Things to do in Catalina Island With Kids

It has a long and varied history once occupied by miners, Native American Indians and was also a film location hotspot. But, Santa Catalina Island or simply known as Catalina is now considered a perfect getaway for Southern Californians to enjoy the calm, crystal clear waters of the Pacific. Here is a glimpse and things to do in Catalina Island with kids (or without too).

We have visited Catalina Island with the kids a few times over the years and always look forward to returning. The lack of traffic and golf carts being the primary means of transportation, and the fresh air are enough to lure people to come here whether you’re here on a day trip or a short getaway.

Located 22 miles (35 km) off the Los Angeles harbor, Catalina Island is part of the Southern Channel Islands. It is 21 miles (34 km) long  and 8 miles(13 km) at its widest point. Arriving into the Avalon Harbor, I always find myself marveling at its picturesque setting. I love the way the harbor is lined  with various types of water vessels that seem to greet its visitors. 

Its main area is Avalon blessed with a year-round Mediterranean climate and one of the most scenic cities by the bay. In 1919, William Wrigley Jr. (of chewing gum and Chicago Cubs fame) purchased Santa Catalina Island. His descendants contributed 90% of the island into the Catalina Island Conservancy to preserve and protect it.

Avalon has a small town feel with a pedestrianized, cobble-stoned main street for shopping, drinking and eating. The side streets are also a wonderful way to discover unique shops and restaurants.

One of my favorite things about Catalina are the variety of colorful tiles incorporated into the buildings, walls, fountains and benches. The tiles, cobblestones and the rooftops remind me of how I would picture a small Spanish village by the sea.

The palm tree-lined pathways with well maintained plant hedges make for the ideal place to walk along the water.

Things to do in Catalina Island

There are plenty of activities on and off the water for kids and adults in Catalina Island to keep the whole family busy.

*Go on Tours

There are many varied tours depending on how much time you’re willing to allocate and your interests. They provide a wonderful orientation of the island. Most of the tours start and end at The Tour Plaza that is located between Catalina and Sumner Avenues. These are two of the popular ones we’ve done and recommend.

-Scenic Tour

We learned many interesting things about Catalina Island. The Chicago Cubs trained here .There is a 3^rd street but no 2^nd or 4^th street. There’s a bird park with no birds. We passed by interesting buildings and landmarks from churches, beautiful mansions and even a boat that was converted into a house.

This 50-minute narrated tour takes visitors around Avalon past its beaches and the surrounding hills on a 7.5-mile journey. It’s the best introductory tour to Catalina Island. We loved this view of Avalon, the harbor and the bay from this side of the island.

-Inland Exhibition

We once did a tour to see part of the island’s inner region. Going up to some of the higher points presented  some dramatic views of the coastline, the harbor and the city of Avalon.

One of the reasons we wanted to do this tour was to see some of the over 100 bison that live on the island.  14 Bison were brought here in 1924 for a movie and the herd thrived.  Unfortunately, we only saw one from afar during this tour and barely showed up in the picture.

-Discover the Casino Tour

The most prominent landmarks on the island is the white, round structure called the Casino. This iconic building is about 12 stories tall and was built in 1929. Despite its name, it is not a gambling hall. Casino is Italian for “Gathering Place”. It contains a theater and is the island’s main indoor entertainment venue including a huge ballroom.

If you’re a history buff, it is worth going on this 45-minute tour. It highlights the rich history and architecture of this iconic building. The casino also boasts the world’s largest circular ballroom and the first theatre that was specifically designed for talking pictures.

There is also an in-depth 1.5-hour Behind the Scenes Casino tour to see the areas that were once inaccessible to the public including green rooms used by legendary actors Cary Grant and Errol Flynn.

*Spend a Day at the Beach

Despite being an island, Catalina’s beaches are not what you’d expect. Sand space is at a premium in Avalon and most of the beaches are pebbly. Crescent Beach is the town’s main beach and there are smaller ones next to the Green Pleasure Pier. There is a lifeguard here during the summer.

We like Descanso Beach and is worth the short waterfront walk past the Casino. It is a private beach and they charge $2 to access it. But, it has restrooms, dressing rooms and outdoor showers.

There is also a beachside bar and restaurant for easy access to drinks and food. It always feels like being on a Caribbean island here. Visitors can rent cabanas and chaise lounges online. We found the expansive grassy lawn behind the beach club to have one of the best places for a picnic, to sunbathe and to just relax. That area is free!

*Watch a Movie

There aren’t many activities at night if you’re staying overnight. But, if you want to catch up on the latest movies, the Casino’s Avalon Theatre shows them nightly. The historic theater has 1,184 seats with a 50-ft domed ceiling and great acoustics.  Movies start around 6:30 PM nightly. See what movies are showing during your visit at the Casino Avalon Theatre.

