What To Do & See On Catalina Island

[Sominex]

In case our Panama Canal Cruise Mexican Ports are diverted to Catalina Island, does anyone know what to see and do?

Thanks,

SOM

[yogi2929]

Check out this website:

http://www.ecatalina.com/

 

We have done different tours.

 

Took a bus tour around the Island up to the airport and the Wrigley Mansion. Along the way look out for the bison. We also stopped at the horse ranch.

 

Rented a golf cart for about $40 an hour.

 

Took the trolley $6pp up to the Wrigley Gardens. One route takes you past the Casino.

 

Take a tour of the Casino. It isn't a gambling hall, but a gathering place. Now a movie house, there used to be dances and such there.

 

Glass Bottom boats and a semi sub are also there. We got a deal on the pier for the sub. All tickets were the child's price at 1pm.

[Nancyquilts]

We liked the tour of the Casino, but were obviously there a long time ago as the trolley ride was $1 per person each way to the Wrigley gardens. The bus tour to the airport was good too. I seem to remember that sitting on the left side going up gave a better view and chance for bison.

[cruiserbryce]

Catalina is a very nice and relaxed port. There are cute shops throughout and many places to sit around and have a drink. The last couple times we have been there we have rented either a golf cart or bicycles. If you head out past the casino there is a nice little beach area called Descanso Beach. It stays somewhat empty there and the view is beautiful. There are island tours, glass bottom boats and water craft rentals as well.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Descano Beach

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/poin_descansoBeach.php

Agree with cruiserbryce on that area. There's also a great little bar there (to the left in the picture).

 

My favorite place to eat is on the way there (before The Casino) called:

The Landing

http://www.catalina.com/landing/

Away from the crowds, and great calm views...

 

Here are example views from up in the hills from the Golf Carts

 

 

Those are a few of my Catalina Favorite Things...

[dfitz]

I brought along a small backpack and some ziploc baggies for the Catalina stop on our cruise, that way we were able to pack ourselves a picnic lunch from the Windjammer cafe in the morning and headed off on an all day hike. I'd have to do a little more research to give exact directions, but we walked through town and up to the botanical gardens, there is a gate you go through at the gardens which puts you directly onto the trail that takes you on an all day hike. Gorgeous views ... from the top, you can see the ocean on both sides of the island. We had time to stroll along the waterfront before heading back to the ship. There's been a big fire on the island since we were there, not sure how it's affected the trails. This site might have more info re hiking trails http://www.catalina.com/hiking.html

In the first pic, if you look closely, you can see our ship (Monarch of the Seas) in the ocean.

[Putterdude]

Last May when we were there we rented a golf cart and spent several hours touring the townsite of Avalon. You will find your ship will have some tours that will do the entire island.

[SelectSys]

Take a hike and try and see the wild buffalo that roam on the island

[Sominex]

I brought along a small backpack and some ziploc baggies for the Catalina stop on our cruise, that way we were able to pack ourselves a picnic lunch from the Windjammer cafe in the morning and headed off on an all day hike. I'd have to do a little more research to give exact directions, but we walked through town and up to the botanical gardens, there is a gate you go through at the gardens which puts you directly onto the trail that takes you on an all day hike. Gorgeous views ... from the top, you can see the ocean on both sides of the island. We had time to stroll along the waterfront before heading back to the ship. There's been a big fire on the island since we were there, not sure how it's affected the trails. This site might have more info re hiking trails http://www.catalina.com/hiking.html

In the first pic, if you look closely, you can see our ship (Monarch of the Seas) in the ocean.

Is Descanso Beach very far from where the cruise ships dock and is it worth spending time there?

Thanks,

Som

[yogi2929]

Som,

If you look at the pix of the beach you will see the Casino building on the far left. Past the building is a mountain. The ship is anchored in the bay between the Casino and the mountain.

Maybe a 10 minute walk maybe a bit more. A bit of a rise towards the Casino otherwise it is a level walk. There is also a beach at the beginning of the pier but it is smaller than Descanso. It is only worth it if you like beaches. Not worth it to us because we don't usually go to beaches.

 

There is a Vons grocery store on the island by the cart rental and a hardware store if you need to buy ducttape.:p

 

Be careful bringing food off the ship. Depends on where it was onloaded. Even though Catalina is in the same county as Long Beach us Californians try not to cross-contaminate because of the unique flora and fauna of the island. The imported bison and goats have caused enough damage to the Channel Islands. And let's no forget the fruit flys.

[FantasyLineAddict]

The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens is very nice, but it can be a long hot walk up to the Memorial. It's $5 entrance, $3 for seniors and kids under 12 are free. The trolley goes to the entrance and returns every 35 minutes.

 

The trolley is $4 for a round trip anywhere or $6 for a day pass and there are 2 different lines running.

 

Descanso Beach is quiet and a nice place to relax. Many people were renting kayaks from that area.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Is Descanso Beach very far from where the cruise ships dock and is it worth spending time there?

Here is a map where I've adding labels to my favorite things...

Avalon (the main city in Catalina) is very, very small.

So most people will only see and crowd on the main tiny beaches right around the dock/pier.

If you want a nicer beach, with less people, and a place to relax for drinks, while overlooking the ocean - then Descano is the place to go (It's only about a 5 or 10 minute walk, depending on how fast you walk).

Avalon is very compact, so you still also probably have time to eat in a restaurant, or take a golf cart ride, as well.

Hope that helps make sense.

[Lollipop's Mom]

We did the glass bottom boat tour - total waste of time. Wouldn't pay to do that again ever!

 

We did rent a golf cart and that was a blast! Bring cash with you - they don't do credit cards from what I remember. I think it was about $40 for 2 hours?? Was 3 years ago now, so not sure. That was one of our trip highlights - we had so much fun!

If you walk to the end of the dock and turn left, there are rentals there, but if you turn left again down the side street, there are more rentals and more available.

[Putterdude]

We did the glass bottom boat tour - total waste of time. Wouldn't pay to do that again ever!

 

We did rent a golf cart and that was a blast! Bring cash with you - they don't do credit cards from what I remember. I think it was about $40 for 2 hours?? Was 3 years ago now' date=' so not sure. That was one of our trip highlights - we had so much fun!

If you walk to the end of the dock and turn left, there are rentals there, but if you turn left again down the side street, there are more rentals and more available.[/quote']

 

You are right, they don't take credit cards, or didn't last year, but I think it was $40 per hr with the max being $80.

[deepnite10]

while the kids snorkeled..the wife and i rented a golf

cart and did a self tour..

[kenish]

Avalon is a tender-only port. The tenders go to the green Pleasure Pier. If you want to take a boat excursion, scuba, snorkel, sportfish, or take a van tour of the island, the ticket offices are along the pier. Walking off the pier onto land, make a left on the beachfront promenade with the harbor on the left. The golf cart rentals will be a few blocks down. The bike rentals are a little farther near the tennis courts. (If you get to the pier for the Catalina Flyer catamarans from the mainland, you've passed the rentals).

 

Also recommend the small but interesting museum in the bottom of the Casino. Lots of interesting history (Catalina was owned by the Wrigley family and was the spring training grounds for the Cubs, way back when).

 

Have fun despite the potential change in plans.