Two Harbors Beach(Harbor Sands, Isthmus Cove Beach)

Located in the community of Two Harbors, Two Harbors Beach - also known as Isthmus Beach and Banning Harbor - is a north-facing beach and a natural harbor that has light brown sand. This popular and narrow beach is situated in a cove named Isthmus Cove. Two Harbors Beach also has a wooden pier. It is important to note that this beach is only one of the two natural harbors after which the community of Two Harbors is named. The other natural harbor (named Catalina Harbor) is situated towards the south of Two Harbors Beach. Two Harbors Beach does not have lifeguards. However, the area near this beach has a general store and a water-sporting equipment rental shop named Two Harbors Dive & Recreation Center. Dogs on leash are allowed on the beach.

Two Harbors Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, hiking, biking, beachcombing, fishing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The generally calm water near Two Harbors Beach makes it ideal for beginner swimmers, kayakers, and canoers. The water’s clarity and cleanliness also attract many scuba divers and snorkelers, who often enter the water here to explore its vibrant biodiversity. The large array of fish present in the water near Two Harbors Beach also makes it an ideal fishing spot. However, if you are planning to fish here, please make sure that you follow the local fishing regulations. Spots near the beach are available for mooring boats. If you are planning to moor your boat here, you can visit Catalina Island Company’s website for more information regarding boat mooring rules and charges in Two Harbors Beach. You can also explore the beautiful coastal landscape of Santa Catalina Island through hiking and biking trails present around the beach. You can see many interesting birds and animals while hiking and biking along these trails including Catalina fox, bison, quail, and eagles.

Getting to Two Harbors Beach is easy - the beach is situated near 1 Banning House Road. The Catalina Express operates a ferry service from the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles to Two Harbors. If you are traveling from the nearby city of Avalon, you can take the Cyclone powerboat which will ferry you to Two Harbors.

There are many attractions near Two Harbors Beach within an hour-and-25 minute drive. The Catalina Chimes Tower has Spanish-style architecture and was constructed in 1925 by William Wrigley Jr. The tower has around 200 chimes that play a melodious tune every 15 minutes between 8 am to 8 pm. Avalon Underwater Park (also known as Casino Point Dive Park) is one of the first non-profit underwater parks in the United States. This park spans over two-and-a-half acres. This underwater is popular among scuba divers and snorkelers, who often enter the water here to explore its vibrant underwater landscape consisting of sand flats, kelp beds, rocky reefs, and shipwrecks. This park is also home to many fish and marine organisms including lobsters, abalone, moray eels, sheepshead, garibaldis, bat rays, halibut, octopus, and banded guitarfish. Some of the fish present here are friendly and will often approach divers without fear. If you are looking for another attraction near Two Harbors Beach, 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. 

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Two Harbors Beach. Harbor Sands offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience. In addition, the restaurant also serves amazing salads, seafood, burgers, tacos, and chicken skewers. Harbor Reef Restaurant offers outstanding seafood and serves amazing freshly-caught swordfish during summers. West End Galley offers amazing breakfast and lunch dishes including sandwiches, pizzas, wraps, burritos, salads, and burgers. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Two Harbors Beach, Two Harbors General Store offers light snacks and desserts. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Two Harbors Beach, there are many great nearby options within an hour-and-20 minute drive. 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 nonalcoholic 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. As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star Hotel Atwater was built in the 1920s and is located close to some of the major landmarks in the city of Avalon. The hotel also offers many amenities including a complimentary guest storage facility and rinse-off showers for divers and swimmers. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Two Harbors, the 2-Star Casa Mariquita Hotel offers many amenities including two outdoor patios, complimentary breakfast, and a beach towel loaner facility.