Escape to Catalina Island’s Quiet Season
Just 23 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is an idyllic retreat in any season. But after the summer crowds have dispersed, a quiet magic descends across the island. The soothing chimes of Avalon’s historic bell tower mark the passage of time just as they have the past 100 years, but time itself seems to move more languidly. Festive lights and decorations adorn the waterfront in preparation for holiday shopping and celebrations. Winter is also the best time to find great deals on hotel and ferry packages for the island.
An escape to Catalina starts with the ferry ride. Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city, Catalina Express transports passengers to this island paradise with dozens of daily departures year-round from ports in San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. It’s an effortless journey that allows just enough time to set an out-of-office reply and enjoy a drink before the island comes into view.
The seaside town of Avalon is an enchanting picture postcard. Colorful, Mediterranean-style buildings cascade down the hillsides, framing a crescent-shaped harbor filled with bobbing sailboats. Schools of bright orange Garibaldi swim in the crystal-clear waters while shorebirds soar overhead. A palm-lined path curves along the shoreline, inviting leisurely strolls. Charming shops and cafes nestled near the water beckon travelers to stop and stay awhile. The rugged mountains rising above the town hint at the vast wilderness extending beyond their peaks.
Explore Catalina’s Rugged Interior
Spanning 76 square miles, Catalina Island is home to more than 60 endemic species of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. In the 1970s, heirs of the Wrigley family, which had owned the island for over 50 years, deeded 88 percent of the land to the Catalina Island Conservancy to ensure it would remain wild and undeveloped in perpetuity. The non-profit land trust works to protect the island—including the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in Southern California—and restore threatened and endangered species and habitats. The island’s rugged interior is limited to permitted hikers, cyclists, and authorized tour operators.
Winter is a great time to enjoy a bit of solitude while exploring the island’s interior and secluded beach coves. More than 165 miles of hiking trails traverse the island, including several day-hike loops from Avalon and the 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail. For two-wheel explorations through the island’s untamed beauty, there are 40 miles of dirt roads and trails open for mountain biking.
In addition, several tour companies journey into the heart of the island. Guided by knowledgeable locals, the open-air tours delve into Catalina’s unique history, flora, and fauna, and traverse winding dirt roads with breathtaking views of the rugged landscapes and coastline. One of the tours, the Catalina Eco Tour, is led by naturalists with the Catalina Island Conservancy and takes visitors into parts of the island no other outfitter can reach.
Whether on foot, by bike, or by guided tour, exploring the interior offers the chance to see the island’s resident bison (descendants of a herd brought over for a movie shoot in the 1920s), the adorable Catalina Island fox (a species found nowhere else on the planet), and other abundant wildlife.
More Year-Round Attractions and Adventures
While winter brings cooler days, the weather is still mild and sunny with average daytime temperatures in the 60s. Water enthusiasts might opt for a wetsuit before diving in, but nearly all the island’s attractions and activities remain open year-round. Visitors can play a round of golf at the oldest course west of the Mississippi, zipline through the canyons, go diving among the vibrant marine life and kelp forests, or peer into the watery worlds via a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible.
At Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Gardens, visitors can wander the 38-acre garden that first blossomed in 1935 as Ada Wrigley’s private desert plant collection. The garden features remarkable exotic specimens as well as native and endemic plants from the island. Visitors can also tour Catalina’s most iconic landmark, the historic Catalina Casino, which shines like a jewel from its perch along the bay. The 1929 Art Deco masterpiece houses the first theatre built specifically for “talkies” on the lower level, while the upper level features a large circular ballroom where thousands once danced the night away to the sounds of big band music.
Where to Stay
The Avalon Hotel
Half a block from the waterfront, The Avalon Hotel is an elegant Arts-and-Crafts style boutique hotel. Originally built in 1925, the 15-room hotel was completely renovated and reopened in 2004. The hotel features beautiful woodworking, a rich collection of local art, custom-made Craftsman-inspired lighting, and hand-pressed terra cotta tiles made by a local artisan.
The 15 impeccable, well-appointed guest rooms feature luxurious memory foam beds, cozy robes, and gleaming, white-tiled baths. Most of the rooms offer full or partial ocean views with balconies. Thoughtful touches include loaner beach chairs, beach bags, beach towels, and a stash of local saltwater taffy.
Each morning, the hotel serves a complimentary continental breakfast amid a tropical setting on its outdoor garden patio. The lush garden patio also features an outdoor shower, a fire pit, and a koi pond with a trickling fountain.
Upstairs, a rooftop deck overlooks the water, the town, and the hillsides with 360-degree views. Guests can curl up with a book on one of the lounge chairs or enjoy a glass of wine at an intimate high-top table overlooking the ocean.
Aurora Hotel
Perched on a rise just a short walk from the waterfront, the Aurora Hotel beckons with its sleek, coastal-inspired decor. The hotel offers a mix of intimate guest rooms and expansive suites, all with access to the hotel’s newly revamped rooftop deck and a complimentary breakfast served daily in the lobby.
The 168-square-foot guest rooms make the most of their compact footprints, providing a surprising array of creature comforts and amenities. The rooms feature space-saving built-in furnishings and comfortable Tempur-Pedic beds. Striking coastal and underwater photography decorates the walls. Some rooms also have ocean views.
The junior suites add oversized jetted tubs and plenty of room to kick back with living areas and sofa sleepers. The hotel’s Celebrity Suite is one of the largest hotel suites on the island. It features a living area with a fireplace and wet bar, a king-sized bed, and a private sundeck with ocean views.
Coffee and tea are available in the lobby all day and night. They serve freshly baked cookies each afternoon and a full breakfast each morning. The hotel’s newly renovated rooftop deck overlooks Avalon Bay and offers comfortable lounge chairs, high-top bar seating, shade umbrellas, and tempered glass railings to maximize the view. It’s the perfect spot to relax with a book or a glass of wine.
Main photo courtesy of Love Catalina Island