Avalon is great for families because of the wide variety of activities and tours offered in just a square mile town. Thanks to the mild weather, small town vibe and convenient location for residents on the West Coast of the US, Avalon, Catalina Island is a fabulous choice for families with kids of all ages. The following is an overview of fun things to do with kids including age appropriate suggestions/requirements for participation.
Catalina by Land
Tour the town with a local. What better way to learn about the town than to share time with a long time resident who knows all there is to know about pretty much all the inner workings of the city and island. You can book a 2 hour guided golf cat tour with Catalina Tour Guide to get the true native experience and behind the scenes knowledge. This all ages experience cruises the streets of Avalon with a kid & pet friendly driver who will cater the experience to your family’s interests. If you like the ocean you can stop and see the Casino Dive par and Diving History Museum, plus pass through Lover’s Cove, home of the local glass bottom boat tours and snorkeling spot. If your family prefers beautiful views and great food their guides will be sure to fill you in on the best places to eat and take you to scenic vistas that will get your teen posing for their next social post. There is also a large population of deer that have taken to roaming the outskirts of the town, eating the greenery from residential landscaping. This is a frequent interaction that may happen almost year-round. The value of this tour is the quality customer care they offer in addition to a tour full of fun facts and stories and usually a little something for the kids to enjoy on the road.
Bison hunting (camera shots only) is a popular suggestion if you have the time, fortitude and the patience to traverse the unpaved interior roads. Even the paved roads can be rugged due to a patchwork of repairs and newly emerging potholes. The dirt roads may have washboards and large tire track ruts from flash rains and the resulting traffic. If you get car sick easily this might be one to save for another day. There are a variety of options to get you out into “the hills” as the locals call it. Most of Catalina Island’s open space and roads are owned and maintained by the Catalina Island Conservancy. You can take a private Jeep tour to view the desert island landscape and possibly more of the local wildlife. Children must be at least 5 years old to ride in a hummer or open air Jeep tour. All ages are welcome on interior tours where the tour vehicle is a bus or taxi.
Catalina by Air
The only zipline tour in Los Angeles and Orange County is on Catalina Island. The journey starts 500 feet atop the Descanso Canyon just up the road from down town Avalon. There are five ziplines which travel over three quarters of a mile and riders can reach speeds of up to 35 mph. As with any advenurous activity there are health and weight requirements and children ages 5-9 can zip in tandem with an adult. Unfortunately, children under 5 are too young to participate. There is also an attraction called the Catalina Aerial Adventure. This ropes course offers the challenge of swinging through the trees in the valley of Descanso Canyon, below the Zip Line Eco Tour. Rope ladders, log bridges, balance beams, zip lines, and more comprise the five self-guided, self-paced courses. Mild coordination and balance are recommended for an optimal frustration-free experience. There are options for beginner, intermediate and advanced climbers who must be at least 7 years of age and at least 55 inches tall. Our last off the ground adventure is the Catalina Climbing Wall. Climber of all ages are welcome, but they must weigh in at a minimum of 40lbs. There are eight different routes to the top on a 32 foot high monolith located at Descanso Canyon just past the beach club and cabana area.
Catalina by Sea
Parasailing is a great transition to this next category, as is combines the trill of flying with the beauty of the ocean landscape. You will rise high above the water for memorable views of the coastline with only the wind and your thoughts to be heard. Children must be 5 and older to participate. Avalon has three beaches to enjoy: South Beach, Middle Beach and Step Beach are the public beaches along the waterfront of the main town area, a.k.a Crescent Avenue. There are restrooms, restaurants, and convenience markets within a moments walk of all of these. If you’re looking for the luxury beach experience then Descanso Beach is for you. One of the last private beaches in California, located just beyond the Catalina Casino Ballroom, it is open to all ages and offers a restaurant, cabanas and lounge chairs for rent. You can even rent snorkel gear or a kayak or take a guided kayak tour right from the beach club from Descanso Beach Ocean Sports. If you have little ones a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour is a real treat. Kids are usually amazed by the ocean life and kelp forest you’re sure to see on a glass-bottom boat tour. We recommend the yellow submarine operated by Catalina Adventure Tours if you want to make the most out of your undersea exploration.
Catalina at Night
Catalina is geared towards adults more in the evening. There are a variety of dining experiences to choose from and many bars to visit and try the local cocktail, a buffalo milk. There are a few options for kids of all ages like the “Flying Fish Tour” from Afishinados Charters or the Catalina Island Company. This tour is limited by the natural season of the fish to visit Catalina’s water, which is from late May to early September. For over 40 years, Catalina Island’s Golf Gardens has been a beloved island pastime , and is an ideal activity for a late afternoon break in the shade. Nestled among the last of the huge trees of the downtown area, its has a one-of-a-kind ambiance and a challenging par-51 layout. Though hours may vary seasonally, it is open every day, year-round, weather permitting. Tickets may be purchased at any Catalina Island Company ticket booth or at the main entrance. Test your wits in the Escape Room, an all ages live-action pirate-themed adventure. A stop by the Three Palms Arcade, located in the Metropole Marketplace, may be the perfect blend of adult beverages, a varied menu, and kid friendly entertainment!
Words of Wisdom
Planning is everything. Catalina is not the place to leave your options to chance. Tours, hotels, and especially the ferry boats to and from the island WILL SELL OUT. It is just basic math, there are only so many seats, beds, tables and there are thousands of folks who decide it is the weekend to go over to Catalina. We see folks cancelling tours because they couldn’t get a boat or scrapping their plans to attend a concert or festival because they didn’t book a hotel room far enough in advance. If you want to visit and lounge on the beach the whole time, then book your boat and hotel and enjoy. But if you want to experience some of the adventures listed above, then YOU NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE. Most places have a decent cancellation policy if something comes up, just reach out to them immediately so they can re-sell your spot and hopefully you get a full refund. If you have general questions the Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority is a great resource 310.510.1520. Now start planning your vacation to Southern California’s island paradise!
