina Express

Take the upgrade

The Commodore lounge comes with comfortable seats, free snacks and drink vouchers for the upgrade… Definitely recommend doing the upgrade! The Catalina Express was such a nice comfortable ride!!

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The ride itself was so smooth and fast! All the staff was extremely friendly. The views from the outside deck were unbelievable!!  

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Sometimes if you’re lucky, you can even catch a few dolphins surfing in the wake.

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Parking at the Port

There is covered parking right on site at the port. We were running up against time with traffic so it was very convenient to just park and hop on the boat! It’s only $19 daily per / 24 hr period. Overnight parking is obviously okay.  

Trip Duration

Long Beach/Avalon trips take approximately 1 hr.

The Catalina Express Address

320 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802

Two Sides: Avalon and Two Harbors

There are two sides to the island as well. Two harbors and Avalon. Two Harbors is under developed and has only tent camping on it. The Avalon side is the one we all know and love from the pictures.

Avalon

Avalon is the only incorporated city on Catalina, It wraps around beautiful Avalon Bay on the southeast end of the island.

Two Harbors

Two Harbors, colloquially known as “The Isthmus”, is a small unincorporated community island village on Santa Catalina Island, California, with a population of 298. It is the second center of population on the island.

Arriving to the Island

When you arrive to Avalon via The Catalina Express you will dock at the Cabrillo Mole boat landing. From there it’s just a short walk to the main part of town. Luggage service is available for visitors staying at Pavilion Hotel or Hotel Atwater.

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The Whole Island is Walkable!!!

There are barely any cars on the island because quite frankly you can walk the entire island.

Although, you will see a lot of golf carts. to get around if you don’t want to walk you can rent a golf cart ($50 an hour), electric bikes ($40 per two hours) or regular beach cruisers (we got these for free through our hotel Hotel – Atwater)

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A Hotel with History

We stayed at the newly remodeled Hotel Atwater and it was absolutely fabulous in every way!

Originally opened in 1920, Hotel Atwater was the first hotel built under the direction of William Wrigley Jr. after he purchased the Catalina Island Company more than a century ago. He named the hotel in honor of Helen Atwater Wrigley, wife of his son Philip Knight Wrigley.

Hotel Atwater

A Vintage Beach Craftsman

Its new look is everything my little craftsman beachy heart desires. Everything was so new and clean. Whites, woods and blues transcends from the lobby to the rooms.

The Atwater had been completely renovated and only open for FOUR DAYS when we arrived. We loved everything about this place! Honestly a round of applause for the decorators here!

This historic hotel stays true to the Wrigley family legacy with nostalgic elements like vases filled with fragrant carnations and splits of sparkling wine in every room tributes to Helen’s love of flowers and glass of bubbly she enjoyed every evening before bed.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE BED!!! It was the MOST comfortable bed! Maybe it was the new sheets… Maybe it was the giant down comforter with the clean new crispy white duvet… One will never know… All I do know is… I had the best sleep of my life that night!

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The room itself combined rich wood accents, bright colors, ocean-inspired finishes created a memorable “Island ” escape.

Bistro at the AtWater

In the morning we headed downstairs to check out the lil’ grab and go coffee shop inside our hotel.

HOW ADORABLE can one be? This place is just fabulous. Hints of pink and white lit up my neon heart.

They have a wonderful selection of grab-and-go favorites, like breakfast burritos, biscuits and croissants, as well as salads, wraps and sandwiches. That will for sure fill you up and keep you going.

The Bistro also serve fresh brewed Illy coffee, espresso, iced coffee, hot and iced teas, frozen blended drinks, fresh juices, and a tasty assortment of sweet treats to satisfy any craving.

Ariel Adventure

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After fueling up on coffee and breaky burritos we headed out for a little adventure. Ariel Adventure that is! Honestly we didn’t quite know what we were getting into we just know we love adventure and it’s in the title!!!

This is by far one of THE MOST FUN and challenging experience we have ever done!

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It’s a unique outdoor obstacle course in the tree tops just a short stroll from Descanso Beach Club, but you’ll feel like you’re deep in the woods suspended in a grove of towering eucalyptus!

You Are Not Alone

When we arrived we got fitted for our harnesses and helmet after signing a few waivers. We were then given a crash course on how to navigate the course by our awesome guide.

You always have a safety person spotting you from below but at the end of the day it’s just you, the trees and a lot of upper body strength.

Think about a tree house version of America Ninja Warrior and that is what Ariel Adventure is! There are a variety of different courses ranging from easy to difficult.

