To have a Catalina Island Elopement is to choose breathtaking views, charming scenery, and a unique island experience. I’ve created this Catalina Island Elopement guide to help you discover all the best spots to tie the knot as well as the logistics and tips you’ll need to plan your epic adventure elopement!
Have you just started dreaming of a Catalina Island Elopement? Well, stop dreaming and start planning! Catalina Island is a hidden gem when it comes to eloping couples, with beautiful beaches, incredible hiking trails, and so many spots to explore — Catalina Island is a unique place to get married!
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How To Plan An Elopement To Catalina Island
Having a Catalina Island Elopement, in my opinion, is one of the most romantic things you can do! It’s the perfect destination for an elopement because of the many activities it provides and the romantic ambiance it has. You can choose to hike for the day, sunbathe and swim at the beach, or explore the many different areas on the island. What’s so great about Catalina Island is that the weather here is good year-round, so you can have your elopement any day of the week. Whether you choose to have your ceremony on Avalon or at Two Harbors, the tropical feel of the island is going to have you falling in love all over again.
Avalon and Two Harbors: Two Very Different Vibes On One Island
The two towns of Avalon and Two Harbors are like night and day in comparison. Both are beautiful locations for an elopement wedding, but when you consider how relatively small Catalina Island is, it’s incredible how different they are. Two Harbors, for instance, is a rustic little village with very little development, other than a friendly bar and a very local-style restaurant. It offers that Hawaiian rugged and remote feel. Many people traveling to Two Harbors specifically go there to either start or end their hike along the Trans-Catalina Trail, so you will see a lot of backpackers on your ferry ride and in the town center.
Eloping In Two Harbors
Eloping In Avalon
Avalon, on the other hand, is much larger, more developed, and offers non-locals that sort of Positano, Italian Amalfi Coast feel. Many day-trippers visit Avalon during the weekend, and they all come in search of the area’s bougie, touristy atmosphere with many options for restaurants, stay accommodations, and various island activities.
Traveling Between Two Harbors And Avalon
Although I recommend settling on either Two Harbors or Avalon to spend your elopement wedding day in, the Cyclone powerboat will take you back and forth between both areas. This high-speed powerboat takes passengers from Green Pier in Avalon, along the coast, and into the village of Two Harbors, all in less than 40 minutes! This is an open-air boat, and it is one of the many fun activities to experience during your Catalina Island trip.
How To Get To Catalina Island
There are two ways to get to Catalina Island: by sea or by air. You can either travel publicly or privately. Obviously, the private option by sea or air is a lot more expensive, and most couples choose to use the passenger ferries. What’s great about these ferries is that they are actually comfortable, covered, and super quick and will have you on the island in roughly an hour.
Arrive By Ferry Boat
Traveling to Catalina Island by ferry boat is by far the most common type of transportation that couples choose. The ferry company that operates this route is Catalina Express. The express offers transportation in the port cities of Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. The Catalina Flyer departs from Newport Beach. Both companies offer reasonably priced tickets. If you are sensitive to becoming motion sick, make sure to take Dramamine before your boat ride!
Arrive By Helicopter
If you prefer a more private and luxurious experience, consider starting your Catalina Island elopement by flying onto the island by private helicopter. The helicopter ride only takes 15 minutes, and I can recommend several helicopter companies for your ride, depending on where you’d like to depart from. There are helipads in Avalon, Two Harbors, and Airport in the Sky.
How To Travel While On Catalina Island
My favorite way to get around in Avalon is by golf cart! You can rent a golf cart by the hour, or if your stay accommodations provides a golf cart, that’s even better! You can opt to get around by taxi vans, and many people choose to walk. There are no options to rent a car in Avalon.
In Two Harbors, there are no options to rent a car or golf cart or take a taxi. Your only options are to walk or rent a bike by the hour/day.
Where To Stay On Catalina Island
As mentioned, Avalon and Two Harbors offer two very different types of experiences and opportunities. The development of Avalon offers a bountiful supply of hotels and accommodation available to visitors. The more rustic and low-key Two Harbors offers only the Banning House and the campground. Therefore, you need to consider what type of adventure you want for your Catalina Island elopement. Are you a Two Harbors couple or an Avalon couple?
