Weddings and Marriage Proposals on Catalina Island

Catalina Island pairs scenic surroundings with a relaxed seaside feel, giving couples a memorable getaway apart from daily routines where they can celebrate and renew their commitment.

Known as the "Island of Romance", Catalina Island is a favored setting for marriage proposals. If you are preparing to ask, these are some of the best Catalina Island locations to consider.

• Buena Vista Point: From this dramatic lookout, you can take in one of the most beautiful views of Avalon. Sitting above the harbor near Mt Ada, the point opens onto Avalon and the channel below for a sweeping, impressive scene.

• Descanso Beach Club: Spend the day in a rented cabana at Descanso Beach Club. Its beachfront setting creates an easy, romantic place to ask.

• Rent out the ballroom or Avalon Theatre: For an especially extravagant plan, arranging dinner for two in the Catalina Casino Ballroom makes for a memorable and not inexpensive evening. The space includes art deco details, striking Avalon Harbor views, and a location inside one of the most iconic buildings in Southern California.

• On the zipline: Couples who love adventure can turn to the Catalina Zipline Eco-Tour for a fast, airborne experience that adds plenty of excitement before the big question.

• At a local beachside restaurant: Catalina restaurants make a natural setting for an island proposal. You might present the ring after dessert, kneel after the entrée, or have your server place the ring in a glass of champagne.

• The Wrigley Memorial: Set within the Botanic Garden, the Wrigley Memorial overlooks Avalon Bay and serves as the garden’s centerpiece. Red roof tiles and colorful handmade glazed tiles create a beautiful setting for the moment.

• On a balcony above Avalon Bay: Catalina Island offers many hotels, so finding one that fits your occasion is part of the fun. Mt. Ada, Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, Hotel Vista del Mar, Bellanca Hotel, and The Avalon Hotel are among the properties with impressive bayfront outlooks.

• Underwater: If scuba diving is something you and your future fiancé enjoy, consider asking below the surface. Casino Point Dive Park, a well-known Catalina dive site, works well for the moment. You can write your Catalina Island proposal on a dive slate or coordinate something more elaborate with help from an island dive shop.

Beyond Avalon

• Airport in the Sky: Located in the island’s interior, Airport in the Sky can be reached by air, shuttle, or hiking trail. Bring a picnic or settle onto the patio for views across Catalina Island’s green landscape.

• On a secluded beach: Catalina Island has more than 50 miles of coastline, including quiet beaches accessible in several ways, such as hiking or kayaking. Turn the outing into a full-day experience and ask where the moment belongs only to the two of you.

• At Raggers Point: Close to Little Harbor on the island’s windward side, Raggers Point is a remote promontory known for one of the most beautiful views on the entire island of Catalina. With surf breaking below and the Pacific stretching into the distance, the setting is shaped by Mother Nature’s beauty.

• Out on the trail: The Trans Catalina Trail runs 38.5 miles across Catalina Island. For couples who hike together, completing the route can become the right time to ask for a hand in marriage.

• Two Harbors: On Catalina Island’s scenic west end, Two Harbors offers two distinct harbors, beaches, a restaurant, lookout points, and several lovely picnic areas. In the summer months, take the Cyclone boat from Avalon for a coastal ride, or charter a helicopter for an experience to remember.

• In a helicopter: Flying above Catalina Island by helicopter is memorable in itself. Ask while traveling to the island or during an aerial tour to create a lasting shared memory.

Help With Proposal Planning

If you would like support arranging your proposal, several island resources can help. Cafe Metropole provides off-site catering and can prepare a picnic in many places around Catalina Island. For venues such as Descanso Beach Club or the Catalina Casino, reach out to the catering team at Catalina Island Co. For a hotel-based plan, contact the property directly about overnight accommodations. To travel into the interior, check with Catalina Taxi & Tours or the Catalina Conservancy. For help planning an interior hiking trip, contact Catalina Backcountry.