We go to Catalina Island a lot because it is absolutely beautiful out there, and it is a short boat ride off Southern California Coast. We have stayed over as a couple before children, a day trip with a large group for July 4th, and now as a family with kids. A great option for overnight stays with large groups and families is renting a house with a full kitchen. You can save money cooking your own meals, and it feels like home away from home. CATALINA ISLAND VACATION RENTALS (CIVR) offered to host our family while we were on Spring Break one year, and our home rental for two nights was a modernly decorated two bedroom condo centrally located to all the attractions in Avalon Harbor.

As you may already know, most everything on Santa Catalina Island is within walking distance. We were steps from the water as well as from the Vons Grocery store. We walked about four blocks with our luggage to our condo which was also a block from Crescent Ave. (Note: CIVR have both houses and condos all between one and three blocks of the downtown area). We walked everywhere this weekend and all of our activities were conveniently about two or three blocks from where we stayed. Check out this property where we stayed at on Beacon St. from CIVR.

RENTAL ON BEACON

MORE ABOUT THIS UNIT:

• Full Kitchen with Dining Area: If you want to cook to save money or you just want a home-cooked meal while you’re traveling, just go down to Vons which is about a block away and get the supplies you need. Wake the family up to a pancake breakfast and coffee, make your favorite pasta dish for dinner, or BBQ in the patio. Our unit came with a full kitchen complete with modern appliances, cookware, dishware, glassware, dishwasher, dining table, and chairs. NOTE: You will have to take your trash and wash all the dishes before you check out.
• Separate and spacious living area with a pull-out sofa. Everyone could be as loud as they want as I rested in another room. It’s nice, modern, spacious and kid-friendly.
• Each bedroom had their own full bathrooms, TV’s, and patio PLUS the master room had a view of the ocean! The master had a California king-sized bed, the second bedroom had a queen-sized bed, and the sofa in the living room has a queen-sized air mattress. This unit sleeps six comfortably. There are 2.5 bathrooms.
• A washer and dryer! Imagine playing in the sand all day. You don’t have to worry if you packed extra dry clothes. An in-unit washer/dryer means less packing and less laundry when you get home. We did laundry after a day on the beach, and it felt great packing clean clothes instead of bringing back sandy wet clothes. (Tip: You’ll want to pack a small supply of dry laundry detergent. If you forget, you can buy some at the grocery but it will be slightly priced higher).

I hope you’ll agree that Catalina Island Vacation Rentals is an excellent option for large families or large groups. It came with a start-up supply of toilet paper, paper towels, dishwasher detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and soap in all the restrooms. Our only complaint was our unit (on Beacon) did not have internet access so we couldn’t work from our unit. Each unit will defer so be sure to check their list of amenities on their website. CIVR has a wide selection of vacation rentals to choose from (some with golf carts) including rentals in Hamilton Cove Villas, Avalon Homes & Cottages, Two Harbors Casas, and Avalon Condos. Check-in is after 3pm (but you can check to see if it’s available early), and check-out is 10 am (call the morning of to see if late check out is an option). For more information, please visit their website at www.catalinavacations.com or call (855) 773-6855. If you would like to see a full list of activities and what Catalina offers, please visit Catalina Island Visitor Center located near the foot of the Green Pleasure Pier or their website at www.catalinachamber.com.

Rental Office

Catalina Island Vacation Rentals (CIVR)’s office is located at 119-B Summer Avenue, Avalon, CA. For more information, please visit their website at www.catalinavacations.com or call at (800) 631-5280.

Avalon Blue Line Baggage

Not sure what to do with your luggage after you check out? Avalon Blue Line Baggage is a great place to stow your luggage. They will also deliver and pick-up. They can be reached at (310) 510-9599 or email them at: [email protected].