Accommodation In Two Harbors
There is only one wedding venue and one hotel in Two Harbors, and they are in the same location, Banning House. Once the summer home of the Banning brothers, this lodge is now a craftsman-style bed and breakfast spot with sweeping views of the Isthmus of Catalina and Catalina Harbor. As this is the only accommodation in Two Harbors, it gets booked up early, so be quick if you want to stay here! It is certainly worth the effort, as it offers elopement couples a very cozy, peaceful experience upon its hilltop perch. If you don’t manage to snap up a room at Banning House, there are plenty of campsites around. If the Banning House is booked, don’t feel discouraged because there are lots of hotels to stay at in Avalon!
Accommodation In Avalon
There’s a wide range of hotel options in Avalon, ranging from stunning luxury to hilltop charm. From the glamour of Hotel Metropole, through to the exclusivity of Mt Ada and onto the quaint feel of the Snug Harbor Inn, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to pretty hotels. My favorite is Hamilton Cove. It’s away from the hustle and bustle, but a complimentary golf cart comes with your booking, so you are a 15-20 minute drive away from the excitement of downtown Avalon.
Top Hotel Choices in Avalon:
- Mt. Ada
- Hotel Atwater
- The Avalon Hotel
- Pavilion Hotel
- Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel
- Bellanca Hotel
- Glenmore Plaza Hotel
- Seaport Village Inn
- Hermosa Hotel
View Mark and Anna’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
Best Wedding Venues On Catalina Island
Two Harbors Wedding Venues:
Banning House Lodge
If you’ve decided to position your Catalina Island elopement on the Two Harbors end of Catalina Island, and it’s important to you to have some of your close family and friends there, the Banning House Lodge is an option to rent out and stay the night on Two Harbors. The Banning House is located in the stretch in between Isthmus Cove and Cat Harbor and has some pretty great views of the Isthmus and Catalina Harbor. Cat Harbor and Isthmus Cove are stunning places for a short adventure while we capture your elopement photography portraits!
View Peter and Marta’s Full Catalina Island Elopement on Two Harbors
Wedding Venues In Avalon:
Depending on what type of wedding experience you want, you may want to consider booking one of Catalina Island’s wedding venues. Read more about Catalina Island weddings.
Descanso Beach Club
The Descanso Beach Club is the way to go if you want to have a ceremony on the beach! Whether you are having an intimate number of guests or several dozen guests, book your ceremony through the Descanso Beach Club!
View Carrah and Ryan’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden
Although ceremonies are not allowed at the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden anymore, even if it’s just the two of you, it’s one of my favorite places and most requested locations to take wedding portraits. Perched on a hill, this grand and unique memorial and surrounding gardens are a stunning place for your wedding portraits! Admission is $15.00 a person, and in my experience, you will want to pay in advance through the website for more efficiency. And don’t worry, Mr. Wrigley is no longer buried there.
View Alexandria and Cody’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
Inn on Mt. Ada
This is the former home of William Wrigley Jr., with breathtaking hilltop views. This is an exclusive, intimate venue with full-service wedding packages. This option is best for elopements and intimate weddings!
Catalina Casino
The casino does not allow elopement ceremonies, however, it’s an incredible location for wedding photography portraits because of its iconic Art Deco architecture, panoramic ocean views, and timeless elegance. The sweeping outdoor terraces provide stunning backdrops, capturing both vintage glamour and coastal beauty.
View Tessi and Kurt’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
Unlisted Locations: (0-10 Guests)
Some of my favorite locations remain off this list, and I love taking eloping couples to my favorite scenic locations for their ceremony! If you are having a “just us” elopement or inviting 10 or fewer guests, learn more about how I can help you get married on Catalina Island!
Brows All The Catalina Island elopements that I’ve photographed!
How To Legally Get Married On Catalina Island
To get legally married on Catalina Island, you will need to get a California marriage license. Catalina Island is part of Los Angeles County. You can obtain your California marriage license from any county in California, it does not have to be obtained in LA county. You’ll also need an officiant to pronounce you married and legally sign your marriage license, and if you obtain a public marriage license, you will need a witness to sign as well.
