Descanso Beach Club

Fake euro summer. This beach club rivals some of the beach clubs I’ve been to in the French Riviera. The service is awesome and friendly, the chaises are pretty big and the water is beautiful. They even have the rocky beaches like in Europe 😂 the public beach gets packed so it’s nice to have your own space and the option of shade under your own umbrella. The chairs are pretty well spaced out as well. The one difference between this beach club and European ones is the obnoxious music the DJ plays when she comes out at 1pm. Somehow he fits 3 songs into 1 min. I would choose any random wedding DJ over this guy. If you get to the beach club when they open at 10am, you’ll have a few hours of serenity and very few beachgoers. Oh the food and drinks are good too and very reasonably priced. Just go! It’s worth it

We spent an entire afternoon, relaxing here and taking in the views. It truly feels like you’re on a Caribbean island with the amazing music playing. Danny was our server and he was so lovely and personable. He proactively asked us if we wanted to take pictures which was so thoughtful. The drinks were strong but pretty expensive. We had the lettuce wraps which were so flavorful. I also had the fish sandwich and it was so fresh! They have cabanas and beach chairs available to rent for the day, but they are quite expensive. It’s free to lay on the beach if you bring your own towel. The water was super clear and we saw several bright orange Garibaldi fish. We went in March and it was a pretty calm vibe and not too crowded. However, I think it turns into a party destination with the DJ in the summer. So it depends on what kind of vibe you’re looking for.

Great time chilling on the beach. Was easy booking ahead, had friendly service that gave great recommendations, best Buffalo Milk drink. Almost felt like a White Lotus episode when you people-watch. And the nap on the chair was everything I hoped for, especially since it was quieter on a Friday late morning and afternoon. Stayed from 11-3 to make the most of our reservation. We had the nachos and burger- both pretty good!

Descanso Beach Club is the perfect place to relax on Catalina Island! Crystal-clear water, soft sand, and comfy loungers. You can swim, sip a cocktail, or just enjoy the ocean view. The vibe is chill and upscale. Highly recommended for a beach day!

My wife and I had an awesome time at the club. It was my first time on the island. Our first day, she booked us a couple of beach chairs at the club. The service from Mitchel was top notch. He really made the experience elevated. Super friendly and professional. Our drinks never sat empty and he was always checking on us to make sure we had everything we needed. Day two was in a Cabana and again, had the great pleasure of having Mitchel. Great drinks, great service and great conversations. Couldn’t have been happier with our service. We will be returning to the club this summer because of the great experience we had with Mitchel and the entire staff.

Cold beer, tasty food, and a prime location on one of Catalina's most scenic beaches. The bartenders are helpful and friendly, and are willing to work with you on a better rum cocktail if you give some direction. Most of the cocktail menu consists of lazy syrupy tourist concoctions.

Descanso Beach Club is nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with island vibes and beautiful views. But what truly elevated our visit was the incredible service from Julian. He was an absolute legend from start to finish. Attentive, friendly, and genuinely fun to be around, he made sure we had everything we needed before we even had to ask. King Julian’s energy lit up our whole day, and it honestly felt like we were hanging out with a friend. My one and only complaint was that we couldn’t hangout with Julian longer! If you’re heading to Catalina, do not miss Descanso Beach Club—and if you’re lucky enough to be in King Julian’s section, prepare for a royal beach day you won’t forget.

Exploring (Catalina Island) for Father's Day is easy with the Golf Cart Rental company on the island; enjoy lunch at Descanso Beach Club before your 4 PM check-in at Hotel Del Vista in Avalon Bay. At the high-end Descanso Beach Club, you’ll find DJs on the beach, upscale amenities (restrooms, shops, restaurants), food and drinks, plus water activities like snorkeling and kayaking. Seating at tables is on a first-come, first-served basis. After getting seated, use their barcode to explore the menu. Once your family is ready to order, head to the beach bar to place your food order. When your food is ready, the bartender will page you to pick it up at the bar. We ordered the Chips & Dips (House-Made Tortilla Chips, Roasted Tomato Salsa, Guacamole), DBC California Sushi Bowl (Sushi Rice, Spicy Ahi Poke, Avocado, Pickled Cucumbers, Seaweed Salad, Shaved Radishes, Edamame, Furikake, Nori Paper) and Cilantro Grilled Pacific Swordfish Sandwich (Creamy Pineapple & Red Cabbage Slaw, Brioche Burger Bun, served with Sea Salt Fries), and bottles of water. There will be a food server at the bar to help bring your food order back to your table on the beach.

