Things to Do in Catalina Island and Los Angeles
An island harbor town across the channel, and a pointer to our full Los Angeles guide.
See top-rated activities »Catalina Island, and Where to Find Los Angeles
Los Angeles County sits in the middle of Southern California, and it has its own complete visitor guide: Best of Los Angeles County covers Hollywood, downtown and Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice, and Long Beach, with restaurants and events. Use it alongside this site if your trip passes through LA.
Santa Catalina Island belongs to the county too, but it is just as easy to reach from Orange County, where ferries leave from Newport Beach and Dana Point as well as from Long Beach and San Pedro. Most of the island is wild land managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, crossed by dirt roads and trails and home to a herd of bison descended from animals brought over for a film shoot in the 1920s. Avalon, the harbor town, is small enough to walk, and golf carts take the place of most cars.
Beyond the waterfront, the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden in Avalon Canyon honors the chewing gum family that developed the island and grows plants found only on the California islands. The Catalina Island Museum covers island history and art, Descanso Beach Club has a beach and a zip line nearby, and Two Harbors, a tiny village on the isthmus at the island's west end, is the base for hiking and quiet coves.
Don’t Miss
A memorial tower and a garden of native and island plants in Avalon Canyon.
Exhibits on the island's history, from its first peoples to the glamour years of the 1930s.
A small village and campground on the island's isthmus, reached by ferry or a long inland ride.
A seasonal ferry from the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach to Avalon.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Catalina and LA
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Best in SoCal may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Catalina and LA
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Get free trip quotes »Catalina and LA — FAQ
Can I reach Catalina Island from Orange County?
Yes. Ferries run to Avalon from Dana Point and, seasonally, from Newport Beach, in addition to the year-round boats from Long Beach and San Pedro in Los Angeles County.
Where can I find things to do in Los Angeles?
Our sister site bestoflacounty.com covers Los Angeles County in detail: Hollywood, downtown and Pasadena, the Westside museums, Santa Monica and Venice, Long Beach, restaurants and annual events.
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