Here is some general information that you will find useful when travelling
and camping on Santa Catalina Island Click here or hit your back button to return to the main Catalina page.

A temperate climate with only 14 inches of annual rain makes Catalina Island a perfect place for outdoor recreation. Summer high temperatures average 74° daytime, and 59° at night. Eighty-eight percent of the island is part of the Catalina Island Conservancy, established in 1972 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Catalina in its natural state.

Make Reservations *BEFORE* you depart:
Reservations are REQUIRED for all campgrounds. You can book online at www.visitcatalina.com, by phone at 310-510-TENT, or by mail at Catalina Camping, Box 737, Avalon, CA 90704.

Getting There:
You can travel to Catalina by Boat or by Air.
From Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point, The Catalina Express provides the fastest boat service to the Santa Catalina Island, with up to 25 daily departures. These modern vessels whisk you to your romantic getaway in comfort and style. Aboard you will enjoy airline-style seating, cocktail service and friendly attendants. Secure parking is available at the Long Beach , San Pedro and Dana Point locations. For more info, go to http://www.catalinaexpress.com
From Newport Beach, The Catalina Flyer is the West Coast's largest passenger carrying catamaran. The Catalina Flyer features a richly appointed interior, sweeping sun decks, full-service cocktail lounges and stately viewing windows. The Catalina Flyer provides one roundtrip departure per day. More info, go to www.catalinainfo.com.
If you prefer air travel, the Island Express Helicopter Service is the fastest and most exhilarating transportation to Santa Catalina Island. Flights, about 14 minutes long, are available from Long Beach or San Pedro to exclusive heliports in Avalon and Two Harbors. The flight often overlooks pods of dolphins and whales, and always offers panoramic coastal views. More than just transportation; the Island Express Helicopter Service is the experience of a lifetime. Visit their website at: www.islandexpress.com.
On arrival, use the 'safari bus' service to travel to the trailhead for whichever campground you have booked. From the trailhead, you'll be walking in. These hikes are generally short, and rated easy to moderate.

Hiking:
Avalon and Santa Catalina Island are made for exploring. From Avalon, miles of back roads and trails are available for you to discover. There are trails for every ability level, with each offering fabulous views of rolling hills and endless ocean. Mandatory hiking permits are free and available at the campground office.
For your safety, stay on the designated trails and follow these hiking procedures:
* Hike in groups of three or more.
* Dress appropriately.
* Beware of wild animals and rattlesnakes.
* Take plenty of water.

Mountain Biking:
Most of the cross-channel carriers will transport bicycles for a fee with advance reservations. If you prefer to leave your bikes at home, rentals are available at Brown's Bikes and Catalina Auto & Bike Rental. Bicycles are allowed on the Safari Bus for a fee of $5.00 per bike.
Permits are required to ride in the Santa Catalina Island interior. Permits cost $50 for individuals and $75 for families (including spouse and minor children), and are valid from May 1 - April 30. Only annual permits are sold; no day passes are available. Accident, liability and life insurance are included with the permit.
Mountain bikes are required to ride in the interior, and all riders must wear helmets. Riding is limited to the primary road from Avalon to Emerald Bay . Riding on secondary roads, service roads and hiking trails is prohibited.

General Camping Rules:
Camping permits are required year-round and issued upon check-in at Two Harbors Visitor Services, Hermit Gulch Campground, or Island Plaza.
Under-age drinking is unlawful (BPC 25662). The law will be strictly enforced and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to be present in a 'public place' between the hours of 10:00 PM on any given day and sunrise of the immediately following day, as defined in Los Angeles County Ordinance 13.56.010 B. Additionally, no unsupervised minor is allowed in the interior of the island from sunset to sunrise. A supervised minor is defined as a person under the age of 18 who is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or an adult at least 25 years of age or older, authorized by said parent or guardian to have care and custody of the minor and who will assume full responsibility for said minor at all times.
Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards are on duty.
There are no electrical hook-ups available at any of the campsites.
In accordance with the L.A. County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only. No wood fires of any kind are allowed at the Hermit Gulch Campground.
Gathering wood or plants, or in any way removing or defacing any natural or manmade feature is prohibited.
Firearms, archery equipment, traps or other hunting equipment are strictly prohibited.
All plants and animals on the island are protected. Buffalo and other wildlife are unpredictable; keep your distance.
Campground and beach quiet hours are between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM . Radios and loud or amplified sound or music are not allowed at any time.
Pets are not allowed in campgrounds.
Trash cans are provided in every camp. Each camp area must be left clean, with all refuse in trash cans. Use separate containers for recyclable materials when provided.