Descanso Beach Club

Descanso Beach Club

Descanso Beach Club
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Surrounded by the rugged beauty of Descanso Canyon and the clear blue Pacific Ocean, Descanso Beach Club features Avalon’s only beach side restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy appetizers, entrées and signature cocktails, like our famous Buffalo Milk. For the ultimate beach club experience, you can have your food and drinks delivered to your own private cabana or chaise lounge. Descanso Beach Club also serves as the Base Camp for the Zip Line Eco Tour, Catalina Aerial Adventure, Catalina Falconry Experience and a 32' Climbing Wall. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkeling are also available. Seasonally, Descanso Beach Club's party scene is well known among locals and visitors alike, DJ tunes and live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
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  • west23
    Laguna Hills, California12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent location and facilities
    We loved the location, it’s off the beaten path from the busier downtown. Past the Casino/theater. It’s a good walk/hike. Changing rooms & facilities are pretty nice and they’re located strategically. Beautiful setting, I was off swimming in no time at all in the ocean! A fitting name Descanso … a place to rest.
    Hi West23, we are very happy to have provided you with such a positive experience and hope to see you again soon!
    Written May 23, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 16, 2024
  • Cindy G
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best First time experience
    The lounge chairs were so comfortable, and had a great beach access for the kids to play in the water while the hubby and me enjoyed some margaritas. The service was awesome! Special shoutout to Roberto. My daughter left her apple watch behind and he went out of his way to Fed Ex it back to us. It was our first trip to Catalina and it was a very nice experience.
    Cindy G, we strive for 100% satisfaction, and it is great to see you had such a positive experience at Descanso Beach Club. We appreciate you sharing your feedback and our staff will too. See you next time!
    Written June 6, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 3, 2024
  • MarciaRamos
    Scottsdale, Arizona16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth every penny!
    We went over the 4th of July holiday and needless to say it was busy. We scored a cabana on the 4th and were ecstatic! The staff went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. The cabana came with waters, plenty of towels, and our own waiter. At the hottest time of the day, an attendant walked around to all the cabanas to offer ice cold wash towels and fresh fruit skewers. The cabanas also came with two chaise lounges in front of our section. We never waited more than 10 min for our waiter to come around; Dominic was amazing!
    Yacksonsmomma, we're so glad that we were able to go above and beyond your expectations! Thank you for sharing.
    Written July 9, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 6, 2024
  • Steve B
    Moscow, Idaho1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Overall good. Pavilion property was fantastic with service. No microwaves in the rooms.
    Amazing drinks and food. Added ahi tuna to the chicken nachos and total French kiss. We stayed at the Pavilion which was part of the descanso beach property. pavilion is nice but no microwave in the room which was disappointing considering the room is $350-$550 a night. Went to Descanso Beach for lunch and wanted to get beach chairs and was told it would be $1000 per couple. Wow. Know before you go.
    Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We hope to welcome you again.
    Written October 2, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 27, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles844 reviews
Excellent
465
Very good
228
Average
101
Poor
29
Terrible
21

Nili Stevens Inspired Living
Newport Beach, CA42 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
A Little Slice of Heaven
Review of Descanso Beach Club

I have never really understood why people loved Catalina so much so I decided to give it a try with a family weekend on the island. There were fur adults & our two year old grand daughter. That being said, if we wanted to hang out on the beach we needed some shade and comfort, Descanso Beach Club provided just that.

The Beach Club has an open beach area where anyone can sit and there are private cabanas and lounge chairs with umbrellas you can rent for a fee.
The cabanas which we rented had a love seat, two comfortable chairs with ottomans and a large coffee table. In front were two very comfortable lounge chairs that allow you sun time (no umbrellas) and a stellar view.

From the time you arrive you are offered a complimentary bucket of chilled waters, smoothies, towels and an offering off cocktails and food (for a fee). The service is spot on and the staff very attentive. This all comes for an elevated fee of ($500+). If you can swing it, it's a very nice treat and it feels a little like the French Riviera. The only thing I would change is the size of the sofa in the cabanas- It would be nice to have a larger sofa that would allow you to stretch out ( like at Two Harbors) and if entertaining much better for seating.
Written July 5, 2023
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.