*Hit Some Balls

The Golf Gardens Mini Golf 18-hole layout is a family favorite. Sometimes, kids just want a little break from the water activities and tours. It’s a fantastic area and surrounded by gardens.

There is also the nine-hole Catalina Island Golf Course for the adults. This was built n 1892 and is California’s oldest golf course. It has beautiful ocean and canyon views. Clubs and carts can be rented at the shop.

*Rent a Golf Cart

The main transportation for the island’s residents is the golf cart. But, visitors can also rent golf carts by the hour (about $100 for 2 hours) that occupy 4-6 people. It’s a great way for families and groups to go up the surrounding hills and explore Avalon. It’s a great way to see the island’s views and go at your own pace. Golf carts can be rented 24 hours in advance.

*See the Marine Life

Catalina Island is rich with marine life. There are marine preserves set aside where tours can venture into and see a vast collection of the underwater world. The tours vary depending on how immersive of an experience you want.

-Glass Bottom Boat Tours

My kids loved the glass bottom boat tour we did a few years ago. The number of fish and coral we saw during this short period of time was astounding. It is a narrated and guided tour so it is always educational to learn about the marine life and ecosystem around Catalina Island.

The guides throw food out into the ocean around the marine preserve area and it is an amazing sight. It is a great way to see the marine life while still enjoying the fresh ocean air.

-Ocean Expedition

For a more adventurous way to see some marine life, the Ocean Expedition offers a wild and fast ride on an inflatable Ribraft boat. It’s one of the best ways to spot the dolphins and sea lions. Children must be at least five years old for this excursion. Please reserve in advance. The tour is not recommended for those with motion sickness or with back and neck issues.

-Undersea Expedition

The Sea Wolf Semi-Submersible will take visitors five feet below the surface to really get an up close encounter with Catalina’s marine life. Each passenger gets his or her own seat and port hole for a face-to-face look at the fish, rays and coral. It’s like snorkeling or diving but in a drier, more comfortable setting. Reserve seats in advance.

Do Some Kayaking

Kayaking in Catalina Island is not only relaxing but also a wonderful way to see some of the marine life. The water surrounding the area is one of the clearest we have seen. The starting point of the kayak excursion in Descanso Beach is not near the wharf areas so it is easier to get in or out.

Double kayaks can occupy two adults and a small child and companies usually offer children discounts. There are also guided kayak excursions.

*Go Parasailing

It’s easy to spot the colorful sails out in the ocean. They always look so carefree and fun. While we haven’t tried parasailing yet, Catalina Island would be the ideal place to try it for the first time. It is noticeably less crowded even with a cruise ship in port. This thrilling experience on a high speed boat ride and then gliding and going up on a scenic flight is a bucket list item.

*Rent a Boat

We rented a small motorboat once for about $60 per hour and was able to see the island from a different perspective.  It was a little unnerving to be surrounded by much larger boats and yachts but it was a wonderful family activity in the water without getting wet.

*Snorkel the Waters

My husband and daughter snorkeled off Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve for an hour recently.  Check Groupon for some great deals on snorkeling tours every once in awhile. There was a guide with them who dumped the fish food and they were instantly surrounded with fish.

There were not that many fish varieties in Catalina’s waters. They are mainly California’s state fish, the orange garibaldi, and herring. But, the sheer amount of fish in the water more than made up for lack of variety.

*Flying Fish Voyage

If you’re staying overnight, it is worth going on a Flying Fish Voyage tour. It may sound like a theme park ride but this is one we would love to do next time. It’s a chance to see Catalina’s flying fish and catching them in mid-flight.

Visitors board the Cyclone vessel with powerful searchlight features to spot and entice the flying fish. It’s also a great opportunity to see Catalina and Avalon from a different perspective. You also may never know what other marine creatures you’ll see along the way. Children must be at least five years old to ride the boat. This tour is offered during the Summer Season.

*Go Biking

Another great way to see Avalon but also get some exercise is through biking. There are several shops to rent bikes including some tandem ones. We rented the electric bikes during our last visit and it was such a big difference. We were able to climb up the very steep Mt. Ada route with barely breaking a sweat.

Electric bike rental prices were twice as much as the regular bike rentals. But, they were worth it especially if you were planning to visit the nearby hills to take in the views. The bike rentals offered maps with various bike trails marking their difficulties. Avalon is a wonderful area to bike around especially the route from the main streets to Descanso Beach along the water.

*Descanso Canyon Adventures

A few steps from Descanso Beach Club is an area filled with activities for visitors who want some adrenaline rush. Descanso Canyon Adventures has these four experiences that are perfect for families.

