Catalina Island Summer 2023 | What we did in one day on the island with kids… walk

We went to Catalina Island with kids. We got on the early Catalina Express boat at 8:15am. The boat had a storage room for your luggage, a bar, a viewing deck full of seats, inside seats and a VIP section for the big ballers. It took about one hour to get from Long Beach to Avalon. I got a $9 margarita and on the way back, we saw dolphins!

Once in Avalon, we did our one activity that we were able to do as a whole family: Discover Avalon tram tour around the city. It was pretty cool, we got to see (drive by) all the areas that we would have looked at if we rented golf carts. The tram goes to all of them, and even stops outside of Wrigley’s mansion to get out and take pictures of the bay of Avalon. Check out my video on that full tour in 4K:    • Discover Avalon Ride Along FULL RIDE | Cit...  

Then we searched for some food, and ate at the first family owned restaurant we saw which was Original Antonio’s Pizza. Actually I don’t know if it’s considered a mom n pop restaurant but it was good. Everything on the island 2as pricey so we went to the new and first Vons on the island. Got water and sodas.

Then we just walked around the shoreline area. There is a lot to do on the island, like excursions, renting golf carts and going around this island, snorkeling, and such. But with kids, walking around, the Discover Avalon tour, and going to the beach and playing in the water was the only things to do. We couldn’t do happy hour or anything like zip lining, but those options are there for people who go without kids.

I think Catalina Island was a nice getaway for a day. I don’t know if I would be able to stay there for more than a day and a half at most. Our 9:30am to 6pm was enough for us to have a nice day out. We spend about $115/person for the day if you include the round trip ferry, food, and the tram tour. It w old be a lot more if we did happy hour.

I think Catalina Island is a once every 5 years type of day trip for us. Unless it’s free on your birthday like they had those specials, then maybe more.

Gear: GoPro Hero 11 Black, Insta360 X3, iPhone 12 Pro