Kay B
Ingleside, TX76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was about a 15 minute walk from where our ship tendered. We pre-reserved lounge chairs on the water's edge. The "beach" was actually a cliff of rocks. We enjoyed just sitting on the beach, but it probably wouldn't be great for those who expect lots of sandy area. Food, drink and service was good. The restroom was a long walk, up the hill. The restaurant/bar is open to the public, so if you don't want to pay for the loungers, you can sit on the deck of the restaurant and enjoy the view.
Written October 18, 2023
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.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!
Written October 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Simonne S
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Had such an incredible day on Sunday at the Descanso Beach Club!! We rented the Presidential Cabana #B which was absolutely worth it. We thought it was open from 11-4 but they actually close at 5 even on Sunday! When we arrived at check in, we were escorted to the cabana with iced waters waiting for us there. Soon after we settled in, they brought us Buffalo Milk which was delicious! The cabana comfortably seated 6 people and we brought some of the chairs out on the patio so that we could all lounge in the sun. Prior to arriving, I had sprained my foot but we could not pass up this trip. Throughout the day, Angel checked on us and brought me ice to put on my foot. He did such a great job making sure our needs were met with drinks and food. The drinks were great and strong - the food was incredible as well. We ordered the nachos, coconut shrimp, shrimp roll, vegan tacos, impossible burger, regular burger, açaí bowl and even had ube ice cream by itself. Everything was yummy! Throughout the day they brought out a veggie platter, popsicles and grapes as well which come with the cabana reservation. The bathrooms were nice and the whole property is beautiful. Special shout out to Daniel & Dewitt (managers) who helped me walk on the sand and golf carted me back to the area for the taxis. They were so sweet and helpful making sure I was comfortable and off my foot. We are already planning another trip back because we loved it so much.

Just some tips - speaker is recommended for the cabana, Daniel has some to rent. The water is gorgeous and definitely swimmable but make sure to bring water shoes because it is very rocky. There are also inflatables that you can rent at the club.
Written June 30, 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.
We are so happy to read your review and appreciate the feedback! Looking forward to welcoming you back soon. (Hope your foot is on the mend!)
Written July 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Georgia H
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Never again! This was a lesson learned, and I will not believe the raving reviews without further research from a trusted source. I spent a ton of money to come here only to be forced to buy unhealthy food every hour so I can keep a table by the beach. We were not allowed to buy drinks unless we kept ordering food. The beach where you can just sit for free is non-existent, so you are forced to get a table. The service comes with an attitude and they suggested we take the food to go since we couldn’t eat any more but had to order more so we can get refills for our drinks. Every entry is either fried or loaded with processed fatty sauces, the drinks are full of juices or dairy, and you need to pay for an extra shot to taste the alcohol, so in all honesty, why would I want ever to come back here? I traveled in many Mediterranean islands and never felt as harassed and insulted. Hospitality must be a foreign word here. Unacceptable!
Written August 22, 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.
Hello, we are disappointed to hear that you are not satisfied with your visit. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we can improve. We hope you will consider us again in the future. Take care.
Written November 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

stephso
Marblehead, MA108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We had a great visit to Descanso Beach Club. We bought inflatables ($12 each), lunch, and played in the water and sand.

You can rent chairs or cabanas, or just hang out for free.

There are kayaks and paddle boards for rent, multiple options for food and drinks, and a fun atmosphere.

Watch out for the rocks! The tide can be strong and the rocks are sharp. We saw a child who had been banged up and I sliced my toe. Water shoes HIGHLY recommended.
For inflatables - a tube with hole in the middle is much easier to navigate through the waves.
Written August 6, 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.

Mike Cui
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Friends
I visited Catalina Island to celebrate my 30th birthday with friends and reserved a Hillside Cabana at Descanso Beach Club. While the food and drinks were great, our experience was completely ruined by shockingly poor customer service.

