Airport in the Sky
Airport in the Sky
4.5
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The Airport in the Sky occupies a 1,602-foot-tall mountaintop at the center of the Catalina Island, 10 miles from the city of Avalon. It's a great destination by tour or shuttle bus, bicycle, on foot whether hiking the Trans Catalina Trail or walking over from Black Jack, or of course, via private or chartered small plane. Its single 3,250-foot-long runway was constructed by blasting and leveling two adjacent peaks, then using the resulting debris to fill in the gaps.The image is of a T-34 Beechcraft that flew in to participate in one of the Airport in the Sky's monthly Aeroclub Fly-In Days.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
394 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
141
Average
61
Poor
5
Terrible
1
TC c
Monterey, CA188 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We took the shuttle to the airport to view some of the Island, take a hike and suggested by a few the excellent bison burgers and other food items. The ride was fine, saw some wildlife and views. The hike was great, foxes, birds, and a bison. The airport, the atmosphere, and view great, but the food and prices criminal. Eating at Burger King 4 stars in comparison.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda V
Orange County, CA204 contributions
May 2022
This stop was part of our Bison Expedition tour. We only had 15 minutes, so we did not have time to eat. We have eaten at the restaurant there in the past. The food was good, the fresh baked cookies are a must buy. Nice gift shop.
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tingold1
Arlington, VA78 contributions
Feb 2020
Our Conservancy tour stopped here for a midpoint rest and we found both the high (for Catalina) location and historic nature most interesting. The airport only serves private planes so there is usually not a lot of traffic.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie S
Woodbridge, VA272 contributions
Dec 2019
The airport includes a nice little snack bar, some great views, and a pretty good souvenir shop. This was the mid-point for our 3 hour jeep tour.
Written December 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bhr1442
Joshua Tree, CA158 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I have been flying into Catalina Airport in the Sky since the 1970's. It is a very special place. Not much has changed, except a huge upgrade to the runway, thanks to the US Marines and donors. The DC3 Cafe has great food and the views from the patio are great. If you are lucky, you might see some Buffalo grazing, burrowing owls or a fox.
Written June 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddonati
Huntington Beach, CA24 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
We came over for one night on Easter this year and wanted to take the kids to the interior of the island. The tours were nice but seemed very expensive considering we simply wanted to explore. My brilliant wife figured out we could take the shuttle to the airport for much less! We booked the tickets easy enough and had the entire bus to ourselves. The driver gave us a bit more of a tour than normal with some interesting facts about local life on the island. A heard of buffalo, around 40, decided to show up on a hill where they were blocking some hikers.
Upon arrival at the airport, we were enticed by the famous cookies for sale and we took about an hour long hike around the airport on a well maintained trail. My 14 year old son loved laughing at the huge buffalo pies all around and we saw plenty of wildlife including foxes, squirrels and birds. Hopped on the afternoon bus down and had another pleasant ride.
Upon arrival at the airport, we were enticed by the famous cookies for sale and we took about an hour long hike around the airport on a well maintained trail. My 14 year old son loved laughing at the huge buffalo pies all around and we saw plenty of wildlife including foxes, squirrels and birds. Hopped on the afternoon bus down and had another pleasant ride.
Written April 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth B
San Francisco, CA204 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The airport is at 1,600 feet with a excellent view of the island. Small planes land or leave occasionally. The cookies at the restaurant are really excellent and worth the trip.
Written January 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim H
Boston, MA140 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We took an island jeep tour that visited the airport in the sky and enjoyed our stop there. It was interesting in its own right but it was made better by the history and background we heard from our tour guide. As a former pilot for the float planes that used to provide regular transportation to and from the island. Worth an hour of your time.
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joan
Washington DC, DC85 contributions
Feb 2015
Eat the bison burgers. While the burgers aren't made from the bison on Catalina, they are lean, tasty burgers. Also try the cookies. They are delicious.
As for the site, it's OK. I don't know if I'd Ho again, but the ride getting there was lovely
As for the site, it's OK. I don't know if I'd Ho again, but the ride getting there was lovely
Written February 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dyan A
Baltimore, MD183 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Great place to have lunch or snack and cold beer. Prices pretty reasonable. Cookies were huge and worth trying.
Written February 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G6280XNkarenl
Hollister, CA7 contributions
What is the cost to take a seaplane to Catalina, and where do they fly out of
471rob
Lakeland, FL7 contributions
I don’t know.
Can I take a helicopter to Catalina and how much is it
traveltoforeignlands
San Diego, CA583 contributions
Yes, you can take a helicopter to Catalina! I have been to Catalina a number of times over the years and because I love having new experiences have used different forms of transportation to do do. I have gone via tour boat out of San Pedro, flown in via 4-seater Cessna, flown in via helicopter, and flown out via seaplane. Each manner was both different and fun! The thing that surprised me about the helicopter is that prior to the flight, we had to fill out an application with one of the questions asking us about our weight, and yet, they still weighed each of us individually! LOL On the flight, there was the pilot, my friend and I, and a father and "teen/early twenties" daughter in the back. I was quite surprised at how "mild" the trip was; somehow I had imagined a more exciting feel to it; nonetheless, I can now say that I have flown in a helicopter! :)
travelbuggy85
Orange County, CA28 contributions
how do I access this airport if going to Catalina for just a day on the Catalina Express? is it easily accessible with a toddler/stroller? Thank you.
Carlos Luis d
Atascadero, CA98 contributions
You can take one of the vans called Wildlands Express that would take you to the airport and back. They are located on the main Avalon tours plaza. White vans operated by the Catalina Islamd Conservancy. And yes, they will accommodate toddlers and stoners. You may need to make a reservation at the Conservancy House near front street.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Airport in the Sky
- Airport in the Sky is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near Airport in the Sky:
- (6.46 mi) The Avalon Hotel
- (6.56 mi) Snug Harbor Inn
- (6.59 mi) Hotel Vista Del Mar
- (6.64 mi) Pavilion Hotel
- (6.62 mi) The Old Turner Inn
- Restaurants near Airport in the Sky:
- (0.02 mi) DC-3 Gifts & Grill
- (6.48 mi) Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co
- (6.59 mi) Steve's Steakhouse
- (6.60 mi) Avalon Grille
- (6.15 mi) Descanso Beach Club Dining
Airport in the Sky Information
Excellent Reviews | 186 |
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Very Good Reviews | 141 |
Airport in the Sky Photos | 136 |