Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home. Views Views Views… from this vantage point you can see everything from almost every room. Partially newly re-modeled in 2014, 5 bedroom, 3 baths. Large dining area for 14, wet bar, fireplace, full kitchen with granite countertops, newly upgraded bathrooms. Shared patio deck area 2 flights of stairs down. Very easy walk to town, beaches and boats. From this hillside perch sit back with a glass of wine and watch the boats, birds and sealife move about. At night keep you eye out for the family of deer that roam the park below. Have your carrots or apples ready.
This house is NOT handicapped accessible. There are about 60 stairs to get into the home. Once you get to the top, you'll agree the stairs were worth the climb. Also not recommended for toddler age children or elderly due to the amount of stairs outside and inside. Rolling luggage recommend for the walk from the ferry. Or you may take a taxi.
Keywords: Short walk to boats, beach, restaurants and shops. Newly remodeled master bath, granite kitchen countertops, fireplace, BBQ, microwave, flat screen (Internet TV only), 14 seat dining table with incredible views. Deck on 2nd level of home, 2 flights of stairs down from house.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Take out the trash
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 340394
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the neighborhood
Avalon
Located in Avalon, this villa is near the bay. Travelers looking for local activities can try Avalon Port and Catalina Island Golf Course, while those looking to experience a bit of culture can stop by Catalina Island Museum. Three Palms Avalon Arcade and Nature Center at Avalon Canyon are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking/biking trails.
Catalina Island Visitor Center - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Avalon Port - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Catalina Island Museum - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
Catalina Casino - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
Catalina Island Golf Course - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
Getting around
Avalon, CA (AVX-Catalina) - 24 min drive
Restaurants
‪Catalina Island Brew House - ‬4 min walk
‪Pancake Cottage - ‬2 min walk
‪Descanso Beach Club - ‬16 min walk
‪The Sandtrap - ‬11 min walk
‪Bluewater Avalon - ‬5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home?
As of Jun 5, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home on Jun 6, 2026 start from $1,483, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Catalina's Premier Bay View Vacation Home located?
Situated near the bay, this villa is within a 5-minute walk of Catalina Island Visitor Center and Avalon Port. Catalina Island Museum and Catalina Island Golf Course are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
This house is close to the dock and beach. The views from the large living room are awesome. There are a lot of stairs to get to the property. This allows for the elevation to get the views. Enjoy!
Julie B.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
ryan f.
Sep 1, 2025
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
AC only in 2 rooms. not a house, on top of several apartments. ants, cockroaches, and very poor construction.
ryan f.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 3, 2025
First of all, the guest never reached out to me with any concerns during his stay. It stays very clearly in the description of the property and then again in the welcome letter after being booked that there are three full-time units below the main unit in the home. It even states that the patio is shared with those units so that should not be a surprise to the guest. I do not live there, so unless a guest tells me that there are issues I am not aware of them. As you can see the last few guests have given five star reviews. It also states in the description that it is not a fully air-conditioned home, that there is AC only in the two loft bedrooms. Now that I am aware that there could be an insect problem I will promptly call an exterminator out to the property.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Apr 28, 2012
AMAZING!
What a fabulous place to spend Spring Break with the family!! The location is perfect, the best views! The rental property was more than what we expected, very clean, and up to date, it had every thing we needed as if we were at home, I loved that! The owner was more than helpful, very friendly and shared with us all the spots to go to so we didn't miss out! The area was quiet, truly a peaceful and enjoyable vacation rental. After comparing other options I am so glad we stayed here! We have already checked for future available dates to come back!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 5, 2020
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. We really do strive to make each stay as memorable and enjoyable as possible. We look forward to having you return to our home. Thank you for the wonderful review.
3.5 stars…
This home is very conveniently located and has a spectacular view of Avalon. It’s great for groups with five bedrooms and three baths - three families stayed together. Lots of stairs, but manageable.
However, the house was not very clean or well maintained. There are holes in the walls from woodpeckers. There was a serious ant problem in many areas of the house - kitchen and baths. The house wasn’t stocked with hand soap or paper towels. The roof needed to be replaced years ago and many “improvements” were done quite haphazardly. It is an old home, which also gives it some unique character.
Hopefully these are helpful things to know before you book!
Carrie L.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 29, 2021
I have since contacted the Housecleaners to be sure the house is always stocked with paper towels & hand soap as well as toilet tissue. The home is one of the oldest on the island which gives it much charm but if your looking for a modern style, this is not the home for you. I think the beautiful view is worth it.
