Last weekend I visited Catalina Island with a friend for July 4th. Catalina Island is located just 22 miles (35km) off the coast of Los Angeles. It’s known for the Mediterranean-style town of Avalon, where golf carts outnumber cars, as well as its free-roaming bison and crystal-clear waters. Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year on Catalina Island, and here’s what my day trip was like.
Getting There
The main way to get to the island is via the Catalina Express Ferry. There are two destinations on the island: Avalon (the main hub) and Two Harbors (a smaller, remote village). From LA, there are also two departure ports: Long Beach and San Pedro. Long Beach is the more popular choice, featuring larger ships and shorter rides.
I originally wanted to book the Long Beach to Avalon route, but the departure time I wanted was already sold out when I tried to book about a month in advance, so I ended up taking the ferry from San Pedro instead.
Pro Tip: The ticket recommended arriving an hour before departure, but 30 minutes would have been plenty. Boarding started 15 minutes before departure, and they just needed to scan the electronic ticket on my phone.
The ride took about 1 hour and 15 minutes and was relatively smooth. Once we arrived on the island, we grabbed lunch before our afternoon tour.
Conservatory Eco Tour
The 2-hour conservatory eco tour took us about halfway across the island in an open-air jeep before turning around. It wasn’t too bumpy, but it did get dusty at times when we drove on dirt roads. Looking back, I wish I had booked the 3-hour option which goes farther inland, but we still saw plenty during the shorter tour:
- The July 4 Golf Cart Parade: Our tour start time coincided with the parade, so we got to watch part of it right from the jeep! The USC marching band led the procession, followed by wildly decorated golf carts.
- The Viewpoints: We saw several scenic viewpoints overlooking the island. Apparently, on a clear day you can see the other Channel Islands. Unfortunately there was quite a bit of haze and smog when we visited, but the views were still incredible.
- Wild Bison: We didn’t spot any native foxes, but we did see several bison. The bison were brought as extras for a western movie in 1924, but were left behind after the film ended. Their population grew so quickly that birth control was introduced in the 2000s to help manage it.
- A Holiday Silhouette: On the way back, we were lucky enough to see a bald eagle take flight. It felt like the perfect wildlife sighting for Independence Day!
Catalina Chimes Tower
Following the tour, we climbed up to the Catalina Chimes Tower, built in 1925 by William Wrigley Jr. and his wife. The walk was short but rewarded us with sweeping views of Avalon Harbor.
While taking in the scenery, we heard the chimes (which ring every 15 minutes) and watched a spontaneous boat parade unfold below. Smaller boats formed a line and slowly cruised between larger vessels while blasting horns and music. It was a fun way to enjoy the July 4 festivities without being packed into the crowded waterfront area.
Catalina Casino
Next, we made our way to the iconic Catalina Casino, the island’s largest and most-visited building. Despite its name, it has never been used for gambling. Instead, the circular building contains a movie theater, ballroom, and museum.
Unfortunately, it was closed for a private event on the day we visited, so we could only admire it from the outside. The walk wasn’t a waste, though. Just below the Casino is a Dive Park where dozens of people were snorkeling in the crystal-clear water. The water was so transparent I could spot bright orange garibaldi fish and strands of kelp even from shore!
Golf Gardens
We had some free time before dinner, so we decided to play mini golf at Golf Gardens. It was one of the most challenging courses I’ve played, as my friend and I both hit our agreed-upon 10-stroke maximum on a few holes.
What made the course especially memorable was its Catalina-themed design. Each hole featured a plaque explaining a different aspect of the island’s history, wildlife, or culture, so we ended up learning more about Catalina while competing against each other.
Coming Back
Originally, we wanted to stay on the island to watch the official fireworks show. However, holiday hotel prices were steep and most required multi-night minimum stays, so we opted to head home after dinner.
Our return ferry was smaller than the morning vessel and felt noticeably rougher. I’m not sure if it was due to the smaller boat size or the waves, but I definitely felt a little seasick by the end of the ride. If you’re prone to motion sickness, I recommend bringing medication.
As we approached San Pedro, we could see fireworks displays along the coastline, so I didn’t feel like I missed out on the fireworks after all. Even during the drive home, fireworks seemed to be going off in every direction. We finished the night watching more fireworks from my friend’s apartment rooftop.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I had a great July 4th on Catalina Island. It was definitely crowded, but the holiday atmosphere made the island feel especially festive. Boats were decked out with American flags, golf carts were decorated for the parade, and people were celebrating throughout Avalon. Even with a full day on the island, I didn’t get to do any water activities or longer hikes, so I’d love to return for a longer stay and explore more of what Catalina has to offer.
Looking for more things to do in LA? Check out my top 5 favorites!
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