Catalina Island

What Catalina Island does

Catalina Island Company is a privately held, family-owned hospitality and tourism operator headquartered in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, California, 22 miles off the Southern California coast. Founded in 1894 by the Banning Brothers and acquired by William Wrigley Jr. in 1919, the company has been continuously owned by Wrigley descendants for over a century and today operates an integrated destination portfolio spanning four hotels (Mt Ada, Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel, and Banning House Lodge & Villas), more than ten dining and bar venues (including Descanso Beach Club, Avalon Grille, Pier 24, Flx Biergarten, and Harbor Reef Restaurant), five-plus campgrounds, 720-plus moorings in Two Harbors, two dive and recreation centers, a general store, and a broad catalog of land and sea tours (zip line eco tours, bison expeditions, undersea sub voyages, glass-bottom boat tours, falconry, and casino experiences). The underlying technology stack is a hospitality and tourism management platform with integrated booking for accommodations, packages, activities, dining, camping, and moorings, delivered through visitcatalinaisland.com, a proprietary mobile app, and third-party platforms (FareHarbor, Eventbrite); no public-facing API or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

The company makes money through a mix of unit-priced and subscription-bundled transactions: nightly hotel rates and romance/boat-and-hotel packages, per-cover F&B sales, per-activity tour tickets, nightly camping and gear-haul fees, and seasonal mooring rentals with yield-managed promotions. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer supplemented by event-driven seasonal demand (July 4th, Two Harbors Brew Fest, Wine Fest, Buccaneer Days, Catalina JazzTrax, Summer Beach Parties), with mainland access provided by channel partnerships with Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer. Customer segments span leisure travelers, adventure seekers, campers, history and culture enthusiasts, event-focused visitors, and Southern California boaters, with no disclosed enterprise or B2B accounts.

Name

Catalina Island

Legal name

Catalina Island Company

Website

https://visitcatalinaisland.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1894

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Catalina Island Company is a family-owned (Wrigley descendants since 1919) hospitality operator on Santa Catalina Island, California, running four hotels, 10+ restaurants, campgrounds, 720+ moorings, and a broad tour portfolio for leisure and adventure travelers served via direct booking, a mobile app, and ferry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Island Hospitality & Tourism

NAICS

Food Services and Drinking Places (722), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Marinas (713930), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Beachfront & Island Luxury Resorts (THAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beachfront & Coastal Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAI), Marine Recreation Rentals & Tours Retail Counter (On-site Sales) (CRAMAIAM), Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE), Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies (THAKAFAL), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• Island hospitality services
• Hotel accommodations
• Boat moorings
• Guided adventure tours
• Beach club dining

Headquarters

HQ city

Avalon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hotel Accommodations: Revenue from four distinct hotel properties: Mt Ada (luxury), Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel, and Banning House Lodge & Villas. Offers various packages including romance packages and boat & hotel bundles.
2. Dining & Restaurants: Multiple dining venues including Descanso Beach Club, Avalon Grille, Bistro at the Atwater, Pier 24, Flx Biergarten, Harbor Reef Restaurant, Harbor Reef Saloon, West End Galley, and Harbor Sands beach dining.
3. Activities & Tours: Land and sea tours including zipline eco tours, bison expeditions, undersea sub expeditions, glass bottom boat voyages, flying fish voyages, kayak rentals, scuba/snorkel rentals, mountain bike rentals, and chartered boat tours like the Cyclone speed boat between Avalon and Two Harbors.
4. Camping: Multiple campground options including Hermit Gulch (Avalon), Two Harbors Campground, Little Harbor Campground, primitive camping at Parsons Landing and Black Jack, and nine boat-in primitive campsites. Includes tent cabin rentals and gear haul services.
5. Mooring Services: Mooring rentals in Two Harbors area including Isthmus Cove, Howland's, Little Geiger, Buttonshell, Emerald Bay, Fourth of July, Cherry Cove, Hen Rock, White's Landing, Moonstone, Cat Harbor, and Wells Beach with various seasonal pricing and promotions.
6. Beach Club & Rentals: Beach venue access including Descanso Beach Club cabana/chaise lounge rentals and Harbor Sands palapa/lounge chair rentals in Two Harbors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Catalina Island Company operates the integrated hospitality and tourism portfolio on Santa Catalina Island, delivering upscale hotel accommodations (Mt Ada, Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel, Banning House Lodge & Villas), more than ten dining and beach club venues (Descanso Beach Club, Avalon Grille, Pier 24, Flx Biergarten, Harbor Reef Restaurant, Harbor Reef Saloon, West End Galley, Bistro at the Atwater), land and sea tours (zip line eco tour, bison expedition, undersea sub expedition, glass bottom boat, flying fish voyage, Discover Two Harbors Cyclone speedboat), boat-in and traditional camping, mooring rentals for 720+ vessels, water sports and recreation rentals, a general store, and recurring festivals (Brew Fest, Wine Fest, Buccaneer Days, JazzTrax, Wine Mixer, July 4th, Summer Beach Parties). The whole experience is bundled and booked through visitcatalinaisland.com and the Catalina Mobile App, supported by ferry partnerships with Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer.

