What Happened to Catalina Island?
Catalina Island, officially Santa Catalina Island, is a rocky island off the coast of Southern California, renowned for its natural beauty and as a popular tourist destination. Originally inhabited by the Tongva people, it was developed into a resort by William Wrigley Jr. and is now largely managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, balancing tourism with significant conservation efforts to protect its unique ecosystem and address challenges like wildfires and invasive species.
Quick Answer
Catalina Island continues to thrive as a major tourist destination off the Southern California coast, attracting over a million visitors annually. Recent developments include significant conservation initiatives like 'Operation Protect Catalina Island,' which received state approval in January 2026 to address wildfire risk and invasive species. The island also saw approval for a $37.6 million undersea fiber connection in early 2026 to enhance connectivity. Tourism numbers have shown strong recovery and growth, with February 2026 visitor counts up significantly from the previous year, despite ongoing environmental concerns highlighted by nearby wildfires in May 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Indigenous Inhabitation
The Tongva people, also known as Pimungans, begin inhabiting Santa Catalina Island, calling it Pimu.
European Discovery by Cabrillo
Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, sailing for Spain, becomes the first European to set foot on the island, claiming it for Spain and naming it San Salvador.
Renamed Santa Catalina
Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno rediscovers the island on the eve of Saint Catherine's Day and renames it Santa Catalina.
Mexican Land Grant
Mexican Governor Pío Pico grants Santa Catalina Island to Thomas M. Robbins as Rancho Santa Catalina.
George Shatto's Vision for Tourism
George Shatto purchases the island and begins developing Avalon as a resort destination, building the Hotel Metropole.
Wrigley Family Acquires Island
William Wrigley Jr., chewing gum magnate, purchases Santa Catalina Island and significantly develops it into a major tourist resort, building the iconic Catalina Casino.
Catalina Island Conservancy Established
Philip K. Wrigley deeds 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, ensuring its long-term conservation and protection from extensive development.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Tourism
The island's tourism-dependent economy is severely crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant drop in visitors and business closures.
$50 Million 'Resilience' Campaign Launched
The Catalina Island Conservancy launches a bold $50 million campaign aimed at restoring fragile habitats, safeguarding wildlife, and expanding opportunities for people to connect with the island's natural resources.
Operation Protect Catalina Island Announced
The Catalina Island Conservancy announces 'Operation Protect Catalina Island,' a 30-year plan to reduce wildfire risk, safeguard freshwater, and revitalize native plant and animal species.
Undersea Fiber Connection Approved
The California Public Utilities Commission approves a $37.6 million fund for a new undersea fiber connection to Catalina Island, enhancing its digital infrastructure.
Restoration Management Permit Approved
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife approves the Catalina Island Conservancy's restoration management permit, clearing the way for habitat restoration and invasive mule deer removal.
Significant Visitor Growth
Catalina Island experiences a 37.8% increase in visitor counts in February 2026 compared to February 2025, indicating a strong tourism recovery.
Wildfire Concerns Heightened
Catalina Island officials watch warily as a significant wildfire burns on nearby Santa Rosa Island, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire risk and the debate over mule deer management on Catalina itself.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Santa Catalina Island has a rich history spanning at least 8,000 years, initially inhabited by the Pimungans, a branch of the Tongva people. European contact began in 1542 with Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who claimed it for Spain, and it was later renamed Santa Catalina by Sebastián Vizcaíno in 1602. Over centuries, the island passed through Spanish, Mexican, and eventually U.S. ownership, experiencing periods of use by otter hunters, smugglers, and ranchers.
The modern era of Catalina Island began in 1887 when George Shatto purchased it with the vision of creating a resort destination, laying the groundwork for the town of Avalon. However, it was chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. who, after acquiring the island in 1919, truly transformed it into a premier tourist resort. He invested heavily in infrastructure, built iconic structures like the Catalina Casino, and even brought his Chicago Cubs baseball team for spring training, solidifying Catalina's reputation as a glamorous escape.
A pivotal turning point occurred in 1975 when Philip K. Wrigley deeded 88% of the island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, establishing it as the largest private land trust in California. This act ensured that the vast majority of the island's wildlands would remain undeveloped and protected, balancing tourism with critical conservation. The Conservancy focuses on preserving the island's unique biodiversity, which includes over 60 endemic species, and managing its natural resources.
The island's economy, heavily reliant on tourism, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with visitor numbers plummeting and businesses struggling. However, tourism has shown a strong rebound. By the end of 2025, total visitation was up 6.5% from 2024, reaching over 1.2 million visitors, and February 2026 saw a 37.8% increase in visitor counts compared to the previous year.
As of 2026, conservation remains a central focus. The Catalina Island Conservancy launched a $50 million 'Resilience' campaign in 2024 to restore habitats and safeguard wildlife. In October 2025, the Conservancy announced 'Operation Protect Catalina Island,' a comprehensive 30-year plan to reduce wildfire risk, secure freshwater, and restore native plant and animal species. This plan received a crucial state-level Restoration Management Permit approval in January 2026, allowing for critical work, including the controversial removal of invasive mule deer, which are seen as a threat to the ecosystem and a factor in wildfire risk. The urgency of wildfire prevention was underscored in May 2026 as Catalina officials closely monitored a significant fire on nearby Santa Rosa Island.
Connectivity is also improving, with the California Public Utilities Commission approving a $37.6 million fund in January 2026 for a new undersea fiber connection to the island, promising enhanced internet and communication services. The island continues to host numerous annual events, contributing to its vibrant culture and tourist appeal, while also actively engaging in community clean-up initiatives and sustainable tourism programs.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Catalina Island made different choices?