Hello 2024! The new year brings new opportunities and a new chance to explore and experience Catalina Island. With so much to do on Catalina Island, you may have a hard time knowing where to begin.
We put together a list of 24 things to do on Catalina Island in 2024.
1. Rent a Golf Cart.
Perhaps one of the most iconic and popular things to do on Catalina is rent a golf cart. It's easy to explore the hills surrounding Avalon and take in scenic vistas on a golf cart tour. For a personalized experience, hop on a guided golf cart tour and learn history, landmarks and secret spots from a local.
2. Explore the Catalina Island Museum for Art & History
Discover the intriguing and unique history of Catalina Island. From early explorers, to the Wrigley Family to our Hollywood History, you'll find that and more at the Catalina Island Museum.
3. Attend the Catalina Wine Mixer
Did we just become best friends? Catalina Island is home to the original Catalina Wine Mixer. The first Catalina Island Mixer took place in 2015, loosely modeled after a scene in the famous Will Ferrell movie Step Brothers.
4. Play a round of golf at the Catalina Golf Course
Touted as the oldest operating golf course west of the Mississippi, you can play nine holes at this iconic course that Tiger Woods once played.
5.Go Parasailing
Get some air... literally. Catalina is serene and peaceful at 800 ft. above sea level.
6. Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail
The 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail is on many hikers' bucket lists. You can hike the entire trail or do short day hikes on this iconic island traverse.
7. Relax with a Spa Day
Relax and unwind in the new year. After an exciting day of adventuring, relax with a soothing massage, facial or acupressure treatment.
8. Take a Bison Tour
One of the most interesting and unique things about Catalina is its bison herd. Take a tour into the interior of the island and see if you can spot one of these majestic beasts.
9. Attend Taste Around Avalon
This annual event is a taste sensation. Taste bites from over 20 Avalon restaurants and vote for your favorite.
10. Take a helicopter tour
Explore the coastline of Catalina Island by air. A Catalina Heli tour offers exceptional birds eye views.
11. Try out the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour
Starting 600 feet above Descanso Beach Club, with the beautiful Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, you’ll zigzag across canyons and through groves of eucalyptus at speeds approaching 35 mph.
12. Learn to SCUBA dive
Catalina Island attracts divers from far and wide with its clear water and variety of Marine Protected Areas. Many consider Catalina Island to be the best spot in Southern California for diving, with dives varying from easy to advanced.
13. Camp in Two Harbors
This seaside campground offers beautiful views of Isthmus Cove, along with easy access to town, the ferry and the Trans-Catalina Trail. Groups site, individual sites and tent cabins are available.
14. Hike to Ballast Point
This heart pounding west end hike offers unbelievable 360 degree views, looking out over Cat Harbor, Two Harbors and Isthmus Cove.
15. Explore Avalon's neighborhoods
Avalon has unique and interesting architecture. Explore our quaint neighborhoods on foot and get a feel for this idyllic island.
16. Go on a ocean wildlife tour
The waters surrounding Catalina Island are home to an abundance of wildlife. Get up on the ocean and search for dolphins, flying fish and sea lions.
17. Enjoy a beach day at Descanso Beach Club
One of the few places in California where you can have a drink in your hand and your feet in the sand. Rent a cabana, chaise lounge, dine seaside or just chill at the beach.
18. Tour the world-famous Catalina Casino
Built in 1929 as a "place of gathering," there has never been any gambling at this iconic Catalina Island building. See a movie in the Avalon Theatre, attend an event in the ballroom or just tour around the building and marvel at this art deco masterpiece.
19. Swim like a Mermaid
Catalina Island Mermaids offer guests a chance to become a mermaid for a day. Book a photoshoot or take one of their PADI SCUBA mermaid classes.
20. Stay in a unique hotel or home
Catalina offers a variety of unique hotels and vacation rentals. Stay in the flats in quaint bungalow, wake up to an ocean view at Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel, stay oceanfront at Hotel Metropole or wrap yourself in luxury at Mt Ada. Our variety of accommodations will impress the most discerning travelers.
21. Attend Catalina Island JazzTrax
The longest running Smooth Jazz festival in the World...since 1987. JazzTrax takes place over two consecutive October weekends with events in the Casino Ballroom and Unplugged Under the Stars at Descanso Beach Club.
22. Feel like a kid again with our summer programming.
Beach Bingo, Movies on the Beach, Sunday Wellness, Fitness Fridays, and Art in the Park are just some of the fun free things to do during our summer months.
23. Kick of your holiday shopping at Shop Catalina.
Get in the holiday spirit with our Shop Catalina Holiday Kick Off. This shopping extravaganza kicks off the season with our holiday tree lighting followed by a month-long shopping event with rarely seen discounts at local Catalina Island shops and boutiques.
24. Ring in the New Year at our Annual New Year's Eve Gala
Ring in 2025 at this extraordinary event - a sparkling night of evening gowns, tuxedos, champagne, dining, and dancing - all at the one and only New Year's Eve Gala Celebration in the world-famous Casino Ballroom on Catalina Island.
