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Catalina Island: when your ship stops here

The Casino with no gambling, the garden up the canyon, and the glass bottom boats; Two Harbors is 18 miles away.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Santa Catalina Island lies 22 miles (35 km) off the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater, and ships call at the town of Avalon, where about 93 percent of the island's 3,715 people live. There is no pier for them: a ship anchors about 1,000 feet off Avalon Harbor and tenders run you in. Cars are so limited that the wait list to bring one over is 25 years, so everyone moves by golf cart and on foot. The Catalina Island Conservancy looks after about 88 percent of the island.

Sources: Wikipedia: Avalon, California; Wikipedia: Santa Catalina Island (California)

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Catalina Casino

    The round white landmark at the north end of the harbour, opened on 29 May 1929 and as tall as a 12 storey building. Casino meant a gathering place: there has never been any gambling. Downstairs is the 1,154 seat Avalon Theatre, the first built for talking pictures, with its original pipe organ; upstairs is the world's largest circular ballroom, a 180 foot (55 m) dance floor for 3,000 dancers. The theatre is open for daily tours.

    Tip: The tour is the way to see the ballroom and the organ.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Catalina Casino; Wikipedia: Avalon, California

  2. 2. Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden

    About 1.7 miles up Avalon Canyon from the ferry terminal, 38 acres of plants found only on California's Channel Islands, six of them only on Catalina, around the memorial to chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., who bought control of the island company in 1919. The memorial, finished in 1934, is built of concrete set with island stones, blue flagstone from Little Harbor and red tiles from the Catalina Pottery. Run by the Conservancy, open daily 8 am to 5 pm.

    Tip: The walk up takes about 45 minutes. A free shuttle runs from the Trailhead Visitor Center about every 40 minutes when staff allow.

    Sources: Catalina Island Conservancy: Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden; Wikipedia: Santa Catalina Island (California)

  3. 3. Lovers Cove and Descanso Beach

    Lovers Cove, a marine reserve just south of the bay, is where the glass bottom boats go and where snorkellers see the fish without a boat at all. On the other side of the Casino, Descanso Beach is a private beach club run by the island company, with a zip line above it.

    Tip: The visitor centre on the Green Pleasure Pier, in the middle of the harbour, is open 364 days a year: ask there first.

    Source: Wikipedia: Avalon, California

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Catalina Island

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Catalina Island, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Catalina Island

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Catalina Island on the way.

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