Catalina Island

Best Age Range: All
Pace Level: Slow
Accessibility Notes: some potential challenges with boat access to the island, rocky beaches, and strong waves in some areas.
Budget Tier: Moderate – High
Overall Multi-Gen Rating: 3 Generations Approved

Trip Details

One of our earliest family trips also turned out to be one of our best! A day trip to Catalina Island surprised us in all the right ways. From the excitement of arriving by boat to the ease of a walkable town, incredible restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, and a beach club everyone could enjoy, Catalina checked every box. It’s the kind of destination that feels special without being complicated, and memorable without being exhausting – exactly what multi-generational travel should be.

The Grandparent Take

Visiting Catalina Island felt like stepping into a postcard — and arriving by boat made the experience even more memorable. There is something so special about being introduced to a destination from the water. The comfortable ride, fresh sea air, and lively energy of the marina immediately set a joyful tone for the day. Watching the colorful boats come and go while the town of Avalon comes into view creates a sense of anticipation that simply can’t be replicated by arriving by car. One practical note: those with mobility concerns or sensitivity to motion sickness may want to plan accordingly. Boarding and disembarking are manageable for most, but it’s helpful to be mindful when choosing your travel arrangements.

Once on the island, one of the greatest pleasures was how easy everything felt. Avalon is wonderfully walkable, with charming shops, inviting boutiques, unique galleries, and beautiful architecture all within comfortable reach. For those who prefer a slower pace, there are plenty of benches, scenic overlooks, and thoughtfully landscaped spots to sit and simply enjoy the views. The option to take a golf cart adds an extra bit of fun and flexibility as well. It’s the kind of destination where you’re never far from something interesting, yet never feel pressured to rush.

A true highlight — especially for history and architecture enthusiasts — is a visit to the iconic Catalina Casino. Despite its name, it’s not a gambling venue but rather a stunning historic landmark featuring grand Art Deco design, elegant details, and sweeping coastal views. Whether you choose to tour the interior or simply admire its presence along the waterfront, it adds a wonderful sense of heritage and character to the overall Catalina experience.

Dining was another standout. We enjoyed some truly excellent meals, with a surprising variety of options for such a small town. We had breakfast at The Nest, and the menu had something to please everyone. Service throughout the island felt relaxed yet attentive, and the quality of the food consistently exceeded expectations. Unlike some beach destinations that feel overly tourist-driven, Catalina managed to feel both polished and authentic.

My personal highlight was spending time at Descanso Beach Club. The scenic walk past the Casino building only added to the sense of occasion before arriving at this beautiful private beach setting. The classic white cabanas, pristine sand, and sweeping ocean views along the Catalina coastline created a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere. Being escorted to our pre-selected cabana made the experience feel seamless and well organized, and having a dedicated server throughout the day elevated the comfort level even further. It was easy to settle in, enjoy the views, and fully unwind.

The only consideration to keep in mind is that the shoreline can be somewhat rocky where the waves meet the sand, and during our visit the surf was quite strong. Supportive footwear like water shoes or sturdy sandals can make navigating this area much more comfortable. Overall, Catalina offered a delightful balance of beauty, ease, and understated luxury — a destination that invites you to slow down and savor the experience.

The Parent Take

From a parent perspective, Catalina Island feels like one of those rare destinations where everyone can relax almost immediately. Arriving by boat sets the tone – the pace naturally slows, screens get forgotten, and the focus shifts to simply being together. The town of Avalon is wonderfully compact and walkable, which makes a huge difference when traveling with multiple generations. We never felt rushed, overwhelmed, or stuck managing complicated logistics just to enjoy the day.

One of the biggest wins of the trip was spending the day at Descanso Beach Club. It truly felt like the ultimate “everyone is happy” solution. Having a private cabana gave us a comfortable home base to return to between beach time, snacks, toddler adventures, and much-needed breaks. The food and drinks were genuinely excellent (not just “good for a beach club”), and the ability to have everything handled on-site meant we could stay present instead of constantly planning the next move. We also appreciated being able to pre-select our cabana in advance from the map on the website. (See more details below!) Knowing exactly what to expect removed any pressure to rush over first thing in the morning and was especially appreciated by detail-obsessed planners like Mom. For our group of four, the standard cabana was the perfect size, though it was reassuring to see larger options available for bigger family gatherings. Clean, convenient onsite showers also made transitioning back to “travel mode” at the end of the day surprisingly easy.

What makes Catalina especially appealing for families is how it delivers the feeling of a true getaway without requiring a major travel commitment. Between the colorful marina, the charming village streets of Avalon, the historic Casino building, and the polished yet relaxed vibe of the beach club, the island has an almost European seaside energy. It feels special and memorable – but also approachable and simple. For parents juggling nap schedules, snack timing, and group dynamics, that balance is incredibly valuable.

🔥 Dad’s Hot Take: Catalina is great – but can feel a little *too* slow paced if you are only staying in Avalon. If you are active and adventure-seeking, explore the rest of the island – there’s zip lining, snorkeling – even 4×4 bison tours to observe the island’s famous wild bison.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent tip: bring a collapsible travel stroller. From getting on and off the boat and popping into busy restaurants, you’ll appreciate a lightweight option that folds out of the way easily. We always recommend this option: gb Pockit All-Terrain Stroller

The Kid Take

Boats = instant adventure.

As the name would suggest, Captain Go-Go has never met a boat he didn’t love. Sailing into Avalon felt VERY important and very pirate-y. There were bright colors, loud seagulls, interesting smells, and many boats to point at. I was fully entertained before we even got off. Strong start.

The beach club was basically a full-time highlight situation. I brought my sand toys (excellent decision by my parents) and got straight to work digging very serious holes. Our cabana had shade from palm trees and snacks magically appeared, which meant I could play longer without anyone saying “time to go inside.” The waves were a little too bossy for big swimming, but I dipped my toes, searched for special rocks, and considered that a win. There was also a comfy couch that turned into the perfect surprise nap spot when all the digging became exhausting. The menu had lots of toddler-approved food, and the staff were so kind to me – no one acted like I didn’t belong, which I appreciated.

Town exploring was another major success. There were stuffed dolphins dressed like pirates (obviously necessary), unique candy shops, and wide sidewalks where I could walk around without too much traffic stress. It felt like I had a lot of freedom to explore, which is a big deal when you’re small and curious and want to touch everything.

Overall, this was just the right amount of excitement. Enough boats, sand, snacks, and new things to see to keep me very busy – but also quiet little spots to rest, reset, and recharge before the next important toddler activity. I stayed sandy, slightly sticky, and extremely pleased with the entire situation.

What Made This Trip Stand Out

Descanso Beach Club. Renting a private cabana turned an already great day into a truly luxurious, pampered, and fun experience for every generation. With a dedicated sandy beach area, plenty of shade, and comfortable spaces for lounging – or sneaking in a nap – Descanso made it easy to relax without sacrificing excitement. Add in amazing food, delicious drinks, and attentive service, and it felt like a resort-style escape without the stress. It’s well worth the admission price and remains one of our top Catalina splurges.

We recommend booking cabanas CBN1, CBN2, or CBN3 for optimal views of the casino and ships, and it felt a little quieter and more serene on the far edge of the resort. Also in this row are the Presidential cabanas, which are a wonderful option for larger families or groups.