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    Descanso Beach Club

    3.9 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Descanso Beach Club Photos

    Business Info

    DESCANSO BEACH CLUB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Descanso Beach Club

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    Menu
    Ryan A.

    Review #1,087 Posted on 7.14.26 We stopped at Deacanso Beach Club on Thursday the 9th when staying in Catalina this past week. This is the spot to hit the beach when in Catalina Island. The main beach area near the harbor is what feels like smaller anyways, but Descanso is clean, private, and you have access to food & drinks too. It for sure can get crowded no matter what so you're better off going early and getting a good spot. They've got a full bar you can order drinks at to take down to the beach, sit at the bar, or at a table also nearby. Food here was really good, I was impressed. We had carne asada nachos, they had a warm queso on top, tons of meat, and fresh crispy chips, excellent. Baja fish tacos had a nice little zing to them too. Will be back 100%.

    Chicken wings
    James A.

    Located a short distance from the Catalina Casino in Avalon, the Descanso Beach Club has a small stretch of beach with some nice beachfront dining. My wife and I visited for lunch on a port day from our cruise boat, with service and food being a mixed bag. We arrived around 11:15 and it hadn't gotten busy yet. Thus, there was really no hostess to direct us, so we ended up going past the open tables in the patio, and headed for the bar area where there were bartenders and people seated. The bartender didn't really make an effort to look around, so I asked one of the waiters/busboys standing around if I needed to order from the bar. He affirmed it, but with sort of a smirk. So we had to get the bartender's attention, ordered our food, and with him asking if we wanted something to drink, getting a tourist margarita. Also asked for a glass of ice water, and got a bottled water instead. He mentioned that the food would be delivered to us, so we went our way looking for a place to sit. His attitude was kinda of a 'Whatever' throughout. Everything was prepaid, but I did leave a tip since the food was being delivered to us. It was a sunny day, so we went to some open tables with shade from where we had entered the club. As we sat down, a waitress came towards with a big smile and menus. I let her know we had already ordered from the bar...at this point, she told us that this section was reserved for people getting table service. She didn't explicitly say we had to leave, but she implied it. So we did. We ended up sitting at the bar, right in front of the bartender who took our order. This did make it easy for the food to be delivered on paper plates, and it tasted really good (with very tourist prices, and small portions): Crispy Orange Chicken Wings (6 pieces for $19) - this is one case where getting those jumbo wings like Wingstop has, would have helped with swallowing such a high price. Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($20) - This was really well made and delicious. It also came with very fresh iceberg lettuce leafs and the dressing on top was excellent. Bottled Water ($2) Blood Orange Margarita ($16) - this was delicious, but small...forgot to take a picture, but it was served in a tumbler/highball with plenty of ice. One nice thing is that the public wi-fi for Desscanso worked well, and it was free (didn't require any sort of PII to be entered). This area also has wifi for public use, but costing money. For whatever reason, our cellular didn't work well here, so wi-fi was definitely appreciated. There's definitely a competition between the bar area and the full service area. It honestly pissed me off a bit. I do think it mattered greatly when we came. I later did see signs stating that there was a section where food would be ordered from the bar, but it would have helped if the original guy I had asked, had explained it to us. As we were leaving (giving up our seats to people waiting), I saw the other bartender (who began her shift a bit after we had ordered) hustling to greet new guests and finding space for them to sit, and clearly giving recommendations. But its clear the employees are not working together, with the customer at the center. And for that main reason, our experience wasn't very good.

    Elisa N.

    DESCANSO BEACH CLUB @ SANTA CATALINA My family and I came here on a Saturday evening, and it was honestly such a cool hidden spot. There are a ton of tables and seating right on the beach, but it's kind of secluded you actually have to walk past the theater area to find it. I genuinely didn't even know this place existed until my family and I rented a golf cart and randomly decided to stop by. The vibes here were amazing. We just found a random spot to sit, and a waiter came by pretty quickly with menus. The drinks were honestly pretty affordable for the location and atmosphere too. I ended up getting the piña colada, and it was super delicious. It came topped with whipped cream, coconut flakes, a pineapple garnish, and even a leaf which made it look really tropical and fun. My brother got the Strawberry Sunset, which had strawberry and rum, and that was also really good. We only came here for drinks this time, but I'd definitely come back to try the food because everything around us looked good. The overall atmosphere was what really made the experience though lots of people tanning, hanging out, enjoying the beach, and having a good time in the sun. Overall, this area is such a fun spot, and I would definitely come back again.

    Menu partial
    Michelle S.

