Wilder Than You Think

Wild Adventures on Catalina Island

04.18.2019

1) Goat for It!

You won’t sight a single goat on the 7-mile Goat Whiskers Trail loop west of Two Harbors on Catalina. You will see abundant native flora and fauna, though, on this coast-to-mountain hike.

2) Kayak to a Beach Campground

Lava Wall. This towering volcanic cliff is the backdrop to a remote beach campground on Catalina Island that you can only reach by boat. So start paddling!

Catalina Island Lava Wall

3) Hidden Hiking

For hikers who want to veer off the beaten path, there’s a less traveled 7-mile (round-trip) hike that climbs high into the ridges above Avalon and offers sweeping views of the Pacific.

4) Not Your Vegas Casino

There’s a whole lot of bling going on at the Casino Point Dive Park off Catalina Island, but this cache is at a protected marine preserve with some of the most colorful and coveted sea life in the world. Hit the jackpot with a snorkeling adventure and enjoy a sea jamboree.

5) Zipline Day or Night

Los Angeles County’s first zipline lets you fly above the Pacific and under the moon and the stars.  The Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour whooshes you high above Descanso Canyon and through a Eucalyptus Grove.

6) Food, Drinks, and Where to Stay!

Catalina Island’s signature cocktail? Buffalo Milk (think Mudslide, island-style). Food’s your passion? Sample everything from ceviche to waffle-cone ice creams on a guided food tour. Warning: all that noshing will most certainly mean you’ll need to relax and unwind at one of the island’s spas.

Where to stay? From sophisticated and swanky to cozy and romantic, or rustic upscale, there are lots of Catalina options in both Avalon and Two Harbors—from hunting lodges turned into delightful B&Bs and hotels with delicious poolside cocktails, to a South Pacific-style beach club, find your favorite accommodations and spring deals.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

    View

  2. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

    View
  3. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

    View
  4. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

    View
  2. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

    View

  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

    View
  4. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

    View