Um… why have I lived in LA for 7 years and have never visited the gorgeous gem known as Catalina Island!? For those of you who don’t know what Catalina Island is, it’s an island off the coast of LA that is considered part of LA County. What most people don’t know, however, is that the island is GORGEOUS. Like, straight out of a James Bond movie. The water is insanely blue. The sand is pure white. The palm trees are thick and gorgeous. I felt like I was in the Carribean and had to keep pinching myself that I was technically still  somehow in Los Angeles. It’s UNREAL. If you have the chance to go – GO. It’s only an hour long ferry ride from Long Beach and when you get there, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another country. I can’t explain it. You just have to go. 

So while the island is gorgeous and has so many fun activities and shops, there aren’t a crazy amount of vegan options. For example, one restaurant we went to only had whole milk as a milk option. Like… in LA County? I was shook. However, there were plenty of vegan options to survive (and enjoy!) a few days on the island and we have outlined them below: 

Steve’s Steakhouse

• Steve’s Steakhouse is a beautiful little steakhouse overlooking the water with the best vegan option on the entire island – a vegan Impossible burger served with crinkle cut fries and vegan aoli!!! It was so, so, so good. My sis and I scarfed the burger down in seconds. Even our non-vegan friend, Jay, loved it! 10/10 recommend. Such a hearty, delicious meal. 

Lloyd’s of Avalon Sweet Shop

• Yes, I know this is not really a restaurant, but the island was covered in adorable candy shops and this was one of them. They had plenty of vegan options, including sour watermelon sour patch, regular sour patch, a bunch of flavors of sour belts, and these delicious vegans s’more chocolates. All so amazing. We couldn’t believe how many options they had!

Descanso Beach Club

• So this beach is like the hottest (and I’m pretty sure only) beach club on the entire island. However, even though it’s the only option, that doesn’t mean the vibes aren’t poppin. The vibes were immaculate. Felt like we were in Mexico or Miami. The drink menu is extensive, but we eneded up mainly sticking to margaritas because we’re basic af. I ended up getting the mango chamoy marg and it was AMAZING!!!! It came with a vegan tamarind straw and I was obsessed. Gobbled that shit up in 2 seconds. Ordered a few on that trip lol. 
• We also ordered the tajin fruit salad (incredible), fries (eh), the hummus and pita platter (great!), chips with guac and salsa (eh), and Bella ordered a modified poke bowl without the fish and mayo. She said it was amazing. 

Atwood Bistro

• This cute little cafe was part of our hotel which meant we got $20 of free food here!! Woohoo! Nothing tastes as good as free feels. That’s what Kate Moss said, right?? Anyway, they had a few vegan options and here were some of them. Fresh fruit cups, fress bottled juices, avocado toast, vegan cereals with almond milk, lattes with almond milk, and lemonade with popping pearl boba! It was all solid. Was it amazing, like you have to come here? No. But if you’re looking for vegan options for breakfast, this will certaintly get the trick done. 

Pancake Cottage

• So this was actually the first place we came when we arrived. Unfortunately this was the place that only served whole milk – shocking, I know. They didn’t have a crazy amount of options, but they did have oatmeal made with water and plain bagels with jam. Again, would I run here? No. But would this place have options for you? Yes!

Last, but not least, Eli’s Island Deli

• We actually didn’t go here, but it’s right next to where people board and unboard the ferries and, as you can see on the menu, it offers a vegan wrap! The little store also had some vegan chips and candies and what not as well.

So there you have it! Not only is Catalina gorgeous and have the best vibes ever with the NICEST people ever, it also has vegan options. Now you have no excuse not to go, huh, Karen??