Product overview

Catalina Island Company operates a diverse hospitality and tourism portfolio centered on Santa Catalina Island, California. The company offers four distinct hotels (Mt Ada, Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel, and Banning House Lodge & Villas), over a dozen dining venues (including Descanso Beach Club, Avalon Grille, Harbor Reef Restaurant, and Flx Biergarten), and dozens of land and sea tours and activities (such as the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, Bison Expedition, Undersea Sub Expedition, Catalina Casino experiences, and Discover Two Harbors speedboat tours). The company also manages beach venues (Descanso Beach Club and Harbor Sands), camping facilities (Hermit Gulch, Two Harbors, Little Harbor, boat-in sites), recreation centers, a general store, and special events including Two Harbors Wine Fest, Brew Fest, Buccaneer Days, and July 4th celebrations. Transportation is facilitated through partnerships with Catalina Express ferry service and the Discover Two Harbors Cyclone speedboat. The portfolio is unified through a central booking platform and mobile app, serving visitors seeking beach vacations, adventure activities, and nature experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Catalina Island: The main brand identity for the hospitality company operating hotels, restaurants, and activities on Catalina Island.
• California's Island Escape
• Mt Ada
• Hotel Atwater
• Pavilion Hotel
• Banning House Lodge & Villas
• Descanso Beach Club
• Harbor Sands
• Harbor Reef Restaurant
• Harbor Reef Saloon
• West End Galley
• Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center
• Descanso Beach Ocean Sports
• Two Harbors General Store
• Discover Two Harbors
• Catalina Express Boat & Hotel

