How To Go To Catalina Island From Long Beach
Catalina Island feels like a secret California postcard, even though it sits just 22 miles off the coast. From Long Beach, the trip is less a major expedition and more a breez...
Catalina Island feels like a secret California postcard, even though it sits just 22 miles off the coast. From Long Beach, the trip is less a major expedition and more a breezy little escape. You board a boat, sip something cold, and watch the mainland shrink into a hazy memory.
The main move is the Catalina Express, which leaves from Catalina Landing in downtown Long Beach. The terminal sits near the Queen Mary and the aquarium, so you can pair your ferry with a waterfront breakfast. In about an hour, you’re stepping into Avalon.
Book the Ferry Before You Dream About Golf Carts
Reservations and Timing
Reservations matter, especially from late spring through early fall. Weekends and holiday Mondays fill up fast, and the 8 a.m. departures are basically commuter flights for day-trippers. Book online, then double-check your return time before you get attached to island life.
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Morning ferries are crisp, quiet, and ideal for day trips. Afternoon boats feel more like floating happy hour, especially on Fridays. Sunset returns are romantic until everyone realizes they’re tired and sunburned.
If you can, avoid the last Sunday return in summer unless you enjoy a crowd. Midweek sailings are calmer and often cheaper. The island has a way of making even a Tuesday feel like a tiny holiday.
Parking and Getting There
The Long Beach terminal is at 320 Golden Shore, tucked beside the water in downtown. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early if you’re walking on; drive-up parking can add extra time. You’ll need a photo ID, but you don’t need a passport for this domestic hop.
Parking near Catalina Landing is convenient and paid, with daily rates that sting less if you carpool. If you’re local, consider a rideshare or the LA Metro A Line to downtown, then walk or scoot over. Leaving the car behind makes the whole day feel lighter.
What the Ride Is Actually Like
Onboard Comfort
Catalina Express vessels are comfortable, with indoor cabins, open decks, and a snack bar. Coffee, beer, wine, and light bites are available, though the prices lean touristy. Grab a window seat on the right side if you want early peeks of Avalon’s pastel hillside.
Catalina island day trip from long beach | Benkens.blog
The water can be calm or cheeky, depending on the wind and swell. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding and stay outside for fresh air. Looking at the horizon helps more than staring at your phone.
Wildlife and Small Wonders
Fun fact: Catalina has its own flying fish, and evening crossings sometimes turn into a sparkly wildlife show. You might also spot dolphins, sea lions, or a whale in season. It’s not SeaWorld, but it’s better because nobody’s clapping on command.
Once You Land in Avalon
Avalon is tiny, walkable, and almost aggressively charming. The ferry docks right in town, so you can stroll to coffee, shops, and the beach without a plan. Golf carts are the classic rental, but walking is often easier and cheaper.
For old-Hollywood flavor, tour the Catalina Casino, which is not a gambling hall. It’s a gorgeous Art Deco landmark with a grand ballroom and a movie theater. The name comes from the Italian word for “gathering place,” though the confusion makes for a good trivia flex.
Other easy wins include the Descanso Beach Club, a glass-bottom boat tour, kayaking, and the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden. The island once hosted Chicago Cubs spring training and drew stars like Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Today, the bison outnumber many of the celebrities.
Channel Your Inner Old Hollywood
The Four Preps sang about “26 miles across the sea,” and the number still feels about right. Catalina was a glamorous playground for the studio set, a place for martinis, movie stars, and saltwater air. You can visit for a day and still catch a whiff of that lore.
Transportation – Catalina Island Tour Reviews
If you’re going for just the day, pick two activities and let the rest be wandering. Avalon rewards slow decisions: an ice cream cone, a harbor bench, a sudden nap. The island isn’t a checklist; it’s a permission slip.
Practical Tips That Save the Day
Wear layers, because the harbor can be sunny while the ferry deck is windy and cool. Bring sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and shoes that can handle a little hill. Cash is useful for small vendors, though most places take cards.
Check the ferry’s luggage rules if you’re staying overnight. Carry-on bags are easier, and luggage storage in Avalon can fill up on busy weekends. If you’re bringing a bike or paddleboard, ask ahead rather than assuming.
Book popular restaurants and tours in advance during summer. The island’s population is small, so demand can outpace supply quickly. Also, keep an eye on the return ferry; missing it means an expensive, complicated adventure.
A Small Trip With a Big Reset
Going to Catalina from Long Beach is simple, but it doesn’t feel small when you’re on the water. The mainland noise drops away, and your phone suddenly seems less urgent. For one hour, you’re just a person on a boat with salt in the air.
That’s the quiet magic of it. You don’t need a passport, a week off, or a grand plan to feel far away. Sometimes a short ferry ride is enough to remind you that daily life can be rearranged by a little blue horizon.