Amazing service. We were taken to our lounge chairs and were greeted with 2 delicious mini smoothies and water bottles. The lounge chairs are super comfy and come with a towel and umbrella for shade. Shout out to our personal attendant Justice he was down to earth, attentive and gave us drink suggestions. Food came out quick and was delicious and the drinks are dangerously good. We tried 3 different ones each. I personally ordered the cabana colada (hands down my favorite w/ the sprinkles of toasted coconut), the coconut margarita (could use a little more coconut flavor but refreshing) and the buffalo milk (I disliked the nutmeg but overall good, almost like an ice cream drink) Views were beautiful, the water can get choppy after lunch as the wind picked up but then the wind stopped around 3ish and wowza did it get hot! So ask your attendant to open up that umbrella for you. The beach set up is sand but to go into the water you definitely need watershoes as there are lots of rocks but the water is on the warmer side and felt great. There are bathrooms, changing rooms and outdoor rinse stations near by. I wish they had music going on on the beach side (they had it in the restaurant). Either a dj or some speakers would have made it more lively. It doesn't have to be obnoxious as you can still rest and/or have some fun dancing in the water. Great experience overall and will definitely be back.

Service and food were awesome. Chairs were ok. But they need new towels and mattresses. If you expect a locker room, there isn't one. You can take a cold shower to rinse off sand. But, I wanted a good shower before we went to dinner. And they don't have that there. No soap or hairdryers either. Which was very disappointing as I paid the same amount for a hotel room for 5 hours at a beach club. Also, there is no sand. All rocks. Very dangerous getting in and out of water for someone older with less balance. They really need to spruce up the place in order to meet their price point.

When Descanso first opened, it was absolutely incredible--beautifully maintained and worth every penny of the $450 cabana price. We visited several times early on and recommended it to friends and family. Unfortunately, our recent visit was really disappointing. While the service was still excellent, the cabanas were noticeably run-down. The furniture was stained, the towels were old and frankly unpleasant, and the overall atmosphere just didn't reflect the high-end experience we once loved. We were honestly embarrassed, especially after hyping it up so much. If you're going to increase the prices, please invest in upgrading the furniture and amenities to match. Also, it would be great if there were an easier, more comfortable way to enter the ocean--the rocks are really tough to walk on. We hope to see Descanso return to the amazing experience it once was.

Honestly if this place didn't exist I would have no reason to come back to Catalina. This was the bomb. The food was amazing and I have no complaints. It's super chill and a beautiful place to lounge. They also have the best nachos I have possibly ever had. The steak was soft and not chewy and had amazing flavor. The staff was polite and on their game both days.

Had just the best time here the other day. Didn't know about the reservation system (or really anything about the DC) so in the morning they were full and we rented another set of chairs near the outdoor dining area. Awesome service and views, just not as comfy. I checked in with the other section later and a set of lounges had become available and they were kind enough to let us switch over without an upgrade fee. I found the food and drink servers to be better than many high end resorts we've been to. Nice and incredibly attentive. I recommend their chicken lettuce wraps- 10/10! And drinks were as well. Will definitely go back and will book in advance!

Food was ok. Drinks were good. I tried the buffalo milk with a double shot but it was like drinking a milk shake with no alcohol. Just not my preference but I would still recommend all to try it for yourself. They made up with the Mai Tais which were strong and tasty. I ordered 3 of those. Overall the beach club was fun and relaxing. The dj was AMAZING. We reserved 2 chaise loungers. My only complaint is that you cant reserve an odd number of loungers as we were a party of 3 (myself, hubby, and 18 year old son). They do not allow sharing of chairs but did not make a big deal about us sharing this time thankfully. I advise that you make reservations MONTHS in advance for summer dates as they quickly sell out. We got lucky and caught a cancellation on July 5th. Overall it was a great experience and we would return.

I absolutely loved this beach club!! Made reservations well in advance since we went Memorial Day weekend. Was able to snag 3rd row from the beach. Service was excellent since our waiter was efficient and always checking in on us. DJ played music from 1-5pm which set great vibes! Ordered the tuna bowl and it was perfect for the beach! I highly recommend to come and spend a day here!

