Santa Catalina Island: Destination Dupe for the Mediterranean

For your first day, you’ll arrive in Avalon by ferry. Kick off your trip with lunch at Bluewater Grill. Bluewater has a few locations around California, including one right in the harbor of Avalon. After lunch, explore Crescent Avenue, the main street in Avalon for boutiques, bars and restaurants. You can also walk over to the Catalina Casino for a tour of this special art deco architecture.

In the evening, have dinner at NDMK Fish House. A little off the main street in Avalon, this is a great family-owned fish shop. They offer super fresh fish, great sushi and a casual vibe. Finally, end your evening at Luau Larry’s, a lively bar facing the harbor. Who can resist a fun little tiki joint?

For your full day in Avalon, start with the Bison Expedition Tour. When I was researching Catalina Island, I was surprised to learn that the island is home to a herd of bison that were left by a movie crew in the 1920s. The Catalina Island Conservancy manages and protects the herd of about 150 or so bison. I love a good nature tour and the Bison Expedition is a great way to see these majestic animals and get a tour of the interior of the island. You’ll enjoy a scenic overlook on Black Jack Mountain as well as beautiful coastline views.

After your morning expedition, head over to the Descanso Beach Club for lunch and an afternoon of snorkeling. Tied with the Bison Expedition, snorkeling was my favorite activity on Catalina Island! I brought my own snorkel gear, but there are plenty of shops to rent a snorkel, mask, fins and a wetsuit, if you’re there in cooler months. A couple of other great spots for snorkeling include Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve and Casino Point Dive Park. The waters off of Descanso Beach provided one of the best snorkeling experiences I’ve had in California! There is so much vibrant marine life here.

After snorkeling, I recommend renting a chaise lounge from Descanso Beach Club and enjoying the beach. It’s a great place to relax and watch the boats go by. This is also the perfect spot to try the island’s signature cocktail - Buffalo Milk. Basically a dessert, Buffalo Milk is a delicious mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, banana liqueur, crème de cacao, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, nutmeg and banana chips.

For dinner, try the Avalon Grille. A more upscale option on the island, the Avalon Grill offers steak, seafood and burgers. We enjoyed a few items from their small bites menu including the little gem salad, the truffle fries and the flash-fried green beans.

Finally, on your last day, check out of your hotel and try breakfast at the Bistro at the Atwater for great coffee and light bites. Before you catch the ferry back to the mainland, I recommend stopping by the Catalina Island Conservancy Trailhead Visitors Center. It’s a great place to learn about the conservation efforts on the island and a cute gift shop to pick up a souvenir from your visit.