Living in Los Angeles has its perks, especially as cruisers. From our nearby homeports, we can sail the Pacific Coast or Mexican Riviera and often find Catalina Island, California, on the itinerary. We could also hop on a ferry for a day trip to Catalina Island, since it’s only 22 miles from the California coast.
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Catalina is small, and you can easily see the highlights in a single day. Most people head straight to Avalon, the waterfront town filled with shops, restaurants, and golf carts zipping by. With its Mediterranean vibes and seaside charm, Avalon feels worlds away from Los Angeles. That’s precisely what we did, taking in the island at our own pace and falling in love with its history.
On our Carnival Firenze cruise, Catalina was the first stop on our short itinerary, and here’s how we spent our day.
Getting to Catalina Island
By Cruise Ship
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Several cruise lines visit Catalina Island. Carnival Firenze stops here on many of its shorter sailings from Los Angeles throughout the year, while lines like Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Holland America include it seasonally on Pacific Coastal and Mexican Riviera itineraries. Most of these cruises depart from Los Angeles (San Pedro), Long Beach, or San Diego.
Since Catalina doesn’t have a pier for large vessels, all cruise ships tender passengers ashore. The ride only takes a few minutes, but the wait for a tender can eat into your day in Avalon. If you want to make the most of your time, grab an early tender ticket—or book a ship excursion, which often comes with priority tendering. We had booked a suite on Firenze, so we were among the first to disembark with the priority tender included; otherwise, there was a long line.
By Ferry
If you’re not cruising, it’s just as easy to take a ferry for a day trip. Catalina Express ferries run regularly from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point, with most arrivals docking right at the marina in Avalon. The trip takes about an hour, and you’ll step off directly in town, ready to start exploring on foot.
Catalina Island Facts
- Catalina is about 22 miles long and 8 miles across at its widest point.
- The island sits roughly 22 miles from the California coast.
- Avalon is the island’s only incorporated city and central hub, with about 4,000 year‑round residents.
- Around 88% of the island is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, keeping much of the interior wild and undeveloped.
- The island is part of the Channel Islands, though it’s the only one with a permanent civilian community.
- Catalina has over 165 miles of hiking trails, drawing visitors who come to stay for longer than a day to hike.
- Multi‑day hikers often explore the Trans‑Catalina Trail, a 38.5‑mile trek across the island.
Exploring Avalon
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PinOn our cruise, we had a full day in port from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., which gave us plenty of time to explore at a relaxed pace.
The moment we arrived in Avalon by tender, it felt like we’d been transported to the Mediterranean. Boats dotted the harbor, while the terracotta rooftops, hillside homes, and palm‑lined waterfront gave the town a charm that instantly pulled us in.
One of the best parts about this cruise port is how compact it is, and on the beautiful day we visited, we felt fortunate to enjoy it under clear sunny skies. You can spend the whole day enjoying what it offers or step off the ship for just a few hours. On a day trip, arriving in the morning and leaving on one of the last ferries still gives enough time to enjoy the top things to do in Catalina Island.
We found that Avalon is such a laid‑back town to safely hang out in, take in the ocean views, and get a bite to eat before continuing with the day.
Avalon is home to just a few thousand year‑round residents, which adds to its small‑town charm. The streets are lined with golf carts zipping around far more often than cars, and landmarks like the Catalina Casino highlight the island’s history as a seaside escape dating back to the 1920s, when it became a popular getaway for Hollywood stars and Southern California locals.
Strolling Avalon and Catalina Avenue (Waterfront & Green Pleasure Pier)
From the cruise ship tender docks, right next to where the Catalina Express ferries drop off passengers, it’s only a short walk to Avalon’s main street and waterfront boardwalk. Many visitors head straight to Island Rentals nearby to pick up golf carts or bicycles for a few hours. Since we had already booked a guided golf cart tour for later in the afternoon, we walked along Catalina Avenue, which is lined with shops, cafés, and casual eateries.
The Green Pleasure Pier is also a central landmark in Avalon. It’s home to the tourist information center, and you’ll find spots here to book water activities, fishing, or tours. The pier itself is a great place to pause, take in the bay views, take photos of your cruise ship, and watch the tenders and ferries come and go. There were also local kids fishing right off the end of the pier.
Coffee at Catalina Island Brew House
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Since we had priority tender and were among the first groups off the ship, a coffee stop was much needed to continue with our day. Locals pointed us to Catalina Island Brew House, a small café and brewpub right along the waterfront. We ended up visiting twice—once in the morning and again in the afternoon. They serve coffee all day along with a rotating selection of local craft beers, making it a versatile stop for cruisers and day‑trippers. The vibe was relaxed, with indoor and outdoor seating that gave us a chance to rest and enjoy the harbor views.
Another spot locals mentioned was Coffee & Cookie Co. We tried to order there, but it’s a mobile ordering-only establishment with limited outdoor seating. Still, the coffees and baked goods on display looked tempting and worth a try if you plan.
Visiting the Catalina Casino
The walk to the Casino was just as memorable as the building itself. We passed through the Via Casino arch, noticed the beautiful tile work along the way, and took in the scenery of the bay and the Casino as it came closer into view. Taking your time here is worth it, since the details along the promenade add so much character to Avalon.
