The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Catalina Island + Long Beach Weekend: A 4-Day Itinerary

Catalina Island + Long Beach Weekend: A 4-Day Itinerary: free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. Ferry fares, attraction prices, hours and tour menus move with the season. Every price is stamped with the date we checked it and the official page. Where a page would not open or did not list a number, we say so and name the page to check. Treat anything labelled "read" as a description from a marketing page, not a verified fact.

Cover block

Promise: A real island getaway, with a ferry ride, a round 1929-era casino (general knowledge), a garden above the town and warm-weather snorkeling, from a base you can reach by transit.
Trip length: 4 days, 3 nights (1 Long Beach, 2 Avalon). Day 4 can stretch to Two Harbors.
Best months: spring and fall for calmer crowds; summer for warm water and busy boats. Winter is quiet and cool.
Budget band: fixed costs of roughly $160 to $200 per adult (built from the stamped fees in chapter 8) for ferry plus Aquarium plus garden, before lodging and food.
Best for: couples, friends, and families who like water and slow walking.

At a glance

Ferry: about 1 hour, round trip adult $99.00 / senior $90.00 / child $78.50 including $10 wharfage and tax (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Aquarium: adult $49.95 / child $34.95 / senior $46.95 (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Wrigley garden: adult $13.58, senior 55+ $11.41, children 5-12 $8.15, free under 5 (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Free Conservancy hiking permit required for trails outside town (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Long Beach Transit day pass $4 (checked Oct 10, 2026).
Queen Mary: status confirmed only from its own site; see Day 1.
Money you cannot verify yet: lodging, Casino tour price, zip line, snorkel rentals, golf cart rental. Fill in from the pages named below.