Does Catalina Island have good beaches?

Just beyond the world-famous Catalina Casino is Descanso Beach, one of California’s last private beaches with public access. All Catalina Island beaches are filled with soft sand, warm sun and gentle surf. The crystal clear aqua blue water is great for families to frolic and play in the ocean.

Can you swim at the beach at Catalina Island?

Avalon Beaches Most are close to restrooms and offer soft sand, gentle surf, and easy swimming access.

Are beaches free at Catalina Island?

Descanso Beach is walking-distance from the town of Avalon on Catalina Island. This private beach charges a small entrance fee and is located in front of a bar and restaurant.

Can anyone go to Descanso Beach Club?

It’s home to Catalina’s only beachside restaurant and bar and one of the last private beaches in California open to the public. It’s also one of the few places where you can legally have a drink in your hand and your feet in the sand…at the same time.

Does Catalina Island have clear water?

By the hundreds of thousands each year, they sail to Avalon by ferry and cruise ship for diving trips, glass-bottom boat tours and to lounge on the beach in the Catalina Island town 26 miles off the Southern California coast. Yet the same crystal-clear water that draws tourists also harbors an embarrassing hazard.

Does Catalina Island have blue water?

Catalina Island is one of the state’s most underrated gems. Towering palm trees, bright blue water, and colorful buildings make this little island a drool-worthy escape. It looks just like the south of France! You can hike rolling green hills to see native bison and even take a zipline tour around the island!

Has anyone ever swam to Catalina Island?

Hank Wise swims from Catalina to Long Beach. (Photo credit: Sean Lieppman.) The 50-year-old Long Beach native had set off from the Catalina shore seven hours before, making his record-breaking seventh swim between the island and Long Beach.

Are the beaches open on Catalina Island?

All Catalina Island Beaches are OPEN. Chairs, canopies and coolers are allowed on the beach (no alcohol or pets). Fishing is NOT allowed on any of Avalon’s beaches.

Are there a lot of sharks in Catalina Island?

It was the first shark-related injury in the nearly 100-year history of its Emerald Bay Camp, the Boy Scouts said. Shark attacks are extremely rare in California but Dr. Chris Lowe, a shark expert from California State University Long Beach, told KABC-TV that great white sharks have been spotted in the Catalina area.

Is Descanso Beach Club free?

If you go to Descanso Beach there is a $2 per person fee. However, this small fee comes with big benefits because this is one of the only beaches in California that is allowed to serve alcohol. That’s right, because of the $2 fee, Descanso is technically considered a private beach.

Are kids allowed at Descanso Beach Club?

Descanso beach is a great place to enjoy lunch. I think the food is just okay, the drinks are a little on the high side, but there is a kid’s menu.

What is the best beach on Catalina Island?

Beaches on this map. Crescent Beach on Catalina Island Crescent Beach is the main beach on Avalon Bay in the town of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. Next to the Green Pleasure Pier are two small beaches and just […] See details. Descanso Beach on Catalina Island Descanso Beach is walking-distance from the town of Avalon on Catalina Island.

How far is Catalina from the mainland?

Santa Catalina is 22 miles from the mainland, despite the lyrics of the Four Preps’ song. Catalina is a world unto itself, a distant refuge from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Southern California. 88% of the island is owned by the Catalina Conservancy which is chartered with protecting its environment.

What is the weather like at Catalina Island?

The weather on Catalina Island is described as a mild subtropical climate with warm year ’round temperatures. The average high temperature during winter months on Catalina Island is 63 and the average low temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

How do you visit Catalina Island?

By sea or air, getting to Catalina is easy and fun. You can get to Catalina Island by passenger ferry from four mainland ports in southern California – San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point – and the ride is only about an hour by boat or 15 minutes by helicopter.