The 10 Best Things to Do in Catalina Island, United States

Located in the heart of Avalon, the Catalina Island Museum offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world, and the finest in silent, documentary and international film. Closed New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

The iconic Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Santa Catalina Island. On the lower level the building features extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows movies on its massive screen.The top level of this 12 story high architectural wonder features the beautiful, world-famous Casino Ballroom, a masterpiece of design and a long-standing venue for the world’s best musical performers and big bands. It is also a popular venue for weddings and special events. The only access to the building is through an exclusive Casino Tour offered through Discovery Tours. Once on the tour you’ll soon understand why many call this the most romantic place in Catalina.

Few words can describe the ambiance of the Catalina Casino: it epitomizes everything glamorous and romantic about Catalina Island. The one-of-a-kind venue is simply stunning inside, outside, and all around. If the meticulously decorated walls could talk, they’d tell countless stories of romance and celebration gathered from decades of memorable events. The immense, Deco-themed ballroom is large enough to contain weddings, large meetings or lectures or musical events. The Casino has retained its signature lavish style: a stunning medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, 50-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas surrounding the wooden dance floor, and a vintage full-service bar anchoring the back. A sweeping veranda surrounds the ballroom with stunning 360-degree views of Avalon Bay.

The Avalon Theatre is located in the lower level of the Catalina Casino building. It was built in 1929 as one of the first theaters designed for talking movies. The original Page organ still is played before the movies on Friday-Sunday nights. The theater features first-run movies, seats 1,184 people, is 138 feet across and 43 feet high. Art deco murals by John Gabriel Beckman (designed the artwork in the Grauman's Chinese Theater)adorn the walls and create a glamorous ambiance.

With 8 boats and up to 30 daily departures year-round from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, Catalina Express is the best way to get to Catalina Island. In about an hour, you could be hiking, biking, shopping, diving, snorkeling, fishing, dining, stand up paddling, kayaking, relaxing at a spa or kicking back at the beach club. Just 22 miles from LA, but a world of difference. (Don't forget to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge and skip the lines with priority check-in, express boarding, plus a complimentary cocktail or soft drink, and more. Just $15 each way.)

The Airport in the Sky occupies a 1,602-foot-tall mountaintop at the center of the Catalina Island, 10 miles from the city of Avalon. It's a great destination by tour or shuttle bus, bicycle, on foot whether hiking the Trans Catalina Trail or walking over from Black Jack, or of course, via private or chartered small plane. Its single 3,250-foot-long runway was constructed by blasting and leveling two adjacent peaks, then using the resulting debris to fill in the gaps.The image is of a T-34 Beechcraft that flew in to participate in one of the Airport in the Sky's monthly Aeroclub Fly-In Days.

The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is located at the top of Avalon Canyon - just a short 30 minute stroll up from town! The Garden features a collection of native plants from both Catalina Island, and the surrounding Channel Islands. The Garden also features a collection of succulents from around the world. The park is also home to the Wrigley Memorial. This iconic island landmark was built in 1934 in honor of Catalina Island patron William Wrigley Jr. The unique structure incorporates a variety of native rock and stone, as well as the famed "Catalina tile."

Offers information on this popular tourist destination. Open 364 days a year and ready to assist with accommodations, events and things to do on Catalina Island.