Things to Do on Catalina Island with Kids
Just an hour by ferry from San Pedro, Dana Point, Long Beach, or Newport Beach, Catalina Island is one of Southern California's easiest and most memorable family getaways. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend escape, you'll find crystal-clear waters, exciting outdoor adventures, charming waterfront streets, and plenty of activities the whole family will enjoy.
Officially known as Santa Catalina Island, this picturesque island is part of California's Channel Islands archipelago. Located just southwest of Los Angeles, Catalina spans approximately 76 square miles, with nearly 88% of the island protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, helping preserve its rugged landscapes, diverse wildlife, and natural beauty.
Most visitors spend their time in Avalon, Catalina's colorful waterfront town, where just 3,700 residents live year-round.
Lined with palm trees, cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, boutique shops, waterfront restaurants, and souvenir stores, Avalon has a relaxed island atmosphere and serves as the perfect home base for exploring Catalina.
Catalina is famous for its brilliant turquoise waters, world-class snorkeling and diving, unique wildlife, and scenic hiking trails—including the renowned Trans-Catalina Trail, a challenging four-day trek that crosses much of the island's protected interior.
👉 Planning to visit Channel Islands National Park or islands like Santa Cruz? Be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to the Channel Islands.for everything you need to know.
Catalina Island at a Glance
📍 Location: Off the Southern California coast, about one hour by ferry from Long Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, or San Pedro.
⭐ Known For: Crystal-clear water, golf carts, bison, snorkeling, family adventures, and charming Avalon.
👨👩👧 Best For: Families with kids, weekend getaways, outdoor adventures, and first-time island visitors.
🕒 Recommended Visit: Day trip or 2–3 days.
⛴️ Getting There: Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer.
🚶 Getting Around: Walk, golf cart, taxi, or shuttle.
💙 Don't Miss: Bison Eco Tour, Descanso Beach, snorkeling, golf cart rental, and the Glass Bottom Boat.
🗺️ Explore Catalina Island on the Interactive Map
Use the interactive map below to get an overview of Catalina Island and see where the top attractions, beaches, restaurants, and family-friendly activities are located. Click each marker for more information, then use the map to group nearby stops and plan your days more efficiently.
Most of the places featured in this guide are in or near Avalon, making it easy to explore on foot, by golf cart, or with a local tour.
Table of Contents
Getting to Catalina Island
Daily Catalina Ferry Rides
Just getting to Catalina Island is a fun-filled experience. Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer both offer daily ferries to Avalon, or the more remote Two Harbors, operating out of several ports:
Dana Point Harbor
Long Beach Harbor
Newport Beach Harbor
San Pedro Harbor
Ferry rides tend to take about an hour. Catalina Express tends to be better for families simply because it offers more flexiblity with more departure times and locations. Regardless, tickets cost around $95 roundtrip for adults, $70 for children under 12, and free for kids 2 and under, depending on the season and the day of the week.
You can almost always spot pods of dolphins as you travel across the seas to the island and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale. Gray whales have one of the longest migrations of any mammal, over 12,000 miles round trip, and the best time so see them on their journey off the coast of Southern California is from December to April.
Things to Do on Catalina Island With Kids
If you are going to spend a weekend with the kids at Catalina Island here are some of the top things to do.
Get Up Close With Catalina Island Wildlife
Take a Bison Eco Tour by Jeep
If you are visiting the island with kids, my number one suggestion is that you book a two hour, 4-wheel drive Bison Eco Tour to see them up close and personal. Seeing them is quite a thrill and a jeep tour is a great way to experience the more remote island interior which is beautiful. Just a warning though, it’s a bumpy ride!
Catalina Island is currently home to a herd of approximately 120-150 American Bison. Although they’re commonly referred to as “American Buffalo,” buffalo are actually native to Africa and Asia only so these are bison found here in North America and Europe and they are massive. Adult males weigh an average of 700-900 pounds and are often 6 feet tall.
The Catalina Island Conservancy works to protect these magnificent creatures in part by controlling their population to avoid any negative ecological impact on the island. At one point, the herd grew to as many as 600 and efforts had to be made to relocate some of them to the Great Plains with the help of local tribes.
Why are these bison here
?
Well the origins are interesting and vary depending on who you ask. The most common explanation is that a small herd was brought to the island in 1924 for filming the silent movie, The Vanishing American, and left behind. Interestingly enough, the parts of the film depicting the bison were left on the editing room floor as the final version of the film depicts no bison, nor does it show any terrain that resembles the island. Accordingly, a local reporter back in the 30s attributed their arrival to the filming of The Thundering Herd instead. Regardless, they are not native to the island and it is commonly told they were brought in by Hollywood and abandoned once filming was completed.
