Fall on Catalina: Why September & October Are the Island's Best-Kept Secret

Catalina Island in the summer is a dream come true. Sunny days and cool nights are the backdrop for zippy boat rides, melty ice cream cones, lovely beach days, leisurely outdoor dinners, and so much more. The 4th of July is a legendary holiday on Catalina, complete with summertime crowds, a local parade of golf carts and community floats by day, and a traditional over-the-ocean fireworks show at night. August is a gorgeous month too, with optimal conditions for warm waters and warm temps. 

But if you can believe it: there is an even more ideal time than the summer for visiting Catalina Island. Many Californians up and down the coast refer to September and October as “locals’ summer.” June through August are the peak months of tourism, but as early fall arrives, the number of daily visitors drops considerably. This allows for more availability of things like lodging and excursions. At the same time, the weather remains mild, and the island shines in a post-summer glow.  Read on to learn more about fall on Catalina and why September, October and November are the island’s best kept secret. 

No May gray, no June gloom. Fall months often bring the best weather of the year to the island. The marine layer lifts, and high temps hang around 75 to 80 degrees. Fall days on Catalina are often sunny, bright, and clear. Humidity remains low, and this makes doing all kinds of outdoor activities that much more pleasant. Hike the Trans-Catalina Trail. Rent a paddleboard or a motorboat. Kayak the coastline. Take a city tour. Catch views of Avalon Harbor from one of the Aurora Hotel’s most favorite features–the roofdeck. Catalina’s fall weather is especially perfect for enjoying the roofdeck views, morning coffee, or evening happy hour from atop the Aurora Hotel. 

Clear and warm ocean water. If you didn’t already know, Catalina Island is a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Ocean activities are awesome in the fall. From late August through October,  ocean temps average around 68 to 74 degrees. The fall months also offer great visibility so you can see even more of the island’s giant kelp forests and abundant marine life. When you stay at the Aurora Hotel, you’re just a short walk down to Avalon’s beaches or Casino Dive Park–favorite places to snorkel and dive. 

Lower rates and fewer visitors. After Labor Day, Catalina is a little less busy than in the summer time. There’s a noticeable peaceful feeling in the town of Avalon with more availability for rooms, rentals, restaurant reservations, and tours. At the Aurora Hotel, packages are offered year round. Book a Dash of Romance, an Authentic Catalina Adventure, or an Anniversary Escape at the Aurora for a fabulous fall getaway. 

Fall is festival season. Catalina is such a fun backdrop for celebrations of all kinds.

•  The Catalina Festival of Art features artists from all around the United States. Exhibits line Crescent Avenue, pairing gorgeous works of art with ocean views. There’s fine art, jewelry, pottery, stoneware, photography, sculpture, and crafts of all kinds. This family friendly event offers free admission, and it’s a well loved tradition on the island. 

• In late September, The Catalina Film Festival is three days of screenings, conversations, and celebrations of film in Avalon. 

• If you’re a foodie, come in October for the Catalina Island Museum's Tamale Festival, a family friendly fiesta that includes local tamale-makers, live music, games, and of course, tamale tasting. For the 21 and over crowd: margarita flights, wine, and beer are also available. 

• In October of 2026, Catalina is celebrating its second annual Mermaid and Ocean-themed art festival, another family friendly event. Swim with a mermaid at Lover’s Cove, compete to build the best mermaid tail in the sand, or get a mermaid makeover on this magical weekend. 

• Music lovers will want to visit for at least one of the two October weekends that the JazzTraxx festival runs in Avalon. Fans can get their fill of smooth jazz in one of the most iconic settings to see a performance: the Casino Ballroom. 

Make the Aurora Hotel your home base when you attend any one of these festivals. Fuel up with a fresh (and free) continental breakfast in the morning, and make your way to all the festivities from your very conveniently located accommodations at the Aurora. 

Have an unforgettable Halloween. On October 31st, families and friends gather on Front Street for a family friendly Halloween Parade from 4 to 6pm. After the parade, party for a bit with entertainment at the Wrigley Stage in the center of town, followed by trick or treating, a favorite tradition around Avalon. 

There are so many reasons to book a stay at the Aurora Hotel this fall. You don’t even need an action packed itinerary to make your Catalina getaway a memorable one. The Aurora can help you to relax, enjoy, and savor the slower paced island lifestyle. Our boutique hotel is clean, quiet, modern, and conveniently located in the town of Avalon–with shops, restaurants, and favorite island spots just a short walk away. Reach out to our staff for reservations and recommendations for your fall trip to the island. Learn more online at our website, or call 310-510-0454 to book today!