Budget ideas for day trip to Catalina Island

[kimmie]

We would like to go to Catalina Island for a day. I have been checking online for prices.

I am confused on the tours and most budget friendly trip.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Kimmie

 

[CanadianPaco]

We're going for a day trip in August as well. So I'm also interested in what people have to say.

 

[LindaM]

When you first get to the island, there is a area by the dock that has various tours, book your tours there as they have 2 for 1 deals. We went for the day in October, and did the glass bottom boat and a tour of Avalon if I remember correctly I paid $25 for the both of them. You can also rent golf carts and tour the island yourself, don't know the price, but I think your charged hourly.

Have fun, it's beautiful!

 

[kimmie]

Thanks Linda!

We are thinking of leaving from either Long Beach or Newport Beach. Do you have a preference?

What about a nice place for lunch?

Is the Avalon tour a walking tour?
How long is the glass bottom boat tour?

Thanks!

Kimmie

 

[WDW4us2006]

do you think we would be able to do a day trip to
Catalina and still have time to make it to LAX by 7:30 pm for a 10:00 flight?

 

[kimmie]

From what I have read, the boat from Catalina goes into Long Beach at 5:45pm. Not sure what time it goes to the LAX area. Maybe check with one of the tour sites.

 

[brodyjen]

Catalina is expensive, no doubt, but worth it!

You can catch the boats from San Pedro, Long Beach or Dana Point (Orange County). If you're trying to make a flight to/from LAX, I'd recommend not going from Dana Point - it's a longer boat ride and further from LAX.

When you get off the ferry in Avalon, you'll want to head right towards the town. Follow the walkway along the water (Green Pier will be on your right the whole time). About a block down on the main street, there is a Visitor's Center, where you can purchase tickets for tours, glass bottom boat, etc... If you continue down another block, on your left is the place to rent golf carts. Avalon proper is pretty walkable - it's only if you want to leave the "flats", and head up into Wrigley Botanical Garden, or the hills above the flats, that you'll need a golf cart (and even then, some of those roads are not accessible to rental carts).

Personally, I get really seasick so glass bottom boats are out for me. But my DH and kids love the semi-submersibles (yellow subs). If you're only there for the day, I do recommend taking the Avalon City/Overview Tour (by bus), doing some kind of boat tour, and the Casino Tour (the Casino is not a gambling casino but it is an absolutely beautiful structure worth seeing).

If you'd rather kick back and enjoy the island, continue walking along the main street, toward the Casino (big white round building with red roof - can't miss it). Pass the Casino, and just a bit down is Descanso Beach Club. Get a seat under a palapa, order a Buffalo Milk, and enjoy.