A weekend on Catalina Island: Where Europe meets California

Not long after the sun rises and the fog lifts along the Southern California coast, you can look out into the Pacific Ocean and spot the craggy mountaintops of Santa Catalina, otherwise known as Catalina Island. Catalina’s charm is as obvious as its giant peaks. This popular weekend getaway for Angelinos has the ability to completely transport you much farther than a mere 23 miles off the coast.

Just ask Roberto Perico, the former senior vice president of hospitality for Catalina Island Company, the main resort operator on Catalina Island. Perico moved here from Italy and was struck by all the similarities to his previous home.

“Avalon reminds me of the many small oceanfront towns in Italy such as Cinque Terre, Porto Cervo, Amalfi, or Capri where people gather on the main street, or by the plaza, throughout the day for shopping, dining, and entertainment,” he says. “As a local, I adore watching everyone walking around town, smiling and transmitting a sense of tranquility.”

To Perico, so much of Catalina feels European or “like home.” It’s all about “the ocean breeze, the dramatic coastline with its steep hills, the layout of the buildings, the architecture, and the quaint feel of the town.”

And just as you would on a Grand Tour of the Old Country, Perico suggests seeing everything you can via one of the many ocean or land tours available to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Think of it as your own weekend study abroad.

“Learn about the history of the island and our iconic Casino building,” he says. “I personally recommend a visit to Descanso Beach Club—there’s nothing else quite like it in California. You can relax in a private beach cabana with a drink in your hand and your feet in the sand.”

This corner of California can also rival the Mediterranean in another way—with magnificent sunsets. “There is nothing quite so magical as watching the sun dip behind Cat Head on the back side of the island, and then seeing the sky turn a magnificent pink,” Perico says. Take that, Santorini.

In this edition of The Weekender, we explore all the Euro-meets-California marvels you can see, eat, and explore on a trip to Catalina Island.

This beach is the next best thing to jetting off to the French Riviera. It’s home to Catalina's only beachside restaurant and bar, and it’s one of the very few spots in California where you can legally have a drink while sitting on the sand. Stop by for a meal with a view, or rent a cabana and make a day of it.

A visit to the Wrigley Botanical Garden can feel like a portal into Kew Gardens in London. Named in honor of the chewing-gum magnate, the botanical garden encompasses nearly 40 acres of green space and comes filled with endemic plants, some of which you will only find on Catalina Island.

Don’t let the name fool you. While you can’t roll dice or bet on ponies in this casino, you can meet with fellow travelers in its movie theater, ballroom, or on walking tours of the building. And all this makes sense when you learn the moniker is actually the Italian definition of “casino,” which means “gathering place.”

In the 1920s, a movie crew brought a small herd of buffalo to Catalina Island for a shoot and left them there after the film wrapped. Luckily, they thrived, and the Catalina Island Conservancy maintains its herd of about 150 today. You can visit the massive beasts on a two-hour open-air Hummer ride through the landscape. Though the bison aren’t reminiscent of Europe, the rolling oceanside hills where they live have a strong Spanish coast vibe, making it the perfect Euro-meets-American adventure.

Just like large swaths of the European coastlines, Catalina Island has plenty of diving spots, too. In fact, it’s home to a rather robust horn shark and leopard shark population, making it as thrilling as a dive off the coast of Malta, where you’ll come face-to-face with their great white brothers and sisters.

For a quick and easy meal, stop in at Cafe Metropole located smack-dab in the middle of Avalon. The cafe offers tasty delights, such as a Mediterranean chop salad and a Caprese sandwich, so you can refuel just as they do on the Continent.

For the best slice outside of Sicily, hit Original Antonio’s, a pizzeria and deli, which has been serving customers for nearly 40 years on Catalina Island. Grab a classic Neopolitan to go, and bring your meal to the beach for added Italian coastal flare.

The Marlin Club is an absolute island institution. As the oldest bar in Avalon, it’s a must-see during any stay. The interior of the bar is meant to resemble an underwater scene from the early ‘50s. It’s a little dank, but somehow stays dreamy, and recalls any seaside pub you’d find in the south of England, possibly airlifted from Brighton.

One of the best parts about escaping to Europe? Finding a cute bistro on almost any corner. Luckily, this eatery serves up the same mood. You’ll find plenty of grab-and-go goodies including biscuits and croissants, as well as salads, wraps, and sandwiches for something more substantial. All that’s missing is people-watching ultra-cool Europeans and clocking the latest summer fashions.

For a hotel that provides Old World service, book a stay at The Avalon Hotel. At the property, guests can indulge in all the in-room amenities, including natural soaps, lined bathrobes, and ocean or garden views. For a bonus, book a room with a balcony so you can sip your afternoon espresso or Champagne shipped straight from France in total peace.

Wish you could take the whole gang to Greece for a summer where their feet never leave the sand? Come to the Pavilion Hotel, where the property has counted the exact number of steps it takes to get to the beach—a mere 14. And there are added perks. A stay at the hotel comes with free coffee and pastries in the morning, afternoon wine and cheese receptions, and a $20 food and beverage credit that can be used at multiple spots, including Descanso Beach Club.

Feel like a member of the Catalina A list by spending a night at Mt Ada, the former Wrigley family estate. Their six en-suite guest rooms have an air of “celeb friend’s Lake Como summer home.” (Hey, George Clooney, we’re still waiting on our invitation.) For a distinctly American amenity, sit out on the hotel’s oversized terrace and see how many of the island’s bald eagles you can spot flying by.

Looking for a spot to stay with your sweetheart that could rival the south of France? While you won’t see lavender fields or vineyards, the Hotel Metropole delivers on romance. With oceanfront suites that come with fireplaces, jacuzzi baths, and balconies overlooking the beach, this hotel is the spot to find l’amour. Don’t leave without a long soak in the hotel’s rooftop Jacuzzi while sipping a shared bottle of Champagne.

As the name implies, this is a proper “villa” with two beds, two baths, and plenty of outdoor space. It’s big enough to spread out in—ideal for a long stay. And the crisp white walls, wood beams, and cool tile floors channel a summertime escape in Greece.