WHAT'S NEW AND HAPPENING ON CATALINA ISLAND: 2024

Catalina Island is a place like no other. Consistently named one of the best island getaways by media outlets and digital influencers nationwide, Catalina Island, located just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, is a unique blend of laid-back vibe, rich and historic past, features water and land activities to suit any taste and modern-day amenities and services for every budget.

The Island is constantly evolving to offer visitors the best experience, whether it's to relax and rejuvenate or rev up the action. Following are some of the most exciting new happenings on the Island this year, from new restaurants, hotels, cultural attractions and retail stores.

Spend about an hour aboard Catalina Express which offers up to 30 departures daily and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. The vessels offer comfortable airline-style seats and a galley with a full bar and light snacks. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built specifically for comfort and speed. What do you say? C'mon and visit!

Boat and Hotel Packages: Visitors who book a boat and hotel package enjoy savings and value-added amenities at nearly 20 hotels in Avalon and Two Harbors. With a variety of hotels to choose from, visitors can discover the perfect vacation package for a Catalina Island getaway.

RESTAURANT NEWS

Flx Biergarten prepare for a unique and memorable experience on Catalina Island at Flx Biergarten, the Island's first and only biergarten located in Avalon. Paying homage to the Island's rich history, Flx takes its name from the iconic '50s Flxible buses that carried curious tourists on the streets of Avalon and along the Island's interior. Enjoy an open-air atmosphere that includes charming string lights and cozy firepits.

Lobster Trap reopened mid-June after a five-month renovation that more than doubled the dining space and added a sushi bar. A local favorite, the clam chowder, pancake "shot" and the term "daily catch" has real meaning at Catalina Island's Lobster Trap restaurant, owned by commercial lobster fisherman Caleb Lins since 2008. Lins plies the fertile waters off the Channel Islands in his 40-foot boat, Money Matters, bringing in local fish and California spiny lobster to his casual eatery in Avalon, the Island's main town. Or try the ceviche made from local white sea bass, traditionally prepared and incredibly fresh. Look for other indigenous eats such as sand dabs and yellowtail - and wash it all down with some Lost Coast Brewery pale ale. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunset Bar & Grill held its grand opening on May 9. The restaurant is located at the Catalina Canyon Inn and is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner offering a variety of American and Mexican cuisine. A full bar is available, a must try is the specialty michelada. The new restaurant operators are Fransico and Veronica Bravo and Miguel Chavolla, all veterans of the restaurant business on Catalina.

Catalina Cantina is under new management and is a sister restaurant to Cafe Metropole, the Pancake Cottage, Airport in the Sky Restaurant and Scoops. Feast on tacos, burritos and tortas with carnitas, quesabirria, carne asada or soyriza and papas. Enjoy aqua frescas and handmade margaritas. Located right on Crescent Ave, grab a seat at the street front bar and look out at the Avalon Bay.

Original Antonio's is under new ownership, and its nearly half a century of serving Catalina Island residents and visitors will continue, thanks to new owners Mike and Cinde Cassidy. They plan to honor the tradition of Antonio's with few changes to its business operations or menu. Original Antonio's is located at 114 Sumner Avenue, in Avalon. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

TRANSPORTATION

In addition to the Catalina Taxi service and Catalina Island Golf Carts & Tours, the City of Avalon has launched a new on-demand, point-to-point public transportation service called COAST. The public can now enjoy rides to and from anywhere within Avalon's city limits with fares starting at $2 per rider.

The new, 100 percent electric, transit system is a total re-design from the previous fixed route Garibaldi bus and dial-a-ride system. Users can ride the new transit system by downloading the Ride Circuit app in the Apple App or Google Play Store.

ACTIVITIES

Explore El Rancho Escondido tour venture into Catalina's picturesque interior to view the beautiful, recently renovated "hidden ranch" known as "El Rancho Escondido." Experience the Arabian Horse Ranch built by Philip Wrigley in 1930, which today serves as a home for the family's horses and is used to grow grapes for Rusack Vineyards. Visitors will enjoy a horse exhibition, view a selection of one-of-a-kind saddles, trophies and Western memorabilia, and see "The Bishop's Chapel" with its awe-inspiring views. Learn the history of 'JORY's Bell,' the 130-year-old Baptismal Font and the original stained-glass windows of the chapel.