We came here to celebrate our friends 40th birthday yesterday and had the best time. Our server Allen absolutely made the entire day so much better. He was so friendly and always had a smile on his face! The drinks and food were fantastic! Will hopefully be able to come back soon!

Wonderful. Very comfortable beach chairs that come with quality beach towels. A quality umbrella that shaded both of our chairs when desired. Service could have been no better. Mitchel was an excellent server. Will come back again and again. We hope Mitchel is our server every time.

Had an upsetting experience with the bartender named JOSE OCTAVIO. Upon requesting a drink he stated that "you look too dark in your ID picture" and that he wasn't going to serve me. This was pretty upsetting because that's literally my skin tone and it's a little racist too. I returned a couple of minutes later to ask for his name and he was smirking looking at other workers and said "I don't give a fu*k" to them laughing as if he knew I was going to make a complain about him. Other customers said to me that he's the one that turns people away which was a clear indication to me that this guy is a total a hole and has done this to many people in the past. Overall very unprofessional and upsetting.

Sushi bowl was the perfect light lunch to have at the beach. Service was top notch. DBC is a must when in town!

We rented cabana chairs for the day. The weather was perfect and our sever Mitchel was fantastic! He went above and beyond in service. He was very friendly and professional. The beach is rocky so prepare for that, but the food and drinks were phenomenal. They were so accommodating and made sure we had the best day. The have very clean bathrooms and you can purchase floaties to float in bay!

This is the high point of our trip. You should definitely make a reservation for beach chairs overlooking the ocean. They serve food and drinks so get ready to have fun and enjoy Catalina! Our waiter is very accommodating and loves his job serving beach side. The guacamole was good and the chips are greasy so I used a fork. I'm drinking a Bloody Mary and enjoying sitting under my umbrella on this gorgeous 90 degree day on 9/4/24!

We got a cabana for the day and Mitchel was so so nice and attentive! We felt so relaxed and taken care of. The asada nachos and Peruvian ceviche were very good, and the drinks were nonstop. 10/10 would come back

Yes renting a pair of beach chairs at Descanso is really steep. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I'm really glad we did bc after checking out the little shops on Catalina, there's really nothing much to do after besides enjoy the beach. Why not do it with tasty drinks in a comfy lounger in the shade? For $130 we got a pair of beach loungers, an umbrella, complementary waters, towels, and a server (who by the way, was excellent and very attentive). You have the rental from 10am-5pm. We got there a little after 12pm and it was all ready for us. You also get access to their bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. There is another area of the beach that doesn't require you to purchase lounge chairs but I believe it's $2pp to access. The beach here is pretty rocky so pro tip: wear water shoes. We had such a relaxing time here, we did not regret it one bit.

This was our 2nd visit to Descanso and definitely not our last! We first visited in July of 2023 and opted for the double chaise lounge rental. We enjoyed the entire day lounging and being served amazing food and beverages! We are back again, this time October 2024. We rented a cabana, number 2. Our service was great! Food selection had just changed, compared to their summer menu. Wish there were a few more options of appetizers, but chips were good, burger and fries were good. We arrived by boat on a Friday around 11:15am, took a taxi to Descanso, stored our luggage inside the cabana, and enjoyed the beach, food and drinks all day while we waited to check into our rental house at 4pm. There are outdoor private changing rooms and indoor restrooms a short walk away if you need to change. Highly recommend coming here. Prices are totally worth it! We always end up falling asleep in the afternoon it's so relaxing! Also, if you have an elderly family member like we did traveling with us; there is a walking path behind the cabanas that they can use instead of walking across the sand!

I've been to Catalina a couple of times and this is the first I've headed to Decanso Beach. It's going to be a must especially their Original Buffalo Milk Drink :) Seating area is great it's a public private beach so you can enjoy the beach and only pay if you want to rent the beach chairs. We sat at a table by the bar and were promptly attended to. It was nice to have a drink and be able to walk to the water. They also have bathrooms and dressing rooms that were cleaner than some at the other side of the beach. We enjoyed our time relaxing and having some tasty drinks.

Descanso Beach Club is one of the best restaurants to visit on a trip to Catalina. The atmosphere can't be beat, with seating right along the beach and excellent views of the ocean. The service here is quick and friendly, and while the drink prices are a little high, it's well worth the price for the vibe. I ordered the burger and it was a little overcooked. But there are plenty of other tasty menu items (highly recommend the swordfish sandwich!). They do sometimes host private events which results in early closing times. It's a good idea to check in with the staff ahead of time to make sure!

