Located off the coast of Southern California, Santa Catalina Island (usually shortened to Catalina Island) is a fantastic destination for scuba diving, wildlife viewing, shopping, and relaxation. This 22-mile-long island is the southernmost island of California’s Channel Islands. If you only want to spend the day on Catalina Island, it’s a short one-hour trip via high-speed ferry from cities like Newport Beach, San Pedro, and Long Beach.