Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina Island (often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina), is a rocky island off the coast of the state of California in the United States of America.

Catalina Island Visitors Bureau is located at the Green Pier and offers advice and information on local attractions and activities.

The Casino, meaning a "place of gathering or entertainment" not gambling, opened in 1929 and dominates the Avalon landscape along the harbour. The massive 12 story building has been recently restored and is divided into three levels housing the historic Avalon Theatre, a classic mezzanine and spectacular grand ballroom. The Catalina Island Museum can also be found here.

The miniature golf course is located in the centre of Avalon and offers a good, old fashioned yet challenging and fun layout for all the family.

Descanso Beach, Avalon's only seaside private beach club, has a restaurant, bar, private cabana and chaise lounge rentals and rock climbing.

According to a recent published report, Avalon beach is one of the 10 most chronically polluted beaches in America, with it's deteriorating sewer system being the cause of the pollution.

The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is a half an hour stroll up Avalon Canyon from the centre of town. The Botanic Garden is the main gateway for access to one of the most popular hikes - the Garden to Sky Trail.

The Nature Centre at Avalon Canyon has informative displays on the unusual plants and animals endemic to Catalina. It is free to visit and located just before Wrigley Gardens.

Catalina Island's 9 hole golf course is the oldest operating course west of the Mississippi.

Two Harbors village is located on the west end of Catalina Island. It is a favourite destination for boaters from the mainland. The village has two restaurants, two bars, a general store, marine repair, PADI certified Scuba, snorkelling, kayak and mountain bike rentals.

The Trans-Catalina Trail stretches from the Renton Mine Trailhead in the east to Starlight Beach in the west. It offers spectacular views across the 43,000-acre Nature Preserve of the Catalina Island Conservancy known as Catalina's wildlands.

The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour comprises of 5 separate zip lines starting in the mountains and ending at Descanso Beach. Reach heights of over 300ft above Descanso Canyon and speeds over 45mph.

Glass bottom boat and island bus tours, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkelling are popular visitor activities.

Lover's Cove and Descanso Beach are good places to dive. The area is famous for schools of flying fish and the bright orange Garibaldi.

For cheap and cheerful keepsakes, Crescent Avenue is lined with many souvenir shops. For a special gift, peruse the beautiful artwork and jewellery created by local artists.

Dining choices on the island range from classic American and seafood dishes such as clam chowder and lobster to steakhouses, Italian, Chinese and Mexican options.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers ashore to the Green Pleasure Pier in downtown Avalon.

The island is great for exploring on foot, however there is a trolley service which runs to various attractions.

There are also several bicycle rental agencies on the island and golf carts can also be hired.

For good snorkelling, Lover’s Cove is around 10 minutes away from the tender drop off point.