How to get to Catalina Island
How to get to Catalina Island depends on where you start and which part of the island you want to reach. Avalon is on Santa Catalina Island off California. Most visitors organize a mainland journey to a ferry port and then cross to Avalon. San Pedro also has a connection to Two Harbors, a separate destination on the island. Choose the destination before buying a ticket, because an Avalon arrival does not put you at Two Harbors.
Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX, is a starting point for a mainland transfer. Long Beach and San Pedro are distinct ports, while Newport Beach and Dana Point provide other ferry choices. Match the terminal to your actual booking rather than simply asking for the Catalina ferry. The ferry guide explains routes and fares, while Two Harbors covers the other island destination.
Taxi and transfer from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
A road transfer from LAX to the Long Beach port is a mainland journey. When arranging a taxi or a booked car, confirm the ferry operator, exact terminal and address with the driver or transfer provider. Long Beach and San Pedro are different destinations, so a booking for one is not a substitute for a departure from the other.
Allow a generous margin between landing and boarding. Immigration, baggage collection, traffic and the ferry check-in process all affect the connection. Check the transfer terms for luggage and passengers, and confirm the pickup instructions at the airport. The road transfer and the ferry are separate bookings unless your particular reservation explicitly combines them.
Reserve your transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Long Beach port in advance on Kiwitaxi.
Our pick: helicopter to Long Beach
Our take: This flight suits a departure from Catalina to Long Beach, with taxes and fees included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
More ways to explore Catalina
Compare the available experiences and their individual details.
Ferry connections
For Avalon, compare departures from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach against your travel date. A departure time is only one part of the choice: the return direction, boarding requirements and mainland parking matter too. Check your reservation for the correct harbor before leaving the airport.
Catalina Express recommends reaching its terminal at least one hour before departure. Its published winter schedule runs from October 20, 2026 to March 31, 2027; check the actual date and sailing when booking. The ferry page separates the different routes and their conditions. A delay on the road does not automatically change a ferry reservation, so read the change terms before committing to a close connection.
Car rental and parking
If you rent a car on the mainland, plan to leave it at the chosen ferry port. Check the parking instructions for that particular terminal and the whole period you will be away. The Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point facilities have different arrangements; Newport parking should be checked separately. Keep the return sailing and parking exit in mind when comparing the cost of your journey.
Once in Avalon, walking, local transit and golf carts are ways to get around. An Avalon golf cart rental is limited to permitted streets in Avalon, not a vehicle for the island interior. If you have luggage or need an accessible vehicle, make the local connection part of your plan and ask about the exact pickup arrangements.
Airport in the Sky and helicopter travel
Airport in the Sky is in the island interior, about 10 miles from Avalon. It serves private aviation and should not be confused with the Pebbly Beach heliport or a mainland ferry terminal. It is a separate destination for trip planning, and a flight there does not by itself arrange your onward ground journey.
The helicopter option shown on this page is a return flight from Pebbly Beach on Catalina to Long Beach. It is not a flight from LAX. The product asks passengers to arrive 30 minutes before the flight; check the booking for luggage rules and arrange the island journey to the heliport separately. Compare the return direction and timing with your arrival plan before purchasing.
Planning the connection
Think of the itinerary as distinct legs: airport to port, sea crossing, then the trip from the landing point to your accommodation. Keep the addresses and booking details for each leg available, including any return confirmation. Check the weather and operator notices close to departure, because sea conditions can affect sailings.
For a visit centered on Avalon, the things to do guide helps you choose activities after the transport is settled. If you plan to stay overnight, see where to stay and consider how far you need to carry your bags from the waterfront.
Frequently asked questions
Which port should I choose?
Choose the port that matches your booked sailing and the direction you need. Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point and Newport Beach are separate mainland departure points.
Does the helicopter leave from LAX?
The flight featured here goes from Pebbly Beach on Catalina to Long Beach. It does not provide the journey from LAX to Catalina.
Can I take an Avalon rental golf cart to Two Harbors?
No. Rental carts are restricted to permitted areas of Avalon. Plan a separate connection for Two Harbors.