Visit Seal Rock on a Safari Tour
Journey across the sea hugging the island’s rugged shore on an ocean safari in search of seals and sea lions. The cruise takes you to the eastern tip of the island to what is known as Seal Rock. If you book your cruise at sunset, you will marvel at the reflection off the water as the sky lights up in shades of crimson and gold making the journey even more spectacular.
Go Snorkeling and Explore Catalina’s Underwater World
Whether you bring your own snorkel gear, rent it or book a guided snorkeling tour, Catalina Island is a great place for exploring Southern California’s underwater marine life.
Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve offers a great area for snorkeling especially in the summer when water temperatures average 70 degrees, some of the warmest waters along the Southern California coast. Another great spot to snorkel is the Casino Point Dive Park located just off Avalon, or you can venture to Two Harbors on the other side of the island to escape the crowds.
Be aware that if you are swimming or snorkeling at Lover’s Cove, the glass bottom boat tours have the right of way so be alert and pay attention. Make sure to educate your children so they are cautious.
Outdoor & Adventure Activities
Soar Across a Zip Line
Need an adrenaline rush? Treat the kids to a Zip Line Eco Tour. Experience the thrill of soaring above the tree line at heights up to 600 feet above sea level on one of Catalina’s five high-speed ziplines some of which travel up to 40 miles per hour. Get a bird’s eye view of the island that just can’t be beat. Just know that this is a high-octane thrill so if your kids (or you) are timid, you should know they do not offer refunds if you change your mind.
Spend the Day at the Catalina Rock Climbing Wall at Descanso
Located near the Zip Line Eco Tour base camp is a 32-foot rock climbing wall with 8 color-coded routes up designed for skill levels ranging from novice to advanced that will give you quite the work out. The Climbing Wall has a high-tech system that manages the lines so climbers can be lowered safely and slowly during descent making it perfect for kids.
Catalina Aerial Adventure
Located near the Descanso Beach Club, an adventure awaits.
The Catalina Aerial Adventure is like an obstacle course nestled amongst the Eucalyptus trees with 5 different self-guided courses that require you to conquer a network of rope ladders, balance beams, zip lines and bridges. There are 2 beginner courses, 2 intermediate courses and 1 advanced course to accommodate all skill levels.
Go Swimming at Descanso Beach
One of the best places to swim on Catalina Island is in the pristine waters of the beloved Descanso Beach. The area offers soft white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees swaying in the wind for a relaxing day of sunbathing. The Beach Club offers cabana rentals and chaise lounges with food and beverage services. It’s an ideal spot to grab a towel and a good book and get your toes in the sand.
Fun & Whimsical Activities for Kids
Challenge Each Other to a Round of Mini Golf
A block away from the beach near the meeting point for many eco tours, is Avalon’s Golf Gardens, an 18-hole mini golf course that’s been there for almost 50 years. When you read about the course online, you may hear it’s one of the most beautiful and challenging courses around which I think is a little bit of an exaggeration. Regardless, mini golf is always a lot of fun and you really can’t beat playing a round on a classic style course on an island getaway. So, I highly recommend taking the kids.
👉 Pro Tip:
If you go on the bison tour or a 4-wheel drive eco tour, it’s a perfect way to end the day since the tours drop you off right next to the course.
Visit the Arcade & Go Mini Bowling
I am a huge sucker for a good old-fashioned arcade where you win tickets that you can trade in for all kinds of fun junk and candy prizes. So, it will come as no surprise (especially to my grandkids) that I highly recommend taking the kids to the Three Palms Avalon Arcade. This arcade/fun zone not only offers arcade games, prizes and big screen TVs, it is also home to Island Style Bowling, a miniature size bowling alley with mini bowling balls that I am completely obsessed with. You can even order food, beer, wine or cocktails while you play.
👉 Pro Tip:
Take the kids out for burgers and fries near the water’s edge, grab an ice cream as you stroll through town under the light of the moon, and end the night at the arcade for a few games and some mini bowling.
Sightseeing & Island Tours
Explore the Island in a Rented Golf Cart
Catalina Island visitors are not allowed to drive cars on the island and most residents rely on golf carts. Seeing all the little golf carts go whizzing by as you walk around Avalon is just part of the fun Bohemian island vibe that Catalina has to offer.
