On Catalina Island

This is Southern California? No way.

Way. This is Catalina Island, just off the coast of Long Beach, Calif. That’s a view from the second stage of the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour. (More on our adventures coming up soon on the National Geographic Traveler blog.)

It really looks like that. The building on the right is the Catalina Casino, which is the center of the island’s entertainment and culture since it opened in 1929. We stayed at the Pavilion hotel, just a few steps away from the harbor in Avalon.

Catalina is not at all what you’d expect to find in Southern California. It’s small, friendly and it feels like Europe in so many ways.

  • Carrie Charney

    I’m in the middle of watching the six episodes of a not-as-yet picked up independent TV series on Hulu called “twentysixmiles.” It was filmed on Santa Catalina. It has great scenic views of the island, including the casino above, and the main town of Avalon. To me, it’s kind of a laid-back West Coast kind of Key West.

  • dennis kavanagh

    In my opinion Catalina shoud be a day trip only, Forget about staying over night. Most of the hotels/motels are very basic and the food is only so-so. Strictly a one day town. Dennis in Sausalito, Ca

  • Chiquita

    Catalina is beautiful and peacefu and worth at least one visit, however, unless you really enjoy the company of whoever you are traveling with I recommend a short stay. The island shuts down after 9pm and has limited places to hang out. The Catalina Jazz Festival is great time to go the island since there are several concerts daily and after party actitivies.

  • Andrea

    Dennis~ Have you ever been to Two Harbors? It may just change your mind about the Island =)