Avalon Theater, Catalina Island, California ranks first on the list of best things to do in Catalina Island. Avalon Theatre, located on the lower level of the Catalina Casino in Avalon, is a classic movie palace that has been showing first-run films since 1929. The 1,184-seat theater is nestled beneath the Casino Ballroom and is exquisitely decorated in a 'atmospheric' style with ancient Roman-inspired tiled mural panels and other Art Deco murals painted by renowned artist John Gabriel Beckman.

The theater has excellent acoustics and a Page Organ Co rank theater organ, which is still regularly used for weekend film performances. The Avalon Theater hosts film screenings every evening of the week, as well as special performances and screenings on weekends. You are reading "Fun Things to Do on Catalina Island, California this Weekend with Friends" Back to Top or More places to see near me today, what to do, weekend trips

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Google Rating: 4.7/5.0

Address: 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-0179

Contact: +1 414-539-6678

Website: avalonmke.com

Catalina Casino has been an icon of the island for nearly three generations. Catalina Casino, which opened in 1929 and dominates the Avalon landscape from its vantage point high above the harbor, has been beautifully restored to its former glory and stands today as a stunning reminder of Catalina's glorious past. The casino, which embodies the style and romance of Catalina Island, has hosted a plethora of world-renowned entertainers, world-class theater productions, and first-run motion pictures, and it still features first-run movies every night in the original movie theater.

The building was never intended to be or used as a casino, but was built for dancing by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., attracting 'big band' musicians like Benny Goodman - the King of Swin, who played here for 2,000 capacity dancers. Visitors can learn about the casino's rich history on a daily Walking or Behind-the-Scenes Casino Tour, or attend one of the many events held throughout the year, such as the annual New Year's Eve Celebration and the Catalina Island Jazz Festival.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 1 Casino Way, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-0179
Contact: (877) 778-8322
Website: visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/catalina-casino/

Descanso Beach Club ranks 3rd on the list of best things to do in Catalina Island. Descanso Beach Club, located behind the Catalina Island Casino, is a secluded beach and cove that offers a variety of activities and entertainment for the entire family. The private beach, which is lined with loungers, restaurants, and bars, is ideal for enjoying the beach scene during the day and the vibrant nightlife after the sun goes down.

Descanco Beach Club Restaurant is Catalina's only seaside restaurant, serving excellent food and beverages all day and offering an exclusive beach delivery service. Snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving are among the water sports and outdoor activities available at the club, as are climbing on the Catalina Climbing Wall and zip lining. Private cabanas, chaise lounges, and beach massages by personalized staff are among the high-end amenities available to discerning guests. Fun day trip ideas close to you, things to do this weekend, small towns, best weekend getaways: Getaways in California, East Coast beaches, NC quick trip, Romantic weekend getaways.

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 1 Descanso Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-7410

Contact: +1 310-510-7410

Website: visitcatalinaisland.com

Nature Center at Avalon Canyon ranks 4th on the list of best things to do in Catalina Island. The Avalon Canyon Nature Center is one of two nature centers established by the Catalina Island Conservancy to protect and restore the Island's natural fauna and flora. The Nature Center, located at 1202 Avalon Canyon Road, has a wealth of informative exhibits and displays focusing on the Island's natural history and conservation efforts.

There is a Resource Center for students and teachers, as well as a variety of interactive, hands-on activities for students of all ages to enjoy. Images of the island's wild, scenic side, including rugged landscapes and secluded coves with crystal waters, are on display, as are images of its animals, plants, geology, and marine life. The Nature Center is a 20-minute walk down Avalon Canyon, which is also accessible by golf cart, trolley, or bicycle. Last minute top rated places for couples: Denver, Sanibel Island, Boca Raton, Louisville, CA, Virginia Beach, San Antonio, AZ

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 1202 Avalon Canyon Rd, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-0954

Contact: +1 310-510-0954

Website: catalinaconservancy.org

Trans-Catalina Trail ranks 5th on the list of best things to do in Catalina Island. The 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail connects a number of primary and secondary roads and single-track trails, and there are five unique campgrounds along the way as the trail meanders through scenic, hilly terrain between Avalon on the east end of Catalina and Two Harbors on the west. The Trans-Catalina Trail challenges you with nearly 10,000 feet of total elevation gain, from the 1,200-foot climb out of Avalon Canyon on Hermit Gulch Trail to the 1,500-foot, 2-mile trek up Silver Peak, so whether you're planning a 3, 4, or even 5-day Trans-Catalina Trail adventure, you should be in decent shape to truly enjoy the experience.

