Wondering how to get to Catalina Island from Los Angeles? While there are many transportation options, there’s only one option that provides the best value for money. You don’t want to be traveling for hours and spending tons of money to get to the same destination.
Living in California, we love getting to a place in the most budget-friendly and fastest way. In this post, we’ll discuss the best way to get to Catalina Island from LA, other options to get to the island, and FAQs.
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Planning your trip to Catalina Island? Here are the best tours, hotels, and ferry service:
📸 Best Tours In Catalina Island:
- Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon (see more sights in less time)
- Mermaid Photo Shoot
- Bison Expedition
- 2 hour Inside Adventure Tour (visit the highest point of the island!)
- Undersea Expedition Tour (5 feet below the sea)
- 45 Minute Semi-Submarine Tour (best thing to do with kids!)
- Glass Bottom Boat Tour (see schools of fish w/o scuba diving or snorkeling)
😴 Best Hotels On Catalina Island:
- Hotel Atwater (💲) (free access to Descanso Beach Club)
- The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island (💲💲) (360 views of Avalon!)
- Hamilton Cove (💲💲💲) (includes golf cart to explore the island)
⛴️ Best Ferry Service: Catalina Express (cheapest and quickest way)
How To Get To Catalina Island From LA
The Catalina Express Ferry is the best way to get to Catalina Island from LA. Catalina Island is a popular destination for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and charming small-town vibe.
You’ll depart from San Pedro Port: 95 Berth, San Pedro. The ferry also departs from Long Beach and Dana Point but San Pedro is the closest port to Los Angeles.
This ferry is high-speed and uses environment-friendly engines. The price of the round-trip ferry is $83.50. You can book up to a maximum of 14 people for each booking.
Booking the Catalina Express Ferry is a great way to access all that the island has to offer, from hiking and touring to dining and shopping.
The ferry will drop you in downtown Avalon. Along the way, you’ll see gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.
Check availability for the Catalina Express Ferry.
How To Get To Catalina Island From LAX
There are two ways to get from the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Catalina Island:
1️⃣ Car + Ferry
To get to the San Pedro Port via car, take I-405 S and 1-110 S. Here are the Google Maps directions.
2️⃣ Public Transit + Ferry
To get to the San Pedro Port via public transit, take the Metro C Line Blue, Metro C Line Green, and Metro J Line Silver. Here are the Google Maps directions.
⭐ If you’re leaving from another city, here’s what you need to know if you’re traveling to Catalina Island from Long Beach, Santa Monica, or San Diego.
What You Need To Know About The Catalina Express Ferry
⛴️ Closest Port To LA: San Pedro Port (Address: 95 Berth, San Pedro)
⛴️ Duration of ferry: About 1 hour
⛴️ Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible and stroller accessible
⛴️ Restrooms Available? Yes, on the ferry
⛴️ Pets Allowed? Service animals are allowed
⛴️ Maximum Number Of People Onboard: 149 travelers
⛴️ Luggage Allowed? Yes, you can carry up to 2 bags per person. Each bag shouldn’t way more than 50 pounds.
⭐ Your reservation is confirmed only if you book your departure and return time. Call Catalina Express Ferry to book your timings. ⭐
Ferry Parking Near Los Angeles
The Catalina Express ferry has multiple departure points, and the parking options vary depending on the departure point:
🅿️ Long Beach Port: This is the closest port from Long Beach and another option from LA. Parking is also right next to the terminal. For daily parking, it’s 22. You can park overnight and you can pay with cash, Mastercard, or Visa.
Why Choose The Catalina Express Ferry
There are many reasons why to book the Catalina Express Ferry to Catalina Island:
😍 Convenient and fast transportation: The Catalina Express offers a convenient and fast way to get to Catalina Island. The ferry departs from multiple locations in Southern California and takes approximately one hour to reach the island.
😍 Scenic views: The ferry ride to Catalina Island is a scenic journey, with views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The open-air top deck of the ferry provides a great vantage point to take in the beauty of the ocean and the island.
😍 Multiple departure points and schedules: The Catalina Express offers multiple departure points and schedules, making it easy to fit a trip to Catalina Island into your schedule. The ferry runs year-round, with more frequent departures during peak season.
😍 Eco-friendly: It’s a more eco-friendly option compared to taking a personal boat or helicopter to the island. The high-speed ferries are equipped with modern engines that emit low emissions, and the ferry has a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Check rates & availability for the Catalina Express Ferry.
