Four Days on Catalina Island with the Wandering Wizard

A Southern California island escape beyond the Pacific Northwest

The Wandering Wizard (Bob) joined his college roommate, Gregg, and slipped away from the Pacific Northwest drizzle to spend four early-spring days exploring Catalina Island, returning home Friday with stories of turquoise coves, island history, and evenings that felt like stepping back into 1930s coastal California.

Gregg and Bob

About 26 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina feels worlds away from Los Angeles traffic and even farther from the evergreen forests of the Northwest. With only about 4,000 residents—most living in Avalon—the island offers a rare blend of wilderness, resort charm, and living history.

Here’s what they discovered—and what you should know if Catalina is calling your name.

Getting to Catalina Island: Ferries, Timing, and Tips

The easiest way to reach Catalina Island is by high-speed ferry. Most travelers depart from:

• Long Beach

• San Pedro

• Dana Point

• Newport Beach

Trips typically take about one hour to Avalon, depending on your departure port.

The Wandering Wizard and Gregg boarded the ferry from Long Beach—a scenic ride with dolphins occasionally escorting the boat across the channel.

Typical one-way fares start around $42 for adults and $32 for children 2 to 11 years old, though prices vary by port, season, and upgrades.

Helpful ferry tips:

• Arrive at least one hour early for boarding

• Reserve tickets in advance (popular sailings fill quickly)

• Morning crossings maximize island time

• Expect multiple departures daily from major ports

Avalon: Catalina’s Storybook Harbor Town

 Avalon is Catalina’s heart—and the basecamp for most visitors.

The town feels Mediterranean in layout and pace. Cars are rare here; golf carts dominate the streets, and walking the waterfront becomes part of the rhythm of the island.

Highlights from Bob and Gregg’s stay included:

The Catalina Casino

Built in 1929 by William Wrigley Jr., the circular Art Deco landmark once hosted Hollywood premieres and dances in what was then the world’s largest circular ballroom without interior pillars.

Descanso Beach Club

A perfect place to unwind with a drink, kayak rental, or quiet afternoon beside clear water.

Avalon Bay Promenade

Especially magical at sunset, when sailboats rock gently in the harbor.

Wildlife, Wilderness, and the Unexpected Interior

If you join an inland eco-tour, you may spot:

• Catalina Island fox

• Bald eagles

• Coastal scrub habitats

• And yes—bison

The island’s bison herd traces back to animals brought over for a 1920s film shoot.

Seeing them roaming freely above the coastline is surreal—part prairie, part Pacific.

A Brief History of Catalina Island

Catalina’s past reads like a timeline of California itself.

Originally called Pimu by the Tongva people, the island later became a base for miners, smugglers, filmmakers, and military training operations during World War II.

The modern resort era began when chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. purchased controlling interest in the island in 1919 and invested heavily in developing Avalon as a destination for everyday travelers—not just elites.

In the 1970s, the Wrigley family helped protect tens of thousands of acres through the Catalina Island Conservancy, preserving the landscape visitors enjoy today.

As Bob and Gregg wandered Avalon’s waterfront in the soft evening light, it was easy to imagine they were walking the same shoreline as writers, movie stars, and musicians who helped shape the legend of Catalina Island long before their visit. Catalina has always attracted storytellers and adventurers—people drawn by clear water, big skies, and the feeling that something memorable is just about to happen. Some came to fish, some to write, and at least one teenager came away with a song that would make the island famous across America.

• Zane Grey (1872–1939) – The famed Western novelist owned a home in Avalon and spent many productive seasons writing there. He also helped popularize big-game fishing off Catalina, hosting adventurous expeditions that drew anglers from around the world.

  

• The Four Preps – Their 1958 hit 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) helped cement Catalina’s reputation as Southern California’s classic island getaway. The tune still echoes around Avalon today. One of the song’s writers and performers was still a teenager when he helped create the iconic “26 miles across the sea…” lyrics that made Catalina famous nationwide.

• Marilyn Monroe – Before becoming a Hollywood legend, she lived briefly on Catalina with her first husband during World War II when the island hosted military training operations.

