Catalina Island was well known as a celebrity hot spot back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, and today as a top luxury summer vacation destination for Southern California. Between the amazing restaurants, wide variety of activities, and 4-star hotels, visiting Catalina Island can become expensive. But never fear, here are our tips for for visiting Catalina Island on a budget!
Tip #1: Visit during the off-season: November to March
Summer is a busy time for Catalina Island tourism. For lower hotel rates, schedule your trip for between November and March. You may find yourself getting a hotel room for 50% less than it would be during the summer season.
Tip #2: Skip the golf cart and opt for the Garibaldi bus
Renting a gold cart to get around Catalina Island seems like a no brainer, but I wouldn’t recommend it as your main form of transportation. Not only does it usually run ~$100 for 2 hours, there is a limit on how long you can rent the cart.
If you’re trying to visit Catalina Island on a budget, opt for the Garibaldi bus instead and only spend $5 per day! PS: I particularly love this as you’re not as rushed to see the different attractions and can go at your own pace.
Tip #3: Visit during the week (and get a deal on Groupon)
Save on everything from the boat trip to restaurants by browsing Groupon offers. Right now, you can grab a round trip ride on the The Catalina Flyer for just $44. However, parking for this boat service in Newport Beach is fairly expensive at $27 per day, so plan accordingly. Prices are also cheaper during the week if you are able to make it work with your schedule.
Tip #4: Plan a day trip instead of a weekend getaway
If you live in the Los Angeles area, save money and visit Catalina Island as a day trip. You can still enjoy a full day of activities by catching the earliest scheduled boat ride the island and returning on the last. Check out our Catalina Island weekend or day trip itinerary blog post for activities options!
Tip #5: Shop your hotel options and pay attention to the amenities
Different hotels on Catalina Island have different amenities and offerings. For example some include breakfast, others provide dining credits, beach towels, etc. Decide what amenities you could live without and you may be able to save money.
Tip #6: Get 30-40% off tours during the off-season
While you’re on the island, I highly recommend taking one of the tour options. If you are visiting during the off-season, tours can run about 30-40% cheaper than during the summer months.
One of our favorite activities on Catalina Island was the Catalina Island Undersea Sub Expedition. This 45-minute tour brings you face to face with the aquatic life of Lover’s Cove Marine Reserve, one of the healthiest marine environments in the world.
Pro Tip: Head to groupon before booking anything as they occasionally have discounted rates on tours!
Tip #7: Save on Catalina Island restaurants
Don’t miss happy hour while on Catalina Island! You can discover some amazing deals on food and drinks by visiting restaurants during off-peak times. While researching restaurants, check on your top contenders to see if they offer a Happy Hour menu. A few spots that we’ve liked:
- Bluewater Avalon
- Address: 306 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11AM – 9PM, Friday – Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM.
- Catalina Island Brew House
- Address: 417 Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
- Hours: Monday – Saturday 7AM – 2PM, closed Sundays.