At 4:30 PM, we moved to some beach chairs to get some sun before leaving at 5 PM. A server said it was fine, but soon after, an employee named Oceana rudely told us otherwise. She said she'd check with the manager, Roberto, but instead, a security officer, Edmund, came and told us we couldn’t stay. Edmund was understanding and said he’d talk to Roberto, but later returned saying Roberto had refused to let us stay and wouldn’t even come to speak with us.

Determined to understand the issue, I sought out Roberto myself. He confirmed the chairs were reserved but had failed to explain this earlier, leading to unnecessary confusion and frustration. When I expressed my dissatisfaction, Roberto responded aggressively, and Oceana, standing beside him, dismissively said, “I don’t give a s***.”

This was not just disappointing—it was an appalling display of customer service. The blatant disregard for our experience and the rude, unprofessional behavior of the staff was shocking. This is absolutely unacceptable for a luxury venue like Descanso Beach Club and completely ruined my 30th birthday celebration. I expected much better and am deeply dissatisfied with how we were treated.
Written May 25, 2024
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.
Hi Travelsbym, we set a high standard for ourselves, so we are disappointed to hear that your experience with us was not a positive one and will utilize your feedback to improve the guest experience in the future.
Written May 29, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Deena F
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
We absolutely loved our time at Descanso Beach and highly recommend others to visit there as well. It was COVID safe, had friendly and accommodating staff, and our family (including 15 and 13 year olds) had a blast! So much to do, I wish we had even more time. We spent time on the beach, time in the cabanas, time on the grass, the kids loved the zip lining and aerial adventures, and the food and drinks were perfect! The staff was super friendly and welcoming, and we loved everyone following all the safety precautions during this pandemic, it definitely made us feel welcome and comfortable all at the same time. I highly suggest visiting Descanso Beach for your next family getaway!!
Written August 6, 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.
Deena, we appreciate you choosing the Hotel Atwater. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to Catalina Island again soon.
Written April 21, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emi W
Los Alamitos, CA17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Wow!!! I come to Avalon every summer. I was concerned about coming during the pandemic but I was so impressed by Descanso Beach club and how over the top they were on following the safety guidelines. Even though everyone wore a mask and they had shields up, they still made it so fun and we we’re still able to enjoy our time here. The service was impeccable and the food was soooooo good. I highly recommend the poke bowl and tricias nachos! If you need a quick get away, this is definitely the place!!!!
Written August 4, 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.
Thanks for the positive review of Descanso Beach Club! We're glad you noticed and appreciated our abidance of COVID-19 guidelines. We hope to see you again for another poke bowl and more nachos!
Written February 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Paige J
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Friends
DANIEL made our experience amazing! This was my first visit to Catalina Island. A friend recommended spending the day here. I went on my birthday with my mom visiting from Kansas. Daniel made us feel so welcome, hooked us up with chairs in the perfect location and checked in often. The service, drinks, food, and view were incredible. We couldn’t get over it! We were so satisfied that we had Daniel book us a cabana for July when my parents visit again. This will be an annual trip for my family. Daniel deserves a raise for his attitude alone! This place is a slice of heaven!
Written May 16, 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.
We strive for 100% satisfaction, and it is great to see you had such a positive experience at Descanso Beach Club.
Written May 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MBN134050
Redlands, CA660 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Couples
We loved this place so much, we booked lounge chairs all three days of our trip! This is the place to go in Avalon. Amazing drinks, amazing service, and the best food we had our entire trip. The ceviche was so good we ordered it two days in a row. The guacamole, hummus & veggie plate, fruit bowl, and poke bowl were also delicious. We loved the pina colada and the margaritas. The Buffalo milk one was pretty good, you just need to try it. Even though they technically close at 3:00 during the week, they let you stay til 4:00. They have complimentary water all day and towels as well. I can't praise this place highly enough.
Written April 1, 2021
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.
Thank you for choosing Descanso Beach Club! We were thrilled to have welcomed you three days in a row! We sure hope you will be back soon.
Written April 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Descanso Beach Club - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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