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- Things to Do
- Land Tours
- Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour
- Ridgetop Eco Adventure Tour
- Discover Avalon
- Journey to the Sky
- Bison Expedition
- Catalina Aerial Adventure
- Catalina Falconry Experience
- Hiking / Walking
- Ocean Tours
- Discover Two Harbors
- Undersea Sub Expedition
- Glass Bottom Boat
- Flying Fish Voyage
- Fishing
- SCUBA
- Exclusive Tours
- Descanso Beach Club
- Cabana Rentals
- Island Spa Catalina
- Camping
- Trans-Catalina Trail
- Events
- Catalina Wine Mixer
- Two Harbors Wine Fest
- Independence Day Celebration in Two Harbors
- Catalina Casino Tours
- Discover the Casino
- Behind the Scenes
- Avalon Theatre
- Shopping
- Catalina Island Gift Cards
- Golf
- Catalina Island Golf Course
- Golf Gardens Mini Golf
- Two Harbors
- Visitor Services
- Two Harbors Annual Events
- Buccaneer Days
- General Store
- Outdoor Activities
- Harbor Sands
- Hiking & Backpacking
- Biking
- Disc Golf
- Water Activities
- Shore Boat
- Dive & Recreation Center
- Fishing Skiffs
- SCUBA
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Two Harbors Boating
- Two Harbors Mooring Special
- Mooring Sites
- Mooring Info & Rules
- Mooring Reservations & Fees
- Boat-In Camping
- Ripper's Cove
- Paradise Cove
- Cabrillo Beach
- Lava Wall
- Gibraltar Beach
- Goat Harbor
- Long Point
- Italian Gardens
- Willow Cove
- Land & Marine Services
- Course Settings
- Marine Preservation
- Trans-Catalina Trail
- Trans-Catalina Trail
- Lodging
- Avalon
- Pavilion Hotel
- Hotel Atwater
- Mt Ada
- Guest Rooms at Mt Ada
- ADA Features
- Two Harbors
- Banning House Lodge
- Villa Santa Rosa
- Villa Santa Cruz
- Camping
- Two Harbors Camping
- Two Harbors
- Bahia Azul
- Brisa Del Mar
- Deck Rooms
- Little Harbor
- Avalon Camping
- Hermit Gulch
- Hermit Gulch Campground Rules
- Primitive Camping
- Black Jack
- Parson's Landing
- Boat In Camping
- Camping Guidelines & FAQs
- Rental Gear Supplies
- Packages
- Lodging
- Boat & Hotel
- Romance Package
- Third Night Complimentary
- Catalina Wine Mixer Hotel Packages
- Boat & Banning House Lodge
- Boat & Hotel | Catalina Flyer
- Tall Tiki Tales Package
- Activities & Adventures
- Ship & Zip
- Boating
- Mooring Offers
- Dining
- Avalon
- Antonio's Pizzeria & Cabaret
- Avalon Grille
- Bistro at the Atwater
- Descanso Beach Club
- CHILL at Descanso Beach Club
- Catering
- Two Harbors
- Harbor Sands
- Harbor Reef Restaurant
- Summer Dance Party
- Harbor Reef Saloon
- West End Galley
- Isthmus Picnic Sites
- About the Island
- Blog
- Webcams
- Catalina Island Avalon Harbor Webcam
- Descanso Beach Club Webcam
- Two Harbors Webcam
- History
- Catalina Island Casino
- Historical Information
- Island Guide
- Avalon
- Two Harbors
- Tour Plaza
- Pleasure Pier
- Weather
- Beaches
- Blog
- Transportation & Maps
- Maps
- Getting Here
- Getting Around
- Points of Interest
- El Rancho Escondido
- Catalina Island Museum
- Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens
- Civil War Barracks
- Airport in the Sky
- Banning House Lodge
- Catalina Country Club
- Mt Ada
- Press Releases
- About Catalina Island Company
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Catalina Island Beaches
Avalon Beaches
Avalon offers a number of relaxing beaches within walking distance of the city’s many hotels, shops, and restaurants. Most are close to restrooms and offer soft sand, gentle surf, and easy swimming access.
Descanso Beach
Located just past Catalina Casino, Descanso Beach is a picturesque two-tiered private beach with great swimming and lots of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding.
There is a $2 fee to access Descanso Beach Club, which offers restrooms, outdoor showers, dressing rooms, and chaise lounge/cabana rentals. Descanso Beach Club is also home to Avalon's only beachside restaurant and bar, featuring signature dishes and classic Catalina cocktails. Descanso Fresh is a great place to cool off with ice cream treats and fruit smoothies.
Pick up the Descanso Beach shuttle near the Casino Way arch. Descanso Beach Club is also the starting point for the Zip Line Eco Tour, Catalina Aerial Adventure and the Catalina Climbing Wall.
South Beach
South Beach is just to the right of the Pleasure Pier and is easy walking distance to food, shopping, restrooms, and lots of activity. Plenty of sand, a gently sloping bank, and lifeguards during the summer make South Beach a great family experience.
Middle Beach
Middle Beach is on the left side of the Pleasure Pier. Just like South Beach, Middle Beach is scenic and relaxing, as well as being within walking distance of food, restrooms, and shopping. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer.
Step Beach
Step Beach is a small strip of sand that flows directly into deeper ocean waters just north of Middle Beach. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
Two Harbors Beaches
The upper beach in Two Harbors has a great sand volleyball court. There is also a beach area east of town in front of Two Harbors Campground. Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center rents kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, lounge chairs, and other beach items. If you’re the adventurous type, you can hike, paddle or kayak to stunning and secluded sandy beaches in nearby coves.
Harbor Sands in Two Harbors
This charming South Pacific oasis on the shore of Isthmus Cove rents furnished palapas and lounge chairs for a relaxing day at the beach. Other Harbor Sands amenities include a beachfront dining deck, food and beverage service, and a group picnic area with full-service catering.