Catalina Island

By Michele Stueven

It’s the perfect time to head 26 miles across the sea for a Catalina Island getaway. Should you decide to hop on the Catalina Express out of Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point to Avalon or Two Harbors, here are some exciting new options on the island.

Catalina Island Company, the island’s resort operator, has just opened Pier 24, a new oceanfront restaurant located in the heart of Avalon. Paying homage to the original Steamer Pier, once home to William Wrigley’s cross-channel vessels, including the S.S. Catalina commissioned in 1924,the restaurant is the latest addition to the island’s dining scene. The menu is a mix of seafood, salads, specialty pizzas, pasta, burgers, paninis, desserts and specialty cocktails, along with kid-friendly favorites and stunning views. Large picture windows offer a panoramic scene of the harbor, and the open dining area features whimsical vintage photos and two outdoor patios with views of the Catalina Casino and beyond.  

Lobster Trap reopened mid-June after a five-month renovation that more than doubled the dining space and added a sushi bar. A local favorite, the clam chowder, pancake “shot” and the term “daily catch” has real meaning at Catalina Island’s Lobster Trap restaurant, owned by commercial lobster fisherman Caleb Lins since 2008. Lins sources his catch from the Channel Islands in his 40-foot boat, Money Matters, bringing in local fish and California spiny lobster to the casual eatery in Avalon. There’s ceviche made from local white sea bass, sand dabs and yellowtail. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Sunset Bar & Grill had its grand opening in May and is located at the Catalina Canyon Inn, and is open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner offering a variety of American and Mexican cuisine, as well as A full bar. The new restaurant operators are Catalina locals Fransico and Veronica Bravo, and Miguel Chavolla.

Catalina Cantina is under new management and is a sister restaurant to Cafe Metropole, the Pancake Cottage, Airport in the Sky Restaurant and Scoops. The menu features tacos, burritos and tortas with carnitas, quesabirria, carne asada or soyrizo and papas, as well as agua frescas and handmade margaritas. Located right on Crescent Avenue, grab a seat at the streetfront bar and look out at Avalon Bay.

Original Antonio’s is under new ownership, and its nearly half a century of serving Catalina Island residents and visitors continues with new owners Mike and Cinde Cassidy, who plan to honor the tradition of Antonio’s with few changes to its business operations or menu. Original Antonio’s  is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Flx Biergarten is the island’s first and only biergarten located in Avalon and takes its name from the iconic ’50s Flxible buses that carried tourists through the streets of Avalon and along the island’s interior. The open-air atmosphere includes charming string lights and cozy fire pits.

And speaking of beer, the Two Harbors BrewFest takes places on Saturday, Sept. 14. There will be live music and a huge selection of microbrews at the 22nd Annual Two Harbors BrewFest on the beach. Admission includes a souvenir beer glass, complimentary light and hearty appetizers, live music, tastings of all participating breweries, access to the silent auction, giant games and photo booths.

The Catalina Museum for Art & History will host the Sarah Kaizar: Rare Air exhibition, running through Sunday, Sept. 8. The exhibit offers a blend of art, education and interactive experiences.

Rare Air features Sarah Kaizar’s gouache and ink artworks from her book, Rare Air: Endangered Birds, Bats, Butterflies, and Bees. This nationally touring companion exhibition highlights the challenges faced by threatened species, emphasizes the importance of citizen science in their conservation efforts, as well as playful interactive experiences illustrating urgent issues in wildlife conservation, focusing on 66 endangered species including birds, bats, bees and butterflies.

In addition to the Catalina Taxi service and Catalina Island Golf Carts & Tours, the City of Avalon has launched a new on-demand, point-to-point public transportation service called COAST, which features rides to and from anywhere within Avalon’s city limits with fares starting at $2 per rider.

The new, 100% electric, transit system is a total redesign from the previous fixed route Garibaldi bus and dial-a-ride system. Ride the new transit system by downloading the Ride Circuit app in the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Michele Stueven
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October 16, 2024