    Having never been to Catalina, I didn't quite know what to expect at Descanso Beach Club. I had only heard it's a "must do" experience while visiting the island. Here's what I learned and my experience. There are several ways to enjoy the beach club. Dining and drinks only: walk over from Avalon (about a short 10 minute walk or shorter via golf cart). The food is pretty good. Impressed with the poke bowl and veggie wrap. The drinks were also good, just right! There is so much dining space, plenty of tables and seating. Pay for a Cabana (approx 300) or 2 lounge chairs ($95) for 5 hours 11-4. We opted for a lounge chairs and they were fantastic. There are attendants to get you towels, open the umbrellas and take your food order. That's right, you can order food and drinks straight to you reserved lounge chair. I loved that when we purchased the seating, it was for the whole day and we could come and go as we pleased. Fernando our attendant was fantastic. Very friendly and helpful. In front of the lounge chair area there is a beautiful beach area. You should know that below the beach sand, there are rocks, so be careful getting into that water. It's not just dining and lounging, you can snorkel and kayak (for a rental fee) right off the beach club there. And even purchase a cute floatie. It's good to know that the last Kayak rental is at 2:00-2:30 because the club closes at 4. There is a nice Public access beach area next to the dining area where you don't need reservations. Another important note, if you have made it this far, is that the beach club allows you to bring your own small speaker to play music of your choice. Now this can be a good thing or a not so good thing depending on whether you enjoy the music being played. When we visited, there was a loud group of gentleman that were playing music very loud and I didn't love the music choice. Eventually they turned it down after about 30 minutes, but if that bothers you, you might consider bringing your own headphones. Overall we had a great experience and are looking forward to coming back on our next visit and ai agree it is a "must do" Catalina experience for those who enjoying lunging and relaxing!

    Brittney D.

    I had a great time here for a friend's birthday. We reserved chairs near the water. We were greeted immediately and escorted to our section. Our server was very nice and polite and helped us with menu suggestions. The weather was beautiful and we had a few things. Shots, nachos , and a few other items . It was a wonderful time I would recommend.

    Danica L.

    I came here for the beach since it seemed like a good place for food and relaxation. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Tortilla Salad and was a bit disappointed. Even with the dressing, the salad was pretty plain and just lettuce. For the price, you can definitely get something better. You're moreso paying for the beach and the vibes than the food. Service was pretty fast and staff were nice and friendly.

    View from the loungers
    Andrea D.

    It was my first time here during a day trip with my boyfriend for his early birthday celebration. We had the best weather (after the sun burnt off the clouds ) so we were able to enjoy it to the fullest. We booked two beach loungers that were in the third row. I felt like we naturally got some good breeze and more shade from the tall trees being in the third row. Our server was great and very attentive, the bar tenders were so nice, and even servers not assigned to our section were very talkative and welcoming! We had the chips and dip, spicy chicken tenders, and a couple of their specialty cocktails. Everything was fresh and super tasty! Water and towels were complimentary our whole visit. My advice if you are visiting descanso and plan to go in the water, make sure you bring water shoes as the beach leading into the water is entirely made of rocks. I was able to wear my sandals so I could go into the water thankfully. If you don't have beach wear or shoes, there is a small shop a few steps up from the beach club where you can buy anything you might need for a good beach day! Highly recommend making it a part of your catalina trip, especially if you want to relax and take in the views.

    Toni R.

    We had an amazing experience at Descanso Beach Club in Catalina! We rented the larger cabana for our group of 10, and it was spacious, comfortable, and well worth it. The cabana included complimentary towels and bottled water, which was a nice touch and made our day even more relaxing. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, and the staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our visit. They even surprised us with complimentary snacks, which was greatly appreciated. The beach itself is beautiful, and the cabana provided the perfect place to relax and enjoy the day with friends and family. I would absolutely rent a cabana here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Catalina. One tip: bring water shoes because the shoreline is a bit rocky. Overall, a fantastic experience!

    Beach
    Jennifer D.

    Made a reservation for my daughter and me, knowing Catalina would be a port stop. I'm giving it 4 stars only because they didn't open until 11, but once they did, the service was top‑notch. We really enjoyed the food, the kids' chicken nuggets, the guacamole and chips, and the delicious sushi bowl. The views are absolutely gorgeous. The only reason we ended up leaving was because the wind picked up and the beach was pretty rocky, which made it hard for my daughter to get into the water.

    Ellyn H.

    YUMMY the food the drinks and very sweet server Mayra, oyster sooo good so fresh and Peruvian ceviche with the sea bass and extra guacamole on the side by the beautiful beach, so perfect When the sweet server Mayra said "SUPER GOOD" you should order it ! She chose Dragonberry Mojito for me and Oh boy... it's made my day, ended up coming back for the second glass after lol Delicious food yummy drinks and sweet Mayra and by the beautiful beach everything so perfect Will come back maybe for the third dragonberry mojito and saying hi to Mayra lol Was celebrating my husband and Father's Day weekend, Amazing place to visit chill and dine Recommended of course

    Poh Kay bowl
    Stephanie H.

    We spent the day in a cabana and this was my favorite thing I ate all day! The chips and guacamole were excellent too. It may seem expensive to book a cabana, and it is a lot. I think it was $300 for the day. But the service and the quality of everything we were served was top tier! The water was so clear- I was able to change into my snorkeling gear from the privacy of our cabana and come straight back for yummy food and cocktails ALL DAY LONG! I recommend booking your chair or cabana in advance. Especially on days when there is a cruise ship in town.

