Catalina Reopens Just in Time for Summer Fun

As the country reopens to leisure travel, staying close to home and enjoying the great outdoors is the summer trend. Catalina Island is just 22 miles from the coast of Southern California and it’s been approved to resume leisure travel, and the island is ready to welcome back visitors!

Catalina Express has increased its schedule with departures from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point to Avalon, as well as Two Harbors. In just over an hour, visitors can travel to Catalina Island aboard the Catalina Express’ high-speed ferries (Two Harbors is serviced via San Pedro ferries.). Following the County of Los Angeles guidelines, passengers and employees are required to wear a face-covering or mask that cover their nose and mouth while in the terminal, waiting in line to board and onboard the vessel. Learn more about Catalina Express’ social distancing procedures and robust cleaning protocols here.

Hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants (for limited dine-in and carry out), and visitors’ favorite activities, from sipping cocktails at Descanso Beach Club, parasailing, kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding, land and water-based tours, beaches, hiking trails, and camping are open. Click here for a complete list of what's open.

Renowned for its wide-open spaces, natural scenery, pristine beaches and unique terrain, Catalina Island is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination. Here are a few ways to enjoy the incredible outdoors of Catalina Island:

Hermit Gulch in Avalon: Perfect for families and first-time campers, Hermit Gulch Campground is ideally situated in Avalon Canyon with amazing views of the surrounding hills with traditional tent sites or tent cabins. Hermit Gulch Trail and other hiking paths are easily accessible, as is the town of Avalon with a grocery store and several restaurants open for carryout and dine in.

Two Harbors: The rustic campground at Two Harbors offers traditional tent sites and tent cabins for a camping experience on the west end of the island. Just a short distance from Two Harbors Village and a few minutes’ walk from the pristine beach, this convenient campground has easy access to scenic trails and hikes, as well as kayak, paddleboard and bike rentals. Many campsites have stunning shoreline views, with sites 1, 2 and 3 being the most coveted. As a part of its KeepWell Commitment, Catalina Island Company is offering food and drink delivery from Harbor Reef Restaurant and West End Galley to the campground with no delivery fees. Campers also have the option to dine indoors or on the patio at those establishments, or to have groceries delivered from the Two Harbors General Store.

Two Harbors Hiking and Camping

• Primitive/Remote Camping: To truly leave the world behind, Catalina Island Company offers secluded campsites at Parsons Landing, Little Harbor and Black Jack, accessible predominantly by moderate or difficult hikes.
• Parsons Landing: Wake up to the sound of the ocean at this beach campground with eight primitive sites
• Little Harbor: The only campground on the “back” side of Catalina, Little Harbor has 25 unique campsites close to a beautiful sandy beach
• Black Jack: Nestled among pine and eucalyptus trees, this campground has 11 sites with sweeping vistas of rolling terrain
• There are also nine boat-in campsites with stunning views and unspoiled beaches – each offers an unrivaled experience.

Campers already on Catalina Island can travel to Two Harbors via the Cyclone power boat from Avalon.

In addition to hotels offering extra perks or discounts including the Hotel Catalina & Catalina Courtyard Suites and Hotel Mac Rae, there are ample Boat and Hotel Packages, such as:

Seaport Village Inn
Roundtrip ferry aboard Catalina Express
Transfer of luggage to the hotel on arrival (Relax and let us take your bags so you can leisurely stroll through town to the hotel)
Early Check-in using paperless registration
Dinner delivered to the hotel
Breakfast delivered to the hotel
Late Check-out so you can enjoy your breakfast and take your time
 Private Self-Drive Golf Cart Tour and Accommodations
Starting at $214 per person/per night

Pavilion Hotel | Just 14 Steps from the Beach
Pavilion Hotel has a large open-air courtyard, with all rooms accessible from the outdoors
Round-trip transportation aboard Catalina Express
Hot breakfast delivered directly to guestrooms

In-room afternoon hors d’oeuvres

Use of bicycles to explore Avalon
Starting at $417 per couple excluding taxes & fees

Hotel Vista Del Mar
Special includes:
Luxurious mid-week stay at Hotel Vista Del Mar through June
Round-trip boat transportation on the Catalina Express
Continental breakfast, milk and cookies, and more!
From just $214.50 per person.

Avalon Hotel
Two round trip boat tickets on the Catalina Express
Taxi to and from the hotel once you arrive in Avalon
Two-night stay in a Garden View room for 2 guests
Continental breakfast
Please inquire about packages for more than 2 guests or upgrades to partial or full ocean view rooms. Valid June 2nd, 2020 to October 1st, 2020, the weekend rate is higher.