Island Hop from Newport Beach to Catalina Island for the Day
Your Travel Guide @ Beachview Vacations
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Island time is just a boat ride away! Catalina makes for the perfect day trip while vacationing in Newport Beach. You can zip-line past buffalo, hop on a submarine, and take in the beautiful sights of Avalon. And the best part of all? You can easily return to Newport Beach in time for your dinner reservation! Not bad for a day’s work.
Getting to Catalina Island
The easiest way to get to Catalina is by boat, specifically the large ferry known as the Catalina Flyer. For 365 days of the year, the Catalina Flyer departs from Newport harbor at 9:00am and transports its guests to beautiful Catalina by 10:15. During the hour-long trip, grab a bite from the cafe and enjoy uninterrupted views of the ocean from inside the vessel’s large cabin or from one of the top or back decks. For those prone to seasickness, it might be good to take some precautionary measures, but most folks find the trip to be smooth and relaxing. It’s typical, too, to spot dolphins leaping in the boat’s rear wakes, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these friendly locals. After a day of exploring the island, hop on the ferry again at 4:30 to return to Newport by 5:45pm. Roundtrip tickets are $70 for adults and $53 for kids ages 3-12.
MORE INFORMATION ON CATALINA ISLAND
400 Main Street, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Catalina from Newport Beach
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Exploring the town of Avalon:
As you approach Catalina by boat, you’ll see a picturesque town tucked inside a large, crescent-shaped harbor. This is Avalon, the main town and heartbeat of Catalina Island. It’s here you can walk along the waterfront main street to window shop, grab a bite from one of the many restaurants, play in the arcade, or order an ice cream cone. There is a narrow stretch of sand at the foot of Avalon that’s suitable for sunbathing and splashing in the water if you don’t mind the tight quarters. For more room to stretch out while sunning, take a short walk to Descanso Beach, which is adjacent to town and offers a beachside restaurant and bar, umbrellas, and lounge chairs for rent. It’s quite easy to spend the entire day exploring this postcard town and in fact many visitors do just that.
Descanso Beach Club: 1 Saint Catherine Way, Avalon, CA 90704
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The Catalina Casino: 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704
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Catalina Island Golf Course: 1 Country Club Dr, Avalon, CA 90704
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Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour: 1 St Catherine Way, Avalon, CA 90704
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Bison Expedition: meet at the Island tour Plaza, Avalon, CA 90707
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Land adventures on Catalina Island:
If you prefer to spend the day exploring the sites of Avalon, the top attraction is the most conspicuous landmark of all: The Casino. No longer an operating casino, this historical building still functions as an event venue and movie theater. The 45 minute tour of the building and its history is also a favorite activity of many visitors. But for some outdoor entertainment, try your hand at the Catalina Island Golf Course, the oldest course west of the Mississippi. It’s located on some of the most prime real estate on the island, with views of Avalon bay from hole to hole. For a more heart-pumping adventure, try out the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, a zip line course that weaves through a valley of eucalyptus, giving you a bird’s eye view of the ocean. During your two-hour adventure, your guide will also fill you in on the local flora and fauna that surrounds you, giving you an up-close Catalina experience. If you want to get out of the town’s zip code, brave the Bison Expedition, an open air biofuel Hummer tour through the island’s inner terrain. You’ll spot the 150 furry descendants of the original bison that were introduced to these shores for a movie shoot in the 1920’s.
Water adventures on Catalina Island
What’s an afternoon of island hopping without some one-on-one time with the ocean? Catalina has a fleet of boat and water tours that will cause you to fall in love with the clear Pacific waters. A favorite of visitors is the Glass Bottom Boat tour, which exposes you to underwater sea life without the need to get your hair wet. But if you prefer to get in on the action, there are snorkels for rent at Descanso Beach with nearby kelp beds to explore with bright orange garibaldi and their fishy friends chomping on snacks of seaweed. Joe’s Rent-a-Boat also offers kayaks and motor boats if you want to captain your own expedition to the nearby coves and beaches.
Glass Bottom Boat tour: 1 Cabrillo Dr, Avalon, CA 90704
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Joe’s Rent-a-Boat: 410–450 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
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All in a day’s work…
While it’s easy to explore the best of Catalina in a single day, you’ll most likely be in desperate need of a comfy place to unwind after all that adventuring. Check out this collection of family favorite beach houses to rent in Newport Beach, which will surely be the cherry on top to your day of island hopping.
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