Are you interested in hosting a bachelorette party on Catalina Island, right off the coast of southern California? Awesome! I’m here to tell you what you need to know!
If you’ve ever been to Catalina Island, you know how wonderful it is. About an hour ferry ride from certain southern Californian ports, this unique place offers European vibes, a relaxed atmosphere, and tons of fun to be had. It’s the perfect recipe for a trip, if you ask me. Catalina Island can feel like you’re in a totally separate world, and still give you all the comforts of home.
When it comes to hosting a bachelorette party on Catalina Island, the appeal is definitely there. Most bachelorette parties love to have a mixture of activities and just chilling with friends. Catalina Island has adventure, beaches, pampering, lots of restaurants, hiking, and plenty of opportunities to leisurely explore or just relax. More to come on all of that. To sum it up, Catalina Island is the perfect spot for a bachelorette party. This is especially true if your goal is to have a destination, to relax, and also have the option to do some fun stuff.
Bachelorette Party On Catalina Island, California: What You Need To Know
This post is going to tell you what you need to know about hosting your bachelorette party on Catalina Island. Now, to be clear, Catalina Island is not known for it’s party atmosphere. Restaurants close relatively early, and there are few late-night clubs. If you are looking for a big party scene, Catalina Island may not be great for your bachelorette party. However, if you’re cool with fun days, relaxed nights, and a lot of great memories with your friends, Catalina Island is perfect.
Let’s get into it!
WHY HAVE A BACHELORETTE PARTY ON CATALINA ISLAND
As mentioned above, Catalina Island is a magical place. Getting there is a process (more on that below), but once you’re there, you feel like you’re a million miles from the Californian mainland.
There are two main villages on Catalina Island, and a lot of land between them. There is Avalon, a hub for restaurants, shops, hotels, and a few resorts, and also the main ferry drop off point. Avalon is easy to navigate, with it’s main street facing the ocean. The other village is Twin Harbors, which is much, much smaller than Avalon with only a couple restaurants and bars. My suggestion? If you’re going to have a bachelorette party on Catalina Island, stick to Avalon.
Catalina Island is charming, but can also feel special and exciting to visit. There are very few cars on the island. If you go to Avalon the primary mode of transportation is walking, but you can also rent and use golf carts to get around. Those who work on the island are used to visitors, and are very friendly towards them. The vibe is relaxed, but also inviting. It’s a perfect space to land with friends that isn’t “too far out there” but also feels like an event.
CATALINA ISLAND LOGISTICS
This section is about how to get to Catalina Island, what you should pack, getting around the island, and where you should stay. It should help you understand the effort (or lack there of) that it takes to get situated on the island itself.
THE CATALINA ISLAND EXPRESS
The main way to get to Catalina Island is via the Catalina Express ferry. There are other ways to get there, such as taking a helicopter, renting jet skis, or hiring a private boat, but the ferry is generally the way for most people.
The Catalina Island Express ferry has three launching points. They are from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. Each of these cities are along the cost of southern California.
If you are not able to drive to them, you’ll need to fly into one of many southern California airports, such as LAX, John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Burbank Airport, or Long Beach Airport. All of the Catalina Express locations are within an hour of at least one of these major airports, or much less, depending on where you fly into and where you launch from. Traffic can be a factor in southern California, especially when you have to get on a freeway, so map out the best spot for you.
If you plan to drive to the Catalina Island Ferry, parking is abundant in their lots, but it is not free. Prices for parking may increase, but they are usually about $25 a day, per car.
Ferry ticket prices vary a little, but generally, a ticket to Avalon (the main “city” on Catalina Island), will run about $92, round trip. Advance reservations are usually required, but these reservations are very flexible. Changes can easily be made, if needed.
For more information on the Catalina Island Express, check out this link.
PACKING FOR CATALINA
Alright, now that you know how to get to Catalina, let’s talk about packing for Catalina.
Though the weather on Catalina Island is mild, it is still an island. This means that it’s prone to getting windy. And, it can experience rainy and cold weather, at certain times of the year. In the months of November to March, the weather is typically cool, with most visitors getting by with some sweatshirts to keep warm. The rest of the year it can get very warm, where t-shirts or summer dresses will keep visitors comfortable. It can get quite rainy in the spring, though, so always check the weather before you go.