We had a group of 10 including our immediate family and significant others, all adults, and stayed 3 nights. The property was in a great location overlooking the harbor. Walkable to everything.There are stairs to the property but we did not feel this was a problem. I had read that the deck was down the steps and shared, which is true, but the family room has windows all around which we opened and we felt like we were on a deck while inside, so we never used the actual deck.There are tenants in the lower level but we never saw nor heard from them.Everything was included such as spices, coffee filters, dish detergent, condiments, toiletries and paper products. There was a washer and dryer but we did not use it, you would need to bring your own soap. Gas grill out back was great. All towels and bedding provided as well as beach towels.The grocery store was very close and I was glad we did not try to bring groceries from the mainland. Prices were a little higher but the lack of hassle was great.I would strongly recommend you give this property a look for your future family gathering. We would definitely stay here again.
Suzanne H.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Sara R.
Jun 8, 2021
Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Beware
The pictures are misleading. The balcony with the table is down three flights of stairs. There are 5 flights of stairs to unit.. Though it says not suitable for toddlers, they are challenging for adults with luggage as well. The unit itself is very poorly maintained, the toilets wiggle, the window cranks are broken and the kitchen is very old with ancient appliances and cracked counter tops . The cleaner did a poor job. There were dirty dishes in the dishwasher when we arrived and the windows are filthy. The WFI is almost non existent , but that may be because it is an island. On the up side there is plenty of room and the view is spectacular. If you are willing to spend 900.00 a night for this place I would suggest spending a little more for another nicer spot.
Sara R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 3, 2021
The description states how many stairs there are and yes that is why I say it’s not appropriate for toddlers and if you are not able to climb the 65 stairs yourself that I stated in the description then you should not rent that and I challenge you to find a five bedroom home with such spectacular views on the island for that price. Since you have rented the home the price has increased because it is rented nonstop and there is no home with 5 bedrooms like this. Either way thank you for staying with us & I did state it is the second oldest home on the island.
Archival
2/10 Terrible
Jul 11, 2013
Amazing views, horrible experience
Worked with Linda, booked and fully paid for a two day dream Catalina vacation. Ended up leaving a day early for fear of fire hazard. Arrived in the morning to the mess left by the previous guests, which was not cleaned up till around 5pm. Spent a few hours of our first night helping Linda and her husband trouble shoot electrical system and fuses in the house with no success. No TV or entertainment for the kids. Tried using the showers which leaked into the bottom floor. Plumbers came and told us shower has leak and shower floor not sealed properly. Concerned we looked around the house and found not a single working smoke detector in the house. Many were painted over, one left open with no batteries inside. So we called Linda and told her that we are leaving early due to fear of electrical fire hazard with no protection. Linda offered refund, which never materialized.
The views from the house are amazing, but the service and quality simply does not match expectations. Playing the role of handy-man and waiting around for house keepers, plumbers and electricians to show up are simply not high on the list of activities we had planned for our dream vacation.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 5, 2020
We take great pride in our home and try our best to insure that everyone has an incredible experience. Some times our best is just not good enough.
1. Check in time is 3:00 giving our our cleaners 3 hours to clean up after the previous guest. As a convenience we have a lobby space for arriving guests to put their bags while the house is being cleaned so new arrivals can start to enjoy Catalina as soon as possible. The guest insisted in putting his bags in the room at 10:00 am and complained that the place was not cleaned.
2. We got a call Tuesday at 10:00 pm that the TV outlet had been blown as it was working fine for the previous guest. We tried some remote trouble shooting to no avail. We suggested they use an extension cord (provided) until the electrician can get over on the first boat in the morning which he did.
3. It is true our bathroom floors are not water proof and if the shower curtain is not inside the tub while taking a shower water will leak onto the floor and down to the lower bathroom. We immediately sent a plumber over on the noon boat to find out the plumbing was fine except for the wash cloth flushed down the toilet and the water damage inside the drywall. (repair cost $1750.00).
We sent 5 professionals over from the mainland to repair the damage before new guests arrived the next weekend.
The guest reported that the damage was caused by his young children
who had no idea that the floor was not water proof. We agreed to not charge him for the damage and even agreed to refund a night's stay but he has rejected our offer......
Verified
8/10 Good
Greg S.
Sep 26, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Great view!
Although The property needs updating The view is outstanding. Conveniently located near the ferry and a short walk to pretty much anywhere you would want to go.
Our family of 6 adults and 3 children ages 6,7,10 had a wonderful time! The house is old and could use some TLC but overall we had a wonderful 4 night stay. The location and view are undeniably amazing!! As most homes on the ocean there are some issues but none that really effected our stay.
If your looking for a modern home with lots of amenities this is not your place! But if you want a place in Avalon that will provide a real beach experience this is worth a look!
Greg R.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified
4/10 Poor
Stacy K.
Jul 4, 2021
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Disastrous house with a beautiful view
There were way too many negatives to make up for the beautiful view this house has.
