Islands may not seem like your typical destination in the middle of winter, but when that island is off the coast of Southern California you can be sure to enjoy a Christmastime getaway with all of the sunshine and warm weather SoCal has to offer.
Catalina, just a short boat ride from the Los Angeles ports of Long Beach or San Pedro, has plenty to offer for anyone looking for a unique Christmas excursion. If you happen to be in Los Angeles during the holiday season then a day or two on this picturesque little island might be just what your family needs to escape from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. You can enjoy the great weather, beautiful sunshine, laid-back island lifestyle and still get plenty of that holiday cheer.
During the holiday season the island is decked out in holiday decorations, but still maintains a sunny island vibe. It’s easy to imagine Santa taking a much-needed vacation on Catalina to get a break from the chilly temperatures of the North Pole. Carolers roaming the harbor will put anyone in a festive holiday mood.
Decorated tree on Catalina boardwalk. Photo: Jon Osumi | Dreamstime.com
Every year the island hosts many fun holiday events and activities like a Christmas tree decorating contest on Dec. 7, Christmas markets and a Christmas craft boutique that runs until Dec. 22. It is the ideal place to relax for a while and soak up the sun while you shop for some unique holiday gifts and decorations.
Christmas on Catalina isn’t just about shopping and enjoying the great weather, though. There is also plenty of fun for kids around the island during the season. Toyon Grill, a local island eatery that overlooks the picture-perfect harbor, will host a Kids Holiday Party in the port town of Avalon where little ones can enjoy gingerbread decorating, hot cocoa, Christmas games and crafts, and a Christmas movie. Tickets include lunch and each guest receives a Christmas-themed goodie bag. This event takes place Dec. 8 for a cost of $20 per child.
If you want to stick around after the holiday you will find out why Catalina is a great place to spend New Year’s Eve. The island’s iconic Casino Ballroom will host a gala event to ring in the new year with a gourmet buffet, live music and dancing until the ball drops at midnight. Tickets are available online for $189 per person for this event.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedNorth America
Sep 3, 20266 Winnipeg, Canada, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Winnipeg, Canada, with us.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Sep 3, 20263 Caribbean, Latin American Marriott Hotels for Multigen Trips
Multigenerational travel continues to grow in popularity, with family travelers moving away from traditional getaways for meaningful trips with family members of all ages. The Caribbean and Latin America are growing destinations of interest for this type of travel, and three Marriott properties offer opportunities for multigen families to create lifelong memories.
Destinations
Sep 2, 2026Look Past the Traditional Classroom with Scott Dunn’s Back-to-School Itineraries
Parents looking to provide their kids with hands-on learning experiences going beyond textbooks by visiting unique destinations with family-centric approaches will find that and more with Scott Dunn's private, expert-led itineraries. These experiences provide lessons the classroom cannot.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Destinations / North America
Sep 2, 2026Visit an Old-Fashioned County Fair in Maine
Celebrate autumn with a family trip to a traditional New England county fair. These annual celebrations of agriculture and country life are filled with sights and activities for the whole family to enjoy, from admiring prize pumpkins and meeting live animals to witnessing horse shows, listening to country music and dancing, and doing craft demonstrations. Most fairs also have carnival rides and hands-on activities for kids.
ShareThis