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Most beach destinations tend to wind down when the summer season comes to an end. The crowds thin out. The town becomes quiet. And the words "sold out" seem to disappear from local lingo.
Catalina Island is no exception.
However, unlike most vacation spots by the sea, off-season tranquility is one of Catalina's most welcome charms.
Located only 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is easy to get to, but feels like a world away. Ask any of Catalina Island's 3,500 year-round residents, and they'll likely tell you that Catalina is at its best during the fall. The weather is sunny and the water still warm enough to enjoy the island's many land and sea activities. Best of all, the overall atmosphere on Catalina Island is a lot more laid-back. Gone are the summer crowds and the long waits for restaurant tables. In their place, a serenity and friendliness that one would expect from an island getaway.
Although everything is still open and the island is hopping with activities and events, most hotels offer reduced room rates this time of year - another pleasure reserved for those visiting in the off-season.
Avalon, the island's only city, is truly the hub of Catalina Island and where you'll find the majority of restaurants, hotels, and activities. It is also where the boat terminals are located (visitors can travel to and from the island by boat or helicopter). With its tree-lined pedestrian walkways that trace the waterfront and homes that climb the steep hills surrounding town, Avalon is reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. It is almost free of cars, with most people opting to walk or drive golf carts. The fact that Avalon is only one square mile makes it easy to get around, and the picturesque harbor Avalon is nestled around provides a good excuse to slow down and enjoy the view.
Because of its size, Catalina Island's beaches are small, but don't worry - what it lacks in space for beach blankets, it more than makes up for with its island charm. The town of Avalon is like Main Street USAâ?¦ with an ocean view. With the exception of Cold Stone Creamery, there are no chain stores - just quaint boutiques and candy shops that line the main road, Crescent Avenue. You won't find any hotel chains either, but that's part of Catalina's charm. Cozy inns, romantic ocean-view hotels, and beach cottages suitable for entire families are just some of the accommodation options. You can even stay in the former home of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley - his hilltop Georgian-style Colonial mansion is now a 4-star bed and breakfast called the Inn on Mt. Ada (Ada was Wrigley's wife).
Catch All That Catalina Has to Offer
Even if the sun is shining and beckoning you towards the beach, take some time to explore Avalon's many other treasures. Catalina Island's most recognizable landmark, the Casino Building, is one of the first things you'll notice upon arriving in Avalon. The round, white building rises the equivalent of 12 stories, and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Built in 1929, the Casino - which is actually not a gambling hall but "place of entertainment" - played host to dozens of big bands through the 1930s and 1940s. Guests danced the night away to the music of Glen Miller, Harry James, and many others over the years.
 Today, visitors can explore the inside of the Casino Building on one of several daily walking tours. Catch a glimpse of an era gone by; the Casino Building is home to a meticulously restored 1,800 seat theater, which houses one of only two rare pipe organs in the world, and of course the legendary art deco Casino Ballroom.
The Catalina Island Museum is also located in the Casino Building, on the lower level. From the Native American Indians who inhabited Catalina 7,000 years ago to the Hollywood legends who vacationed there in the 1950s, the Museum is a great place to immerse yourself in the island's history. Open daily, the Museum boasts an outstanding collection of archaeological material excavated on the island, as well as historic photographs, displays, and Catalina pottery.
Many other activities are worth checking out: snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing are just a few of the popular water sports. You have plenty of options to fill the day on land, as well, including horseback riding, golf, bicycling, or just strolling through Avalon's quaint shops and galleries.
Tour the Island
Catalina Island is a blend of rich history, natural beauty, never-ending adventures, and even a few island quirks. You can experience its splendor in many ways, but the best way to get to know the island - to really become a part of it - is to spend some time with the people who live here. And the best way to do that is to take a tour.
Start with a tour of Avalon; it's the ideal way to get acquainted with the town. You'll journey along the beachfront, up the hillsides, and through the heart of Avalon as your guide points out all of its landmarks and shares interesting Catalina Island history and folklore.
For the most up-close-and-personal experience, take a walking tour. You'll get some exercise and enjoy the fresh ocean air while a knowledgeable resident guide shows you the most scenic and fascinating spots in town. A horseback riding tour is also a fun and unique way to explore the island.
And of course, don't miss your chance to experience one of the best parts of any island adventure - the ocean. Come face-to-face with Catalina's abundant marine life in a semi-sub vessel. You can also experience Catalina Island's waters on a variety of glass bottom boat tours and cruises to Seal Rocks and Two Harbors.
 Whether you choose to explore the island on foot, horseback, boat, tour bus, or off-road vehicle, this special experience shouldn't be missed.
Catalina's Protected Wilderness Waits to be Explored
Fall is the perfect time of year to explore Catalina Island's vast and beautiful interior. Protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, more than 85 percent of the island is unspoiled, undeveloped wilderness. This 75-square mile paradise is home to hundreds of native plants and animal species, as well as some of the most beautiful views of the Pacific you'll ever see.
You can get a taste of Catalina's rugged side on one of several sightseeing tours that travel into the interior, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Catalina Island's famous herd of buffalo. Buffalo have called the hills of Catalina Island home since 1924, when the original herd of 17 was brought to the island as "extras" and left behind after filming the movie "The Vanishing American."
You can also experience Catalina Island's "outback" on a tour in a comfortable, open air, Mercedes Unimog - a one of a kind off-road vehicle. With spectacular views of the coastline, canyons, and wild habitats, this is truly a unique tour. Other tours, including buffalo safaris and eco-tours, explore the island's interior.
If you travel to the California coastline, don't miss stopping at one if its most unique and unforgettable destinations - Catalina Island.
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