Catalina Express Reviews
“First of all, I love the ease of booking with Viator. Everything was smooth and that made my trip enjoyable. Catalina Island is so relaxing no one bothers you. I love this place.” – Mercedes_M (Viator Reviews)
“1st time on Catalina express To Catalina island had a wonderful time and it was quiet. Wonderful ride From Long Beach to Catalina.” – Mike_M (Viator Reviews)
“Went with family to Catalina for the first time. The boat was beautiful, staff from check-in to your crew were delightful. Thank you so much for being a part of a great two days.” – Michael_P (Viator Reviews)
Other Options To Get To Catalina Island
⛴️ Ferry From Newport Beach
There’s another ferry option, Catalina Flyer that departs from Newport Beach.
🚁 Helicopter From Los Angeles To Catalina Island
Maverick Helicopters offers 15-minute flights from Long Beach with round-trip prices from $300+ depending on the season.
Helicopter transportation to Catalina Island is a faster and more direct option, but it is more expensive than taking the Catalina Express ferry.
🛥️ Boat Charters
There are boat charters that you could book from mainland California to the island including Los Angeles Yacht Charter and Luxury Liners.
This is also a pricey option that can be from $750 to $27,000 for a yacht charter.
⛵ Sailing
You can also sail from companies including Bluewater Sailing and Mariner Sailing Charters. This is the most eco-friendly way to get to Catalina Island.
🚣 Kayaking
While it is possible to kayak to Catalina Island, it requires careful planning, preparation, and experience in open-water kayaking. Here’s what you need to know about kayaking to Catalina Island.
🛩️ Private Planes
A far more expensive option but still an option is to fly via a private plane. Planes would fly into Catalina’s airport, Airport in the Sky. While the airport isn’t used for passenger flights, it’s open to the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Catalina Island is 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles.
There are a number of options: ferry, helicopter, boat charters, private planes, and sailing. The easiest way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry.
Taking the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach is the cheapest way.
No, you can’t drive to Catalina Island from LA. Even if you can, you can’t drive your car on Catalina Island.
No, there isn’t Uber or Lyft on the island but there are other ways to tour the island.
You can get around by walking, public transit, taxis, or by golf cart. While you can’t rent scooter rentals, you can rent a golf cart to see the island!
There is no direct ferry from LAX airport to Catalina Island. The best way is to drive and park at San Pedro Port and then take the ferry.
The Catalina Express Ferry is the best way to get to Catalina Island from Los Angeles. It’s the fastest and cheapest option among other options to get to Catalina Island.
The ride takes around an hour from any of the Catalina Express ferry ports to the island.
The round-trip cost of the ferry is $83.50 per adult.
No, the ferry doesn’t include hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Yes, Catalina Island is definitely worth it! There is so much untouched natural beauty and lifetime tours to do on this island. Plus it’s more accessible and cheaper to get to Catalina for island life compared to other island destinations.
The Catalina Flyer ferry used to go to Marina Del Rey until 2011 but doesn’t anymore. The closest option is the Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro.
While it’s not mandatory to carry passports to go to Catalina Island and there aren’t any immigration checks, it’s best to carry a government-issued identification like a driver’s license, Real ID, or passport in case of emergencies.
Yes, you can bring your dog to Catalina Island, however, there are a few restrictions. For your pet’s safety, they must be kept leashed wherever you take them, and unfortunately, they may not be able to join you on certain beaches or attractions.
You can take the Catalina Express from San Pedro to Two Harbors but they don’t run a regular schedule. It’s best to take a ferry from San Pedro or Long Beach to Avalon. You can get to Two Harbors from Avalon either by boat or taxi.
Yes, you can live on Catalina Island. There are different residential options, including apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes in Avalon.
Some of the best restaurants on Catalina Island include Steve’s Steakhouse and Seafood, Bluewater Grill, Descanso Beach Club, and the Lobster Trap.
Final Thoughts
While there are other options to get to Catalina Island from LA, taking the Catalina Express Ferry is the best way. It’s the cheapest and fastest option and the ferry is environmentally friendly.
Read More From Bae Area and Beyond
How To Get To Catalina Island From Long Beach
How To Get To Catalina Island From Santa Monica
San Diego To Catalina Island: 3 Best Options
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