First negative was the walk to the house, it is quite a hike. Although advertised as not good for toddlers, it’s not good for elderly or luggage. The “balcony” is not a private balcony, it’s 2 floors below the unit in front of the other tenants windows. Cigarette butts everywhere.
The interior of the house was filthy. So much so, we reached out to the manager to have cleaners come out. They did, but literally only cleaned the things we complained about, namely, vacuumed the rug with cleaning the floors on either side of it. We tried cleaning it ourselves, but the vacuum, like most things was broken.
The BBQ was unusable; filthy with what looked like years of caked on food and grease and animal droppings.
The wifi/tv was also next to non-existent. Given the excuse “it’s an island”, that would be fine if it was advertised as having internet.
The windows are old (as advertised), but 50% are broken so you can’t latch the, sending them swinging with the breezes.
Lastly, the floors seem to have been patched a lot, and there are parts where you can stub a toe or cut yourself, especially near the top landings of both interior staircases.
To end on a positive note, the owner was responsive, and the view was amazing. Proximity to town was great. We all felt like we deserved to be paid the cleaning fee as we found ourselves cleaning for quite a while. Renter be aware of what you are willing to pay for a view, we felt like it was exceptionally over priced for what we stayed in.
Stacy K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 21, 2021
The description clearly states there are over 60 stairs to get inside the house. It is also very easy to take a taxi from the ferry dock, the walk is only about 1/2 mile all along the beautiful harbor.
Great views, convenient location, comfortable amenities.
Andrew E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Montsi M.
Apr 15, 2016
What a great house!!
This was our family's first trip to Avalon, and we loved it. A critical part of our wonderful experience was staying at this house. SO highly recommended! The house is incredibly charming (built in 1924, with many original features) home looking over the harbor and the iconic Avalon casino. It is very spacious and comfortable. We were 9 adults, and had plenty of room to be together while also having privacy in the bedrooms. The kitchen and dining room and living room flow together very easily. The views are AMAZING.
Location: The house could not have a better location, right above the harbor yet very private, and only 1/2 mile from the Avalon Casino. In between is the very special town that is Avalon, with shops and restaurants, ice cream and bakeries, and a feeling of stepping back in time to a gentler place. Everything is easy walking distance from the house.
The House: The view from three sides of the house is spectacular, day and night. It was wonderful to wake up and watch the harbor come alive sitting in the living room with a cup of coffee and to enjoy the twinkling lights in Avalon in the evening. The kitchen is fully stocked, clean, and everything works well. The five bedrooms are all VERY comfortable. The three bathrooms had no issues with our large group, and the owner thoughtfully included soaps and extra toilet paper.
The stairs: This is really not an issue. I was worried before booking, given past reviews and that my husband and I are nearing 60. Do not worry about these stairs, they are not challenging at all.
Finally, the cost per night may seem daunting (it was to me), but it is actually a bargain. I did a lot of research into the options for hotels and B&Bs for our family trip. This house was economical in comparison, sight unseen. Now that we have been there, I can only say this: Lucky you if you have the opportunity to rent this house, as the experience is priceless.
Montsi M.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer E.
Jul 5, 2015
FAMILY VACATION
This is our second time renting this house and its perfect for our group. The house is beautiful and the view is amazing once you climb the 60+ stairs to get to the house....but well worth it!! The owner is awesome to work with. We will be back!
Jennifer E.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Marisa D.
May 18, 2014
Aries Birthday Getaway
A group of 9 friends and I stayed at this beautiful house for our joint birthday weekend getaway and had an amazing trip to remember. The house was just as the pictures displayed. YES-the 60 stairs to the property are more than accurate and a good reason to skip the gym post trip BUT the view was breathtaking and an absolute joy to wake up to daily. We had more than enough room for the 10 of us-the bedrooms weren't huge but were cozy. Took a while to find the master bathroom because it was hiding behind the bedroom door but it was a relief to have a 3rd with our sized group. Make sure you space out showers cause the older plumbing will drain the hot water fast.
The house was a short 5 minute walk to/from the ferry and only a few blocks from the bars, restaurants and club. The Galleon & Chi CHi club are about it for nightlife pre-season but we had a blast regardless. We pre-apologized to the permanent residents below for the pending noise of our late night celebrating but did try to keep it down once it really got late. They were understanding and said they'd get used to it.
The restaurants recommended by the owner; Pancake Cottage for breakfast and Bluewater Grill were a delicious hit. Thanks Linda!
So prepare for a great butt and thigh workout but an incredible stay on this beautiful island house. We did!
Marisa D.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Marc G.
Mar 28, 2014
Awesome!
This place offers an amazing value, awesome views, and comfortable clean setting. Linda is incredibly easy to work with. I am already looking forward to the marathon next year and would definitely stay hear again.
