How to Plan a Romantic Island Getaway on Catalina

A pop song can be pretty powerful. Back in 1958, the Four Preps sang a hit that dubbed Catalina–“The Island of Romance.” The romantic nickname has stuck, but not without plenty of reasons to back it up. Catalina was once a playground for the stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It is home to gorgeous landmarks like Lovers Cove, the Holly Hill House, and the Catalina Casino. And the island’s natural beauty is enough to make it feel like a romantic paradise–complete with crystal clear blue-green waters, rolling hills, and beautiful wildlife, both on land and under the sea.

On Catalina, the pace of life is slower, allowing you to savor things like a day spent on the water or an after dinner stroll in the evening. For accommodations, the Aurora Hotel has got you covered. It’s a romantic boutique hotel that even offers a Dash of Romance package. And as for a romantic itinerary, read on to learn how to plan a romantic island getaway on Catalina. 

Reserve a romantic retreat. The Dash of Romance package at the Aurora Hotel is a great way to set you and your loved one up for a memorable trip. To start, the staff at Aurora will welcome you with a bottle of wine (or sparkling cider) and a bouquet of fresh flowers. As a part of this package, you’ll get to enjoy round-trip boat transportation, a taxi transfer to the hotel, and a couples massage. All of this is an add-on to your regular room charge, and you’ll also have access to complimentary continental breakfast, free wi-fi, and a gorgeous roof deck space with an ocean view. Once you check in at the Aurora, you can enjoy your welcome drinks on the rooftop before heading out to a nice dinner for two. 

Dine at some of the island’s favorite date spots. Whether you want steak or seafood, tacos, pizza, or anything in between, Catalina has developed quite a food scene. In the mood for sushi? Enjoy some of the freshest catches at NDMK or its sister restaurant, Topside. Ready for a sit down meal? Try Steve’s Steak House, the Lobster Trap, or Blue Water Grill. Prefer Mexican or Italian food? Head to Maggie’s Blue Rose, the M restaurant, or Antonio’s. No matter where you have your first romantic dinner on Catalina, be sure it leads to an evening stroll along Crescent Avenue–Avalon’s front street–to admire the harbor lights. 

Sweets for the sweet. Ice cream cones and salt water taffy are signatures of any self-respecting beach town, and Avalon is no different. If you and your date have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of places to satisfy it. At one end of town on Pebbly Beach Road is Catalina Cones–purveryor of cute soft serve and ice cream cone creations. Other ice cream shops include Sailor’s Delight and Scoops, or if you’re more into chocolate, fudge, taffy, and other confections, head to Lloyd’s, an Avalon favorite since 1941. 

A morning walk and coffee talk. The Aurora is conveniently located on a hill in Avalon, which allows for some great views from the roof deck in the morning; you can even bring your breakfast upstairs! But if you prefer to get some exercise early in the day, take a walk down to Catalina Coffee and Cookie Company for some extra caffeine, breakfast burritos, and pastries. Fuel up for a garden tour of the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden–a scenic, peaceful place, tucked into the heart of Avalon Canyon.  

Book a special beach day. You can make a day at the beach more than just a basic beach day by reserving a cabana or a pair of chaise lounge chairs at Descanso Beach. At Descanso, there’s a fabulous beach front bar, food service, and even some beachy boutiques. It’s a great way to spend a relaxing and romantic afternoon. 

Plan a picnic. The recent return of horseback riding and stables to Catalina Island means that you can enjoy an ultimate Catalina picnic experience. The Catalina Party Company, with Catalina Island Horseback Adventures, offers a few different options to explore the island’s backcountry. The horseback picnic experience includes a scenic horseback ride to a gourmet picnic, complete with charcuterie and beverages. 

An amazing date night. There’s always the option to bar hop to different happy hours or after dinner drinks at the island’s collection of watering holes, but if you want something a little different, check out what’s playing at the Avalon Theater or what event is happening at the Casino Ballroom during your stay. Depending on the season, you could catch a film or spend the night roller skating around the iconic Casino dancefloor.

And another day date. Get out on the water with your partner! You can rent a kayak for two or rent a pair of standup paddle boards and paddle your way around the rows of boats in Avalon Harbor. Want to see more? Take a glass bottom boat or submarine tour–life under the sea is so beautiful. Feeling even more adventurous? You can plan to scuba dive at Casino Point or snorkel at Lovers Cove. 

Truly, Avalon has everything you need for a romantic getaway, and as a cozy and welcoming boutique hotel, the Aurora is the perfect place to stay. Reserve a room now with our online reservations, or give us a call at 310-510-0454.