View Ali and Jon’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
The Best Time Of Year To Get Married On Catalina Island
Catalina Island is open all year long with mild temperatures. This is because of the constant sunshine in Southern California and moderate seasons. Summer is going to have the most visitors to the island. My personal favorite time of year is spring. There are so many wildflowers in bloom, including bright orange and red duraniums growing along the hillside in Avalon. (The duraniums are not native, but they look beautiful.) The hills are vibrant and green in the springtime and dry up throughout the year. By August, the hills have golden foliage.
The Average High And Low Temperatures Per Month On Catalina Island:
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F | 50°F |
| February | 64°F | 50°F |
| March | 65°F | 52°F |
| April | 67°F | 54°F |
| May | 69°F | 57°F |
| June | 72°F | 60°F |
| July | 76°F | 64°F |
| August | 77°F | 65°F |
| September | 76°F | 64°F |
| October | 74°F | 60°F |
| November | 69°F | 54°F |
| December | 64°F | 50°F |
The Average Number Of Rainy Days Per Month On Catalina Island:
| Month | Average Rainy Days (≥0.01″) |
|---|---|
| January | 6 days |
| February | 6 days |
| March | 5 days |
| April | 3 days |
| May | 2 days |
| June | 1 day |
| July | 0 days |
| August | 0 days |
| September | 1 day |
| October | 2 days |
| November | 3 days |
| December | 5 days |
The Best Activities For Your Catalina Island Elopement
Luckily, apart from your exchange of vows, there are plenty of other exciting and adventurous things to do while staying on the island. Out of all the elopement locations that I service around California, Catalina Island offers the most!
Take A Helicopter Ride Around The Island
Booking a helicopter tour either on your elopement day or during your trip can be a very fun way to experience the island. When you book a helicopter ride, you have the option to land and have a picnic lunch!
Take A Boat Ride
Opting to take a short cruise together on your elopement wedding day can be a fun way to spend some “just us” time together! These little boats can be rented along the Green Pier in Avalon.
Rent A Kayak
Renting a kayak in Two Harbors can be a great way to spend the afternoon. There are so many coves and beaches to relax on and have a picnic lunch!
Zip Lining
Whether you are eloping just the two of you or you are bringing a small group of loved ones, planning an afternoon of zip lining through Catalina’s canyons can be a very fun way to spend time together during your Catalina trip!
Snorkel at Lover’s Cove
Lover’s Cove is rated as one of the best places in California for snorkeling! I’ve personally snorkeled here a few times, and it’s so much fun! My best advice is to snorkel during the summer and to pay a little extra for the wet suit. The Pacific Ocean water is cold!
Hang Out A The Beach
Almost the entire harbor is lined with beaches! The beaches are right in town and are a great place to hang out while you eat some ice cream and take in the scenery!
View Sunshine and Rick’s Full Catalina Island Elopement
Hike The Garden to Sky Trail
Garden to Sky Trail is another perfect place for the hiking-loving couple, with nearly 3 miles (4.83 km) of jaw-dropping views to experience. This hike has a lot of incline, so dress appropriately and stay hydrated! I recommend starting early in the morning and avoiding this hike during mid-summer.
Hike The Trans Catalina Island Trail
For those who are really ambitious, the Trans Catalina Trail is one of my favorites and a dream destination for so many adventure seekers. Spanning a length of 38.5 miles, this meandering trail takes you from Avalon in the east of Catalina, through to Two Harbors in the west. With multiple camps dotted across the hilly walk, this trip would be the perfect honeymoon experience for an outdoor-loving couple.
Take In The Charm Of Avalon
For those that prefer adventures in food, Avalon has many options for wine tasting, craft beer, ice cream and seafood! There are many activities to fit all different personalities and preferences during your Catalina Island trip!
Catalina Island Vendors and Photographers
Many couples wonder if there are local photographers and vendors on Catalina Island. Some vendors are based on the island, but many photographers, hair and makeup artists, etc, travel from the mainland. I am based in southern California and service Catalina Island. When planning to get married on Catalina Island, it’s best to book early to ensure availability!
View my Catalina Island elopement packages and options!
Ready to begin your Catalina Island elopement adventure? Get in touch to start!