Products and services

• Mt Ada Forbes 4-star luxury hotel once the Wrigley Mansion, perched high above Avalon Bay with panoramic views.
• Hotel Atwater Boutique hotel in the heart of Avalon with chic, updated rooms and proximity to Discovery Tour Plaza.
• Pavilion Hotel Island-chic beachside hotel steps from Avalon's beach, with a lush courtyard and complimentary social hour.
• Banning House Lodge & Villas Historic Craftsman-style bed & breakfast in Two Harbors offering an unplugged Catalina West End stay.
• Descanso Beach Club Avalon's only beachside restaurant and bar with luxury cabanas and chaise lounges on one of the few private beaches in California where alcohol is permitted on the sand.
• Avalon Grille California coastal cuisine restaurant steps from Avalon Bay with waterfront dining and curated wine and cocktail list.
• Pier 24 Avalon's waterfront restaurant serving fresh seafood and desserts with breezy outdoor seating.
• Bistro at the Atwater Coffee shop and bistro inside Hotel Atwater serving coffee, lattes, pastries and breakfast.
• Flx Biergarten Avalon's only biergarten offering craft beers, bites, sports viewing and cornhole games.
• Harbor Reef Restaurant Casual Two Harbors restaurant with harbor-view patio serving appetizers, salads, burgers, steaks, ribs, chicken, and line-caught local swordfish.
• Harbor Reef Saloon Two Harbors social hub serving signature cocktails (including the famous Buffalo Milk) and live DJ entertainment on the patio.
• West End Galley Casual grab-and-go Two Harbors eatery serving breakfast and lunch (avocado toast, burgers, fish and chips, wraps, sandwiches) with patio dining.
• Catalina Island Zip Line Eco Tour TripAdvisor's top-rated zip line tour through Descanso Canyon, running at speeds up to 35 mph over two hours.
• Bison Expedition Open-air Hummer expedition into Catalina's rugged interior to search for the descendants of the 1920s American bison herd.
• Undersea Sub Expedition Semi-submersible cruise five feet below the surface with a climate-controlled cabin to view Catalina's marine life.
• Glass Bottom Boat Voyage Glass-bottom boat tour of Lover's Cove Marine Preserve showcasing colorful fish and marine life.
• Discover Avalon Tour Guided tour along Avalon's beachfront, hillsides and historic downtown, rated highly by customers.
• Speed Boat & Sea Lion Tour High-speed Cyclone boat ride to Seal Rocks in search of dolphins, sea lions and Catalina's east-end vistas.
• Journey to Island's End Open-air Hummer expedition through Catalina's pristine wilderness up rugged canyons to 1,500-foot East Peak.
• Wrigley Island Tour Signature motor tour with exclusive access to the Wrigley family's El Rancho Escondido ranch and historic DC-3 hangar at Airport in the Sky.
• Catalina Falconry Experience Seasonal falconry experience (March-late October) where trained birds of prey swoop toward and gently land on participants' outstretched hands.
• Catalina Aerial Adventure High-ropes challenge course through Descanso Canyon offering a unique outdoor aerial experience.
• Flying Fish Voyage Nighttime Cyclone speedboat searchlight trip (mid-June to September) to observe Catalina's world-famous flying fish.
• Skate the Wrigley Ballroom Vintage-style roller-skating experience on the Wrigley Ballroom's circular dance floor inside the Catalina Casino.
• Haunting Tales & Mysterious Melodies Ghost tour of the Catalina Casino sharing stories of unrequited love, tragedy and unexplained happenings from its forgotten past.
• Golf Gardens Mini Golf Long-running 18-hole mini golf course in a garden setting near Avalon's beach.
• Glow Golf Light-up nighttime mini golf experience at Golf Gardens.
• Catalina Casino VIP Backstage Tour VIP backstage tour of the Catalina Casino offering exclusive access to Stars' Dressing Rooms, Producers' Viewing Gallery and Directors' Projection Booth.
• Catalina Casino General Admission Tour General admission tour of the 1929 Catalina Casino featuring the world's largest circular ballroom and the historic Avalon Theatre.
• Discover Two Harbors Seasonal 40-minute Cyclone speedboat round-trip between Avalon and Two Harbors, operating May to early October.
• Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center Full-service Two Harbors recreation center renting kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, mountain bikes, SCUBA and snorkel gear, fishing skiffs and wetsuits.
• Descanso Beach Ocean Sports Avalon water-sports rental operation offering kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear and guided kayak eco tours at Descanso Beach.
• Harbor Sands Two Harbors beach venue on the shore of Isthmus Cove with rustic furnished palapas and lounge chair rentals, plus food from Harbor Reef Restaurant.
• Two Harbors Boating & Mooring Boating services in Two Harbors with mooring reservations in 11 scenic coves offering 720+ moorings in Isthmus Cove and surrounding protected coves.
• Two Harbors Mooring Reservations Online reservation system for Two Harbors moorings with weekly-loaded availability, seasonal promotions, and daily transient fees based on boat size.
• Hermit Gulch Campground Avalon's only in-city campground in Avalon Canyon near the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, with access to the Trans-Catalina Trail.
• Two Harbors Campground Two Harbors rustic campground offering traditional tent camping and unique tent cabins with showers, toilets, fresh water, picnic tables, BBQs and fire pits.
• Little Harbor Campground Beachfront campground seven miles east of Two Harbors on the Trans-Catalina Trail, accessible only by hiking and rated 'one of the best campgrounds in the West' by Sunset Magazine.
• Parsons Landing Primitive Campground Primitive campground accessible by moderate hike or kayak seven miles from Two Harbors' Isthmus Cove with vistas and a pristine beach.
• Black Jack Campground Primitive campground in pine and eucalyptus near Mt. Orizaba, Catalina's tallest peak, accessible via the Trans-Catalina Trail.
• Boat-In Camping Nine primitive boat-in campsites along Catalina's leeward shore including Ripper's Cove, Paradise Cove, Lava Wall, Gibraltar, Cabrillo, Goat Harbor, Italian Gardens, Long Point Beach and Willow Cove (no facilities).
• Descanso Beach Cabanas Luxury beach cabanas at Descanso Beach Club including Signature Cabanas (up to 6 guests), Presidential Cabanas (up to 8 guests with teak flooring and bottle service), and Hillside Cabanas (up to 8 guests with flat-screen TV).
• Two Harbors General Store Long-standing general store in Two Harbors offering groceries, specialty cheeses, breads, beer, wine, spirits, camping supplies, beach accessories, gifts and camping fuels.
• Biking in Two Harbors Mountain biking experience on trails providing access to Catalina's rugged interior and beautiful shoreline, with permit requirements for interior access.
• Hiking & Backpacking Hiking and backpacking across diverse terrain (easy to difficult) on trails with canyon, ocean and mainland views; free permits required from Two Harbors Visitor Services.
• Catalina Express Boat & Hotel Package Bundled vacation package combining round-trip Catalina Express ferry transportation with overnight Avalon or Two Harbors hotel accommodations and seasonal Best of Winter midweek offers.
• Catalina Island Romance Package Romantic escape package for couples combining Catalina Island accommodations with curated dining and activity add-ons.
• Two Harbors Wine Fest Annual Two Harbors beach wine festival featuring live music and over a dozen wineries, held every September.
• Two Harbors Brew Fest Annual Two Harbors beach beer festival featuring breweries such as TrustedGut, Firestone Walker, Lagunitas, White Claw and Happy Dad, with live music and tasting tiers.
• Buccaneer Days Annual Two Harbors pirate-themed festival with treasure hunts, costume contests, live music and entertainment.
• July 4th Celebration at Catalina Island Annual Independence Day celebration at Catalina Island featuring Golf Cart Parade, Dinghy Parade, USC Trojan Marching Band concert at the Catalina Casino, and fireworks over Avalon Bay.
• Summer Beach Parties at Descanso Beach Club Recurring Saturday live-DJ beach parties at Descanso Beach Club from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• OktoberFlx Oktoberfest celebration at Flx Biergarten with a special beer menu and German-inspired fare.
• Two Harbors Fireworks Voyage Independence Day Cyclone speedboat cruise to Two Harbors with fireworks viewing over Isthmus Cove.
• Two Harbors Fireworks Motor Tour 90-minute guided motor coach ride from Avalon to Two Harbors to view the Independence Day fireworks over the bay.
• Catalina Express Package (Avalon) Bundled Avalon hotel plus Catalina Express ferry package departing from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point.
• Catalina Express Boat & Hotel Two Harbors Bundled Two Harbors Banning House Lodge accommodation plus Catalina Express ferry package from the mainland.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Catalina ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ferry service partner providing daily transportation from San Pedro (to both Avalon and Two Harbors), Long Beach, and Dana Point to Catalina Island. Approximately one-hour high-speed ferry service. Partner in bundled Boat & Hotel packages offered on the Catalina Island Company website. Operates year-round with multiple daily departures.
• Catalina FlyerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDaily boat departures from Newport Beach to Catalina Island aboard the largest passenger catamaran on the West Coast. Provides additional mainland access point for visitors traveling from Orange County area.
• Circuit Transit / COASTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-demand, point-to-point rides service within Avalon's city limits through partnership with Circuit Transit. Part of COAST (City of Avalon Seaside Transit) public transportation system with fares starting at $2 per rider.
• Catalina Island ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization established in 1972 by the Wrigley family. Manages 42,000 acres of Catalina Island (oldest and largest private land trust in Southern California). Partners for hiking permits, bison conservation, and trail access. Descendants of Wrigley family still own Catalina Island Company and support conservation efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Club Med: Operates all-inclusive resort villages across multiple continents with bundled accommodations, dining, and activities — directly comparable to Catalina Island Company's integrated lodging, F&B, and activities model on a single destination.
• Sandals Resorts: Luxury all-inclusive Caribbean resort operator with multiple distinct properties, dining venues, water sports, and dive operations on island destinations — mirrors Catalina's premium integrated resort structure across hotels, restaurants, and water activities.
• Atlantis Paradise Island: Bahamas integrated island resort combining hotels, multiple restaurants, beach clubs, marine activities (Aquaventure water park), and marina services — the closest single-island analog to Catalina's four-hotel, ten-plus-restaurant, multi-activity portfolio.

