Catalina Island Live Cam

The town of Avalon, which is served by Catalina Express boats from San Pedro and Long Beach, California harbors, is a quaint village with an oceanfront promenade lined with restaurants, boutiques and hotels. From the promenade, visitors can stroll along the colorful Pleasure Pier, which offers numerous opportunities for exploring the island's emerald waters with world-famous glass bottom boat rides, a semi-submersible undersea tour, flying fish boat trip, coastal cruise and a romantic sunset buffet cruise.

Most beach destinations tend to wind down when summer ends. The crowds thin out. The towns quiet down. Catalina Island is no exception. However, unlike most vacation spots by the shore, this tranquillity is one of Catalina Island's most welcome charms. Located 26 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is easy to get to but feels like a world away.

Ask any of Catalina Island's 3,500 year-round residents, and they'll likely tell you that Catalina Island is at its best during autumn. The weather is sunny and the water still warm enough to enjoy the island's many land and sea activities. Best of all, the overall atmosphere on Catalina Island is a lot more laid-back. Gone are the summer crowds and the long waits for restaurant tables. In their place, a serenity and friendliness that one would expect from an island getaway. Although everything is still open and the island is hopping with activities and events, most hotels offer reduced room rates this time of year - another pleasure reserved for those visiting in the off-season. Avalon, the island's only city, is truly the hub of Catalina Island and where you'll find the majority of restaurants, hotels and activities. It is also where the boat terminals are located.