Catalina Bucket List
2025 is here which means it’s time to check off activities from your Catalina Island bucket list. Below are 25 experiences to indulge in on Catalina Island this year.
- Discover Avalon
Start off with a tour along the beachfront, up the hillsides and through the town of Avalon on the Discover Avalon tour. A guide will teach you all about interesting history and folklore of Catalina Island.
- Day Trip to Two Harbors
Check out Catalina Island’s hidden gem on a day trip to Two Harbors! Two Harbors is filled with an array of activities from relaxing beachside to biking the hilltops.
- Horseback Riding
New to town, Catalina Horseback Adventures offers a unique experience to see Avalon on a guided horseback tour. You’ll take a journey through Catalina’s most scenic landscapes.
- Buffalo Milk
Taste Catalina Island’s famous cocktail drink, the Buffalo Milk. This frothy concoction originated in Two Harbors then quickly became a favorite throughout the Island.
- Camping
Take camping to the next level by pitching a tent beachside. Catalina Island has many campsites that will make camping feel like a dream.
- Wiki Wacker Cocktail
The iconic Wiki Wacker cocktail from Luau Larry’s is a must when visiting Avalon. It’s a delicious fruity cocktail served with a straw hat or sticker to take home!
- Hit the Trail
Hit the trails on an adventure of Catalina Island’s wildlands with breathtaking views and sights to see. There are trails that will accommodate any level hiker from a quick day trip trail to a weekend long trek.
- El Rancho Escondido
Discover ranch life 12 miles outside of Avalon at El Rancho Escondido, the hidden ranch. Visitors get to view a horse exhibition, a selection of saddles, trophies and Western memorabilia.
- Ziplining
Are you an adrenaline junkie? Zip across the canyon and through the eucalyptus trees on the Catalina Zipline Eco Tour. You’ll reach speeds that will approach up to 35 mph.
- Bison Interior Tour
Witness Catalina Island’s interior on an excursion in an open-air hummer or jeep. Keep an eye out for the famous bison that roam the Island. Visit LoveCatalina.com for a list of interior tours!
- Catch of the Day
Indulge in the catch of the day at some of the finest restaurants in Avalon. It’s not a secret that seafood is a staple ingredient since it’s always fresh and locally caught. Get a taste of the many ways chefs prepare fish!
- Aerial Adventure
Put your skills to the test on the Catalina Aerial Adventure of five self-guided, self-paced outdoor courses. You’ll climb, swing and crawl through a series of obstacles that are arranged in beginner, intermediate and advanced structures.
- Descanso Beach Club
Sit back and relax with a drink in your hand at Catalina’s only beachside restaurant and bar. Descanso Beach Club is just past the Catalina Casino with a full menu of food and drinks to enjoy on the beach.
- Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden
The Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden is an iconic landmark that honors the legacy of the Wrigley family. The Wrigley Memorial sits in the center of the Botanic Garden and is about 38 acres.
- Catalina Tile-Making
Colorful, intricate tile adorn the streets of Avalon and are part of Catalinas culture. Create your own authentic Catalina Tile with a hands-on experience at Silver Canyon Pottery or if you want to buy a piece of original pottery.
- Catalina Casino
Walk through the doors of the famous Catalina Casino, where people once danced the night away to big bands. This art deco masterpiece is filled with so much fame, history and romance.
- Catalina Museum for Art & History
Dive into the history of Catalina Island with a visit to the Catalina Museum for Art & History. Walk through the exhibits to learn about the rich past that makes up Catalina Island today.
- Attend an event
All throughout the year Catalina Island is a host to numerous types of events. Attend an event this year like the Catalina Wine Mixer or JazzTrax Festival. Go to LoveCatalina.com for a list of events!
- Parasailing
Soar high above the water on a parasail for a bird’s-eye view of Avalon Harbor. Ask to have your feet dipped in the water for a thrilling experience! Visit LoveCatalina.com for more information.
- Golf Cart Rentals
Drive through the town of Avalon on a journey through the hillside and waterfront. Catalina Island Golf Cart Rentals allows you to have the freedom and flexibility on your own private golf cart.
- Take a Swing
Fore! Tee off on Catalina Island’s 9-hole Golf Course, which is one of the oldest courses West of the Mississippi. Or take your family to Avalon’s Golf Gardens for a round of mini golf that is an 18-hole course.
- Fishing
Learn to hook and reel in a fish on Catalina Island. For first time fishers, you can embark on a fishing charter with experienced fishers or drop a line of Avalon’s Green Pleasure Pier. Learn more at LoveCatalina.com!
- Undersea Sub Expedition
Come face-to-face with an array of undersea creatures on board a semi-submersible. The Undersea Sub Expedition takes you 5 feet below the surface to explore Catalina’s abundant marine life.
- Kayak or Paddleboard
There’s 52 miles of coastline to explore whether you are a beginner or advanced paddler. You can choose to kayak or paddleboard around the bay or up and down the coastline. For more information on excursions and rentals, visit LoveCatalina.com.
- Scuba Diving
Catalina Island is a popular location for beginners to advanced divers looking to explore the oceans marine environment. Scuba Diving is made easy with so many rental companies and excursions to take part in.