Catalina Island Casino & Avalon Theater 1 Casino Way Avalon Ca 90704
Commissioned by William Wrigley Jr., Catalina Casino opened in 1929, marking the 10-year anniversary of Wrigley's 1919 purchase of Catalina Island. Nearly a century later, this historic icon stands as a reminder of the days when millions made the 26-mile trip across the sea to enjoy a movie, dinner, and dancing during the Casino’s heyday as. Catalina Casino. One of the most impressive and easily identifiable landmarks in Avalon, California on Catalina Island is known as the Catalina Casino. But don’t be fooled by its name. There isn’t actually a gambling hall here, but you will find a ballroom, museum and theater.
AVALON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Catalina Island Company has unveiled a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night at its iconic Casino. The 91-year-old Casino, perched on the edge of Avalon Bay in the city of Avalon, is known as a symbol of the island’s history, arts, culture, and romance. Catalina Island Company, which operates hotels, dining establishments, venues and activities throughout California’s Catalina Island, is making the venue available for visitors to book a stay for the first time ever.
Commissioned by William Wrigley Jr., the Casino opened in 1929, marking the 10-year anniversary of Wrigley's 1919 purchase of Catalina Island. The Casino features a 20,000 square-foot ballroom, the world’s largest circular ballroom without supporting pillars, that has been screened off to create an extraordinary, Art Deco-themed accommodation. Outfitted with vintage furniture and accessories from the past 90+ years–including two original seats from the world-famous Avalon Theatre on the Casino’s first floor—the accommodation pays homage to the Casino’s jeweled past.
Guests will feel as if they’re part of the “Roaring Twenties” as soon as they step foot in the Casino, once home to performers from all over the world including Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer and Marilyn Monroe. Their stay will consist of a personal tour with a local Avalon historian; a three-course chef’s dinner for two on the Casino’s veranda featuring a time period-appropriate menu, Champagne and other signature drinks; a private screening of a Hollywood classic film, accompanied by gourmet movie treats; breakfast daily and a $100 resort credit. A VIP concierge will be on hand to oversee every detail.
The Catalina Casino Sleepover is available for $899 (excluding taxes and fees) for a two-night stay with the first night at the famed Casino and the second at the historic Hotel Atwater, a landmark in and of itself celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Bookings open on Tuesday, October 27 at 12:00PM PT, for five exclusive stays for two from November 10-12, November 12-14, November 14-16, November 16-18 and November 18-20. Catalina Island Company is allowing for a full 24 hours between each booking for extensive deep cleaning. Transportation to and from the island via Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer is also included.
Catalina Island Casino Avalon
For nearly a century, Catalina Island’s Casino has been the venue of choice for great entertainers, Broadway productions, and special events. The building was designed by Sumner A. Spaulding and Walter Webber as the first circular building of its time. The building’s ballroom, which has recently been restored to its original Art Deco glory, exudes its original romantic style with a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, fifty-foot ceiling with five stunning chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas around the dance floor, and a vintage, full-service bar in the back. The Avalon Theatre, located on the main floor, is an architectural masterpiece with soaring murals, a domed ceiling, and the original pipe organ built by the Page Organ Company of Lima, Ohio – one of the last of its kind in the world that’s still in operation.
To learn more and book Catalina Island Company’s Casino Sleepover, go to https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/lodging/specials/casino-sleepover/. For more details on the steps Catalina Island Company is taking to ensure its guests have a happy and healthy vacation, please see its KeepWell Commitment here. For more information on visiting Catalina Island and to make a reservation, call 877.778.8322 or go to VisitCatalinaIsland.com.
ABOUT CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY
As Catalina Island’s premier resort operator, Catalina Island Company provides exceptional guest experiences, with dining establishments, hotels, a beach club, spa, entertainment venues, and more than a dozen land and sea tours and activities. The debut of the newly renovated Hotel Atwater adds to the company’s other Avalon accommodations at Mt Ada and the Pavilion Hotel. Other notable entities include Island Spa Catalina, the island’s only complete spa destination, and Descanso Beach Club, home of Catalina’s only beachside restaurant & bar, as well as the Zip Line Eco Tour, Catalina Aerial Adventure and Catalina Falconry Experience, all part of Descanso Adventures. Catalina Island Company also has an extensive portfolio of premier meeting and event venues, including oceanfront Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach Club and the Avalon Boardroom in Hotel Atwater. Additionally, Catalina Island Company operates the village of Two Harbors on Catalina’s west end, including Harbor Sands, Banning House Lodge & Villas, Harbor Reef Restaurant, several campgrounds, and more. For additional information, go to VisitCatalinaIsland.com.
For nearly 100 years, the Catalina Casino has greeted island visitors, the magnificent architectural marvel providing a dramatic welcome to Avalon Harbor. Home to a theatre and a ballroom, the building is an integral part of the island experience.
The Catalina Casino is full of secrets
Catalina Island Casino Movie Theater
For many Catalina visitors, the most important secret to know about the Catalina Casino is that there’s no gambling inside that iconic building. Here are three others:
The murals — the Avalon Theatre murals are masterpieces of art deco design that pay homage to the island and early California life. Deer leap, steeds charge and ships sail across the fanciful landscape that has intrigued generations. Those murals hide a number of secrets — one of which is the artists who painted it. Five monks are found on the left side of the mural; four of those monks’ faces were painted as self portraits by the artists. The fifth, whose face is hidden, represents John Gabriel Beckman, the renowned artist who designed the mural.
The seats — When the Catalina Casino was completed in 1929, it was the pinnacle of luxury. Designed to showcase the latest in movie technology, it also featured the latest in comforts and convenience. In the 1920s and 30s, no self-respecting gentleman would appear without his hat — and a place for that hat was essential while enjoying the movie. Beneath the seats of nearly every seat in the theatre was a hat shelf, the perfect place to hide your head gear. While the upholstery has been replaced several times, the hat shelves remain beneath the seats, a hidden testament to long ago fashion.
Gambling On Catalina Island
Some Catalina Casino secrets are hidden in the walls
The walls — Once the United States joined World War 2, the entire country took part in the war effort and Catalina Island was no exception. The resort destination was transformed into a military base, with several branches utilizing it for everything from lookout station to training base. Once the war ended, practical minds prevailed, and the war surplus left behind was catalogued and what could be used was turned into emergency supplies. Stashed in metal 55-gallon drums are first aid kits, blankets, cots and other supplies. Those drums are hidden in a secret space in the interior walls of the Casino, ready to be put to use if they are ever needed.
Catalina Island Casino Gambling
Want to learn more about the Catalina Casino and its many secrets? Book the Discover the Casino Tour or the Casino Behind the Scenes Tour.