Marc G.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sep 1, 2013
Wonderful Family Retreat
This past summer was our third year in a row staying in this wonderful huge home-away-from home right in the heart of Avalon. Just like the previous years, our family thoroughly enjoyed it! The house has great views; it is roomy, clean, nicely furnished, and just a short walk to anything and everything you might wish to do or see while in Avalon. We will be staying in this house many more times. Linda is always responsive and willing to accommodate!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Alexa M.
Jun 8, 2013
What a perfect place for a large group or family
We had such a wonderful time at this house. It is the perfect distance from downtown (it takes less than 5 minutes to walk) and the views are incredible. The house was very clean and there were a perfect amount of sleeping places. The stairs weren't bad at all. There was a music player and TV which was very nice and plenty of beach/bathroom towels. We will definitely stay here again. Loved it! My only complaint, we showed up and there was only 1 roll of toilet paper, but we got some at the store no problem.
Alexa M.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Chad W.
Feb 14, 2013
Great Place to Stay, Great View, and Great Owners
This rental really is the premier vacation home in Avalon. Walking distance from the port and town but very quiet location. Unbeatable view of the bay. Very clean and enjoyable place to stay. The owners are fantastic to work with as well. Highly recommend.
Chad W.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jun 22, 2012
Unbelievable place and great value
I have stayed in a number of homes and hotels on the island and this is by far the place I have ever stayed on the island. The place was clean and well furnished. It looked to me everything was new. It also had a 16 person table for our BBQ dinner. The place was fully stocked and well appointed. The view was just stunning. I found the owner, Linda D. to be very nice and accommodating. I would recommend this bay view home to anyone who wants’ the ultimate in vacation experience
Archival
6/10 Okay
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Apr 25, 2012
UPDATE TO PRIOR POST
In fairness to our overall experience, I shared my post with the owner and her response was immediate and swift. She addressed all of the issues, down to the very last detail of my complaint, as well as offered a 1-night credit in the future. Very impressive!
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Archival
6/10 Okay
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Apr 23, 2012
Not Exactly What We Expected
We just returned and I feel compelled to leave a review (first time I have done this) because there were many things I wish I had known about in advance. My group included 4 adults and 7 young children. We anticipated the 50 steps but it was actually 65 to the lobby area and then another 15 into the house. The house itself is shared with at least 2 or 3 tenants below. I'm sure they could hear us because we could hear them partying until 2-3a.m. two of our nights there. They were loud and using profanity, so we had to move our children to the upstairs/attic area so they could sleep. The house was clean enough, except none of the bed comforters had been changed or washed or any of the bath mats. We couldn't find our towels and then located them in the dryer. We used the washer/dryer but since it was shared with so many people after waiting all day, I finally folded someone else's clothes so we could have use. The house itself is delightful, if you like the originality of a 1920s home....original floors and windows are lovely (albeit a bit dangerous for the little kids). The furniture was fine enough, there were plenty of games, toiletries, etc....only a handful of movies. My biggest complaint is that the railing was dangerously loose (no way up to code) and I would have liked to know that the stairs leading to the attic were as steep as they were because our 2-yr old could not manage on her own safely and our 4-yr old slid up and down on his behind. The mattresses were ridiculously old. We could hear squeaking from the neighboring bed when our friends got in and out. Also, there was a big hole (covered by cardboard) in the ceiling of one bedroom and the lighting in the master bath was so poor it was unusable beyond brushing your teeth. Lastly, there is a open air window in the top of the beamed ceiling which let in all the cold air (and it was 50-60 during our stay). We had all the heaters and oven going and it could still not be kept warm enough. The kids were bunked out with all the bed comforters trying to stay warm. Yes, the view is magnificent, truly gorgeous. But I wouldn't stay here again based on the number of steps, uncomfortable mattresses, dangerous hand rails and loud parties beneath us.
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Response from VrboOwner on Mar 5, 2020
I would first like to say that we did not receive one phone call from this reviewer during their stay. All of the issues could easily have been resolved immediately. Our maintenane man has tightened the loose railings. The housecleaners have done a thorough cleaning and wash the comforters and bath mats after each stay. The new downstairs tenants now know the rules of the house. The mattresses are new and I must say very comfortable. It turns out the frames were loose and one quick turn of a wrench solved the problem.
Perhaps my favorite part of the house is the pot belly fireplace. Not only is it romantic, it warms the whole house but you do need to light it.
We take pride in our home and we strive to make your stay enjoyable.
About the host
Hosted by Linda
Our family has owned property in Catalina for over 30 years. Catalina has always been a very special place for us.
Why they chose this property
Just 26 miles away from both LA and Orange County you feel like you are a world away. A trip to the island serves to revitalize the mind and nourish the soul.