The news is in! Gratitude lists are an effective way to change your perspective and change your life. To get you started, here are 11 things we’re grateful for on Catalina Island.

The island keeps getting greener. Catalina Island is working hard toward a greener tomorrow. In Avalon, the island’s only city, the City Council voted to ban polystyrene packaging and plastic straws beginning in 2019. Water conservation continues to be a focus, with residents conserving water – and encouraging water conservation -- whether there’s a declared drought or not. And the Catalina Island Conservancy works diligently to ensure that the island will be an undeveloped wilderness for generations to come.

It’s the perfect place to celebrate. Wedding, anniversary or birthday – no matter what the occasion, Catalina Island offers the ideal way to commemorate life’s milestones. Plan an unforgettable destination wedding on Catalina Island, escape with your true love on a romantic anniversary getaway or get your crew together for a Catalina birthday extravaganza.

You can satisfy any palate. From burgers on the beach to multi-course culinary adventures, Catalina Island restaurants offer something for everyone. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, your appetite will be satiated and your palate pleased.

It’s easy to get to Catalina Island. Catalina Island ferries depart several times a day and helicopter service is available from a number of Southern California airports. Need more options? Visitors also arrive via private boat, cruise ship and private plane.

There’s always something new to discover. From new shops to new tours and new experiences to new restaurants, Catalina Island continually offers something novel to explore – while preserving the one-of-a-kind seaside charm that appeals to millions of visitors.

Special events are truly special. Throughout the year, the Catalina Island events calendar overflows with festivals, concerts, races and runs. Just a few that we look forward to every year include New Year’s Eve in the Casino Ballroom, An Evening with Oscar, the Taste Around of Avalon, Fourth of July, the Catalina Festival of Art, JazzTrax, the Catalina Island Triathlon and Shop Catalina night.

There are lots of ways to give back. No matter what your interests, Catalina Island offers myriad ways to give back, including the Catalina Island Museum, Catalina Island Conservancy, Catalina Island Women’s Forum, Catalina Island Medical Center Foundation, Catalina Island Humane Society, Avalon Rotary Club and the Avalon Lions – just to name a few.

The things to do on Catalina Island are never-ending. It doesn’t matter how many times you visit or how often you stay, finding something to do is never a problem. Catalina tours offer culinary, cultural and educational experiences, Catalina Island activities range from high-octane to high-relaxation and Catalina Island shopping is a never-ending treasure hunt of great shops, quaint boutiques and intriguing galleries.

Catalina keeps the creativity flowing. Catalina Island has been the subject of thousands of paintings, hundreds of sculptures and un-told millions of photographs. It doesn’t matter what your artistic experience is, thanks to some creative Catalina Island activities, you can let the island inspire you as well. Some of the many creative activities on Catalina Island include create your own Catalina tile with the Catalina Tile Experience, painting a mini-masterpiece while enjoying wine with RainDanceArt and testing out your camera’s capabilities while pursuing the perfect Instagram shot – don’t forget to #CatalinaIsland.

Plunging into the past at the Catalina Island Museum There’s always something fun happening at the Catalina Island Museum, whether it’s a new exhibit, a fascinating historical display or a compelling special event.

Preserving the island with the Catalina Island Conservancy We’re always grateful for the Catalina Island Conservancy, which protects the island from development, ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the undeveloped wilderness that is Catalina’s wildlands. In late 2018, the Conservancy will open The Trailhead, a new facility for wildlands education and information.