A day in Catalina Island is an absolute must for Mexican Riviera cruises. This is part of California, but it is a destination all it’s own. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Southern California, head off on an amazing day trip to Catalina Island! Catalina Island has something for everyone. There are fantastic places to eat, great activities, interesting tours, and even accommodations if you want to stay overnight! All of this makes it one of the best day trips from Los Angeles! In this article we’ll take a look at some of the top things to do in Catalina Island.
The adventure begins with the trip over itself which is an hour long ferry ride. The boat will take you from San Pedro Harbor and drop you off at Avalon on Santa Catalina. The round-trip cost for adults was $65 during our research (less for children) and includes a transit ticket for connecting buses throughout Santa Catalina as well as an evening bus back to San Pedro.
To begin your sightseeing adventure, you should proceed to the town strip and take the trolley to Wrigley Gardens. The trolley makes different stops. It’s a wonderful way to see the island as you can hop on and off at any site you want to see. The trolley comes by each drop-off site once an hour to continue your journey.
Great places to stay overnight
Since you’ll want to make a day trip of it, you can’t camp on Catalina. Instead, stay at one of these options: Monterey Inn & Suites (four stars), Hotel Metropole (four stars), Villa Portofino Hotel & Beach Club (four stars), or Avalon Waterways Resort Villas and Cabins (five stars).
Something Different
One of the best kept secrets on the island is the bird park which is open to the public, but you must call ahead for reservations to ensure there is room for your group.
There is so much activity on Catalina Pier you may just want to head back that way after your tour. There is fishing on the pier and so many wonderful restaurants with fresh seafood. You will enjoy an absolutely wonderful lunch.
After lunch walk the shopping streets which can take as long or as little time as you like. They mostly have art, some clothing and cheap souvenirs but you can also find some wonderful local artists selling their wares.
You should also visit the casino, which is not a traditional casino. It is a massive building on the island which you can tour, or just walk the grounds and take in the sites.
Catalina Island is a great romantic spot with its great hotels and spas, wonderful restaurants and little places to hide away from the every day pressures of life. Enjoy!
