United States
Santa Catalina Island
A mountainous island twenty miles offshore where Mediterranean-style Avalon sits beneath rugged interior peaks
Santa Catalina rises from Pacific waters in dramatic ridges and canyons, its developed coastline giving way quickly to wild backcountry. The boat approach reveals Avalon's red-tiled roofs clustered around a protected harbor, backed by steep hillsides that climb toward the island's mountainous spine. Beyond the waterfront town, most of the island remains undeveloped—a landscape of chaparral-covered slopes, hidden coves, and dirt roads that wind through terrain feeling far removed from any mainland.
What draws people here
- —Protected harbor town surrounded by steep, undeveloped hills
- —Extensive trail network through chaparral and oak woodlands
- —Clear waters for snorkeling around kelp forests and rocky reefs
- —Backcountry camping sites accessible only by hiking or special transport
Island character
islands•nature•small town
Island rhythm
morning
Harbor activity begins early as day boats arrive and golf carts navigate Avalon's quiet streets
afternoon
Visitors spread across snorkeling spots and hiking trails while the interior heats up under chaparral sun
night
Avalon settles into a small-town evening rhythm, with most of the island returning to darkness
Best ways to experience Santa Catalina Island
- 01Walk Avalon's waterfront streets and climb the hillside roads above town
- 02Take the inland motor coach tours along dirt roads to remote parts of the island
- 03Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail across ridgelines to backcountry campsites
- 04Kayak or boat along the coastline to reach secluded beaches and snorkel spots