Best beaches and nature spots on Catalina

Catalina’s beaches are small and pebbly, and its best nature is often a short walk or a boat ride away. Ranked by visitors’ Google ratings.

Updated October 19, 2026 · Ranked from 810 Google reviews

1. 1

   1. Catalina Falconry Experience

   5.0(483)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   Opens Sat 9:45am·16 min from the ferry

2. 2

   2. Catalina Backcountry

   5.0(24)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   11 min from the ferry

3. 3

   3. Brandt Wicke Tree

   5.0(7)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   49 min from the ferry

4. 4

   4. Veterans Memorial Park

   5.0(7)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   2 min from the ferry

5. 5

   5. Trans Catalina Trailhead

   4.8(23)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   42 min from the ferry

6. 6

   6. Plaza de California

   5.0(5)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   7 min from the ferry

7. 7

   7. South Beach

   4.7(60)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   6 min from the ferry

8. 8

   8. Moonstone Beach

   4.7(49)·Beaches & nature · The interior

   Picturesque shoreline with sand & rocky outcrops, plus a boardwalk & seasonal whale sightings.

9. 9

   9. Park

   4.7(3)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

   Open until 10:45pm·8 min from the ferry

10. 10

    10. Avalon City Park

    4.6(5)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    6 min from the ferry

11. 11

    11. Old Ben Park

    4.6(16)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    5 min from the ferry

12. 12

    12. Avalon Kids Park

    4.6(86)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    Open now·15 min from the ferry

13. 13

    13. Knabe Park

    4.5(24)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    Open until 10pm·4 min from the ferry

    Cozy beachfront park offering a pirate-themed playground & athletic courts.

14. 14

    14. Avalon Skatepark

    3.7(7)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    15 min from the ferry

15. 15

    15. Nature Center

    3.4(11)·Beaches & nature · Avalon

    Opens 10am tomorrow·38 min from the ferry