Fall is the perfect time to discover the island
Words by LESLEY McKENZIE
As summer fades, Catalina Island comes into its own, offering a serene escape from the mainland’s hustle without the usual tourist crowds. With its golden light, cooler temperatures, and unmatched natural beauty, autumn is the perfect time to explore this coastal gem. Fall also brings fewer visitors to the island, making it ideal for peaceful hikes, uncrowded beaches, and intimate meals at waterfront destinations, all against the backdrop of dramatic cliffs and lush hills.
Getting There
Year-round, the Catalina Express whisks travelers from the Southern California coast to shores of Catalina Island in just under an hour. With departures from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point, expect breathtaking ocean vistas — and perhaps even a dolphin sighting — en route. For additional privacy, priority check-in, and complimentary refreshments, consider prebooking the Commodore or Captain’s private lounges. One-way fares from Long Beach to Avalon starting at $42.
Stay
Step into the airy lobby of the newly reimagined Hotel Atwater, a destination since 1920, where island-inspired décor, historical design elements, and homegrown hospitality nod to the property’s deep Catalina roots. Complimentary luggage service from the ferry terminal ensures a seamless arrival. Rooms from $220. 125 Sumner Ave.
Eat and Drink
Perched on Catalina’s postcard-perfect waterfront, M Restaurant offers unparalleled views and a coastal Italian menu that pays homage to its island setting. From locally sourced seafood to organic, grass-fed meats, seasonal, sustainable ingredients define dishes such as lobster linguini, stuffed portobello mushrooms, and charred octopus served with Mediterranean chimichurri. 205 Crescent Ave.
A stone’s throw from Avalon Bay, Avalon Grille merges island style with modern elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto the harbor, allowing you to savor views of the boats coming in while pregaming on signature cocktails such as the Wrigley Martini, which is famed for its extra kick. Leaning into the restaurant’s coastal California roots, the menu is centered around meat, locally caught fish, and farm-fresh produce, with options spanning bison steak frites to pan-seared scallops. 423 Crescent Ave.
Located inside the Bellanca hotel and boasting enviable views of Avalon Bay, Naughty Fox is Catalina Island’s newest waterfront dining addition. With floor-to-ceiling folding doors and windows that beckon the ocean breeze in, this all-day coastal haven serves up a menu of elevated seaside classics and casual café fare, including ahi poke nachos and a lobster BLT loaded with a beer-battered lobster tail and spicy whipped avocado. The vibe? A fusion of barefoot luxury and modern coastal cool, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch with a view. 111 Crescent Ave.
Spend a sun-drenched afternoon at the Descanso Beach Club, one of Catalina’s calling cards. Situated just beyond Catalina’s iconic Casino, it’s home to one of the last private beaches in California that’s open to the public, meaning you can sip a cocktail here with your toes in the sand. Come hungry for a meal at the island’s only beachside restaurant or dine in the privacy of your own cabana, complete with a beach butler. When it’s time to cool off, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, where you can also try your hand at snorkeling and kayaking. 1 St. Catherine Way
Another newcomer on Avalon’s prized waterfront swath, Pier 24 pays tribute to the legendary Steamer Pier, once the bustling gateway for visitors arriving aboard William Wrigley’s cross-channel vessels. Today its open-air dining spaces and panoramic harbor views offer a laid-back and nostalgic setting for tucking into crowd-pleasers such as the double smash burger and short rib grilled cheese alongside craft cocktails like the boozy Buffalo Milk milkshake. 230 Crescent Ave.
Play
Step back in time at the Catalina Casino with the self-guided General Admission Tour, where history unfolds through John Gabriel Beckman’s vivid murals, artfully framing the Avalon Theatre’s hand-restored grandeur. Built in 1929, this architectural masterpiece, stitched into the fabric of Catalina, dazzles with Art Deco elegance, solid walnut panels, and Tiffany-esque lighting. Above the theater, the famed Wrigley Ballroom and the Romance Promenade offer sprawling views of Avalon, a nod to the property’s glamorous past. 1 Casino Way
Soak up the natural beauty of Catalina’s rugged, movie set–worthy landscape with a newly debuted three-and-a-half hour tour offering a rare glimpse of the recently renovated El Rancho Escondido, the Wrigley family’s storied ranch built in 1930. Explore the classic, nearly century-old Spanish-style courtyard and stables, and take in the property’s history as a champion-breeding Arabian horse ranch. At the newly built Bishop’s Chapel, marvel at the views of the ocean as well as the ranch’s vineyards below, where Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel grapes are grown for the Rusack Vineyards family venture. Horseback riding will be available in the fall, when the ranch reopens its stables. $179 per person.
Discover Catalina’s untouched natural beauty with the Airport Loop hike, a three-hour privately guided adventure with Catalina Backcountry through the island’s wild terrain. For $450 (up to six hikers), the tour includes transport from Avalon, an hourlong, 2.8-mile loop hike around Airport in the Sky — complete with sightings of the island’s majestic bison, if you’re lucky — and a posthike bite at the Airport Cafe.
Getting Around
Given that only a limited number of residents and businesses are permitted to drive full-size vehicles on the island, a golf cart rental through Catalina Island Golf Carts is the perfect mode of transport for discovering the island at your own pace. Meander along the coastline, stopping at scenic viewpoints for stunning shots of Avalon Bay. Don’t miss stops like Mt. Ada, the Botanical Garden, Chimes Tower, and Descanso Beach. Four-passenger golf cart rental for two hours starting at $130.
Feature image: PHOTO: Catalina Express.
September 16, 2024
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