When it comes to general packing, I suggest bringing clothes that you can layer, as the weather warms up during the day and cools off at night. If you to the beach, swimsuits are fine, but don’t get too risqué with them. The water is cold, and Catalina Island is very family friendly. Beyond that, you’ll probably want to bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and basic necessities. There is a large grocery store in Avalon in case you forget anything.
GETTING AROUND CATALINA ISLAND
As mentioned above, there aren’t a lot of cars on Catalina Island. This does not mean you can’t explore, though.
Of course, one method of exploration and getting around Catalina Island is by walking. The downside of this is that you won’t be able to get too far, as Catalina Island is way bigger than you’d think. You can also sign up for tours (link here), or do your own exploration and moving around via a golf cart.
If you’re just landing in Catalina Island and need to get to your hotel or ferry, there are taxi services right outside the ferry landing, too. Long story short, you’ll be able to get around one way or another.
Here is a link to more information about Catalina Island and getting around it.
WHERE TO STAY
Though it may not seem like there are many places to stay on Catalina Island, there are actually plenty of options.
Depending on what works best for you and your party attendees, you could opt to stay at a hotel, resort, or Airbnb. Hotels are fun as they may come with amenities like beach access, beach activities, or spa packages. However, if you are looking for a full kitchen and maybe a little more privacy, Airbnb is the way to go (or VRBO, whatever works best for you.
Rather than list off some of the more popular hotels and Airbnb’s on Catalina Island, I’ll give you some links below that you can check out:
THINGS TO DO AT YOUR BACHELORETTE PARTY ON CATALINA ISLAND
Okay, on to the fun activities for your bachelorette party on Catalina Island.
Honestly, there are activities for everyone on this island. If you’re into beaches, there are plenty. Remember, though, the weather may be cool and the water may be cold, so always look ahead before you count on a beach day.
Catalina Island is also amazing to just be outside, enjoying the atmosphere and view of the ocean. A group could easy plan a day in Avalon where they shop, stop for lunch, have a quick change of clothes, go for a walk or hike, get some drinks while overlooking the beach, and then have dinner.
If you need a bit more structure, there are plenty of activities that can be arranged on Catalina Island. For example, you could book tours of the island to learn more about it via bus, hummer, or walking. You can also book ocean excursions to see sea life, via an Undersea Sub Expedition or the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage.
For more excitement, take your group to the Zip Line Eco Tour (which, by the way, is super fun in any kind of weather), or the Catalina Aerial Adventure. Of course, you can also golf or mini golf on the island, or even scuba dive.
If you opt to go to Twin Harbors to check it out, you can rent equipment like kayaks, mountain bikes, paddleboards, or snorkel gear and have your own fun with it.
Long story short, there are plenty of activities to do, you just need to decide which ones appeal the most to you. Below are some links to help you out.
- Beach Information
- Restaurants on Catalina Island
- Tours, Excursions, Activities
- Tours, Excursions, Activities
- More Tours, Excursions, Activities
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CATALINA ISLAND
There are so many other things I could share about Catalina Island, but there just isn’t enough time to do so here. A brief bit of research brought me more information for first timers and what they need to know about Catalina Island. I’ve summarized it below, and added a few tips of my own.
- Getting to the island isn’t hard
- Catalina Island is not a party destination
- Avalon is the main village, but the island is huge and there is a lot to see (76 square miles)
- Avalon is easy to walk and bike around
- The views around the island are incredible
- Catalina Island is part of California, in Los Angeles County, USD is accepted
- There is a lot to do on the island
- The weather is more predictable in the summer, less in the other seasons
- Some people feel sick on the ferry over, so it’s best to sit outside if you get motion sickness
- Catalina Island has a rich history and it’s fun to learn about
- You’ll fall in love with Catalina Island
THOUGHTS ON HAVING A BACHELORETTE PARTY ON CATALINA ISLAND
Friends, if you’re interested in having your bachelorette party on Catalina Island, you should definitely look into it. Yes, there are some costs to get over to the island. And, no, it’s not a party destination. However, it is beautiful, relaxing, and has everything a good bachelorette party location would need. Happy bachelorette planning!
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