• Charlie Chaplin – One of many early film-era celebrities who vacationed here when Catalina doubled as both a playground and filming location for silent-movie Hollywood.

Together, these figures helped shape Catalina’s identity as equal parts writers’ retreat, fishing frontier, and golden-age Hollywood escape—a legacy visitors can still feel walking Avalon’s waterfront today.

Beyond Avalon: Two Harbors and the Quiet Side of Catalina

While Avalon offers charm and convenience, Two Harbors delivers solitude.

Located at Catalina’s narrow isthmus, this tiny settlement is ideal for:

• kayaking

• hiking

• snorkeling

• camping

• quiet sunsets far from resort crowds

Visitors can travel between Avalon and Two Harbors by boat in about 40 minutes.

Popular Catalina Island Restaurants (Avalon)

Catalina Island has a surprisingly strong food scene for a small island—especially in Avalon, where most visitors stay. Here are some of the most popular and reliable restaurants you could highlight in your Daytrip NW article (with a mix of waterfront classics, local favorites, and newer spots).

Seafood favorites on the harbor

• Bluewater Grill

  One of Avalon’s signature waterfront restaurants, known for fresh sustainable seafood and views of Avalon Bay from its historic dockside location.

  Great for: sunset dinner, clam chowder, oysters, patio seating 

  
  

• The Lobster Trap

  A longtime local favorite serving fresh local fish, lobster bisque, steaks, and cocktails in a relaxed setting.

  Great for: casual dinner, hearty seafood, late-night kitchen 

  
  

Upscale dinner spots with views

• Avalon Grille

  

  A polished harbor-front restaurant featuring premium meats, line-caught fish, and the famous Wrigley Martini.

  Great for: romantic dinners, special occasions 

  
  

• M Restaurant

  A waterfront Italian-coastal restaurant known for handmade pastas, seafood, and sunset harbor views.

  Great for: date night or relaxed evening dining 

  
  

Casual island classics & local hangouts

• The Naughty Fox

  A newer Bellanca Hotel restaurant serving creative California cuisine and cocktails.

  Great for: brunch, cocktails, lighter fare 

  
  

• Luau Larry’s

  A colorful tiki-style Catalina institution famous for tropical drinks and laid-back vacation energy.

  Great for: fun island atmosphere (order a “Wiki Wacker”) 

  
  

• Maggie’s Blue Rose

  A reliable Mexican restaurant loved for enchiladas and harbor-adjacent seating.

  Great for: casual lunch or dinner 

  
  

Breakfast & quick bites worth mentioning

• Original Jack’s Country Kitchen

  A classic island breakfast stop popular with locals and visitors alike.

  
  

• Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co.

  A quieter café option tucked near the Metropole Marketplace—ideal for espresso and pastries before exploring town. 

  
  

A unique “only-on-Catalina” dining stop

• Airport in the Sky Restaurant

  Located high in the island interior near Catalina’s mountaintop airport, it’s famous for buffalo burgers and panoramic views. 

Why Catalina Works as a “Further Afield” Daytrip NW Destination

For Pacific Northwest travelers, Catalina offers something rare:

·       Sunshine in early spring

·       Warm coastal water tones

·       Island wildlife unlike anywhere in Washington or Oregon

·       A historic resort town that feels frozen in time

It’s also a reminder that the West Coast holds dramatically different landscapes within a short flight of Seattle or Portland.

As the Wandering Wizard observed while watching Avalon’s harbor lights shimmer after dinner one evening:

“Sometimes the best Northwest daytrip is the one that starts somewhere else entirely.”

Planning Your Own Catalina Island Getaway

Best trip length: 2–4 days (Bob and Gregg’s getaway was four days and they never ran out of things to do.)

Getting there: High-speed ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, or Newport Beach

Travel time: About 1 hour each way

When to go: Spring and fall offer fewer crowds and ideal hiking weather

Don’t miss:

• Catalina Casino tour

• Inland eco-jeep adventure

• Harbor sunset walk

• Snorkeling or kayaking

• A visit to Two Harbors

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