-Zip Line Eco Tour

This two-hour tour takes visitors through canyons and trees with beautiful panoramic ocean views on five zip lines. One of the zip line is 1100 lineal feet long and most lines soar 300 feet above the canyon floor. There are eco stations between each line where the tour guides give visitors some insight about Catalina Island including interesting facts about its history and wildlife.

Participants must weigh between 80 lbs – 240 lbs. Kids as young as five years old. But, children between the ages of 5-9 must ride tandem with another participant at least 18 years of age.

-Catalina Climbing Wall (seasonal)

If you want to feel a sense of accomplishment, try conquering the 32-foot rock-climbing wall. There are eight color-coded routes depending on skill and ability level. This can even make for a great contest between family members. I’m sure the views from the top are pretty awesome as a reward.

-Catalina Falconry Experience (Seasonal)

Have you ever dreamt of having a bird of prey land on your outstretched arm? You can with the 1 hour and 15 minute falconry experience at Catalina Island. Visitors can learn about the basics of falconry and these animals’ role (owls, hawks and falcons) in our environment.

It is one of the few places in Southern California that offer this unique experience. This is only offered from late May to late September.

-Catalina Aerial Adventure

For a really challenging workout, try the 90-minute Catalina Aerial Adventure. These are five self-guided and self-paced courses among the eucalyptus trees. The obstacle consists of completing log bridges, rope ladders, balance beams and zip lines. They’re arranged from beginner to intermediate to advanced depending on skill or temperament.

Children must be at least seven years old. A climbing participant, who is at least 18 years old, must accompany kids between the ages of 7-9. Participants must be at least 55 inches tall and must weigh between 50 lbs – 270 lbs. Closed toe shoes are required.

*Where to Eat in Catalina Island

We always seem to find ourselves at the Green Pleasure Pier to eat while in Catalina Island. These are our two favorites for their variety of food and affordability.

Avalon Seafood Fish & Chips – Located at the end of the pier, this has a plenty of seating with great views of the harbor. We like their fish and chips, fish tray and clam chowder bread bowl.

Eric’s on the Pier – This has a big menu of breakfast and lunch items. You can get fish and chips, burritos, tacos, burgers and even a buffalo burger. It’s at the entrance of the pier and perfect for getting food-to-go and eating by the nearby beach or at any of the seats facing the harbor or Casino.

Von’s Grocery – We were so happy to finally find a popular grocery store chain on the island. The locals have told us they are so glad not to keep going to the mainland to shop anymore. There’s plenty of fresh produce, a bakery, deli and plenty of hot items. It’s a great place for getting breakfast items from bagels and doughnuts and other pastries.

Descanso Beach Club – It’s hard to beat this beachside location. Prices are reasonable and there are a variety of dishes from sandwiches, salads to plenty of appetizers. It’s a great place for the parents to hang out and watch the kids at the beach.

Antonio’s Pizzeria – This family-friendly restaurant at the heart of Avalon and along the waterfront has plenty of options for kids. It’s very casual and diners can throw peanuts on the floor. This pizzeria and deli serves varied dishes including pastas, build-your-own pizzas with over 20 toppings, steaks, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and desserts. There is a great outdoor patio for dining.

Mi Casita – Being in Southern California, it’s hard not to include a Mexican restaurant on this list. This authentic restaurant includes many Mexican favorites plus some steaks and seafood too. There are plenty of seating options in this colorful restaurant.

Lloyd’s of Avalon – This island staple is known for their saltwater taffies. It’s hard to pass by without going inside. There are so many delicious goodies inside from chocolates, fudge, candies, caramel apples and their cinnamon rolls.

There is also a 3-hour Catalina Food Tours for those interested in sampling what the island has to offer.

*Where to Stay in Catalina Island

Hotel Atwater – This is a newly renovated hotel and it is absolutely beautiful. We stayed here for one night recently and loved its location and the rooms. Look into their packages that include dining credit, tours and free bicycle rentals.

Hotel Metropole – One of my girlfriends goes to Catalina annually and stays for a few days and keeps raving about Hotel Metropole. It’s located a few steps from the waterfront in the middle of Avalon and with shops and restaurants surrounding its base.

*Find the best Catalina Island hotels and read reviews on TripAdvisor.

It’s hard to believe this quaint and charming island is so close to Southern California’s metro areas. A trip here can both be relaxing and adventurous while offering a number of activities for everyone in the family .  It can get a bit touristy but there aren’t many places in the United States with an island getaway off its coast with a Mediterranean inspired setting.

Getting to Catalina Island from Southern California

• Helicopter Service from Long Beach or San Pedro for a 15 minute flight aboard IEX Helicopters.
• Catamarans/Ferries which take about an hour are year round services. The ports are located in San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point (1.5 hour ride). Services are offered by Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer. Check Groupon or Costco for discounted tickets.

*Have you visited Catalina Island?  

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