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Catalina Island will be one of your favorite girl’s weekend getaways with a multitude of both fun and relaxing activities. As you disembark the boat, start your morning at Catalina Brewing Company with a delicious pastry and some hot or iced coffee, You and your girls can enjoy your brunch inside or outside the quaint café or take it on the go as you stroll through town. Be sure to stop in some boutiques to browse the cute apparel and pick up beach essentials from bathing suits to sunscreen.

The Descanso Beach Club is a leisurely 10 to 15-minute walk and there are plenty of things to do at the beach, so it’s a good idea to get there early to beat the crowd. If you and your girlfriends are in the mood for a relaxing day, renting a cabana will give you a shady place to lounge as you are served food and drinks. If you fancy something light, Descanso Fresh serves a variety of healthy options, such as poke bowls, smoothies and acai bowls. On weekends, they offer brunch on the beach, with a tasty menu including mimosas and lemon ricotta pancakes. If you’d rather explore the cove, the Descanso Beach Ocean Sports rents kayaks and snorkels at an affordable price, and even wetsuits if the water is too chilly. The crystal-clear sea and bright orange Garibaldi fish of Catalina make swimming and snorkeling especially beautiful.

Adventurous friends will love the Zipline Eco Tour, just a short walk up the hill from Descanso. Reservations are recommended for this thrilling experience, and it takes approximately two hours to zip above the rugged canyons and treetops at speeds approaching 30mph. As you walk back through town, you might want to grab a slice of pizza at the beloved Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret, with its old-fashioned charm evidenced in jukeboxes, vintage movie posters and a thick coating of peanut shells on the floor.

Finish off the night with Catalina’s most iconic drink – the Buffalo Milk, an icy yet richly smooth blend of creme liqueurs, Kalua, vodka, and cinnamon. For the outgoing singers in your group, the lively and entertaining El Galleon’s Bar is sure to be a hit with their open karaoke. Even the most reserved of your group will end up on stage belting out the classic song of your high school days.

After an active and excitement-packed day, you and your girlfriends may want to slow down the pace. Treat yourselves to a luxurious day at the Island Breeze Spa, where you can rejuvenate with facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, and much more. You can pick and choose your treatments to best fit your itinerary. If you’re only looking to spend an hour or two, take advantage of their jacuzzi after your treatments. oke. Even the most reserved of your group will end up on stage belting out the classic song of your high school days.

For a refreshing lunch, the girls will love Café Metropole, which offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly options from salads to sandwiches and fresh pressed juices

The Catalina Island Museum, also a mellow way to spend your time, is just right up the street from the cafe. Film buffs will love the current exhibit, “JAWS: The Art of Fear in Filmmaking”, which allows fans to view the original storyboard drawings, scouting photos, behind-the-scenes photographs of the film crew in action, plus original props and ephemera. These exhibits are ever-changing displays. However, the History of Catalina Island exhibit is permanent, featuring historical facts about the Island, old photographs, original Catalina tile and art. The gift shop has a charming selection of vintage souvenirs and books that are the perfect keepsake to remember this time with your girlfriends.

Catch some afternoon sunshine at Steps Beach, which is a little more low-key than Descanso and perfect to lay out and take a dip. Just a brief walk from Steps is the Blue Water Grill, which offers a lovely setting for ocean-front dining and is known for its delicious seafood and bread, as well as a full bar and extensive wine list. Don’t forget dessert! After dinner, you can enjoy gelato, sorbet or ice cream at Scoops to conclude a fun-filled girl’s trip to Catalina Island.

When planning your vacation, take advantage of some of the best Catalina vacation packages like the Boat and Hotel specials.

by Lucy Bayle