Santa Catalina Island might feel like an easygoing escape where the biggest worry is what drink to order next — but keeping Island life running like clockwork? That takes hustle, muscle, and more Island know-how than most folks ever see. That’s where the Catalina Island Company comes in.
For more than a century, this quietly capable organization has been the backbone of visitor services, accommodations, recreation, and resort operations on the Island. From helping you book the perfect hotel room to ensuring you’ve got a seat on an eco-tour or a glass of wine by the beach, the Catalina Island Company seems to do it all — and most of the time, they make it look effortless.
Michelle Pring, Director of Marketing for the Catalina Island Company, explains the company’s guiding purpose: “Our vision — like our history on Santa Catalina Island — is long term. We will use our resources in a sustainable manner to implement the highest quality plans, design and developments that create properties of enduring value. Along with other stakeholders, we are committed to preserving the natural beauty and unique character of Santa Catalina Island.”
A Century-Old Legacy
Founded in 1894 by the Banning Brothers and later purchased by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. in 1919, the Catalina Island Company has played a key role in shaping the island as a world-class destination. Pring recounts this evolution: “The Bannings planned to develop the island as a resort, and much of the initial development of Avalon took place during their ownership. When William Wrigley Jr. acquired a majority interest in the Catalina Island Company from the Bannings in 1919, the destiny of the island began to change forever.”
Wrigley’s vision was about preservation as much as hospitality. “During the next 56 years, various conservation practices were initiated by the Wrigley-led Catalina Island Company, including much-needed animal controls, protection of watersheds, and reseeding of overgrazed areas,” says Pring. That legacy of stewardship continues today as the company works in partnership with the Catalina Island Conservancy to ensure tourism and conservation coexist.
More Than Just a Hotel Reservation
First-time visitors are often surprised to learn just how much the Catalina Island Company offers. They manage many of the island’s most beloved hotels, including the historic Hotel Atwater, the beachside Pavilion Hotel, and Mt. Ada, the Wrigley family’s former private home. But booking a room is just the start.
The company also operates a variety of dining options, from elegant dining rooms to casual beachside bars. Descanso Beach Club, where visitors sip cocktails with their toes in the sand, is a perennial favorite.
And when it comes to adventure, they’ve got that covered too. Guests can book zip line tours, eco-tours, and Jeep excursions into Catalina’s rugged interior, or play a round at the scenic Catalina Island Golf Course.
Pring describes the company’s approach simply: “We strive to make all visitor experiences exceptional, and for the most part, we’re very successful. We actually believe operating so many different experiences makes it easy for the customer and lets them create their own vacation agenda and itinerary.”
A Boater’s Friend
For those arriving by private vessel, the Catalina Island Company provides helpful infrastructure and amenities that make exploring Catalina by boat a breeze. “The moorings around Catalina Island are leased to private parties but are rented when available,” says Pring. “The Two Harbors system offers over 700 moorings and anchorages in more than a dozen different sites.”
Other helpful facilities include dinghy docks, a year-round marine fuel dock, public restrooms and showers, and a well-stocked general store. “The Two Harbors General Store offers a wide range of grocery items, marine hardware, fishing gear, and camping supplies,” Pring adds. “We also operate a Parts & Supply Warehouse and mechanical services, so boaters have what they need right here.”
There is An App for That
In keeping with modern travel habits, the Catalina Island Company has also embraced digital convenience. “The CATALINA mobile app brings the island to your fingertips,” Pring says. “We are trying to educate visitors on all there is to do and make it easy to participate. Guests can book Catalina Island Company activities, view dining options, and more!”
This digital companion helps visitors get the most out of their stay — offering real-time information and easy booking options that enhance the overall experience.
Serving Visitors and Locals Alike
While visitors make up a large portion of the island’s seasonal population, Catalina Island Company plays an equally important role in the lives of year-round residents. “Many of our guests are year-round residents and also employees of the company,” says Pring. “So we offer specials for both to enjoy the company’s varied experiences when things aren’t as busy as summer, therefore, more access.”
As the island’s largest tourism operator and employer, the company sustains the local economy and community through jobs and investment, and helps maintain Catalina’s infrastructure, all while protecting its natural beauty.
The Island’s One-Stop Gateway
Behind the scenes, the Catalina Island Company is quietly ensuring that life on this remote island runs smoothly — managing everything from transportation logistics to hospitality services, often in a place where nearly every supply must come across the channel.
Pring sums up the company’s broad mission: “We help support visitors and residents by offering a full vacation experience that encourages overnight stays and brings positive economic impacts to local businesses and services.”
From booking a hotel to planning a zip line adventure, ordering drinks on the sand to discovering the perfect mooring for a weekend getaway, the Catalina Island Company truly is the island’s one-stop gateway — making it easy for visitors to fall in love with Catalina and for locals to call it home.
For more information, visitors can download the CATALINA app or explore activities, lodging, and dining options at VisitCatalinaIsland.com.