Make sure to book a set of chaise lounge chairs on the beach at Descanso Beach Club. They have waiters that come around and take your order for drinks and food. I tried the spicy pinapple margarita which I loved! I also tried an island staple which is their Buffalo Milk. It comes with ice cream, coffee liqueur, vodka and banana. It was veryyyy rich but extremely good! The oysters were good, very fresh. They had many other items to choose from that looked delicious as well. Perfect place to experience a beautiful beach and good food and drinks. I was living the life on the beach here.

Descanso Beach was a major highlight of our trip to Catalina. We booked two ocean front lounge chairs two months in advance because they sell out quickly, especially during summer weekends and when cruise ships dock for the day. There were 3 in our party, so my husband just relaxed in the sand between the chairs. I'm glad we had an umbrella because the sun hits directly on this beach, and although it was only 73° that day, we burned quickly. We received complimentary smoothies and cold bottles of water upon arrival. Our server Lisette was awesome and checked in on us often. The Mai Tais hit the spot, as did the coconut shrimp tacos. The vibe was enhanced by a really terrific live band that began playing right on the beach around noon on a Sunday. The shore is extremely rocky, so bring water shoes. Although the water temperature took some getting used to, it felt refreshing on a hot summer day. Bring your goggles too! Numerous fish can be found hanging around the kelp just a few feet from the shore. The waves were calm and gentle, and the water was clean and clear. Bathrooms were ample and clean, and outdoor showers were on the property. The bar area was really crowded and rowdy. Our final bill was $170 plus tip for 6 cocktails and two meals. Since we stayed at The Pavilion, a partner hotel, we charged to our room to take advantage of the daily dining credit, so we really ended up paying $150. The cost was 100% worth a day of fun in the sun on Descanso Beach. It's definitely a must do while in Catalina. I can't wait to return again soon!

We're back on island time and as always a pleasant time people watching and having a few drinks.

Such a fun day here. 10/10! Allen was an amazing server- So attentive and friendly. He made our experience that much more awesome! Highly recommend renting chairs or a cabana for the best day ever!

Note: I went here during the off-season so I can't vouch for the $2 fee. This beach club is very beautiful with access to a clean beach with calm little waves. I went on a perfect day, it was a little windy but not too hot and not too cold. We walked into the seating area where we were greeted with a menu and a friendly server named Pablo. We automatically went for the drinks - The Original Buffalo Milk - (10/10) this exclusive Catalina Island drink is a must try when visiting. It comes with Creme de cacao, banana liqueur, vanilla ice cream, nutmeg, banana chips, and Tito's vodka (this alone was what made me want to try this). It is on the sweeter side, but beauty of this drink makes people turn heads and ask the bartender "what drink does she have?" - strawberry margarita with patron silver - (11/10) I just want to thank the bartender for being ever so generous and giving my mom an excellent pour of the patron. You are an angel on this earth. She left that restaurant all happy. For the food: - DBC burger: (8/10) - this cheeseburger was delicious and the fries were alright, my only downsides were that the lettuce and pickles were on the side, and that it was a little red in a certain spot and not well done. But to be fair, I don't remember if I asked for it well done - so that's on me, so hence the 8/10. - burrito (10/10) it was surprisingly very filling, my mom loved it. I didn't get a chance to rent a cabana only because we didn't see the point - we were only going to be there for a little while so we spent most of the time exploring but on our next visit we'll be sure to check it out and give an update review. Overall this is the perfect place to chill during the off-season. its not as crowded as the main area and its away from most of the tourists.

I can't say enough about this little Catalina beach club. The drinks were great and the vibe was very fun. Even for a Monday. It wasn't completely dead, which is kind of what I was expecting. The food also is worth trying the staff. we're all very nice and answered all of our questions about the menu and gave us some fun facts about Catalina as well. I was here with my family visiting from out of town so the Catalina trivia was a great touch. Thanks to the staff for giving them a great experience and making them feel welcome!

