The ferry from Long Beach takes about an hour to reach Avalon, and once you step off on Catalina Island, Catalina Canyon Inn sits waiting in the foothills above town. It’s the kind of place where you can actually breathe after leaving the mainland behind, and your dog will feel the shift too — the air is different here, quieter.

The rooms are spacious with the kind of amenities that make a longer stay comfortable rather than just tolerable. There’s an on-site spa if you want to decompress, and a restaurant where the food goes beyond typical resort fare. The whole property has that relaxed island vibe without trying too hard to manufacture it.

What matters most if you’re coming with a dog: they have a dedicated pet policy and clearly understand that dogs traveling to an island destination need the same consideration as their owners. The resort was built with the idea that dogs belong here, not that they’re being tolerated. You won’t feel like you’re apologizing for bringing your dog along or squeezing them into a corner of the room.

Catalina Island itself is the real draw if you’re active. There are trails throughout the island where you can actually hike with your dog, which isn’t a given on a popular vacation spot. Even if you just want to sit on the grounds and watch the ocean, the setting makes that feel like enough.

The logistics of getting here — the ferry schedule, finding parking on the mainland side — mean you’re committing to staying a night or two, which is exactly when a dog-friendly resort with real amenities makes sense. It’s not a quick stop between other activities. It’s the destination itself.