Things To Do on Catalina Island: 2-Day Itinerary
Looking for the perfect weekend getaway from Los Angeles? Catalina Island is one of my favorite quick escapes in Southern California. Just about an hour away by ferry, the island feels worlds away from LA with its ocean views, colorful Avalon waterfront, outdoor adventures, and laid-back island atmosphere.
I spent two days exploring Catalina Island and packed quite a bit into my trip, from an undersea expedition and scenic hiking to searching for the island’s famous bison and relaxing at Descanso Beach Club. If you’re planning your first visit, this 2-day Catalina Island itinerary covers where to stay, how to get there, and some of the best things to do in Catalina Island.
Two days is a great amount of time for a first trip, but you could easily stay longer if you want a slower island getaway. Here’s how I spent my weekend in Catalina!
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I had the opportunity last month to do a quick 2-day getaway with a full itinerary of things to do and places to eat! So if you’re looking to get away right now or anytime soon, keep reading!
Day 1:
Arrival and Transportation
Getting to Catalina Island is fast and easy. It takes only one hour via a high-speed ferry or 15 minutes via helicopter to get you to paradise. There are two companies (Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer) that offer boat transportation from the Southern California cities of Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, and Newport Beach to both Avalon and Two Harbors.
For this trip, my friend and I got there via boat using the Catalina Express. We left from Long Beach Harbor, you can view more info here.
We left by 7 AM to get full use of the day.
Tips:
- Make sure you arrive at least 30-45 minutes prior to departure to get situated.
- If you plan on sitting outside, make sure you layer up or bring a jacket, as it gets pretty chilly on the boat!
Accommodation
We stayed at the Hotel Atwater, which was about a 10-minute walk from the harbor and is centrally located in the heart of Avalon.
Hotel Atwater has been around since 1920 but recently just renovated their lodging with a fresh design and modern amenities.
Tours
UNDERSEA EXPEDITION
We started our trip with some underwater fun! The Undersea Expedition is for anyone who isn’t comfortable swimming in the water (like myself) or just wants to explore the undersea gardens around Catalina Island while staying completely dry.
In this 45-minute tour, you get the full experience of snorkeling or scuba diving in the safety of the submarine. You get to see a variety of plant and animal life, including California’s bright orange garibaldi.
It was a cool experience and I highly recommend it! Book here.
Lunch
DESCANSO BEACH CLUB
When visiting Catalina Island, you must stop by their Descanso Beach Club – it is only a short walk or bike ride past the historic Catalina Casino. We came here for lunch right after and enjoyed a variety of dishes from their menu: Tricia’s Nachos, Thai Sweet Chili Wings, and the Chef Kapo’s Poke Bowl. We also ordered some drinks to go with it, Cabana Colada and Dragonberry Mojito — perfect for a nice, sunny day!
Price: $$
Open for lunch daily: 11 AM-5 PM
Open for dinner Fri + Sat: 5 PM-8PM
View the full menu here.
Recommendations and Tips: It gets CROWDED. All seating is on a first-come. first-serve basis. If you want a cabana and/or a beach lounge chair, I recommend you make reservations in advance! Wear your swimsuit underneath and bring a towel + sunscreen if you plan on laying out!
Activities
HIKING
If you really want to explore more of the beautiful Catalina Island — I recommend going on a hike! With more than 165 miles of trails, from easy to difficult, there is something for everyone!
That evening, we did the Catalina Chimes Tower Trail, which was a moderate hike. I really enjoyed this hike as it was not very hard but super scenic!
Check out the full hike/trail list here.
Day 2:
Breakfast
Bistro at the Atwater – Adjacent to the new Hotel Atwater
If you are staying at the Hotel Atwater or just want a quick grab & go breakfast, you should check this place out. Bistro at the Atwater offers a wide selection of grab and go breakfast and lunch items, including baked goods, breakfast bagels and muffins; sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more. They also are a great spot to grab your morning cup of coffee or tea, as well as smoothies, juices, etc.
Price: $
Open Daily: 7 AM – 11 AM
View the full menu here.
Tours
BISON EXPEDITION
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to go in search of Catalina’s world-famous bison — I highly recommend this expedition!
If you’re wondering, why BISON? Well, in the 1920s, bison were brought to the island by a movie crew. Since then, there are about 200 bison that are managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Tours of this nature are quite popular in Catalina!
The Bison Expedition takes you to Middle Ranch, up Cape Canyon to a scenic overlook on Black Jack Mountain, and then down the original 19th-century stagecoach route back to Avalon.
So not only do you get to see the famous bison, but you also experience the beautiful scenic views this island has to offer on a fun safari ride!
View more info and book here.
Activities
One fun way to explore the city is on bikes! If you’re staying at the Hotel Atwater, you can rent bikes for free!
My friend and I went on a fun, adventurous bike ride on our last day — and it was definitely my favorite highlight of our trip!
Lunch
DESCANSO BEACH CLUB
We decided to enjoy more of the ocean views and come for lunch once again. We ordered their Chicken Skewered Cobb Salad and Street Tacos — again super filling and delicious!
View the full menu here.
Dessert
SCOOPS ICE CREAM – 505 Crescent Avenue
We ended our trip with some refreshing ice cream! Scoops offer a selection of homemade ice cream and gelato — it was the perfect way to end our trip!
Price: $
View the menu here.
We departed at 7 PM that evening — and I truly was sad leaving!
Catalina Island really is one of the easiest island getaways from Southern California. While you can visit Catalina on a day trip, I recommend spending at least two days if you want time to explore Avalon, experience a few tours, enjoy the beaches, and see more of the island without rushing.
My two-day trip was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, and I’d absolutely recommend Catalina Island for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles.
Planning more California adventures? Check out my California travel guide for more beautiful destinations to explore beyond Los Angeles.
Thank you all for joining me on my trip! I hope you found this post helpful on your next Catalina Island trip!
Huge thanks to the Visit Catalina Team for hosting my trip – as always, all opinions are my own.
