Catalina Island in 2 Days: A Guide to the Best of Avalon and Beyond

So you’ve made it to Catalina Island, or you're planning your escape—nice choice. Whether you’re in for a day or two, I promise this little rock in the Pacific has enough beauty, adventure, and weirdly awesome experiences to make you want to come back again and again.

I’ve been visiting Catalina for years, and every time I step off that ferry into Avalon, I’m hit with that unique combo of coastal calm and California-casual charm. If you’ve got 24–48 hours, here’s what I’d tell my friends to do—straight from someone who’s done it all (more than once).

🎯 Catalina Falconry Experience

Why it’s special: I never expected to have a bird of prey land on my arm on Catalina—but wow. This was easily one of the most unique things I’ve done on the island. You’ll meet falcons, hawks, and owls while learning about ancient hunting traditions that go back thousands of years.

Duration: About 45 minutes to an hour.
Local tip: Book this early—there are limited sessions, and it fills up fast. The setting is beautiful too, right by Descanso Beach, so plan time to hang out there after.

🏝️ Rent a Golf Cart and Cruise to the Botanical Garden

Renting a golf cart is practically a rite of passage on Catalina. It’s how locals and tourists get around Avalon, and it’s honestly just fun. I always recommend heading up to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden. It’s about a 30-minute scenic drive if you take it slow (which you should).

The garden features native plants and desert flora, and the view from the top is killer. It's quiet, peaceful, and makes you feel like you’re on a desert island far from the mainland.

Duration: Rent the cart for at least 2 hours.
Tip: Go in the morning when it's cooler, and don’t forget a reusable water bottle—the walk up to the memorial has a bit of an incline.

🐠 Snorkeling or Scuba at Casino Point

I always tell people, even if you’ve never snorkeled or scuba’d before—do it here. Casino Point is a marine protected area, and it’s seriously one of the best places to see underwater life in SoCal.

The bright orange garibaldi, the thick kelp forests swaying underwater, and even the occasional octopus make it feel like another world. Most dive shops offer beginner-friendly options, including “try dives” with a certified instructor.

Duration: Snorkeling can be as short as 45 minutes; intro scuba dives last 2–3 hours total.
Tip: Rent a wetsuit if you’re snorkeling—it’s cooler than you think, even in summer. And bring a GoPro if you want to show off later.

🍹 4. Sip a Buffalo Milk at Luau Larry's

You haven’t truly done Catalina until you’ve had a Buffalo Milk. It's not dairy from an actual buffalo, I promise—this legendary island cocktail is a frosty blend of banana liqueur, Kahlua, vodka, cream, and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Think: tropical milkshake for grown-ups.

Why it’s special: The drink is tasty, but the experience is what sells it. Luau Larry’s is the kind of place where people let loose, laugh loud, and wear paper hats unironically. You might even get “wiki-wacked”—just go with it.

Duration: 30–60 minutes (depending on how many Buffalo Milks you order 😉)
Local tip: Get your drink, grab a patio seat overlooking the water, and just soak it in. It’s the ultimate people-watching perch.

🦅 5. Take a Jeep Tour to See the Bison

Here’s the thing no one expects about Catalina: there are actual bison roaming around the hills. They were brought here for a movie in the 1920s and never left (Hollywood, right?). You can spot them by joining a Jeep Eco Tour or a rugged Humvee Expedition that takes you deep into the island’s interior.

Why it’s special: It’s like going on a mini safari with ocean views. One minute you’re climbing a dusty ridge, and the next you're nose-to-snout with a 2,000-pound beast just doing its thing.

Duration: 2–3 hours
Local tip: Bring layers—even if it’s sunny in Avalon, the inland can get windy and cool. And don’t forget your camera—those views are unreal.

🌯 6. Grab a Bison Burger at the Airport in the Sky

This is one of those quirky Catalina must-dos that sounds weird but ends up being totally worth it. The Airport in the Sky isn’t just a cool name—it’s actually perched up in the hills with an insane panoramic view and a café that serves the juiciest bison burgers you’ve ever had.

Why it’s special: There’s something wild about biting into a bison burger while actual bison are somewhere in the hills around you. Plus, the ride up is just as much fun as the meal.

Duration: About 2 hours total (including shuttle time and a leisurely lunch)
Local tip: Sit outside on the deck and watch tiny planes take off and land—you might even spot a Catalina fox wandering by.

🛥️ 7. Explore Two Harbors & Harbor Sands

If Avalon is Catalina’s “main street,” then Two Harbors is its chill cousin that ditched the crowds for hammocks and rum punches. Located on the island's narrow isthmus, it feels like stepping into a totally different vibe—quieter, wilder, and beautifully simple.

Why it’s special: You can literally walk across the island from one ocean to the other in under 20 minutes. The beach at Harbor Sands is pure relaxation—rent a beach chair, order a cold drink, and just be.

Duration: Plan for at least half a day
Local tip: Take the Catalina Express or Cyclone boat to get there. Boats return late afternoon, so keep an eye on the schedule unless you want to spend the night (which, honestly, wouldn’t be the worst thing).

🧜 8. Zip Line Eco Tour

Adrenaline meets postcard views on the Zip Line Eco Tour. You’ll zip down five different lines, some over 300 feet in the air, with views of the ocean, hills, and canyons that’ll make your heart race—in a good way.

Why it’s special: It’s not just a zip line; it’s a ride through Catalina’s wild side. The guides throw in cool facts about island ecology and wildlife between jumps, so you leave a little smarter too.

Duration: About 2 hours
Local tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a hair tie if you’ve got long hair. And don’t forget to smile for the photo—you’ll want to frame this one.