Regional players

• Mackinac Island: Michigan island destination with car-free access, multiple historic hotels, dining venues, and fudge shops — comparable single-island destination with bundled accommodations and tour-oriented activities, though operating in a different geography (Great Lakes).
• Jekyll Island Authority: Georgia state-managed island destination operating hotels, convention facilities, beach venues, and outdoor activities — a similar island destination governance and hospitality model on a different Atlantic coast geography.

Broad incumbents

• Xanterra Travel Collection: Operates concessions in U.S. national and state parks — lodging, F&B, retail, and tour services inside Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and other parks. Comparable as a destination-hospitality platform but with a broader, multi-park footprint rather than a single-island focus.
• Marriott International: Global hotel chain operating full-service and luxury brands including beachfront properties — overlaps with Catalina's Mt Ada and Pavilion Hotel category but as part of a much broader multi-brand portfolio rather than single-destination focus.
• Carnival Corporation: Cruise operator running Princess, Holland America, and other island-hopping brands — comparable in combining water transport, accommodations, dining, and onboard activities, but at much larger scale and with cruise-ship rather than fixed-island operating model.
• SeaWorld Entertainment: Operator of marine theme parks with bundled ticketing, marine-life experiences (comparable to Sub Expedition and Glass Bottom Boat), dining, and events — adjacent thematically through marine experiences and activity bundling.

Others

• Catalina Express: Primary ferry partner providing all scheduled passenger access from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. Comparable not as a competitor but as the upstream distribution channel whose service levels directly drive Catalina Island Company's inbound demand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visitcatalina
• Facebookfacebook.com/santacatalinaisland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/santa-catalina-island-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catalina Island