Brought a few friends here who were visiting from Hawai'i for a day trip! Isn't day drinking the best when you're surrounded by the ocean and a good company? We initially had only intended to have a few drinks to pass some time but decided to get bottle service because VACATION. The prices here were about how much you'd expect to pay and still definitely more affordable than most clubs. We were dangerously getting close to getting a clase azul bottle but decided to be responsible adults and got Milagros Silver instead. Between four adults, we had one bottle which I was surprised to see was the 1L size versus the usual 720mL bottles. Safe to say, we had a decent buzz going. Also, the blood orange mixer they make is also so delicious! I can't recommend the blood orange margarita enough! For the food, we had a variety of different bites but I was really impressed with the flavor of the poke bowl. Coming from Hawai'i, I am extremely picky when it comes to poke but the fish here tasted fresh instead of frozen and was marinated very well without being overly salty! I would say I'd like a little more fish portion-wise, but the poke bowl definitely hit the spot so we had no qualms ordering another. Despite our cabana being closer inland, the service was quick and attentive and the food and drinks came out in a timely manner. My friends and I had a great time and I look forward to visiting again with more friends soon!

Beach front dining and ample shade are a great addition to any trip. It's a great place to take a break from activities and just relax by the water. The seating is first come first serve and we were helped very soon after we sat down. The drinks are fairly strong and are priced about the same as any bar on the mainland. The drinks that we got had the potential to taste very artificial, but these were surprisingly natural. They tasted like the real fruits and were very enjoyable. The food is a little bit underwhelming for the price, but you're also paying for the location and the experience.

Eight here twice on our recent trip to Catalina Island. The first time we had the sushi bowl and the chips and dip which were both delicious. Second time had the spicy chicken tenders which hit the spot! Cocktails were also excellent-- had the watermelon and jalapeño margarita and the salty verde Cadillac margarita. Both were excellent and not too sweet. Gorgeous views and great service. They even dropped off our food at our towels on the beach. Best food and drinks we had on the island.

We were on a cruise out of Long Beach and planned a beach day here. Unfortunately it was cold, dreary, and rainy. The club is nice and the servers are very nice. We enjoyed the area even though it was cold. The food was eh. I did not eat but my kids got a hamburger and chicken tenders. The hamburger was hard as a hockey puck and not edible. The chicken tenders were "okay" per my son but he didn't eat very much. I did not complain about the food because it wasn't why we went there. But use caution on the food. Drinks, ambiance, and service are great.

Great place to disconnect and enjoy a drink. We ordered their signature drink which was the Buffalo Milk & a Pina Colada. Both drinks were very generous in alcohol. At $16 a drink, the alcohol better be flowing. We loved the Buffalo Milk and we didn't care too much for the Pina Colada. I loved sitting on the deck, viewing the ocean. The ambiance alone is worth a visit.

Instant vacation vibes the moment you sit down under the shaded umbrella looking out at the beautiful blue water. Decent selection of food items. Excellent blended drinks, including Catalina's Buffalo Milk. The wait staff was attentive and had recommendations.

Food was delicious and service was great ! We tied the chicken nachos, kids cheese burger, spicy margarita, and buffalo milk. Everything was sooo good. Definitely worth it. Take the price for the rentals you really won't regret it. We rented a pair of lounge and they provide you with towels to cover the chair, towels to dry, waters and an ice bucket plus you have a server. Over all such a great time.

Alright guys this is a MUST! You are able to check in as soon as 12 all the way to 5pm! At least the time we went. You can leave your stuff there while you do other activities. 10/10 Customer Service : the waiter was very attentive constantly checking up on us. 10/0 cleanliness : our Cabana was clean it was a great size for 6! Not only did we have the Cabana but they have an additional 2 seat right in the front . 10/10 Cabana : you have a choice of leaving curtains open or closed . Comes with 4 seats complimentary waters on ice . You can also order cocktails and they also have food! My group reserved same day we got lucky ! Plan ahead though because they sell out fast! Over all it's beautiful ! They also have a few stores that sell swim wear and cute floats . Over all you're looking at spending a few hundred $$$ Totally recommend! Worth it ! Definitely Visiting again! Thank you !

The food was very tasty for a beach club - flavorful and large portions- and you can't beat sitting right on the beach.

Enjoyed this spot on Day 1 of our Catalina Island getaway. Had a frozen Mango Daiquiri, which was perfect on the hot day. Food is delicious, both the Poke Bowl and Coconut Shrimp Tacos were really good. Reserved chairs for two cost $140 first come first served, but the shade alone is totally worth it. And the beachside service (from Emma) is amazing and convenient. Beautiful beachfront view and water access is incredible. I highly recommend it, and would do this again!

