Catalina Island has been a lot of things to a lot of people. It was home to its first inhabitants, the Tongva tribe. To explorers, it was a new land to discover and re-name in honor of Saint Catherine. To some, it became an ideal place to create a resort-like town for recreation and relaxation. Catalina has been the backdrop for plenty of movies, the setting for spring training for the Chicago Cubs, a playground for many Hollywood stars, a treasured tradition for many vacationers, and a gorgeous island refuge. Much of the island is conserved, which means there are no plans to build condos and hotels all over the canyons and hilltops of Catalina. Much of the natural beauty of this beautiful place remains untouched—save for a few hiking trails and campgrounds. While the towns of Avalon and Two Harbors are two of the main attractions on the island, there is plenty more to explore in all its natural, preserved glory. Find out about some fun destinations you can get to when you take private transportation from Catalina Taxi and Tours. Read on to learn more about where the Catalina Shuttle Service goes.
Visit the interior. Fun fact: the US Department of the Interior’s official seal happens to have a buffalo on it. Another fun fact: the interior of Catalina Island is home to a population of about 150 American bison. Are you curious about what the interior parts of Catalina are like? Catalina Taxi and Tours offers a year-round service that provides travelers with quick and convenient transportation around the island. While the most common mode of transport on the island is a golf cart, the Catalina Taxi and Tours minivans are spacious—with the ability to hold up to 7 passengers with luggage and gear. They also offer 4Runners, which can carry up to 4 passengers with luggage and gear too. These shuttles are based out of Avalon and run 7 days a week.
Hikers paradise. There are some great hiking trails throughout the interior of the island. One fun option many hikers choose is to take a shuttle into the interior, then make the trek back to the town of Avalon. If you’re super adventurous and experienced when it comes to hiking, you may want to try your hand at the Trans Catalina trail. You can take the shuttle up to Blackjack, a well-known mountain top stop on the Trans Catalina trail.
Hit the runway. Have you ever been to an Airport in the Sky? You can take a shuttle from Avalon all the way to Catalina’s only airport, 1600 feet above sea level. The trip there is about 30 minutes, and it’s a great place to spend a few hours shopping for gifts, dine at the DC-3 café, or even check out a little hiking trail. While there are no passenger flights that travel to the island, the airport is used for general aviation, private planes, and freight aircraft.
See the Summit. The Summit is a hilltop destination that offers spectacular views. You can look out over Avalon, and on clear days, you can see all the way to the mainland from the Summit. This 15-minute ride is another good spot for taking a ride up, then making the walk back down to Avalon.
Discover the Isthmus. The West End of the island is true island living. Two Harbors is truly more of a village than a large town. A narrow strip of land separates Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor. Throughout history, it has been home to native Americans, fur traders, pirates, and Union soldiers. Today, there are plenty of adventures all around this special place. From kayaking to snorkeling, swimming to boating, hiking to camping, mountain biking to fishing—you might just become a fan of the island life in Two Harbors. There are also great places to grab a bite to eat: Harbor Sands and the Harbor Reef Restaurant. A nice little General Store is also there for any grocery or souvenir needs. The shuttle ride there is about an hour and 20 minutes.
Have a picnic. The shuttle can take you and your group to Haypress, a beautiful spot for picnics that is about a 20-minute ride from Avalon. It’s a good spot for families—complete with a playground and a pond, or couples and friends can gather here to enjoy other amenities like barbecues and hiking trails. If you’re not up for barbecuing, you can bring along a picnic packed by one of Avalon’s local eateries.
Check out a pretty private beach. Avalon’s beaches are such great places to sit in a beach chair, to people watch, to hear the little waves lapping and children playing. They’re popular places on the island and tend to have big crowds all summer long. If you’re looking for a different kind of harbor, take a shuttle out to Little Harbor, about a 45-minute ride out of Avalon. It’s best known as a favorite camping spot, but it’s also a favorite for hikers and beach goers.
Is there somewhere else you want to go to on Catalina Island? Call Catalina Taxi and Tours. For more than 20 years, we have provided service all over the island, and we offer Catalina shuttle service to many different locations. Reach out to us at 310-510-0342 to learn more.
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