What’s New on Catalina Island
Catalina Island has new experiences and eateries that are going to elevate your getaway. Take a look into the new renovations, reopening’s and added adventures to put on your Catalina Island bucket list.
Eat & Drink
As if the restaurants and cocktails couldn’t get any better, we welcome new libations that will heighten your Catalina Island food experience! The NDMK family have opened new doors to a coastal cuisine restaurant known as Topside. Serving all meals of the day, Topside will take your breath away with its panoramic views of Avalon Harbor, its tasty coastal dishes and signature drinks.
Catalina Charlie’s is newly renovated and located on crescent avenue with beachfront views of Avalon Bay. It’s the perfect restaurant to fill your appetite after a beach day. Their plates and cocktails are straight from the island bar and grill giving a modern, coastal taste. Start off with their elote dip as an appetizer, it’s definitely a must-try from their menu!
Flx Biergarten, the first and only biergarten located in Avalon, is now open to all beer and wine lovers. Inspired by Catalina Island’s history, Flx takes after the 50’s Flxible buses that drove tourists all around Avalon. Cozy up by the fire and enjoy a laugh or drinking game with close friends at Flx’s open-air tavern and choose from a selection of wine or a flight of beers.
Culture & Adventure Await
The famous Catalina Casino in Avalon is now available to the public for general admission during normal business hours. Walk through the architectural masterpiece and learn about the rich cultural history that was paved inside the Casino walls. You’ll feel like you have stepped back in time while exploring the Avalon Theatre, the dance floor in the Ballroom and the outside Terrace.
Explore the new exhibits that are displayed at the Catalina Museum for Art & History during this Fall season. The museums newest exhibit, Cabinet of Curiosities, celebrates its 70th anniversary with 70 rare objects that are hidden deep within the vaults. Visitors get the chance to witness a collection that has never been exhibited publicly. The Skirting Issues: Hula Moves Stateside invites you to dance your way through the gallery and learn about the Hawaiian craze of the late 1890’s to the present. Through the exhibit you’ll see how hula has made an impact in the Indigenous Hawaiian culture over the years. The new art installation known as, Below the Surface: The Catalina Photographs of Bruce Hall, features a collection of underwater photographs that were captured for 37 years at Catalina’s Casino Point Dive Park. Bruce Hall, the remarkable artist, is legally blind and uses tools of persistence, curiosity and a camera to create his work. Make sure to stop by the Catalina Museum to see these exhibits before they are gone!
Go fish! For beginners and people itching to learn, take part in dock-side fishing lessons with Learn to Fish…Hook, Line and Sinker. All the gear that you need is provided, so no equipment or prior experience is necessary. Don’t forget to take a picture with your catch of the day!
Stay Awhile
The refurbished rooms at the Hermosa Hotel will have you relaxing at the room all day. Just steps away from the beach, the Hermosa Hotel has remodeled its “Family Unit” rooms that accommodate four to five guests. They have partnered with the Catalina Museum for Art & History to honor the Island’s history by incorporating vintage photos of Catalina Island into its décor. The Cork + Brew Bar has reopened its doors to locals and visitors. Head on down to enjoy some craft beer from select breweries, such as Ballast Point and Coronado Brewing, and featuring the best wine from Daou winery. Check out this hotel and many more at CatalinaPackage.com for an exclusive Boat and Hotel rate!