The days leading up to our Catalina Island trip were a bit exhausting, so we were long overdue for a brief vacation. From tedious days at the office, to strenuous weekends prior, we needed some time to unwind, enjoy some fresh air, and get away. Catalina was the perfect destination.
We started our excursion with a ride on the Catalina Flyer, which departed from Newport Beach. The ferry trip was about an hour and 15 minutes and made for a pretty relaxing way to get out to the island. Depending on what time of day you depart for Catalina, the ferry can get pretty full. You may find that the only seats available are outside on the open deck so don’t forget to bring a sweater to stay warm while you’re zooming through the wide ocean.
Once we got onto the island, we were lucky that our home for the weekend, the Catalina Beach House Hotel, had our room ready so we could drop off our luggage. Our room was comfortable, quiet and came equipped with a kitchenette and newly remodeled bathroom. There was also a BBQ and deck area outside of our room, in case we felt like grilling dinner at the hotel and mingling with other guests.
The Catalina Beach House Hotel is located just a couple blocks from the main drag in Catalina and was easily accessible to the beach, restaurants, bars, and Casino. If you’re looking for an affordable and quaint place to stay while you’re on the island, I definitely suggest that you book a room.
If you are planning a trip out to the island and need some recommendations on where to go for a meal, drink, or some outdoor entertainment, check out our favorite places in Catalina.
WHERE TO EAT
When we asked our friends what they’ve done on prior trips to Catalina, most of them replied with their favorite restaurants and bars. Eateries are plentiful on the island and it’s just a matter of deciding on what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for. We had breakfast at Original Jack’s, a country kitchen serving up everything from eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, pancakes, sandwiches, steak, and more.
We ordered the Hawaiian Breakfast Combo, which included the restaurant’s famous Portuguese sweet bread dipped in egg batter and grilled, topped with Macadamia nuts and coconut syrup, with a side of Portuguese sausage and eggs. We also had the Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict, which was equally delicious. Most of Catalina’s restaurants serve their own, locally sourced seafood so you definitely have to nosh on some fish, calamari, crab, and lobster at some point during your stay.
For dessert, you have a few ice cream shops to choose from around town, but we really enjoyed C.C. Beau, a multi-use space offering wine, coffee, cheese, gelato, craft beer, sandwiches, and sushi. At any given time, you’ll have a whole range of gelatos to choose from, along with cakes, brownies, fruit tarts, and more.
For dinner one night, we tried Original Antonio’s Pizzeria and it was a delicious, casual meal before having a few cocktails with the locals. You can order pizza by the slice at their walk-up window, or sit down for a meal in their 1950s decorated restaurant.
WHERE TO DRINK
There is no lack of wine, beer and cocktails on this island. There’s even a cocktail inspired by the local buffalo who roam on the other side of town, the Buffalo Milk. If you’re in the mood for beers at the local dive, fancy cocktails at a nice restaurant, or anything in between, Catalina has you covered. The World Series was on during our stay and we checked out a couple local sports bars to watch the games.
I highly recommend the Marlin Club if you are looking for a whole case of bottled craft beers and a stiff cocktail. This dive has “unique” ceiling decorations and a local or two will lovingly welcome you into town. Brian was our bartender that afternoon and he definitely made for a memorable stay. Ask him to tell you some jokes and show you some tricks and you’ll be entertained for a whole evening.
We spent some time at The Locker Room and made friends with a few locals. This sports bar is full of flat screen TVs, so if you’re traveling with sports lovers, you definitely have to make a stop.
WHERE TO PLAY
After all of the eating and drinking you’ll be doing in Catalina, you’ll definitely want to burn off some calories outside. Whether you’re walking around on the beach, hiking up to the botanical garden, renting bikes, or taking a Scuba lesson, there’s no shortage of outdoor entertainment. (Click here to read about our ziplining adventure.)
If you’re looking for a somewhat hidden spot to lounge on the beach, check out the Descanso Beach Club and rent a cabana for the day. Take advantage of the full bar, restaurant, and check-in on Yelp for a free rock climb on their climbing tower. You can also rent snorkel gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards near the Club from Descanso Beach Ocean Sports.
We opted for a guided kayak tour to Frog Rock, which is just over a mile away from the Beach Club hub. Our guide has lived on the island his whole life and had a wealth of information to share with us. We saw Garibaldi and sea lions in the clear water below, before taking a break on a secluded beach. If you’re an avid kayaker, or have never tried it before, I highly recommend taking the kayak tour.
We also got a chance to take the Casino Tour, which is one of Catalina’s most recognized icons. Take the Discover the Casino tour and you’ll get a glimpse at amazing art deco murals, the beautiful Avalon Theater that plays today’s blockbusters on its historic screen, and a grandiose ballroom that was once home to big band performances and dancing during the bygone era. Walk outside onto the ballroom’s deck for the best view of the town and beach below.
We had a fantastic weekend on Catalina Island and never ran out of things to do, places to see, or meals to eat. If you are looking for a picturesque destination right off the coast of Los Angeles and Orange County, you must plan a weekend on the island. I have to say that everyone we spoke to on Catalina, whether they were locals or visitors, were extremely friendly and welcoming. I blame it on the Buffalo Milk.
