TWO HARBORS CATALINA ISLAND

The Two Harbors of Catalina Island (also know as Isthmus) is located about 20 miles north of Avalon on the eastern face of the island and is home to about 150 permanent residents.  Travelers to Catalina Island looking for a hardcore rustic experience, to camp and or have the total island experience with just a sprinkle of a hint of civilization will find Two Harbors to be a fun visit. Two Harbors at Catalina Island is home to a small village, camping grounds, recreation center and additional access to more of Catalina Island’s coves, caves and reefs not found on the southern half by Avalon.

Although Avalon is slow paced, relaxing, quaint and charming, its not exactly a secluded feel visitors would get from being at Two Harbors.  Two Harbors offers some form of human occupation in the way of a single room school house (for grades 1-8 then students are bussed to Avalon for high school) a restaurant, a small convenience store and a hotel. Although the hotel only has 12 rooms and is more lie a bed and breakfast.   Visitors to Two Harbors tend to be in pursuit of pure relaxation and interaction with nature.  Those not looking to indulge the coastline will find many hiking trails that extend out of Two Harbors into the remote Catalina outback and interior. One path leads directly back to Avalon for those hikers looking for an all day hiking mission.

Due to the waters off of Catalina Island teaming with marine wildlife and being the hospital ocean environment it is, the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies has a campus located near Two Harbors for research.

The Two Harbors is home to a camp ground that is about a quarter of a mile removed from the main village area.  The campsite is home to 42 individual campsites and 3 large group sites and is located on a bluff over looking the Pacific Ocean.  There are also tent cabins that sleep people on cots-six to a tent. The campsite offers a BBQ area, picnic tables, showers and a lantern. This campsite is only available April through October.  Visitors not looking to camp can find accommodations at the Banning House Lodge.  The Banning House Lodge was one of the original homes of the Banning Brothers who settled and owned the island in the early 1900s before the Wrigleys took over (See Catalina History).   The hotel is more of a bed and breakfast set up with 12 rooms, each uniquely hand crafted to a different style and each equipped with a private bath.  The Banning House Lodge provides common rooms and the Sun Room for guests and visitors to relax, mingle and hang out while taking in the views of the ocean.

As the Two Harbors is more of a relaxing destination, there are a variety of activities that are popular on this part of Catalina Island. They include Volleyball courts, horseshoes, Bocci Ball, a tennis court that is free to use and smash ball. The Two Harbors Dive and Recreation Center provides rentals of the above mentioned game accessories. In addition the Two Harbors Dive and Recreation Center provide rentals for those looking to explore the many coves and caves along the coast line of sit on ocean kayaks and paddles that are fully equipped with flotation devices.

Visitors looking to just relax will find  just hanging on the beach to be a pleasant experience. The Two Harbors Dive and Recreation Center rents both beach lounges and umbrellas for those who did not bring their own.

Getting to Two Harbors is fairly easy although there are not a lot of well timed arrivals or departures throughout the day. The Catalina Express offers a daily trip from the San Pedro pier to the Two Harbors. There is also a ferry that departs Avalon daily for Two Harbors as well. During summer Catalina Island runs a bus service from Avalon to Two Harbors with a stop through at the Catalina Airport.