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5 FAQ's for Traveling to Catalina
Planning a trip can be very overwhelming especially if you have never been there before. I am here to tell you that it is so easy to go to Catalina. Follow my top travel tips and frequently asked questions to prepare for your stress-free Island vacation.

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A Packing List for Your Catalina Island Vacation
Getting ready to go on vacation is very exciting, especially if your destination is on our local Southern California paradise, Catalina Island. You most likely visited many websites to help you plan your trip and learn about the events that will be happening during your stay. Now you are counting down the days to your departure. You’ve booked your boat, maybe even upgraded to Commodore Lounge to treat yourself, and now you’re on your way to get away from it all. Finally, it’s time to pack. What do you bring?

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10 Most Instagram-worthy Places and Moments on Catalina Island
With picturesque views and unique history, it’s no wonder visitors are captivated by Catalina and fill up their Instagram feed as they explore the Island. There is no shortage of Instagram-worthy places and moments while vacationing on Catalina Island.

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Exploring Catalina’s Underwater World
The Island is well-known for its Mediterranean climate with crystal-clear waters that are very refreshing during this hot weather. From diving to kayaking or just a quick swim in the water, Catalina Island has a variety of activities that will let you and your travel companions enjoy the ocean this summer.

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Two Harbors: The Perfect Weekend Getaway
As we start to venture out into the world its best to start with a local getaway. Two Harbors is a hidden gem in Southern CA that is so worth exploring, especially if you love the outdoors. It’s a place you can disconnect from your phone and get back to nature. There are plenty of activities to keep you heart pumping or plenty of opportunities to relax.
Featured: Escape the Heat on Catalina

Water Fun for Everyone
As the temperatures rise, it is time to dive back into the crystal-clear water of Catalina. The Island offers many water activities to make sure your party has a great time.

Cool Treats
After enjoying Catalina's sunshine or a thrilling activity, cool down with a refreshing, frosty treat. From ice cream to frozen cocktails, delight in a variety of icy snacks on your island getaway.

Exploring Catalina’s Underwater World
The Island is well-known for its Mediterranean climate with crystal-clear waters that are very refreshing during this hot weather. From diving to kayaking or just a quick swim in the water, Catalina Island has a variety of activities that will let you and your travel companions enjoy the ocean this summer.

Enjoy the Fresh Air on Catalina Island
Catalina Island continues to be the best retreat from the busy and stressful city life. With so much space, it is easy to enjoy nature and the freshest air in California. As you start to plan your escape to a peaceful getaway, here are some activities that are geared towards appreciating the outdoors and your own space.
Celebrate the past at Catalina Island's splashy new museum digs
Whether you're a history buff, a vintage movie fan or a baseball junkie, you won't want to miss Avalon's newest addition -- the $10-million Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building, home to the Catalina Island Museum.
Why limit happy to an hour? Take the Avalon Happy Hour Tour
A friend of mine says the only thing that makes him happier than a day at Catalina is spending part of that day bar-hopping on the island Happy Hour Tour. He makes a good point. Taste of Catalina's adults-only Happy Hour Tour introduces participants to some of the best watering holes in Avalon.
Need a day at the spa? Catalina has tons of options for relaxation and rejuvenation
I may have been lying on a massage table in Avalon, but I felt transported to the beach of a Greek island.
The location was Island Spa Catalina, where I was trying out the heated sand bed, one of only a few in the United States. The treatment technique is based on ancient Greek concepts, using heated sand to promote comfort.
Get away from it all at Two Harbors, on the quiet side of the island
I'd heard about the hike to Ballast Point for years. "It's steep," friends said, "but the view is worth it." They were right on both counts.
Ballast Point rises above Two Harbors, a small settlement about 20 miles northwest of Avalon. Summer and fall are perfect times to visit Two Harbors; catch a Catalina Express boat leaving San Pedro in the morning and return in the late afternoon or early evening.
The Garden-to-Sky Hike: A perfect island adventure
We were walking up a steep dirt road that wound around the rugged hills behind Avalon. It was mid-morning and a misty fog bank separated Catalina from the mainland, masking our view of the sea. But as we climbed, the hazy clouds lifted and the sun broke through, warming the air and glittering on the water below.
Have I got a deal for you - a screaming green pier for just $5
You know that bright greenish-blue color that jumps out at you when you look at the Avalon Pleasure Pier? I'm told that some people like it so well that they have the hardware store mix up batches of it for their do-it-yourself projects. They call it Pier Green. I think it looks pretty cool from the water, and from the land, too. But I can't imagine living in a house that color. Or trying to sleep in a bedroom painted that shade.
Savor the flavors of Avalon with Taste of Catalina Food Tours
One of the easiest ways for a visitor to fall in love with a place is by exploring its restaurants and trying local food. In Avalon, that means spending an afternoon with Taste of Catalina Food Tours, which offers a couple of delicious ways to get to know the island.
Psst: This Catalina icon has plenty of Hollywood secrets to share
Quick now: What do these people have in common? Taylor Swift, Ronald Reagan, the Chicago Cubs, Katy Perry, George Harrison, Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood.
You guessed it. Catalina.
Grab some friends and take an artsy-craftsy island tour
It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. And it might as well be me and my friends.
Our task: To turn a lump of brownish-red clay into the colorful ceramic tiles that Catalina has been famous for since the 1930s.
Five things your kids should do in Catalina before they grow up
Winter or summer, Catalina Island is jam-packed with fun activities to keep kids excited and busy -- for a day, a weekend or a week. If it happens to be the off-season, so much the better: hotel prices are down, the crowds have thinned out and your odds of seeing whales on the trip from the mainland to the island have increased.
Searching for a great cup of joe? Six places to find it in Avalon
Some of us are so addicted to caffeine that we'd be happy to take our lattes intravenously. But you don't need to do that in Avalon, which is filled to the brim with coffee joints that will help you kick-start your day. Whether you're seeking café au lait, Americanos, blended drinks or drip coffee, you'll find it here.
Sharks, dolphins & whales dead ahead! What's it like to be a Catalina Express captain?
20 awesome things to do in Avalon on a rainy day
A fat lemon-colored sun was shining overhead when the Cat Express ferry left the dock in Long Beach, but by the time we reached Avalon, clouds had started to move in. The sun was playing hide and seek as I stepped off the boat, and before I'd rounded the corner ontoCrescent avenue, big drops of rain were beginning to fall.
If you've only visited Avalon, you haven't seen the real Catalina
You don't need to go on safari to see wild creatures up close—just head to Catalina's back country, where bison and deer room free and you might catch a glimpse of an animal seen nowhere else in the world.
Scream past Catalina's beaches, then head for the open water on Dolphin Quest
Dolphin Quest, an open-top inflatable boat, offers an electrifying way to tour the coastline off Catalina. Racing at speeds up to 40 mph, the boat cruises the waters east of the island looking for sea life, especially dolphins.