It's an island. People want to relax. So you can bet there are a few choices. the Catalina Sea Spa on Claressa Avenue (310/510-8920; catalinaseaspa.com), near the ferry port, does couples and solo massages but not so much facial treatments. The family-run A Spa at Catalina (310/510-9255; catalinaspa.com) is perhaps a little more "California"—here, in a cozy location in a canyon over the town, healing intuition and an unrushed atmosphere is more the order.
Opened in 2014,
Island Spa Catalina (163 Crescent Ave., Avalon; tel.
877/778-8322; www.visitcatalinaisland.com/island-spa-catalina) has an unusual layout—and is unusually good. The building was originally constructed in the 1930s as a Mexico-themed complex of craftsmen, singers, and dancers. Today, the historic open-air, multi-level walled compound contains the spa. The Ocean View Vista Deck, its lounge area, is on a rooftop deck with a stirring panorama of the port. Nine treatment rooms, outdoor pools, a yoga studio, hot sand treatments, facials, a café, and a salon for mani-pedis round out the rich menu.