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Once a houseboat, today the Catalina Beach House has been updated and remodeled into one of Catalina Island’s most charming and delightful places to stay. Modern kitchenettes, AC/heat, spa tubs, cable TV and sunny patios for relaxing barbecues with family and friends are awaiting your vacation pleasure. This charming property is located one block uphill from the beach in a quiet residential area still walking distance to the shops and restaurants. Store your bikes in our lush courtyards or enjoy lounging on one of our public or semi-private decks with sweeping harbor views. This is the perfect setting for intimate weddings and small events and celebrations.
-The Catalina Beach House Story-
In 1912 Captain Joseph McAfee sailed his flat bottom houseboat from Venice Beach to Santa Catalina Island with the intention of making Avalon his home. Captain McAfee purchased a parcel of land with a wonderful view of the bay located on what is now called Marilla Avenue.
Maintaining a strong attachment to his houseboat, as well as the desire to have a home overlooking the bay, Captain McAfee devised an ingenious plan to haul his houseboat up the hillside to his newly acquired property. Using only horses, logs, rope and sheer determination, the Captain and a group of friends hoisted the boat inch by inch up the dusty road to its new location. Captain McAfee’s houseboat was now referred to by one and all as “the Captain’s Beach House.”
Captain McAfee, a lover of the sea, capitalized on an idea that would enhance his income while sharing with others the unusual spectre of flying fish leaping gracefully above the ocean’s surface. He built the island’s first Flying Fish boat, the Catalina Flyer, and began taking out passengers on nighttime excursions just off the coast of Catalina Island. The boat was equipped with a powerful searchlight that would attract and capture in its hypnotic beam the beauty of these unique flying fish.
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As the years went by, the enterprising Captain McAfee built additional rooms to take advantage of the booming island tourist trade. These rooms were attached to the original houseboat and tiered down the hillside. The houseboat hotel became known as the Driftwood Inn, and in the early 1960s it was renamed the Catalina Beach House Hotel. The remaining houseboat wall can be seen in the lobby when you check-in for your stay at the Catalina Beach House Hotel.
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Catalina Beach House
Toll-Free: 800-97-HOTEL (46835)
Local: 310-510-1078
CatalinaBeachHouse@gmail.com
200 Marilla Avenue, Avalon CA 90704
Mailing Address: PO Box 646, Avalon CA 90704
Visit the Hermosa Hotel
TripAdvisor.com:
“We were greeted with the friendliest employees & felt very welcomed. The hotel is a great value & our room was very clean.”
“This was the perfect small hotel one block uphill, with a sunbathing deck and an ocean view, tables and chairs, even a barbecue on the first level. The staff was super-friendly and quick to respond, and the rooms were clean and comfy, including a kitchenette. I would definitely stay again and will recommend it to others.”
Island Specific Travel Tips
- Our island is sometimes lovingly referred to as “Catalina Funky” - with its old buildings, small rooms, but very charming atmosphere.
- Noise carries in our small town - ear plugs can be a lifesaver to save your ears from gas golf carts & late-night revelers heading home!
- You can bring your bikes with you on the boat for a nominal fee; but you can also rent them on island. You’ll need passes from the Conservancy for biking (low-cost) and hiking (free), which are easy to secure. Hikers should have closed-toed shoes (trails are hard to hike in flip-flops).
- To see all of “Catalina” beyond the town of Avalon consider an interior tour of our beautiful island, which is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy.
- The Zip Line Eco Tour sells out in advance - ask hotel staff to reserve your tours when making your booking.
- Avalon is a very “walking” community with its hills & stairs; the primary source of transportation is feet; golf carts are rented for short-term sight-seeing and there are no car rentals.
- While it’s usually clear and mild during the day, the evenings cool down quickly and the winters are downright chilly - pack accordingly!
Hotel Specific Travel Tips
-Our hotels have history and character! They’ve been around for awhile, and a great part of their charm is the simplicity and “Catalina Funkiness”!
-Our properties do NOT have elevators and DO have many stairs- consider this if you have mobility issues.
-We do have free wi-fi available in the lobby, which does also pick up from most rooms. There are no phones in the rooms; most cell phones have reception here (except T-Mobile).
-If you plan on beach time, you may want to bring a beach towel & chair. We have hair dryers & irons available at check-in for your use - no need to pack them!
-Located in the heart of Avalon, we are just a short 10-15 minute walk from the boat landing. If you’ve just arrived to Catalina, you’ll see folks walking from the boat drop-off to the right towards town... follow the main street that parallels the ocean. The Hermosa Hotel is two streets past the green pier 1/2 block up from the beach at 131 Metropole Street; the Catalina Beach House Hotel is four streets past the green pier one block uphill at 200 Marilla Avenue. |