Avalon Theater (Downstairs)
After our coffee stop, we strolled along the waterfront promenade to reach the Catalina Casino, one of Avalon’s most recognizable landmarks. Despite the name, it’s not a gambling hall but a cultural centerpiece built in 1929 by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. It’s also the tallest building in Avalon and a focal point of the skyline.
Walking up to it, we felt a mix of curiosity and awe. The circular Art Deco design stood out against the backdrop of the bay, and it was easy to see why it has become such a lasting symbol of the island.
Downstairs is the Avalon Theater, one of the first theaters in the world designed specifically for sound films. The colorful murals along the walls, the grand stage, and the vintage theater organ all add to its old Hollywood atmosphere. Even the lobby with its arched red ceiling and chandeliers feels like stepping back into a glamorous era. The seating is ornate and well-preserved, showing how much care has gone into keeping this piece of Catalina’s history alive.
Fun fact: For decades, Hollywood studios premiered films right here at the Avalon Theater. The last official movie premiere was the Disney film The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1987, making it a unique piece of film history still standing today. Although premieres are no longer held, the Avalon Theater continues to operate as a functioning movie theater where locals gather to watch films.
Casino Ballroom (Upstairs)
Upstairs is the Casino Ballroom, one of the most beautifully preserved ballrooms I’ve ever seen. Its original hardwood floors, sweeping circular design, and massive Art Deco chandelier—still lowered by hand for cleaning—showcase the elegance of the late 1920s. Standing beneath the chandelier and looking across the open floor, it’s easy to imagine the grand dances that once filled the space. The ballroom was built to hold up to 3,000 people, which makes the scale even more impressive when you step inside.
We lingered to take in the details, from the ornate ceiling to the light streaming in through the windows. A volunteer kindly shared some of the history with us, which made our visit feel even more personal.
Stepping outside onto the terrace, we were rewarded with panoramic views of Avalon Bay, hillside homes, and even our cruise ship anchored offshore. Those sweeping views alone made the visit worthwhile.
Lunch Break at NDMK Fish House
Before our golf cart tour, we headed back to the boardwalk for lunch at NDMK Fish House, just off the main drag. I ordered the fish and chips with local halibut, so fresh, flaky, and perfectly crisp. My husband went with the DaBomb shrimp–that’s what they’re actually called–and they really were the bomb: crispy, sweet, and with just the right amount of spice. We didn’t talk much while eating, which is always a good sign.
There are plenty of places to grab a bite on Catalina Island, but we were glad we stopped here.
Our Guided Golf Cart Tour Around Avalon
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Our guided golf cart tour took us all around Avalon and up into the hills, with plenty of stops along the way. It usually takes about two hours to circle the town and see the highlights, and having a local guide made it even better—she shared stories of island life, pointed out landmarks, and let us hop out whenever we wanted more time.
We stopped at multiple viewpoints overlooking Avalon, the harbor, and the Catalina Casino. That panoramic perspective really showed just how compact Avalon, the island’s only incorporated city and main hub, is and gave us a chance to pause for photos.
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Some of the highlights along the route included:
- Crescent Avenue
- Wrigley Fountain
- Descanso Beach, just past the Casino, where you can rent beach chairs in summer
- The Botanic Garden entrance
- Hillside neighborhoods dotted with golf carts
- The hillside mansion once owned by William Wrigley Jr.
- The zip line course in the hills
- The Summit viewpoint, marked by a large white cross overlooking Avalon and the harbor
These stops made the tour feel less like a checklist and more like a relaxed drive with stories attached to each spot. We realized we could have included the Casino with her tour instead of visiting separately, but either way it worked out. What stood out most was how she showed us parts of Catalina that went beyond the typical highlights and made us want to return for longer than just a day.
We booked the afternoon slot because we weren’t sure how long it would take to get off the ship. That turned out to be a good choice: by then the day had warmed up and the skies were clear, giving us incredible views of Avalon and the bay from the highest lookout points. Of course, in the middle of summer, when it’s hot, I’d choose a morning tour if I could get off the ship early because the mornings will be cooler.
Local Golf Cart Tour of Avalon [book here]
Ending the Day with Ice Cream at Lloyd’s
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Before heading back to the ship, we wrapped up the day with ice cream at Lloyd’s of Avalon Confectionery. After seeing the lines every time we passed by this ice cream and candy shop, I had to find out what the fuss was about. The espresso chip scoop I ordered hit the spot, tasting like it had a heavy dose of espresso, and the best part was that it wasn’t overly sweet. It was the perfect treat to end the day with while we waited for our tender back to the ship.
Heading Back to the Cruise Ship
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Before leaving Catalina, everyone must tender back to the ship, so it’s important to double‑check the last tender time and plan ahead.
Give yourself extra time, since lines at the pier can be long and tenders sometimes get backed up. Unlike in the morning, there’s no priority tendering on the way back; everyone joins the same line.
The upside is that the wait gives you one more chance to enjoy the views of Avalon and the ships anchored in the bay. For us, it was simply the last chance to take in the view of Avalon before heading back to the ship. We definitely would love to come back.
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
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