By Land and SeaPlanning a trip to Los Angeles? Want to get away from the hustle and bustle. We felt the same and decided to spend a day exploring Catalina Island. This was the most welcome break from the hectic city pace offered by the island’s mainland neighbor. You might want to do the same!
Stepping on this island, in the city of Avalon, is like stepping into a European village. Avalon is an ideal place to spend the day away from the hustle and bustle and experience an entirely different side of California.
Getting There
The Catalina Express offers direct service back and forth from the mainland to the island via three different ports. There are multiple sailings each day. Because we had just returned from a cruise, we decided to begin our journey to Catalina via the Long Beach Port. We returned to the Port of San Pedro that night to have better access to our hotel that night.
Catalina is a little over 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. Each ferry route takes just a little over an hour, and the tickets are a little less than $50 per person each way. While you can buy advance tickets online, you can also buy them at the port itself, however the seats fill up quickly. Once on board, you can sit back and relax. Generally speaking, the ride is smooth.
Baggage Storage
Due to the nature of our overall trip to the Los Angeles area, we packed in our travel backpacks instead of suitcases. We were doing multiple things during our time there, including a short cruise. We knew there would be one day in which we didn’t have any place to leave our bags. Catalina turned out to be that day.
On our way to the island, we did a little research and found out lockers are available! Upon arrival in Avalon, the first thing we did was store our backpacks in the lockers at the pier. They fit perfectly! Finding storage available in such a convenient location is a major bonus! Plus, the lockers only cost one dollar each for unlimited storage time. There is also a change machine located nearby to get quarters.
Strolling Through Avalon
After our bags were secured, and we switched into flip-flops, we set out to explore this quaint little town. Immediately, it felt like we were in another country. The town is small but offers plenty of things to pass the day away.
Much like other small towns, there are candy shops, boutique hotels, and trendy restaurants. On top of all this, there is a cute beach, pier, and waterfront boardwalk. This really is a romantic little island and is a great place to waste the day away.
Avalon is also reminiscent of an artist’s community, with photography studios, intricate tile work, great architecture, and so much more! Strolling the tree-lined pedestrian streets is the perfect way to spend the day, or golf cart rentals are available on nearly every corner. The dog-friendliness of this community really stands out. We found sweet pups everywhere, which made us both happy since we miss our dogs so much when we are traveling!
Additional Activities
Beyond sightseeing around town, Avalon has plenty of activities available for visitors to participate in. We watched several people go parasailing, but I’m not sure how they tolerated it because it was so cold the day we visited in December!
There are plenty of things like island tours, glass bottom boats, a botanical garden, snorkeling and scuba diving, and so much more! And, because if you visit in the off-season like us, the town will be somewhat busy but not bursting at the seams. December is a great time to visit!
So, if you are visiting Southern California, and would like a change of pace for a day, be sure to visit Catalina Island! It’s easy to access, charming, and affordable. The area is beautiful, and it is a world apart from metro Los Angeles. Our day here was probably one of our most favorite days during this particular trip, and we easily could have spent more time strolling through out the quaint streets, visiting shops, and wasting the day away.
Have you ventured to Catalina Island yet? If so, tell us what you thought of it!
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Always enjoy your posts and cool pictures. Especially liked the pictures of the surf boards. Looks like a great place to have a nice, relaxing day.
You’re right, Catalina is quite charming right down to the surf board storage area. It was the perfect place to spend the day!
What a wonderful day trip, great you had an opportunity to store your luggage as well so you could roam freely. I love that it’s dog-friendly, always good to know if you have a pup 😀 Pinned #feetdotravel
It was a great day trip! I would definitely return.
Catalina is the perfect little escape from the city. Next time head over to Two Harbors, it’s even more remote and smaller then Avalon (but just as cute!).
We had looked at Two Harbors! Will head that way next time for sure.
I love Catalina Island! The last time I went there was for a field trip in high school, so I need to make a return trip. Love the beautiful views of the water.
I went there when I was a little kid – I don’t think much has changed and I love that its retained its original charm!
Ah I’ve always wanted to go back to Catalina Island! It’s sooo beautiful! I went as part of an 8th grade weekend excursion and we camped out in some big tents and it was super awesome! Will definitely try to do this next time we are home! #FeetDoTravel
That sounds so fun – what a great experience!
Catalina Island sounds like a perfect break from LA’s madness, even for a day. 🙂
It was! We’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to get away for a bit.
It’s funny how I’ve heard of Catalina through pop culture but knew very little about it. Seems like a pretty cool place. Luggage lockers are wonderful things aren’t they?! #feetdotravel
Ok, now I have to know if you’ve heard about it through the movie Step Brothers, or something else?!?
haha yes that would be one of the times I heard of it
Catalina is a place not that far from me and I’ve never been. So — pinning your post for future plans there. It does sound like a perfect city break, and the water is so beautiful.
I went once to Catalina (on a cruise) and have been wanting to return! I would like to walk at least part of the Transcatalina trail and see the bison and foxes. Hard to believe this beautiful place is so close to LA! #feetdotravel
I much prefer the small towns to the cities. They are so fun to explore and it’s a much slower pace.
I like a mix of both. Growing up in a small town, I love the different perspective big cities offer. But, they can also be a little too much at times!
I’ve only been to Catalina twice but each time was such a unique experience. After reading your post I only wish I traveled to it more while living in LA. Thanks for a great article!
I feel like Catalina is a great way to get out of LA!
Wow, I hadn’t heard of Catalina Island but it sounds like the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle when visiting LA. Your photos of the beach looked tropical!
The beach area has palm trees and I’m sure it would feel more tropical on a warm summer day!
Ohh I love small towns like this! Much more my vibe than LA! I’m not a big city person.
Agreed! Catalina felt like a great escape from crazy Los Angeles!
Looks lovely. Never been to US but these are hidden gems no one talks about.
If you ever travel to the Los Angeles area, we would recommend a day trip to Catalina!
I’ve heard such great things about Catalina Island. I need to make my way there to check it out! Your photos are so lovely btw
Thank you!
This town looks so cute – no wonder Avalon means “paradise”! Thanks for sharing 🙂