Trip · 3-day camping trip
For · Teens and experienced campers
Vibe · Challenging yet fun
Reservations · Yes, book a campsite at Two Harbors Campground and ferry tickets from Catalina Express
Drive · 30 minute drive from LA and a 1.5 hour ferry ride
Ideal dates · October to March (for the off-season and cooler weather)
Pets · Not allowed on the island
Santa Catalina Island's white sand beaches and sparkling ocean views are only a 90-minute ferry ride from Southern CA. Once you arrive at Avalon, the island's main hub, or Two Harbors, the more remote option, you can go kayaking, surfing, and snorkeling, and sign up for adventures like a zip line eco tour, a 32-foot climbing wall, or a seasonal falconry experience. Two Harbors Campground even has a fee-based firewood, grocery, and camping gear rental and delivery service so you can swank it up or DIY.
Official Visit Catalina Island Website
Map of Catalina Island Hiking Trails
Directions to San Pedro Ferry Terminal
Main image credit: N/A
Each campsite comes with a:
There are five campgrounds on Catalina Island: Hermit Gulch (near Avalon), Two Harbors, Little Harbor, Black Jack, and Parson's Landing, and eight boat-in campsites accessible only via boat or kayak. Unlike most parks, Catalina Island charges a nightly camping fee per adult or child so it's important to know exactly how many people are camping in your group. Two Harbors Campground is about a steepish, half-mile walk from the ferry landing. The majority of its campsites have stunning ocean views. There are restrooms, coin-operated showers, a restaurant, and a general store where you can rent camping gear, buy hot pizza, and get ice delivered to your campsite.
Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: Before 11 AM
Nightly Rate: $27 to $30
Since 1975, the Catalina Island Conservancy, a nonprofit, has been managing Santa Catalina Island
Thousands of years ago, the Tongva tribe called the island Pimu, and referred to themselves as the Pimugnans
Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno, arrived on the island on the eve of Saint Catherine's day (Nov. 24) in 1602, and renamed the island in the saint's honor
It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.
Self-Care
A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.
Self-Care
Self-care
A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.
Personal Stuff
Clothes
A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.
Pets
Pets
A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.
Pets
Pets
Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.
Pets
Pets
Enjoy the small town charm and enchanting wilderness in Idyllwild for this beginner camping trip.