Now, I realize renting a golf cart might not seem like a lot of fun, but I think you would be surprised. It’s really a great way to explore the island and kids love it! We took my granddaughter to Catalina Island for her 8th birthday and this was literally the main thing she begged us to do – rent a golf cart. So, if you have the time, why not? You will get a great lay of the land and overview of Avalon in a short period of time. Just note that Catalina’s interior is off limits to golf carts, so a 2-hour rental is usually plenty of time for exploring.
👉 Pro Tips:
Familiarize yourself with the island’s golf cart regulations to avoid tickets.
You can schedule a guided golf cart tour if you are not comfortable driving your own.
Take a Glass Bottom Boat Ride or Semi-Submarine Tour
Discover the underwater world of Catalina Island and all of its unique habitat residents and creatures by booking a glass bottom boat ride or semi-submarine tour at Avalon Bay. Glass bottom boats are like a window into another world full of colorful fish and sea life as you explore Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve.
Museums, Gardens & Historical Sites
Visit the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens
The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens is located up Avalon Canyon, a 30-minute stroll from the center of town. There is also a city bus that takes you right to its entrance. The area is great for hiking around its beautiful grounds and I recommend the popular Garden to Sky Trail. The monument itself is the center piece of the gardens honoring William Wrigley, Jr., an island resident from 1861 to 1932, who is probably best known for his chewing gum.
The monument was built mostly from local materials and quarried stones. The blue flagstaff rock on the ramps and terraces is from Little Harbor, the red roof tile and colorful handmade glazed tile is from the old Catalina Pottery Plant. The surrounding gardens were the idea of Wrigley’s wife Ada who oversaw their creation. While standing atop the monument, you can actually see the other side of the island in the distance.
Tour the Catalina Casino
The Catalina Casino is the most well-known landmark on the island and is often the classic Catalina photograph you find in travel magazines. However, it’s not a casino at all. The Catalina Casino is actually a large gathering facility that offers a movie theater and ballroom, and was once home to the Catalina Island Museum. The building is absolutely beautiful and a great spot for a stroll.
Explore the Catalina Island Museum
The Catalina Island Museum opened its doors in 1953 in Avalon’s historic Catalina Casino. As of 2016, it has been moved to the Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building. It provides over 18,000 square feet of exhibition space and its new home offers all the amenities of a modern museum. The exterior design is representative of both the Spanish Mission style and the Art Deco influence of the 1920s. It also offers an unusual amount of exterior space both on its rooftop and the adjacent gardens. It houses exhibits related to Catalina Island’s unique history.
Frequently Asked Questions
⛴️ How do you get to Catalina Island?
The easiest way to reach Catalina Island is by ferry. Most visitors depart from San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point, or Newport Beach. Helicopter service is also available for those looking to arrive more quickly.
🚢 Which ferry should I take to Catalina Island?
For those departing from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point, take the Catlina Express. If you are departing from Newport Beach, take the Catalina Flyer. Ferry schedules vary by season, so be sure to book tickets in advance, especially during summer and holidays.
⛴️ How long is the ferry ride to Catalina Island?
The ferry ride to Catalina Island takes approximately one hour depending on your departure location.
🌤️ When is the best time to visit Catalina Island?
Catalina is a year-round destination and there is rarely a bad time to visit. Spring and fall offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for hiking and sightseeing. Summer is the best time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and other water activities.
⏳ Can you visit Catalina Island in one day?
Yes! Most of my visits to Catalina have been day trips. If you are doing a day trip, take the early morning ferry to give yourself plenty of time to explore Avalon and experience several attractions.
📅 How many days do you need on Catalina Island?
While Catalina makes an excellent day trip from Southern California, one to two nights gives you enough time to really experience the island's top attractions, enjoy the beaches, and explore beyond Avalon without feeling rushed. If you have time, I highly recommend staying. I did this with my granddaughter for her birthday years ago and she still talks about it.
👨👩👧 Is Catalina Island worth visiting with kids?
Absolutely! Catalina Island is one of Southern California's best family-friendly destinations. Kids can enjoy glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, mini golf, ziplining, wildlife tours, beaches, and plenty of outdoor adventures, making it an unforgettable getaway for all ages.
🚼 Is Catalina Island stroller-friendly?
Yes. Most of Avalon is relatively flat and easy to explore with a stroller, especially along the waterfront. However, some attractions and hiking trails involve hills or uneven terrain, so a lightweight stroller is recommended.
🚗 Are cars allowed on Catalina Island?
Generally, no. Visitors do not bring cars to Catalina Island. Instead, you'll leave your vehicle at the ferry terminal on the mainland and explore the island on foot, by golf cart, taxi, shuttle, bike, or other local transportation. Private vehicle ownership on Catalina is highly restricted, which is one of the reasons Avalon has such a relaxed, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
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