The newly opened Kelp Forest is home to Catalina Island Mermaids and Diving Catalina. The store offers gifts, souvenirs, jewelry, mermaid tails, snorkeling, scuba diving and beach equipment to enhance your Avalon vacation. A new offering fun for all ages is the Pearl Discovery Experience where participants pick out an oyster, open it to find a pearl and then pick out the perfect necklace to house the pearl.

Catalina Backcountry, now under new ownership, offers guests the opportunity to explore Catalina's interior backcountry. The company offers private guided hikes and customized day experiences like picnic dinners at secluded beaches, sunset drive cruises and more. Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail with ease, utilizing services like gear haul, camp set up and customized meal preparation.

ISLAND EVENTS

Two Harbors Brew Fest | Sept. 14 -- Catalina Island Company and the Avalon Lion's Club are partnering to bring you the best brew fest on Catalina Island! Enjoy live music and a huge selection of microbrews at the 22nd Annual Two Harbors Brew Fest on the beach in Two Harbors. Admission includes: souvenir beer glass, complimentary light & hearty appetizers, live music, tastings of all participating breweries, access to the silent auction, Giant Games, photo Booths.

Catalina Island Film Festival | Sept. 25-29 -- Catalina Film Institute hosts its 14th Annual Catalina Film Festival! Voted by filmmakers as one of the top 50 film festivals in the world on the FilmFreeway.com, the Catalina Film Institute celebrates IMAGINATION - EDUCATION - DESTINATION with year-round film workshops, industry panels and inspiring events. Catalina Film Institute's Annual Catalina Film Festival features almost 200 films, nightly events and entertainment. The Catalina Film Festival is in Long Beach September 25-26 and on Catalina Island September 27-29, 2024.

34th Buccaneer Days | Oct. 3-6 -- Argh, mateys! Come celebrate the 34th Annual Buccaneer's Weekend. Guests are encouraged to don their best pirate attire and set sail for Two Harbors for a weekend of treasure hunts, costume contests, great food, live music and a lot of fun. Getting to Two Harbors: Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro or Cyclone from Avalon.

Oktoberfest | Sept. 27 -- The Catalina Museum for Art & History is bringing Bavarian culture to Avalon during Oktoberfest on Friday, September 27 from 6–9 p.m. The family-friendly event features live music, traditional singing, food, an Oktoberfest-themed art project for kids and German beer for adults. In the true spirit of Oktoberfest, guests are encouraged to dress in their finest lederhosen and dirndls, and B.Y.O.S. (Bring Your Own Stein) to enjoy a drink.

36th Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival | October 10-13 & 17-20 -- Since 1987, Catalina Island has hosted one of the most respected and recognized music festivals The Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival. Founded by Art Good, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival has been attended by audiences from all of the United States as well as a few foreign countries. Each October this festival hosts some of the top entertainers from the smooth jazz genre as well as exciting new break out up-and-comers.

About Catalina Island and Catalina Express

Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from three ports via Catalina Express: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers up to 30 daily departures and year-round service to Avalon and Two Harbors, transporting nearly one million passengers annually. It offers comfortable airline-style seats and a galley with a full bar and light snacks. Traveling to Catalina Island in as little as one hour, each vessel was designed and built/purchased specifically for comfort and speed. Catalina Express is an unparalleled resource in Southern California, and one of the world's most respected ferry fleets. For information and reservations, call 800-429-4601, or visit Catalina Express.

Catalina Island's clear blue waters and Mediterranean climate and ambiance are a Shangri-La. This laid-back Island town is chock full of places to eat, drink, shop. Catalina has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, unique animals and plants found nowhere else on earth. Sightseeing opportunities are numerous and varied from escorted tours around town, adventure rides into the interior, jeep eco tours, hummer rides, to zip lines, rock climbing and undersea adventures. Independent activities are plentiful, camping, hiking, snuba, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, spa treatments, beach lounging, golf, motor boating, parasailing, fishing, boat rides down the coastline and more.