California's Beautiful Island Is Perfect For A Day Trip From Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a spectacular place with endless activities. However, it is a major tourist destination and can be a bit overwhelming. If you want a bit of rest and relaxation after exploring the bustling City of Angeles, there is an island getaway that might just feel like a vacation from your vacation. Catalina Island sits 22 miles off the coast, and it seems like a different world. You can't bring a car, meaning you're leaving LA traffic behind. Instead, you can stroll through the main town of Avalon or explore the hills in a golf cart. You'll find relaxed resort-town shopping, boat tours, scuba, and snorkeling. You can even take a helicopter tour. Visitors can also engage in activities like camping and hiking. Of course, if all you want to do is sit on the beach and chill, you can do that, too.

The Catalina Express ferry to the island leaves from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. So catching a flight to Long Beach Airport (LGB) — rated one of the most efficient and traveler-friendly airports in 2025 — is a good choice if you want to go directly to the island. It's less than 10 miles from the ferry terminal in the city. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is another option but is located approximately 25 miles away.

The San Pedro terminal is around 7 miles west of Long Beach, and Dana Point is about an hour southeast if you're considering all the options. (San Pedro is getting an upgraded waterfront, so it may be worth making that your port of choice.) You can also take the Catalina Flyer ferry from Newport Beach or a 15-minute helicopter ride to Catalina through Maverick Helicopters.

The Catalina Express ferry takes around a hour to reach Avalon on the 76-square-mile Catalina Island, and in some cases, you can leave as early as 6 a.m. . There are late evening rides back on most nights, but check the schedule and book your preferred departure point ahead of time. The roundtrip fare is around $100 with fees and taxes. Once you're there, you can easily walk from the ferry port into Avalon, one of only two towns on the island. The other is the tiny Two Harbors, which you can reach by boat or shuttle, though most of the island is protected wilderness. 

A day at this destination can provide a glimpse into centuries of history. Santa Catalina Island was once occupied by Native American tribes and has gone through several transformations over the years, from hunting ground to a vacation destination. Multiple films have been shot here as well, and if you've heard of the island's famous residents, the bison, you may know that they were left here after a movie shoot a century ago. You can actually take bison tours to see them. 

As you explore Avalon, check out the Catalina Island Casino, built by William Wrigley Jr. (of Wrigley chewing gum fame) in 1929. Inside isn't a casino for gambling, however. Instead, it's a movie theater and an event space with a ballroom, though it's lovely to simply wander around the outside. Even the walk over there along the water is gorgeous, as you pass the beaches, shops, and restaurants in downtown Avalon, with a view of the luxury yachts dotting the harbor. 

You can take several types of boat tours while visiting Catalina. If you're there for a day trip, you might want to book the Nautilus Semi-Submarine Excursion. The boat has underwater windows so you can see the fish, and even feed them. (I've been on this one personally, and it's a lot of fun.) If you have snorkeling gear along, or you're interested in a guided snorkeling tour, you can find that here as well. It's worth it, particularly because of the adorable orange Garibaldi that brighten up the water. If you have your own gear, you can snorkel with no restrictions.

As you walk down Crescent Avenue, the main street in Avalon, you'll pass several beaches near the pier, all of which are public. However, down toward the Casino is Descanso Beach Club, a private beach that you can access for a small entry fee of $2. This locale has a restaurant and a bar, as well as sun beds. If you decide to stay overnight, there are plenty of hotels in Avalon. However, it's a good idea to book them beforehand, especially if you're visiting during high season, which is June through August.

The only other town on the island, Two Harbors, also has a beach. This is the place to visit if you're looking for some hiking, fishing, or camping. There are more traditional places to stay overnight as well. Whichever town you stay in, you may want to either hike or take an express bus to Ben Weston Beach, one of the best hidden beaches in California.