Five self-guided, self-paced courses—each made up of rope ladders, log bridges, balance beams, zip lines, and other elements—are arranged in beginner (2), intermediate (2) and advanced (1) configurations, offering aerial excitement for everyone, regardless of skill or athletic ability

We had the time of our lives, coaching each other and helping where we could but it was mainly a huge self-accomplishment as you climb, swing and crawl through a series of challenging obstacles only to defeat that little voice in your head saying, “I’m not going to make it!”

We can’t express how exhilarating it felt to make it through the most difficult one and repeal to the ground.

HINT: Wear the gloves they provide! You’re gonna need them!   

Descanso Beach Club

Lunch at the Club

For lunch we decided to go to Descanso Beach Club. A short stroll along the waterfront past the iconic Casino, Descanso Beach Club is home to Catalina’s only beachside restaurant and bar and is absolutely the best place on the whole island to just relax, take it easy and grab a drink on the sand.  

It’s also one of the last private beaches in California open to the public, where you can legally have a drink in your hand and your feet in the sand…at the same time.

Serene morning hours on the Club’s soft imported sand give way to afternoons of sun-drenched fun on the beach, where you can enjoy signature food and drinks delivered to your private cabana, chaise lounge, beach towel or ocean-view table.

Make sure to make a reservation if you want one of these dreamy beach chairs! They fill up fast!

We ate on the deck of the restaurant.  Our table sat overlooking the ocean and people lounging on the sand. It was amazing!

We were able to unwind with an amazing view and really good food and drinks!

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We always order some chips and guac for the table. Leo had the tacos and I had the Poké. It was all so delicious and super light for the hot summer weather!

They also have some pretty unique signature drinks.

Leo ordered the Buffalo Milk: A decadent and thick smoothie-like blend of vodka, coffee liqueur, banana liqueur and crème de cacao topped with whipped cream and nutmeg. Yummmm.

And I had the Descanso Destroyer: Bacardi Oakheart, Bacardi 151, amaretto, crème de noyaux, orange and pineapple juice… Careful, two of these will make you cry over the good times your having.

EATS!

Avalon Grille

On our first night we ate dinner at Avalon Grille. Located right in the corner of Cresent and Catalina Ave, Avalon Grille is one of the nicest places on the whole island for dinner and drinks.  

Warm wood accents, high ceilings, spacious patio and a large window wall, which opens to spectacular harbor views, further enhance the unique character of this popular island establishment.

Scoops ice cream

Because…Ice Cream on island time!

They make everything from scratch using the finest ingredients locally. They combine these ingredients by hand daily in small batches to produce the best ice cream and gelato possible. 

Take a Hike

Ok, so we love a good hike! We were going to get up super early in the morning and go to the lookout spot by the Wrigley Mansion at sunrise but it was extremely cloudy in that morning.

Change of Plans

So after lunch and after the skies cleared up we started asking the locals how to get up to the vista point. Most of them said to rent a golf cart and drive up and around the road, approximately 30 min drive.

Well, when we went to rent some electric bikes and the kid working there told us that if we wanted to hike it, it would only be like 10 min. Obviously we were down and he pointed us in the right direction.

Proceed with Caution:

“The hike is STRAIGHT UP the dirt path, behind the park” He said… Well, he wasn’t lying, it was straight up and only took 10 min…

We were both in flip flops and slightly unprepared but we made it without falling. Going down wasn’t the business either!!! But the view from the top was spectacular and totally worth it!

If you have a brave soul and want to know the path DM us or drop a comment below and we will tell you how to find it.. Otherwise just rent the golf cart!

Island Spa

Located inside Avalon’s historic El Encanto building, Island Spa Catalina blends 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor bliss into the island’s only experiential spa. After an amazing day the only way to end it properly was to visit the spa!

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Reflecting Catalina’s rich history and relaxed seaside vibe, the Spa incorporates intrinsic island botanicals into a variety of thoughtfully-selected treatments and therapies designed to rejuvenate your mind and body.

Spa amenities include nine treatment rooms, luxurious lounges, private suites, Jacuzzi, soaking pool, dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room and expansive relaxation deck with beautiful ocean views.

It was the best escape to Island Spa Catalina.

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We just laid by the pool and soaked in the jacuzzi until we had to take the ferry home! It was so relaxing and just what we needed to cap the trip in the best way possible!

Getting Home

Getting back home was just as easy as getting on the island! We walked to the ferry and speed off to the mainland in style.

The Catalina Express has it down when it comes to comfort and convenience.

We popped a couple bottles of complementary prosecco and ate some free cookies and were home in a jiffy!

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We hope this blog has helped you discover more about the island! If there is anything you want to know please reach out!

Are you planning a trip to Catalina Island? Let us know in the comments below if this blog helped in any way!! We love the feedback!!!!