How to Get to Catalina Island From Santa Monica Guide
Are you looking for an awesome excursion from Santa Monica? Look no further! Catalina Island is a beautiful island off the coast of southern California and it’s just a short journey away from Santa Monica. In this guide, we’ll give you all the essential information on how to get to Catalina Island from Santa Monica: what kinds of transportation are available, where to catch your ride, and tips on making your journey stress-free. So pack some sunscreen, grab your camera, and let’s go!
How Do You Get to Catalina Island From Santa Monica?
Unfortunately, there is not a direct way to get to Catalina Island that departs from Santa Monica. However, it’s just a short drive south to get on the ferry to the island.
The Catalina Express Round-Trip Ferry Service is the easiest and most common way to get from Santa Monica to Catalina Island. The ferry departs from either the San Pedro or Long Beach harbor and both are essentially the same driving distance from Santa Monica – about 35 minutes (depending on traffic).
The ferry is easy to access, quick, and affordable. The service runs multiple times a day (though the schedule varies by season) and can accommodate larger items such as surfboards, strollers, and bikes. You can choose to return the same day or stay overnight and there is parking conveniently located onsite.
You can also take a helicopter ride or charter a private airplane to the island if you’re looking for a more unique travel experience! Or, sail your own boat out. I am no boating expert so please do your own research here on what is allowed and how to rent a mooring.
Distance From Santa Monica to Catalina Island
If you were to go directly from Santa Monica to Catalina Island, the distance is 43.8 miles offshore.
Cheapest Way to Get to Catalina Island From Santa Monica
The cheapest way to get to the island is to take the Catalina Express Round-Trip Ferry Service. The ferry is about $84 round trip vs. a helicopter, private plane, or private boat which could all range from $300 to over $2,000 per trip.
What Is the Best Ferry to Take to Catalina Island?
The Catalina Express is the best ferry to take to Catalina Island from Santa Monica. Only two companies offer ferry transport to the island, and the other one (the Catalina Flyer) departs from Newport Beach.
The ticket price is about the same, but it would be about a 1-hour 15-minute drive to Newport Beach from Santa Monica vs. 35 minutes to San Pedro or Long Beach.
How Long Does It Take To Get to Catalina Island From Santa Monica?
It takes about 3 hours to get to Catalina Island from Santa Monica. Plan for about 45 minutes to drive down and park, 1 hour to arrive early enough for check-in, and about 1 hour for the boat ride over.
Is It Worth Going to Catalina Island for the Day?
Yes, I think it’s still worth going to Catalina for the day. It will be a lot of traveling – about 6 hours total round-trip, however, if you plan to take an early ferry you should still have plenty of time on the island to explore, relax, and get a good taste of this slice of California paradise!
For a day trip to Catalina Island from Santa Monica, I recommend taking your ferry from Long Beach because there are typically more departure times. The schedules change depending on the time of year, but usually, the earliest departure is around 6am from Long Beach and the latest return boat is around 7:45pm from Catalina Island.
Catalina Express Ferry Service FAQs
How Long Is the Ferry Ride?
The ferry takes about 1 hour each way to get to the island from Long Beach and about 1 hour and 15 minutes from San Pedro. There are restrooms onboard as well as light snacks and a full bar available to purchase refreshments.
Make sure to arrive and check in for your ferry at least one hour prior to boarding.
How Much Does the Ferry Ticket Cost?
An adult ferry ticket to Catalina Island costs approximately $42 and a roundtrip ticket is $83.50.
A roundtrip ticket for Seniors ages 55+ is $76.50, children ages 2-11 is $68, and infants are an additional $6.50.
What Is Included?
Included with your ferry ticket are two bags per person with a maximum of 50lbs (28kgs) per bag and dimensions of 37″ x 23″ x 23″ (94cm x 58cm x 58cm). You are also allowed one piece of carry-on luggage per person that must fit under your seat.
Special luggage requests can be accommodated, but you will need to get in touch with a reservation agent by calling (800) 613-1212.
Where Does the Catalina Express Ferry Depart From?
Long Beach Departure:
Your ferry will depart from 320 Golden Shore Long Beach, CA 90802. The ferry departure is at a very convenient location in downtown Long Beach along the waterfront near the Pike Outlets and Shoreline Village.
There are typically more departure times from Long Beach. The schedules change depending on the time of year, but usually, the earliest departure is around 6am from Long Beach and the latest return boat is around 7:45pm from Catalina Island.
Parking for the Catalina Express Ferry in Long Beach:
There is safe parking directly across from the ferry terminal that has a daily maximum of $22 per 24 hours (in 2023). Overnight parking is allowed and you do not need a reservation.
Recommended HOTEL close to the Long Beach ferry terminal:
👉🏽 Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach
San Pedro Departure:
Your ferry will depart from 95 Berth, San Pedro, CA 90731, USA. Part of the Los Angeles Port, the San Pedro location is typically a bit less busy than Long Beach.
There are typically fewer departure times from San Pedro. The schedules change depending on the time of year, but usually, the earliest departure is around 8:45am from San Pedro and the latest return boat is around 6:00pm from Catalina Island.
