Spoiler: Your Suitcase Wonāt Close on the Way Home
Catalina Island is calling, and sheās bringing sunshine, salty air and sales. Just 26 miles off the Southern California coast, this seaside playground turns holiday shopping into a mini vacation with its annual Shop Catalina event. Think oceanfront boutiques strung with twinkle lights, festive cocktails that taste like vacation and that easy island rhythm that makes you forget the mainland even exists.
Hop aboard the Catalina Express or touch down via Maverick helicopter for the ultimate entrance, and let Avalon welcome you with open arms, cheerful shopkeepers and a sea breeze that whispers, āTreat yourself.ā This isnāt a typical retail weekend; itās a full-blown holiday escape wrapped in sunshine and good vibes. This yearās festivities kick off on Saturday, Dec. 6, with the Shop Catalina Holiday Kick-Off: a full day of island cheer featuring live caroling, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and the lighting of Avalonās towering holiday tree on Wrigley Stage. Shops will stay open until 8 p.m. that night, offering extra savings and twinkly seaside charm.
Looking for a reason to extend your stay? Explore some of the islandās lesser-known adventures, but first, find out what makes Shop Catalina special during the holidays.
Check In & Chill Out
Your getaway begins the moment you leave the dock. The Catalina Express sails daily from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point giving you just enough time to spot dolphins racing the ferry before Avalonās colorful shoreline comes into view. If youād rather skip the waves, soar across the channel in a Maverick helicopter for a more cinematic entrance.
Once you arrive, check in at the Catalina Island Inn, your charming coastal hideaway just steps from the harbor. The vibe? Airy beach bungalow meets boutique chic. Choose from ocean-view rooms, deluxe suites or cozy private-patio escapes, each designed for that island state of mind. Expect comfy beds, stylish dƩcor and personal touches that make you feel instantly at home. Drop your bags, slip into sandals and let the laid-back rhythm of island time take over.
Local Insight: Starting on opening day, visitors can pick up a free Shop Catalina Discount Card at the Love Catalina Island Visitor Center on the Green Pleasure Pier. It unlocks discounts at more than 25 retailers through Dec. 24, so you can score savings all season long.
Wake Up & Wander
The best mornings on Catalina start with a latte and a slow stroll along the shoreline as the island comes to life. Avalonās shop-lined streets brim with gifts from local boutiques like handmade jewelry, artisan soaps and coastal fashion that leans more āvacation chicā than ātourist tee.āĀ
Be sure to stop at Catalina Pottery and Tile for hand-painted ceramics that pay tribute to the islandās century-old craft tradition. For something a little more adventurous, book a private dive with Scuba by Design. Youāll glide through crystal-clear waters surrounded by garibaldi fish and swaying kelp forests for an underwater scene that makes you feel like youāre living inside a postcard.
Shop, Sip, Repeat
By midday, Avalon is buzzing with island energy and the scent of salt and sunscreen. Grab a table near the harbor and order something fresh and unfussy like fish tacos, ceviche or a crisp local white wine. Lunch in Catalina is never rushed; itās meant to be savored.Ā
Afterward, make the most of Shop Catalinaās exclusive pop-ups and sales. Nearly every boutique joins the fun with discounts, raffles and festive surprises tucked into their storefronts. From Dec. 6ā13, shoppers can enter prize drawings, collect Treasure Card code words from participating stores and work their way toward one of three grand prizes: Catalina Island gift certificates worth up to $125.
Take your time exploring, then rent a beach cruiser from Brownās Bikes to coast along the shoreline or slip into bliss at A Touch of Heaven Spa. As the afternoon softens into gold, toast to your finds with a spritzy cocktail at Luau Larryās or The Naughty Fox, both perfect for waterfront lounging with a view.
Golden Hour Goals
Thereās something cinematic about the sunset on Catalina. The cliffs glow, the palms sway and everything slows to that soft, golden rhythm island evenings are famous for. As daylight fades, Avalon begins to hum with a mix of holiday music, laughter and the jingle of Santa and Mrs. Claus making their way down Crescent Avenue on a vintage fire truck. Moments later, the tree on Wrigley Stage lights up, casting a warm glow over the harbor and everyone gathered to watch.
After the cheers fade, slip into something breezy and head to dinner. Avalon Grille delivers coastal sophistication with locally sourced seafood and harbor views that pair perfectly with a glass of wine. Prefer something more romantic? Slip into M Restaurant, where Mediterranean-inspired flavors meet candlelight and sea air.
After dinner, the island hums with a mellow, magnetic energy. Locals and travelers mix over live music and clinking glasses at cozy bars or outdoor patios. End the night with a moonlit walk along the boardwalk, the glow of Avalon reflecting on the water; proof that some places really do shine brighter after dark.
Twinkle Lights & Island Nights
During the holidays, picture sunny afternoons, palm trees wrapped in lights and shop windows gleaming with festive displays. During Shop Catalina, the island transforms into a coastal celebration of cheer, with exclusive deals, giveaways and small-town charm that make even the most seasoned shopper swoon. The best part? Two full weeks of holiday shopping, island adventures and maybe even a few repeat trips back to your favorite boutiques. Itās retail therapy reimagined, with sunshine and sea views as your backdrop.
Between the ocean breeze, friendly shopkeepers and that unshakable island joy, December in Avalon feels like the West Coastās best-kept holiday secret. Itās the kind of place where you buy gifts for everyone else, then realize the real present was your getaway.
Pack Lightā¦ or Donāt
Holiday shopping shouldnāt be stressful. It should feel like a treat. On Catalina Island, it is. Come for the sales, stay for the sun and leave with a suitcase so full you might need another ferry ticket for your bags. Between the views, the vibes and that hint of salt on your skin, youāll wonder why you ever did holiday shopping any other way.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
