What to do in Catalina

[LynnSD]

We will be in Catalina on Christmas Eve. Any suggestions about what is most fun to do? Will we be able to buy local tours and/or activities once we get there or should we book ahead? I don't think we want to snorkel but we don't want to just wander around...

 

Thanks!!

[Rosefloater]

Here are 2 websites for catalina.

http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/

http://www.ecatalina.com/catalina-activities.html

 

You can book tours thru Discovery Tours. They have a kiosk located on the green pier and also a storefront on the street at the end of the pier on the corner. There is a regular tour and a "behind the scenes" tour of the casino which is very interesting. The regular tour lets you see a short movie at the casino, but the "BTS" tour doesn't. Admission to the museum is included in the price of the "BTS" tour. Not sure about the regular tour.

 

You can book semi-submersible tours off the pier that are usually cheaper than the ship.

There are golf carts that you can rent for $40/1st hour and $20 each add'l hour.

 

Take the trolley (this is their bus) to the Botanical Gardens (mostly Catalina natives) and see the Wrigley memorial there.

 

I was told that they were going to have a zip line, though not sure when it is going to open.

 

Or, if you want, just walk around Avalon, shop and eat at one of the local restaurants.

 

If you like salt water taffy, there is a store there that makes their own.

[r&rfraz]

if you have any interest in snorkling this is a great place place to to give it a try at a very affordable price. take the walkway past the casino to the beach beyond. you will find a sgreat little beach and busines that will rent you all necessary equipment including wet suits. head off to the left of the beach and snorkle through the kelp forests. you will see lot sof beautiful fish and underwater scenery. you can also buy fish food to take in the water with you. the surf is gentle here so it would be a great place to let kids give it a try. very affordable . can't remember the exact price but it was around 20.00 for an hour. it was the best part of my catalina trip. we also really enjoyed renting the golf cart and driving the island. we also drove to the botanical gardens. we got off the ship early and were one of the first golf carts to head out on the road. as a result we were one step ahead of the crowds all day. it was a very relaxing day. we didn't think we would enjoy catalina as much as we did but we absolutly loved it. you will have a great day on the island! enjoy yourself!!

[r&rfraz]

forgot to add that we also saw alot of kayakers. we did not have time to try it but it seemed like a great way to ejoy the island.