Travel
Flight
Los Angeles International Airport
At least an hour to the boat terminal (largely depending on traffic), LAX might be cheaper, but ground transport to boat will be more expensive. Positives – cheaper flight, greater flight availability Negatives – complicated to get transport (have to take a bus to an Uber/LYFT lot from the main airport), expensive transport to boat, drive to boat is at least an hour (LA traffic dependent)
Flight
Long Beach Airport
If possible, we recommend flying to the Long Beach Airport. It is smaller, and only about 20 minutes to the Catalina Express boat terminal. Positives – smaller airport, quicker to boat, lower cost of transport to boat Negatives – flight might be more expensive, less flight availability
Flight
John Wayne Airport
The middle ground airport choice. About the same distance to the boat as LAX, more options than Long Beach Airport, middle of the road prices, usually.
Rental Car
Getting to the Boat
We usually take Uber or LYFT from the airport, but there are also shuttles available. You have to pay to park at the Catalina Express, so we do not recommend renting a car!
Travel Note
Boat to the Island
We recommend the Catalina Express from Long Beach. Make sure to book your reservations at least a month prior to the wedding. Pro tip: give yourself ample time to get to the terminal. You can always switch to an earlier boat for a $5 fee, but if you miss a boat, you will forfeit the cost of the ticket! We are having our wedding off-season, so there will be less boats available. Due to this, you will need to spend at least one night on Catalina (as the last boat back to the mainland is usually around 6:00PM).
Hotel
La Paloma Las Flores
La Paloma is right next to our apartment! It is a more casual and cheaper hotel. A great, budget friendly option that feels like a secret garden escape! La Paloma also has apartments with kitchens. Food can be expensive on the island, so having a kitchen can be a great benefit.
Hotel
Hotel Metropole
The Metropole Hotel is right downtown, and some rooms even have ocean views!
Hotel
Catalina Island Vacation Rentals
There are a lot of great vacation rentals in town that can be cheaper than hotels if you get a group together. Plus, you can have a kitchen! If you are doing a vacation rental, it is a plus to have a golfcart! You can walk most of our tiny town, but golfcarts allow you to see more of the hills!
Travel Note
First time to Catalina? Some great tips:
- If you are staying in a vacation rental in Hamilton Cove, make sure that it has a golfcart!! These properties are up a very steep hill, about a mile out of the main town, and would be a crazy walk. Make sure they provide a golf cart if you stay here. - Make sure that your rental is in Avalon! (not two Harbors!) Two Harbors is on the opposite side of the island. You wouldn’t be able to get to and from the wedding. - There is a great camping option in town! Just make sure the reservation is for Hermit’s Gulch (all of the other campsites are far out of town). Follow the link above for campsite information
Travel Note
COAST - City of Avalon Seaside Transit
On-demand, point-to-point rides to and from anywhere within Avalon's city limits on COAST - City of Avalon Seaside Transit. Fares start at $2 per rider. Visit the website by following the link below to learn more and download the app to request a ride or call 562.534.2820.