    Nicole D.

    13/10! Pablo went above and beyond for us and his surrounding customers! I'll tell you right now A day here with rented chairs is just what the dr ordered. We had such an amazing time, beautiful weather, very nice happy Staff and an amazing facility! Definitely worth every penny!

    Baja shrimp tacos and chicken salad
    Ken Z.

    Food came out quickly so service was good, ambiance and views are great (right on the sandy beach). The food was typical bar food. Wings were nicely sauce and not dry at all Baja coconut shrimp tacos were so so Chicken salad was with ground chicken which was a little strange but actually pretty yum

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    Page 1 of 29

    Descanso Beach Club Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Descanso Beach Club

    Is there a designated smoking area?

    Thank you for your inquiry! We do not have a designated smoking area but guests may smoke 20 feet away from where food is served. No cigars.

    Is this a pet friendly place? Seen a response that said service animals only & another one that said pet friendly. We have two small dogs that will remain in either a stroller or handbag. One is an emotional support animal and the other one is not.

    I havent seen it being an issue

    Hello, do you offer a Mother's Day brunch 2024?

    Hello and thank you for your inquiry. We are offering our regular menu on Mother's Day and the menu is available at www.visitcatalinaisland.com. Have a great day!

    What are your rental policies in October?

    Hello and thank you for your inquiry! Cabana and chaise lounge rentals policies can be found at our website at visitcatalinaisland.com but hours are usually restricted outside of summer.

    Are you dog friendly?

    Hello and thank you for your inquiry! We do allow service dogs.

    Any vegetarian options? In the past we've had the soyrizo tacos, hummus wrap, or vegan burger but I don't see anything besides chips and salsa or fruit salad that's veg friendly. What do we do? Send everyone back into town for lunch?

    Thanks for your inquiry! Currently, there is a Roasted Veggie Wrap on our Summer Menu which can be found at https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/dining/avalon/descanso-beach-club-dining/

    Hi I would like to rent only three chaise lounge chairs the website only allows rentals in pairs. Is this possible?

    If that's their open season then of course you can rent as many as you want. Just go to the website and reserve the lounge chairs you want to rent (they have a small map, like a seating chart) and then check out. Enjoy!

    Is it pet friendly?

    Yes, I saw a lot of other individuals bring their pets!

    Are you open weekdays in November when cruise ships come to port?

    Hi! Thanks for your inquiry. The restaurant is open daily 11-3 and cabanas are available Friday-Sunday.

    We’ve book a hillside cabana (last one available) is it far from the water? Also, is the beach too rocky for bare feet?

    Yes, the hillside cabanas are a little far, but it's a short walk to the water and you will enjoy them and your time there. You will benefit from bringing and wearing water shoes. The beach is full of rocks and in the water as well.

    Can you bring a small cooler?

    Thanks for your inquiry! Descanso Beach Club does not permit coolers.

    Which chaise lounge chairs are free? Are they padded?

    There aren't any free chaise lounge chairs. You can rent them for the day ranging from $75-$95 for the pair.… 

    Chairs and cabanas are sold out, can we still come to the beach there, order drinks/food and snorkel?

    Yes, you can still enjoy the beach club without a rental. There is a public side for non rentals with some tables and chairs (by the bar in front of Catherine's Terrace) that are first come first served. You can also sit on the sand (which is… 

    Is there an entry fee if we don't reserve chairs or cabanas? If so, what is it? Thanks!

    No entry fee at all for the public side of Descanso Beach Club. The cabana and chaise lounge side is for rentals only so you will not be allowed unless you have a rental. The public side is in front of Catherine's Terrace and the big outside bar… 

    Can you arrive late to your cabana reservation? My ferry leaves at 10:45am and my reservation for cabana starts at 10am. I just don't want them to give my cabana away. Couldn't find a Ferry that leaves earlier

    Yes, your reservation will be held for your arrival. Safe travels!

    Do you have to make reservations on weekends?

    Yes, for the cabanas and the lounge chairs with the padding (left side). There are some lounge chairs that are first come first serve (on the right side).

    Does descanso have a kids menu? With like fish and chips or peanut butter sandwiches? I have a picky eater .

    They don't have a kids menu, and they won't let you bring outside food for your kids. They actually made us leave because we brought food for our kids.

    Recommendation for getting to the beach club from the ferry drop off location (Uber, taxi)?

    Hi! Descanso Beach Club is a short 15 minute stroll from the ferry terminal in Avalon! There are no Ubers on the island but you can call for a taxi at (310) 510-0025.

    How many guest per cabana?

    Six!

    If we are renting the chaise lounges, can we come and go throughout the day if we want to take a shopping break?

    Yes, you can come and go as you please.

    View All 57 Questions

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    Pancake Cottage
    Chilaquiles, chicken and waffles both very good
    Chilaquiles, chicken and waffles both very good
    Omelet with hash, avocado and cheese.

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    Omelet with hash, avocado and cheese.

    Descanso Beach Club - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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