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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
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- 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
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- 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
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Airport in the Sky
Catalina's Airport in the Sky
Catalina Island's only airport is privately owned and located 10 miles (30-minute drive) from Avalon, and 13 miles (45-minute drive) from Two Harbors. The airport sits on a plateau, 1,600 feet above sea level, one of the highest points on the island.
The airport is open the public and is primarily used for general aviation. Freight aircraft arriving from the mainland also use Airport in the Sky. There are no scheduled passenger flights to and from Catalina Island.
Airport in the Sky is home to Airport in the Sky Restaurant, a restaurant and gift shop featuring Buffalo burgers, sandwiches and world famous cookies. The Journey in the Sky Tour stops at the Airport in the Sky for 30 minutes. Plenty of time to shop, have lunch or visit the Nature Center. You can also get to the Airport on the Catalina Island Conservancy Wildlands Express Shuttle or by hiking or biking up.
Airport in the Sky was commissioned by the Wrigley family. Two mountain tops were leveled and the remaining canyon filled in to create the 3,200 foot runway. Construction of the runway began in 1940 and was nearly complete when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941.
Because of World War II, construction was halted and the airfield, along with the rest of Catalina Island, was leased to the United States Government for $1 per year. The runway was covered with debris so that enemy aircraft would not be able to use it as a base.
After the island was returned to the Wrigley Family and the Santa Catalina Island Company, paving of the runway and completion of the tower and terminal building commenced. The airport officially opened in 1946.