10 Fun Things To Do On Catalina Island

POSTED ON JUNE 8, 2017

 

Santa Catalina Island is a beautiful quiet island located southwest of Los Angeles. If you’re looking for a mellow and relaxed place, look nowhere else, you’ll love it here. Check out our list of fun activities to do in Catalina.

 

1. Explore the Island on a Golf Cart

Renting a golf cart to explore the island is fun and convenient. You can certainly explore on foot, but if you want to get a tour of the whole island, we recommend you rent a golf cart at any of the renting locations available. A four passenger cart is $45 dollars for an hour.

 

The carts are very easy to drive and you can pace yourself and stop by to take photos of the amazing views at any time you like. You can pick up a map of the island for a recommended drive guide.

 

2. Get a Massage

What better way to relax at the island than to get a massage? As soon as we got to the island, we checked into our hotel and headed over for a couple’s massage. There are many massage parlors at very reasonable prices. You’ll be tempted to book more than one appointment. We got a great deal package that included our hotel, the ride to and from the island, and a couple’s massage.

 

3. Try the Fresh Seafood Flavors of the Island

You cannot go wrong with the seafood in Catalina as it is very fresh and delicious. We had poke salad, fish and shrimp tacos, and calamari sandwiches all in different restaurants and we could not complain. The quality of the food is great and you will not go hungry here.

 

4. Hiking the Wrigley Memorial Stairway

To get your heart racing, we suggest you climb the stairway that leads to the original place where the legendary chewing gum icon William Wrigley was first buried. This outdoor stairway will not only give you a great leg workout, but you will also get to see spectacular views of the island. You’ll be happy to walk downhill!

 

5. Visit the Casino/Theater

You can walk to the $2 million dollar casino for a fun and entertaining activity. Although this landmark is known as a casino, there’s no gambling involved here. The Casino has a movie theater, a ballroom, and a museum. You can take a 40-minute tour of the casino for about $13 dollars.

 

6. Diving, Kayaking, and Snorkeling
Water sports are very popular in Catalina. Unfortunately we were not able to do any of these sports as we visited the island for a few days only. There are packages available so make sure to do your research if you’re planning on doing any of these adventures.

7. Enjoy an Ice Cream and Window Shop

Catalina is such a cute little town with dozens of little souvenir shops that invite guests to stop and admire the beautiful artifacts being displayed. Get yourself an ice cream and walk along the streets while you enjoy watching the people and explore the magic of this mellow town.

 

8. Relax on the Beach

If you visit during summer, you may be able to lay down at the beach and work on your sun tan. We visited in late November and although we went to the beach, it was too cold to take our bathing suits out. On a side note, the beaches are very clean, beautiful, and inviting.

 

9. Go Camping
If you enjoy camping, Catalina has this option for you. The three campgrounds are Two Harbors, Hermit Gulch, and Parsons Landing Campgrounds. Keep in mind, pets are not allowed at these campgrounds, so you’ll have to leave your furry ones at home. It is recommended that you book your campground ahead of time as these tend to get booked fast. There is a safari bus that will transport you to the campgrounds.

10. Go Zip Lining!
For an adrenaline rush, check out the Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour. This was voted a top thing to do in Catalina and people are never disappointed. Make sure you allow at least a couple of hours to do this activity as there can be a wait depending on the number of people zip lining.