5 Ideal Days on Catalina

Use this 5-day Catalina Island getaway plan to blend culture, outdoor adventure, water activities, and downtime. Availability can vary by season, so confirm schedules directly with operators.

Day 1 – Culture, history, and city exploring in Avalon

Morning (9:00 AM –12:00 PM)

• Discover Avalon Tour: Start with a guided ride through Avalon’s picturesque streets while getting to know the city’s history and local character. This seven-and-a-half-mile route through scenic Avalon offers plenty of postcard-worthy views. You can also rent a golf cart for your own Avalon outing or reserve a guided golf cart tour.
• Bike Ride: Pick up bicycles and enjoy Avalon’s seaside atmosphere at an easy pace. Another option is to download a self-guided app Scavenger Hunt and uncover lesser-known spots around Avalon.

Lunch (12:00–2:30 PM)

• Catalina Food Tour: Taste your way through the island with stops at five different restaurants and specialty food shops, sampling local favorites along the route.

Afternoon (3:00–5:00 PM)

• Catalina Island Museum for Art & History: Spend time with Catalina Island’s art, heritage, and stories at this cultural destination.
• Avalon Diving History Exhibit: Explore one of the most unique collections of vintage dive gear in the USA. Dedicated to education and the preservation of dive related history, this museum is well worth a visit.
• Catalina Casino Tour: Go behind the scenes inside the historic Avalon Casino, including spaces that were closed to the public for 70+ years.

Evening (6:00–9:00 PM)

• Dinner: Choose one of Avalon’s restaurants and enjoy dining al fresco.
• Mini Golf: Play a cheerful round of mini golf for an easygoing evening activity.
• Karaoke at El Galleon: Sing along at El Galleon, or take in live local entertainment at one of Avalon’s bars or venues.

Day 2 – Water adventures and island terrain

Morning (8:00 AM–12:00 PM)

• Scuba Diving/Snorkeling: Head into the clear waters at Casino Point Dive Park and State Marine Conservation Area to see Catalina Island’s kelp forests up close, with no boat required.
• If you would rather stay dry, experience the ocean through virtual scuba at Immersed Ocean Wonders.

Lunch (12:30–2:00 PM)

• Waterfront Dining: Recharge over a relaxed oceanfront lunch.

Afternoon (2:00–4:00 PM)

• Horseback Riding: See Catalina Island’s beauty and adventure on a guided ride. Experienced wranglers and gentle horses lead you up and around Avalon Canyon, where sweeping views of Avalon Harbor and the Casino are part of the experience.

Evening (5:30–9:00 PM)

• Dinner followed by a Flying Fish Tour at Night: Finish the day with an enchanting evening boat trip to look for flying fish and other nighttime marine life. This tour operates seasonally June - September.

Day 3 – A visit to Two Harbors

Morning (8:00 AM–12:00 PM)

• Cyclone Power Boat from Avalon to Two Harbors: The Cyclone Power Boat operates seasonally and offers a 40-minute high speed trip to Two Harbors on Catalina’s west end. Set on the narrow land bridge between Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor, this rustic village offers hiking, biking, kayaking, and ocean activities. Catalina Taxi & Tours also provides transportation to and from Two Harbors.
• Paddle boarding and kayaking: Test your balance on a paddleboard or move across the crystal clear water by Kayak.

Lunch (12:00–1:30 PM)

• Seaside Meal: Dine on the sand at Harbor Sands or take in ocean views at Harbor Reef Bar & Restaurant. Both serve food and drinks, including the signature Buffalo Milk cocktail, which originated in Two Harbors.

Afternoon (1:30–5:00 PM)

• Walk across the isthmus of Catalina Island: The isthmus is a 770-meter (842 yards) stretch of land connecting the northwestern part of Santa Catalina Island with the island’s main section.
• Return to Avalon aboard the Cyclone Power Boat.

Evening (6:00-10:00 PM)

• Dinner: Sit down for a meal at one of Avalon’s many restaurants.
• Movies on the Beach: Close out the day with an outdoor movie under the stars. Outdoor films are offered during summer months, and throughout the year, weekend movies are shown at Avalon Theatre.

Day 4 – Scenic hiking and land-based excitement

Morning (8:00 AM–12:00 PM)

• Hike the Hermit Gulch Trail: Make your way to the summit, then return by way of the historic Wrigley Memorial and the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

Lunch (12:00–1:00 PM)

• Picnic in Nature: Pause for a laid-back picnic surrounded by Catalina Island’s natural scenery.

Afternoon (1:00–4:00 PM)

• Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour Adventure: Add some adrenaline with an exciting zip line outing.
• Undersea Expedition: Take a guided undersea trip and view Catalina’s colorful marine life.

Evening

• Browse Avalon shops for distinctive gifts and souvenirs.
• Beach Bingo: Join a playful beach bingo game, available during summer months.
• Local Dinner: Wind down with a satisfying meal at a local restaurant after an active day.

Day 5 – Relaxation, indulgence, and beach time

Morning (8:00–10:00 AM)

• Golf: Begin with a round on Catalina Island’s scenic golf course, or try Pickleball instead.

Late Morning to Early Afternoon (10:30 AM–4:00 PM)

• Descanso Beach Club: Spend the day at Descanso Beach Club and relax in a private ocean-view cabana.
• Beachside Lunch: Have light bites and refreshing drinks delivered right to your cabana.

Afternoon (4:00–5:30 PM)

• Massage: Treat yourself to a restorative massage at a local spa.

Evening (5:30–9:00 PM)

• Dinner: Pick from a variety of restaurants and enjoy a culinary evening with dinner at the spot of your choice.
• Haunted Catalina Ghost Tour: End the day with a spooky outing focused on local legends and mysteries.

More ideas for stays longer than 5 days or a future Catalina Island trip

• Glass Bottom Boat Ride: Enjoy a relaxing tour with views into the underwater world from above.
• Dolphin Tour: Join a guided boat tour for a close look at playful dolphins.
• Parasailing: Rise high over the ocean for sweeping aerial views.
• Jet Skiing: Jet Skiing operates seasonally and brings an adrenaline-filled ride across the water.
• 4×4 Tour into the Interior: Head back to Avalon for an exciting off-road journey through Catalina’s rugged interior.
• Helicopter Tour: See the island’s dramatic scenery from the air with panoramic views.
• Joe’s Rent A Boat: Joe’s Rent A Boat operates seasonally and offers boat rentals for an easy cruise outside the harbor.
• Escape Room: Challenge your puzzle-solving abilities in an engaging escape room experience.
• Avalon Theatre at the Catalina Casino: Watch a movie or attend a show beneath the twinkling lights inside the Avalon Theatre’s striking art deco interior.