Catalina Island Airport in the Sky
is located at an elevation of 1602 feet and contains a 3250 ft.
runway for small planes. The airport is managed by The Catalina
Island Conservancy. Located in the center of the Island, it
serves the helicopter and small plane charters guests can take,
saving approximately 30 minutes in water transportation to the
island, a trip that takes approximately one hour on high-speed
Catamaran regularly scheduled daily journeys.
Built in 1946, the runway required blasting away the tops of two
mountains and using the 200,000 truckloads of rock to fill the
gap between them. Often closed to traffic due to weather
conditions such as fog, the airport includes a small cafe known
for its Buffalo Burger.
Air transportation to Catalina
Island is by no means the cheapest method of travel. In
addition to the expense of flying and airport fees, guests must
take a shuttle into town. The Airport Shuttle Bus to
Avalon (310-510-0143) provides transportation on a regular
basis. Buses leave the airport at 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm,
3:30 pm, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The last bus for the airport
leaves Avalon at 5:30 pm daily. The cost of a round-trip is normally under $25.
General information number for the airport and terminal is (310)
510-0143. Call 800-255-8700 for weather information.
The Runway Cafe, with both indoor and outdoor seating, is open
from 8:30 am until 4 pm daily. Try the famous buffalo burgers!
Call 310-510-2196 for info.
Catalina Island Nature Center is a open-air exhibit about the
flora and fauna of the Island, its geology, and the history of
its early inhabitants. It's run by the Catalina Island
Conservancy. There is a lovely garden featuring native Catalina
plants and cacti, and showing all five of the Island's native
plant communities.
Catalina Safari Shuttle Bus provides transportation from the
airport to the village of Two Harbors (14 miles) stopping along
the way at Little Harbor campground. Buses run twice daily in
the summer leaving the airport at 12:15 am and at 6:15 pm. Call 310-510-7265 for
additional information.
Catalina Island Airport is 10 miles from Avalon, connected by a
picturesque paved road that follows the ridge. There are several
closer destinations for a walk. Try the beaches at Rippers Cove
(4-1/2 miles, steep descent) and at Little Harbor (7 miles),
where there is also a campground. The nearest campground is
Black Jack Camp (3-3/4 miles). Camping on Catalina Island is
permitted only in officially designated areas. Hiking permits
and biking permits are required for either activity in the
interior of the Island and are available at the airport.
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