Region

Catalina Island

Go as a day trip from Long Beach or San Pedro; sleep over only if you want the interior or Two Harbors.

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Key facts · United States

Best months: May–Oct
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: US dollar (USD, $)
Language: English
Plugs: A · B · 120 V
Time zone: Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10

Month by month hereIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Catalina is one island with two front doors. Avalon, 22 miles off the mainland, holds nearly all the beds, restaurants and tours; Two Harbors is a near-empty isthmus village with one restaurant and a campground. Ferries run from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach; published crossings run about 1 h 5 min from Long Beach, 1 h 15 min from San Pedro, 1 h 15 min from Newport Beach and roughly 1 h 30 min from Dana Point (check). Summer weekend sailings sell out — book the crossing before the room. A day trip covers Avalon on foot; an overnight adds the interior, the zip line and quiet mornings before the first boat lands.

Sleep

Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it

Where to sleep

2 places in this region

Sleep base

AvalonCity guide
Ferry landing, hotels, restaurants, Casino and dive park.
Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND
Open Avalon →

Day trip

Two HarborsPlanned
Isthmus village, campground, boat-in coves; one ferry from San Pedro.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.

Night sequences

0 nights: Day trip: morning ferry to Avalon, walk the waterfront and Casino, afternoon ferry back
1 nights: Avalon 1 night: interior tour or zip line on day two, late ferry out
2 nights: Avalon 2 nights, or Avalon 1 + Two Harbors 1 for hiking and quiet

Summer weekend ferries and Avalon beds sell out; book both before you plan the rest.
The crossing is open water — if you get seasick, take the morning boat and sit outside.
Golf carts are not allowed on all roads and cannot leave Avalon; the interior is tour-only.
Cell coverage is patchy in the interior and around Two Harbors.

Day-trips door to door

To	From	Door-to-door p50	Last return	Note
Two Harbors	Avalon	90 min	unknown	No road across the island for visitors; go by ferry, tour boat or the seasonal Cyclone shuttle — check days.
Interior (Airport in the Sky, bison country)	Avalon	180 min	unknown	Tour or guided hike only; the interior roads are closed to casual traffic.

Bags between cities

No luggage forwarding; carry bags on the ferry and expect a walk or short taxi from the pier to your hotel.

When and how

Months, arrival and passes

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

Only good-now countries

Country	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
Avalon	×	×	ok	go	go	go	×	×	go	go	ok	×
United States (country-wide)	ok	ok	go	go	go	go	ok	ok	go	go	ok	ok

Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Avalon and the coastSheltered east end and Avalon Bay	cool	cool	ok	ok	best	best	best	best	best	best	ok	cool

best: dry, mildok: workablecool: jacket, grey

Avalon and the coast: Mild year-round, roughly 15–25 °C; rain falls mostly December–March. May–October is the dry, sunny stretch; summer mornings can sit under a marine layer that burns off by midday.Mild year-round, roughly 59–77 °F; rain falls mostly December–March. May–October is the dry, sunny stretch; summer mornings can sit under a marine layer that burns off by midday.

The island is drier and sunnier than the mainland coast. Spring and autumn give the best mix of warm water, clear trails and thinner crowds; winter is quiet with limited ferry and tour schedules.

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate

From	To	How	p50	Note
Long Beach	Avalon	Catalina Express ferry	~1 h 5 min	Most frequent mainland route; walk-on only, book ahead in summer.
San Pedro	Avalon	Catalina Express ferry	~1 h 15 min	Also the departure point for the Two Harbors boat — check which days it runs.
Dana Point	Avalon	Catalina Express ferry	~1 h 30 min	Useful from Orange County and San Diego; fewer sailings than Long Beach.
Newport Beach	Avalon	Catalina Flyer ferry	~1 h 15 min	Morning out, late-afternoon back; reduced service in December–February, so check the schedule.
San Pedro or Long Beach	Avalon (Pebbly Beach)	Helicopter	~15 min flight	Lands about a mile from town; arrange a taxi or shuttle on landing.

Regional passes

Verdict first

Round-trip ferry ticket

buy

Cheaper than two one-ways on most routes; fares vary by departure port and season — check current fares (2026 estimate).

Conservancy membership

check

Only worth it if you plan several interior hikes or tours; check current member benefits.

Golf cart rental

buy

The practical way to see Avalon's hill streets with a group; hourly rates add up fast, so share one cart.

Eat and move on

Regional food

Where and when it works

Dish	Where	Timing / trap
Fish and chips, clam chowder	Avalon waterfront	Lunch queues build after the morning ferry lands; eat before noon or after 14:00.Lunch queues build after the morning ferry lands; eat before noon or after 2:00 PM.
Buffalo-milk ice cream	Avalon	A local signature; small shop, so expect a line in the afternoon.
Bison burger	Avalon and Two Harbors	The island herd descends from animals left after a 1920s film shoot.
Harbour-view seafood	Two Harbors	One main restaurant at the isthmus; hours are limited — check before you sail.

Go next

Avalon

Ferry landing and main base

Where nearly all beds and tours are.

Two Harbors

planned

Ferry from San Pedro, ~1 h 30 min

Quiet isthmus; campground and boat-in coves.

South Bay

planned

Ferry terminals at San Pedro and Long Beach

The mainland gateway for the island.

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Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Sources

officialCatalina Chamber of Commerce
officialCatalina Conservancy
officialCatalina Express ferry
officialLove Catalina Island (visitor site)
officialNOAA climate normals for Avalon
secondaryWikivoyage: Catalina Island, revision 5320416 (CC BY-SA 4.0)