Welcome to Catalina Island

Catalina Island is located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California near Long Beach. Ths island is 21 miles long and about 8 miles wide. avalon is the principal town and main ferry terminus. Discovered in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and later used for smuggling and piracy. Today it is a major resort and sportsfishing paradise.

Local attractions on Catalian Island include Avalon Theater, Catalina Island Gallery & Museum, Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens, and Catalina Conservancy.

Catalina Island Buffalo
One of the oddities of the island is tracking a herd of some 300 bison that are not native to the island. They were brought over in the early 1920's as backdrop for a movie (and their scene was cut from the final edition).

Long Beach Adventure Tours
Explore the Golden State - (Keyword: Long Beach)

• Theme Park VIP Guided Tours
• Movie Star Home Tour
• Skyline Helicopter Tour
• Harbor Cruise
• Paragliding Adventure

Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival [OCT]
First three weekends in October, Avalon, CA; Festival Website;
30 Different Stars of Smooth Jazz in the Avalon Casino Ballroom, Looking Out to Sea.
One of the most unusual jazz festival destinations in the world. Stay overnight at one of Catalina's fine hotels. JazzTrax has been an annual event since 1987.

Long Beach Entertainment Book
Get Hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment attraction coupons for the Long Beach area.

Long Beach Festivals, Faires & Shows
Local Special Events:

Some activities that you can enjoy on the island include golf, deep sea fishing, glass bottom boats, world-class diving parks, snorkeling, biking, hiking, swimming, shopping, horseback riding, buffalo watching and so much more.

Long Beach Sports & Recreation

Sports & Athletics
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Festival Guide - Sports Events
Regional Golf Courses

Long Beach Boy Scouts
Outdoor Recreational Adventure Activities for Youth:

Camp Cherry Valley SGVC
BSA Camp - Catalina Island
Camp Website;
Reservations Usually Made Two Years in Advance

Since 1925, Cherry Valley has been one of the most popular of all Boy Scout Camps with a great spot for many water sports including snorkeling, Scuba diving, canoeing, rowing, sailing and swimming. Because it is located on the leeward side of the island, the cove is calm making it a perfect place for lots of fun in the water. Hikes over mountainous terrain, war canoe races, touring an old silver mine, a sea lab with a touch tank so you can learn about local marine life is available. Camping in comfortable platform tents under a unique variety of cherry trees, a dining hall and more.

To reach this camp, scouts take a 22-mile ferry ride from San Pedro to Two Harbors and then hike two miles up the coast. The camp, valley and cove get their name from the catalina cherry trees native to the island.

Several outdoor adventures use this facility for their base camp:

• Emerald Bay - 4-mile hike with a 2-mile canoe/kayak trip.
• Parson's Landing - 8-mile hike with a 2-mile canoe/kayak trip.
• Shark Harbor - 16-mile round-trip hike to a sand beach on the windward side of the island.
• Silver Peak - 21-Mile hike to the highest point on the West end of Catalina.
• Little Fisherman's - A 4 mile hike up to Goat Whiskers, the mountain at the top of cherry cove, then down to Little Fisherman's beach.
• Silver Mine - There is a small silver mine located in the cove left from the time the western part of Catalina Island was full of such mines.
• Camp Cherry Valley Alumni Association -

Camp Emerald Bay - WLACC
BSA Catalina Island Adventure Camp
Catalina Island; Camp Website;
Summer Camp is the enticement of Scouting that appeals to boys, and a week at Camp Emerald Bay is the preeminent experience. Scout Troops come from all over the United States to spend a week by her crystal clear waters. The program has been refined for over 75 years balancing merit badge and rank advancement with seizing all that the unique aquatic location has to share. The facilities have, over the last several years, been brought into the 21st century offering a state-of-the-art marine science center, rifle range, handicraft lodge as well as the premiere waterfront. Rugged "E" is a physically and mentally challenging program (for ages 14 plus only) including kayaking, hiking, aquatic COPE events, overnight trips, day and night snorkeling trips and mountain biking.

Catalina Island Civic Groups:

Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce

City of Avalon California

Catalina Island Visitors Guide

Rotary Club of Avalon CA