The Two Harbors area offers day hikes ranging from easy to difficult, catering to both the casual hiker and the serious trekker, and hiking permits can be purchased at the Two Harbors Visitor's Services Office. The Santa Catalina Island Company maintains five campgrounds along the trail, including Two Harbors, Parsons Landing, and Little Harbor, with boat-in campsites.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Location: California, United States
Contact: N/a
Website: visitcatalinaisland.com/trans-catalina-trail/

For more than 60 years, the Catalina Island Museum has collected, preserved, and presented Catalina Island's rich cultural heritage to visitors from all over the world. The Catalina Island Museum, located on Metropole Avenue in the brand new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building, invites you to discover more than 7,000 years of Catalina history through dozens of engaging and visually exciting exhibits.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on an island? Who discovered the island of Santa Catalina? What famous and wealthy people have lived on Catalina over the years? The knowledgeable staff and guides at Catalina Island Museum will help guide you through the unique history of our special island so that you get the most out of your visit. The Museum also hosts a variety of lectures, workshops, and special events to help visitors learn, understand, and gain a personal perspective on the island's unique history. A small gift shop sells souvenirs and memorabilia so that visitors can take a piece of Catalina with them.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 217 Metropole Ave, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-2414

Contact: 310-510-4650

Website: catalinamuseum.org

Two Harbors, located on Catalina's west end, is only 22 miles from the Southern California mainland. This rustic village is located on a narrow strip of land that connects Isthmus Cove on the island's leeward side to Catalina Harbor on the island's windward side. Visitors from the mainland typically arrive via high-speed ferry from San Pedro, though many arrive on private boats and rent one of the more than 700 moorings available in the many protected coves and harbors along the coast.

Two Harbors has a variety of comfortable accommodations, including bed and breakfasts, cottages, and campgrounds, as well as restaurants, cafés, and pubs. Kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the beautiful waters around the island, as well as hiking, mountain biking, camping, and pleasure boating, are all available to visitors. Other services available in town include a modern Visitors Service Center and year-round special event services.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Location: Catalina's west end
Contact: N/A
Website: visitcatalinaisland.com/two-harbors/

Catalina Snorkel and Scuba ranks 8th on the list of best things to do in Catalina Island. Diving Catalina provides a variety of scuba-diving and snorkeling experiences for divers of all skill levels. Introductory Scuba Dives - an introduction to scuba diving that gives non-divers the experience of scuba diving in the ocean; Guided Scuba Dives Tours in the Avalon Underwater Park; Catalina Island Snorkeling Tours and Power Snorkeling in the Casino Point Dive Park are among the tours available.

With crystal clear waters, magnificent undersea gardens and coral reefs, and a plethora of fish and invertebrates, the Casino Point Dive Park is a marine sanctuary and snorkeler's paradise. The Avalon Underwater Dive Park is ideal for scuba diving and provides guided scuba tours, children's scuba camps, and scuba equipment rental. The Underwater Dive Park, located next to the world-famous Casino Building, offers some of the best shore diving in California and has become a mecca for scuba divers and snorkelers worldwide.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 34 Middle Terrace Road, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-8558

Contact: +1 310-510-8558

Website: divingcatalina.com

The Catalina Island Golf Course, built by the Banning Brothers in 1892, is the oldest operating golf course west of the Mississippi, reflecting the island's charm and history in its beautiful rolling greens. Originally designed as a three-hole course, it was expanded to nine holes in the early 1900s and later to 18 holes in 1929, but due to disrepair during World War II, it was redesigned to nine holes.

The scenic par 32, 2,100-yard course, which was once home to the Bobby Jones Invitational Tournament, has nine challenging holes with two sets of tees for 18-hole play and takes about an hour to complete. The club also has a fully stocked Pro Shop, electric and pull carts, rental clubs, and PGA-certified professional lessons. The club also has Miniature Golf Gardens, which are a great introduction to golf and a lot of fun for the kids.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 1 Country Club Dr, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-0530
Contact: +1 310-510-0530
Website: visitcatalinaisland.com/things-to-do/golf/golf-courses/

The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden pays tribute to chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., who lived between 1861 and 1932. The Catalina Island Conservancy operates the gardens and memorial, which are located in Avalon Canyon and serve as the starting point for one of the island's most popular hikes, the Garden to Sky Trail.

The gardens cover 38 acres of rolling landscapes and focus on endemic plant species from the Channel Islands off the coast of California, many of which are listed as endangered. The Wrigley Memorial, a 130-foot tower built in 1934 with local materials, is the Botanic Garden's focal point. The memorial honors the man who founded the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the world's largest chewing gum manufacturer, and who played an important role in the history of Santa Catalina Island. Where should you go this weekend for fun: FL, CA, MyrtleBeach, OR, New England weekend, Charlotte, Williamsburg, LA, PA.

Google Rating: 4.0/5.0
Address: 1402 Avalon Cyn Rd, Avalon, CA 90704, 310-510-2897
Contact: (310) 510-2595
Website: visitcatalinaisland.com/about-the-island/points-of-interest/wrigley-memorial-and-botanical-gardens/