Parking for the Catalina Express Ferry in San Pedro:
There is safe parking at the port with the first hour of parking FREE then $2 per hour with a daily maximum of $20 (in 2023).
Recommended HOTEL close to the San Pedro ferry terminal:
👉🏽 Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel
Where Does the Catalina Express Land on the Island?
You will arrive at Avalon Bay and dock at the Cabrillo Mole boat landing. From there it’s a short walk into the main part of town where you will find hotels, restaurants, and activities.
⭐️ How to Book the Catalina Express Ferry Service ⭐️
To book the ferry you can❗️CLICK HERE❗️
Once you have secured your ticket, you will need to call the local operator at the phone number on your ticket to confirm your departure time and your return date/time.
NOTE: If you are an international traveler and cannot call, please email the Passenger Services Representative at mail@catalinaexpress.com.
How to Get to the Ferry Terminals From Santa Monica
The easiest way to get to LongBeach/San Pedro would be to drive down. You can drive your own car, rent a car, or take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi (pricing probably starts around $40 and goes up from there).
Otherwise, you can take public transportation. The tram and bus will take you down to the ferry terminals, but the fastest way is by tram to Long Beach.
Traveling to Long Beach From Santa Monica by Tram:
Take the Metro E Line from the Downtown Santa Monica Station to the Pico Station (44 minutes by tram and runs every 15 minutes).
Transfer to the Metro A Line and take it to the Downtown Long Beach Station (50 minutes by tram and runs every 15 minutes).
Walk 15 minutes to the ferry terminal.
Flying to Catalina Island From Santa Monica
There is an airport on the island that is open to the public, however, there are no scheduled passenger flights to and from Catalina Island. However, you can look into chartering a private airplane from Santa Monica Airport for a short, 20-minute flight over. LinearAir offers some flight options starting at $1,550 for up to 5 passengers.
You can find out more information about LinearAir and book your flight HERE.
Another option, IEX Helicopters offers direct flights to Catalina Island from Long Beach in about 15 minutes. A one-way helicopter ticket costs $159.
You can find out more information about IEX Helicopters and book your flight HERE.
Can You Get to Catalina Island With a Car?
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take your car to Catalina Island and cannot get to the island by car. Catalina Island regulates the number and size of vehicles allowed to drive on city streets.
Luckily, the main town of Avalon is only one-square mile, so everything is within quick and easy walking distance. Otherwise, there are hotel shuttles, taxis, and a public bus/beach shuttle. You will see many locals driving golf carts around the island, and one of the most popular activities is to take a guided golf cart tour.
👉🏽 LEARN MORE AND BOOK A PRIVATE GUIDED GOLF CART TOUR HERE
🤿 What Are Some of the Best Things to Do on Catalina Island?
>>> RELATED POST: A Guide to Snorkeling on Catalina Island
🏨 Best Places to Stay on Catalina Island
💵 Budget-Friendly: Seacrest Inn
If you need an affordable and quaint beach-style place to stay in Catalina, Seacrest Inn will work great for you. What it’s lacking in amenities, it makes up for in charm and location. It’s close to Avalon Bay, shops, and restaurants plus it’s clean and the beds are comfortable.
❗️CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS & TO CHECK AVAILABILITY❗️
⭐️ Best All-Around: Bellanca Hotel
This gorgeous hotel overlooks Avalon Bay and is close to all the best things to do from the Descanso Beach Club to the best snorkeling spots and is just one minute from the Catalina Island Golf Course. The staff is exceptionally friendly and accommodating.
❗️CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS & TO CHECK AVAILABILITY❗️
💎 Luxury: Hotel Atwater
Known for its superb service and quality of care for its guests, Hotel Atwater is an exceptional place to stay. The resort includes property beach club access as well as spa services and special touches like a bottle of champagne upon your arrival.
❗️CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS & TO CHECK AVAILABILITY❗️
CONCLUSION: How to Get to Catalina Island From Santa Monica
All in all, getting to Catalina Island from Santa Monica is a pretty easy and straightforward process that doesn’t require too much planning. The Catalina Express Ferry offers fast, reliable transfer to the island and it’s only a 30-minute drive away from Santa Monica. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance and pack everything you need for this one-of-a-kind excursion!
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How to Get to Catalina Island From Anaheim / Long Beach
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☀️ California FAQs ☀️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to California?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in the U.S.?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing. It covers some medical as well, which is important in the U.S. due to the high cost of health care.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit California?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest (in some parts it can be pretty hot) but you will have the most crowds. Some parts of the state get “June Gloom” where it can be cloudy during the morning and burn off by mid-day.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have the potential of rain, but you will beat some of the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in California?
Hotels, vacation rentals, and house-sitting are all available for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Vrbo
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
🌴 Where Can You Find Tours?
I find incredible tours around the world >>> HERE with private and guided group tours of the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in California?
I very highly recommend renting a car in California so you don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! California is fantastic for road trips – there is SO much to see up and down the coast. Plus, sites are often spread far out, even in the cities, so having a car is the most convenient option.
>>> Best car rental rates and deals
