Yet with a push in the right direction, Catalina's island ecosystem has begun to heal. The slow but steady recovery offers proof of nature's amazing capacity for self-regeneration. You can get to Catalina by ferry, plane, or helicopter. Ferries depart from either Long Beach or San Pedro. No cars are allowed to the island, unless you reside there.
Trails cover the island for birding, backpacking or day hikes.
You can get a map of trails and a bird list from the Catalina Island Conservancy in Avalon. Discovery Tours and Adventure Tours offer a variety of tours by land or sea. Be sure to visit the Catalina Island Interpretive Center for fantastic displays interpreting the island's natural history. Kayaking offers a great way to see seabirds as well as marine mammals and fish. Descanso Beach Ocean Sports rents kayaks by the hour or day, or offers naturalist-led tours.