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The best family beaches on Catalina Island are Middle Beach, South Beach, Descanso Beach Club and Lover’s Cove, and with small kids Middle Beach is the easy pick. It sits right in the middle of Avalon harbor, it has a lifeguard and a swim line in summer, and cafes are a few steps away for lunch. South Beach is the same setup on the harbor front, with boats coming in to watch. Descanso is a private beach club with cabanas and food brought to your chair, and Lover’s Cove is a rocky snorkeling spot for older kids. Visitors mostly cannot bring cars to the island, so everything here is a walk, a trolley ride or a golf cart away.
| Beach Name | Key Amenity | Booking Options |
|---|---|---|
| Descanso Beach Club | Cabanas & Food | View Details → |
| Middle Beach | Playground | View Details → |
| South Beach | Picnic Tables | View Details → |
| Lover’s Cove | Snorkel Rental | View Details → |
Descanso Beach Club
This private beach offers an upscale experience perfect for parents who want to minimize setup time.
- The Beach: A private beach club with soft sand. It is not one of Avalon’s public beaches, and we could not confirm lifeguards there.
- Key Amenities: Offers convenient cabana rentals and full food service delivered right to your lounge chair.
- Tip: Book a cabana ahead of time to skip the morning scramble for a spot.
Good to know: It is a short walk from town past the Casino, or take the local trolley.
Middle Beach
Middle Beach is in the center of Avalon, so everything in town is close.
- The Beach: It overlooks the center of Avalon harbor, and in summer each public beach has a lifeguard on duty and a swim line (Love Catalina).
- Key Amenities: Features nearby public restrooms, showers, and a playground for post-swim energy release.
- Tip: Skip the packed lunch and get something from a cafe nearby.
Good to know: The harbor beaches are small, so set up early on summer weekends when the day boats arrive.
South Beach
South Beach is good for a simple day of sandcastles and watching the harbor.
- The Beach: A public beach on the harbor front, with a lifeguard and a swim line in summer (Love Catalina).
- Key Amenities: Includes picnic tables and easy access to showers for a quick rinse before heading back.
- Tip: Sit near the pier so the kids can watch the boats come in.
Good to know: Space on the sand goes quickly in summer, so come early.
Lover’s Cove
For families with older, adventurous children, this spot offers some of the clearest water in the area.
- The Beach: A rocky shore in a marine preserve, good for snorkeling in very clear water.
- Key Amenities: On-site snorkel rentals and picnic areas make it easy to spend a few hours exploring.
- Tip: Wear water shoes for the rocky entry.
Good to know: It gets busy on summer weekends, so go early. There is no lifeguard, so stay beside older kids in the water.
Catalina is the third pick on our California list and the only one where you arrive by ferry and get around by golf cart. We explain where it fits against the mainland towns in our guide to the best California beach towns for families.
FAQs About Family Beaches in Catalina Island
Which beach is best for toddlers?
Middle Beach is our top pick for toddlers for its spot in the middle of the harbor, its summer lifeguard and swim line (Love Catalina), and the nearby playground. It makes for the least amount of walking and hauling gear.
Do I need a car to visit these beaches?
No. Visitors mostly cannot bring cars to Catalina, and the Avalon beaches are all reachable on foot, by trolley or by golf cart.
Are there lifeguards at all locations?
In summer, each of Avalon’s public beaches, Middle Beach and South Beach among them, has a lifeguard on duty and a swim line (Love Catalina). Descanso is a private club, and staffing varies through the year.
More Family Travel Guides for Catalina Island: