Rippers Cove

Located along the Santa Catalina Island shoreline, Rippers Cove is a cove with a small unnamed beach with light brown sand and some pebbly portions. This beach is situated at the bottom of a gorge named the Valley of Ollas. There is a reef near the western part of Rippers Cove. This cove was earlier known as Empire Landing. However, since this name has now been taken up by a nearby oceanfront residential area, this cove has been renamed Rippers Cove to avoid confusion. Rippers Cove does not have lifeguards. However, a ranger from the Catalina Island Conservancy patrols the beach here daily. 

The beach in Rippers Cove does not have any other amenities except picnic tables, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are not allowed in Rippers Cove. 

Rippers Cove offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The water near this beach is generally mild, making it ideal for beginner swimmers, kayakers, canoers, divers, and snorkelers. You can launch your kayak from the beach in Rippers Cove and explore the interesting rocky shoreline around it. Divers and snorkelers often go into the water near the beach in Rippers Cove to explore the amazing underwater biodiversity present here - you can see many kinds of fish in the water here including bat rays, leopard sharks, and garibaldi. The water here is also home to seals and sea lions.

A popular activity in Rippers Cove is an overnight tent camping and three separate campsites are present around the cove. The first campsite is present around the eastern side of the cove on the beach. The second campsite is present amongst a grove of pine trees and offers some shade. The third campsite has a lot of space and is present close to a reef, making it ideal for divers and snorkelers. However, if you are planning to camp here, please note that this beach does not have any amenities except picnic tables and you need to dispose of all the waste generated during your camping yourself in order to preserve the beach’s pristine natural state.  It is also important to note that campfires are not allowed here and you need to cook your food on a camp stove or a self-contained barbecue. We also recommend being careful while camping here as the beach and the area around it are known to have rattlesnakes. In addition, it is also recommended that you carry a VHF radio during your visit so that you can easily send out distress calls in case of emergencies. If you are planning to camp here, you can visit Catalina Island Company’s website for more information regarding booking a campsite in Rippers Cove. In addition, you can also call Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310-510-4205 for helpful information regarding camping including weather conditions and site verification. 

Getting to Rippers Cove can be difficult - the only way to get to the beach is via a boat or a kayak. Rippers Cove is four nautical miles away from the community of Two Harbors and more than eight-and-a-half nautical miles away from the city of Avalon. You can rent kayaks from the Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center present in the community of Two Harbors. In addition, there are many private concessions in Avalon which offer kayaks on rent including Descanso Beach Ocean Sports, Wet Spot Rentals, or Joe’s Rent-A-Boat. Boat operators are also available in Avalon who might drop you off at this beach for a fee. We recommend wearing layered clothing while visiting Rippers Cove as the weather here can change unpredictably. 

There are many attractions near Rippers Cove. The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden has an interesting monument dedicated to the memory of the eminent industrialist and chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. In addition, the site’s botanic garden is also home to a wide variety of interesting flora. The garden also has a special emphasis on rare plant species endemic to California’s islands. The memorial and botanic garden also offer access to one of Santa Catalina Island’s most popular hiking trails known as the Garden to Sky Trail, which offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Santa Catalina Island shoreline. Catalina Island Golf Course offers a challenging nine-hole golf course along with fantastic Instagram-worthy views of the ocean. In addition, the golf course has also been hosting the Catalina Island Junior Golf Tournament since 1967. As an interesting fact, the legendary golfer Tiger Woods played in this golf course at the age of four and at the age of 14. If you are looking for another attraction near Rippers Cove, Catalina Island Museum offers interesting historical and artistic exhibits. The museum also hosts exciting events throughout the year including tours of the nearby historic Tuna Club of Avalon, book signings, gallery talks, and an annual silent film benefit.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Rippers Cove. Avalon Grille serves amazing gourmet dishes prepared from fresh and local ingredients. This restaurant also serves an exquisite drink called Wrigley’s martini, which was created by Philip K. Wrigley. This drink was popular in Chicago during the 1950s (it was originally exclusively served only at The Wrigley Bar in Chicago). Harbor Reef Restaurant offers outstanding seafood and serves amazing freshly-caught swordfish during summers.  In addition, the restaurant also serves amazing American dishes including steaks and burgers. Katies Kitchen offers amazing Asian and Mexican dishes and also offers amazing sandwiches. In addition, this restaurant is also famous for its delicious ceviche. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Rippers Cove, West End Galley offers amazing breakfast and lunch entrees including sandwiches, pizzas, wraps, burritos, salads, and burgers.

If you are looking for a hotel near Rippers Cove, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Mt Ada Bed & Breakfast was the former retreat of renowned industrialist William Wrigley Jr. and offers many amenities including a bar, a fireplace, a terrace, complimentary access to the butler’s pantry throughout the day (which includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, fruits, mixed nuts, and ice-creams), access to a golf cart for exploring the city of Avalon, and complimentary shuttle service from the airport, heliport, boat terminal, or other hotels. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Banning House Lodge offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, a terrace with views of the Pacific Ocean, a common room with a fireplace, a sunroom, and complimentary shuttle service. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Rippers Cove, the 2-Star The Edgewater offers many amenities including a guest-use kitchen and beach chair, and tower rental facility. In addition, this hotel also offers complimentary breakfast and afternoon drinks in the summer.