Catalina Island
Catalina Island is a place where the gentle rhythm of the waves makes time slow down. It’s a place where you can paddle through crystal clear waters in the crisp morning air, followed by Mai Tais and sun soaked massages on the beach in the afternoon.Moonlit walks are the norm and a sense of timelessness surrounds you. That Catalina feeling of tranquility is better known as Island Time.
Island Time allows you the time to do all the things you love to do, at your own pace. When you're on Island Time, you're always having the time of your life.
Most people take a ferry to Catalina Island. Daily round-trip service to Catalina Island departs from:
- Downtown at Catalina Landing in Long Beach: Take the 710 Freeway south into Long Beach. Stay to the left, follow signs to downtown and exit Golden Shore. Turn right at stop sign, follow around to Terminal on the right. Parking in parking structure on the left.
- Catalina Express: Take the 110 Freeway south into San Pedro. Take the Terminal Island, Exit 47 ramp. Stay in the right lane, exit Harbor Blvd. Follow signs to Catalina Terminal, Berth 95, entrance across Harbor Blvd. If you're coming from Long Beach you can take Ocean Blvd. west, cross over the Vincent Thomas bridge, and take the Harbor Blvd. exit.
- Catalina Passenger Service: Take the 405 Freeway to the 55 Freeway South. The 55 ends and becomes Newport Blvd, which ends and becomes Balboa Blvd. Travel 2 miles on Balboa Blvd. Turn left on Main St. for the terminal at the Balboa Pavilion or turn right on Palm Street for long term parking.
- Catalina Express in Dana Point -
From Los Angeles - Take I-5 Freeway South & exit at Pacific Coast Highway.
From San Diego - Take I-5 Freeway North & exit at Beach Cities, Highway #1 off the ramp.
Take a left at the signal, (Dana Point Harbor Drive) then left at Golden Lantern, which dead ends at Dana Harbor parking lot. - Catalina-Marina Del Rey Flyer - Take the 405 freeway to the 90 west (Marina Del Rey Freeway) until freeway ends. Go straight to the third signal. Make a left on Mindanao. Make a left on Lincoln. Make a right on Fiji and go1/2 mile to Fisherman’s Village. Enter parking lot near El Torito Restaurant. Ticket office is just left of the lighthouse.
What to do on the island? For some it's scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking or fishing. For others its hiking, biking, playing golf or exploring charming shops and galleries. And then there are those who prefer to do nothing but relax on the beach.
Catalina is the perfect romantic getaway. Known as the Island of Romance, after the popular "26 Miles across the Sea" song, it's easy to sail away to the beautiful shores of Catalina Island.
The island’s main town of Avalon offers a unique romantic setting with a distinctive Mediterranean charm.
There are many romantic activities for the two of you in this lover's paradise.
- Plan a picnic lunch and discover a secluded cove
- Ride on a bicycle built for two and explore ocean front roadways and lush canyon drives.
- Go parasailing or kayaking or enjoy a round of golf
- Watch for whales and dolphins on an ocean rafting adventure
- Take in the sights on one of the island’s many scenic city tours
- Discover the wild side of Catalina’s interior on an inland motor tour.
- Explore Catalina’s abundant marine life without getting wet on the glass bottom boats and undersea tours on a state-of-the-art semi-submersible submarine.
- Indulge yourselves at one of Avalon’s day spas. Hot stones, Swedish, Thai or Couples massages
- Dine at one of the many harbor-side restaurants.
- Take in a movie in the plush, art deco Avalon Theatre, located on the lower level of the legendary Casino Building.