🏌️ 9. Play a Round of Mini Golf in Avalon

Now, hear me out—mini golf might not sound like a must-do on a remote island, but Catalina’s Golf Gardens Miniature Golf course is something special. It’s tucked just behind Crescent Avenue in Avalon and has been around since the 1930s. It’s lush, shaded, and has that old-school vacation vibe that makes you feel like a kid again.

Why it’s special: It’s not flashy, but it’s fun. The holes are genuinely well-designed—challenging but not frustrating—and the setting is surprisingly peaceful. Plus, it’s one of those rare activities everyone from kids to grandparents can get into.

Duration: About 45 minutes to 1 hour
Local tip: Go late afternoon after a beach day or before dinner when it’s cooler and less crowded. And if you're feeling competitive—yes, there’s a hole-in-one plaque.

🍽️ 10. Dinner at The Lobster Trap

After a day of adventuring, you need food that satisfies. For me, that’s always The Lobster Trap. It’s not fancy, but it’s real. The vibe is beach-town casual, the seafood is fresh, and their lobster rolls are buttery perfection.

Why it’s special: The Lobster Trap feels like the kind of place where everyone’s a local—even if they’re not. You’ll eat well, drink well, and maybe even make some new friends.

Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Local tip: Go early or expect a wait. The locals know this spot is gold, and it fills up fast on weekends.

🦈 11. Night Semi-Submarine Tour

You think Catalina’s pretty by day? Wait until you see it underwater at night. The semi-submarine tour lets you stay dry while you peer out windows just below the surface—like an aquarium where you’re the fish.

Why it’s special: At night, the ocean feels otherworldly. You’ll see schools of fish, rays, and sometimes even small sharks gliding through the shadows. The glow from the boat’s lights creates a whole new mood down there.

Duration: 45–60 minutes
Local tip: Don’t sit too far back—grab a seat close to the windows for the best views. And bring a light jacket; it gets breezy once the sun dips.

🗓️ 2-Day Catalina Island Itinerary

🌀 Day 1: Classic Avalon Adventures

🕘 9:00 AM – Golf Cart Ride to Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden

• Rent your golf cart and head uphill to the garden.
• Enjoy 30–40 mins at the memorial and garden.
• Tip: Bring water—it gets warm fast.

🕥 10:30 AM – Return to Avalon & Drop Off Cart

🕚 11:00 AM – Snorkeling or Intro Scuba at Casino Point

• Snorkel rental or dive shop check-in, plus time in the water.
• Intro dive includes brief training + guided dive.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours for snorkeling, 2–2.5 hours for diving

🕐 1:00 PM – Lunch at the Avalon Pier (Fish Tacos + Chill)

• Grab tacos and a drink, eat with a view
• Duration: 45–60 minutes

🕑 2:00 PM – Catalina Falconry Experience

• Walk or cart to Descanso Beach Club area
• Hands-on falconry program with owls, hawks, falcons
• Duration: ~1 hour

🕒 3:30 PM – Afternoon Chill or Descanso Beach Lounge Time (Optional)

• Swim, rent a chair, grab a beach cocktail
• Optional add-on before evening plans

🕔 5:00 PM – Happy Hour at Luau Larry’s (Buffalo Milk Time)

• Grab a classic Catalina drink and relax before dinner
• Duration: ~30–45 minutes

🕕 6:00 PM – Dinner at The Lobster Trap

• Try the lobster roll or grilled fish with island flair
• Duration: ~1 hour

🕖 7:30 PM – Mini Golf at Golf Gardens

• A fun wind-down after dinner, close to the beach
• Duration: ~45 minutes

🕗 8:30 PM – Night Semi-Submarine Tour

• Depart from Avalon Harbor, see nighttime marine life
• Duration: ~1 hour
• Alternative: Flying Fish Boat Ride (similar time slot)

🌄 Day 2: Wild Catalina & Elevated Experiences

🕘 9:00 AM – Jeep Bison Tour or Ridgetop Eco Adventure

• Hotel pickup or tour meeting spot in Avalon
• Explore Catalina’s wild interior, spot bison & ocean views
• Duration: ~2–2.5 hours

🕚 11:30 AM – Shuttle to Airport in the Sky

• Scenic drive up into the hills
• Grab a table and enjoy that bison burger
• Duration at the airport: ~1 hour
• Return to Avalon by 1:30–1:45 PM

🕑 2:00 PM – Zip Line Eco Tour (Adventure Option)

• Check-in near Descanso Beach, suited up and briefed
• Soar over canyon ridges and trees
• Duration: ~2 hours total

🕓 4:00 PM – Free Time / Optional Two Harbors Ferry (if skipping zipline)

• Ferry departs around 2:15–2:30 PM, returns ~5:00–5:30 PM
• Chill at Harbor Sands with beach chairs + cocktail

🕕 6:00 PM – Dinner at Antonio’s or Naughty Fox

• Pizza & pasta on the pier at Antonio’s
• Or modern seafood & cocktails at Naughty Fox
• Duration: ~1–1.5 hours

🕗 7:30 PM – Walk the Pier, Grab Ice Cream, or Arcade Fun

• Avalon has an old-school arcade with mini-bowling
• Great for kids or a fun laugh with friends

⚓ Travel Notes & Tips

• Avalon is very walkable. Most of Day 1 is within a 5–10 minute walk radius.
• Book tours ahead of time, especially ziplining, falconry, and eco tours.
• Golf carts rent in 2-hour increments, perfect for a morning cruise.
• Airport and Two Harbors require a bit more planning—check return times!

Why Catalina Keeps Me Coming Back

No matter how many times I visit Catalina, it always finds a new way to surprise me. One day it’s bison in the hills, the next it’s quiet underwater stillness or a sunset walk on the pier.

You don’t have to do everything—just enough to feel the island’s rhythm. Trust me, once you do, you’ll already be planning your return.