Came out to Catalina island with some friends for the weekend and had SUCH an amazing time at Descano Beach Club. Dan the bartender was so sweet and took care of our large and somewhat inebriated group with so much grace. The food was actually really good and overall a truly special way to begin our day. Love love love ---

While this is a beautiful beach club, I did not enjoy my experience at all. I paid a lot of money for a cabana. When my sister and I arrived to our cabana we planned of relaxing, sunbathing and enjoying the scenery. However, this was disrupted by the many children in front of our cabana throwing sand and water, crying and screaming. The children's family had the largest cabana on the corner and plenty of space for them to play in front of their area, but chose not to and the children's parents did not control the situation. In fact one of the children's mother, who was sitting in a beach chair and not a cabana came over to me while I was trying to take photos of our cabana without their children in the view to tell me I was in the way where they were playing. I was so appalled. I had to remind her that I could clearly see her children playing there but I in fact paid for the cabana and was allowed to take pictures of it. Her child could have easily played near her beach chair but they just let them run wild. This ruined our experience. The food was fine. The drinks were good and the service was lacking considering how few people were there. I wish the club would have accommodated us in some way by either moving our cabana or the other families. The ocean part of the beach is also filled with pebbles. The sand only goes so far, so there are rocks everywhere. You cannot enjoy the water without having water shoes. It also took so long for a car service to get us back to our dock. We left in time to ensure we wouldn't miss our ship, however this place is so far from the main attractions of the island that it took nearly an hour to leave. I likely wouldn't return.

This place is my favorite place on the whole island save for the Wrigley Monument. The vibes are immaculate, energy high, and ambiance inviting. Even though it's a "private" beach club, you can walk in for free and order from a variety of the places there. You can pick wherever you wanna settle down, and waiters will approach you but not pressure you to order. The two drinks I tried were very tasty and didn't hold back on the liquor. Recommend!

Came to Catalina for a family/friend reunion/celebration time. There were 35 of us in total and we had reserved a Ramada and some beach chairs for guests. We actually ended up parking our beach chairs along the beach, backed up to the DJ Stage. It's a nice beach but if you have tender feet, it's rocky so water socks or some other shoe is needed. We ordered non-alcoholic mango daiquiris which was sooo good! Smooth and rich and full of mango flavor! Also ordered the fruit salad, which was huge! And requested the addition of Tajin to top it off, which they served on the side in a small little container...perfect dipping size! The bowl had big pieces of pineapple, watermelon, and cantaloupe and every piece was ripe and juicy. We paid $39 including tip for the three things. Photos to follow!

Had another Beautiful Day! Gazebo Rental was reasonable price. Great day with my wife. Server Raul G, was great, checking in with us frequently. We were baffled why more All 5 stars. Until next time!

I've been coming to Catalina with my family every summer for the last 8 years and until recently I would've said that my favorite part of the trip was spending the day at Descanso. Sadly, that is no longer the case. The drinks, food, staff and service are as excellent as ever but the relaxing, mellow, family friendly vibe has been replaced by deafeningly loud house music being blasted by a deejay for the entire afternoon...so loud that we aren't able to talk to one another at a normal volume and forget relaxing with a book. I can't even think clearly with that level of repetitive, synthesized beats being pounded into my ears for hours on end. I suppose the crowd of people hanging out at the bar might've been enjoying that type of music at such a volume all day but I would guarantee that if everyone who'd rented cabanas and loungers had been polled today (6/14/25) the vast majority would have preferred that the volume be at least 50% of what it was and most likely would prefer ANY other type or at least some variety in the musical selection... Honestly, I'm not sure that we will continue making Descanso part of our annual Catalina vacation. We've rented a cabana or multiple chairs on every trip we've taken here, but for the last few years no matter how far away we get from the bar the ridiculously loud, repetitive music just kills it for us. It makes me sad. Looking around at everyone in the loungers by the water trying to relax, most everyone seemed as annoyed as I felt, for what? To give everyone at the bar a proper "beach party" experience? I really don't think anyone would mind if they took it down a few decibels and spared them the hearing loss. It's the only beach club on the island. People are going to come hang out at the bar and spend lots of money in the summer, they're not coming for the dj. Seriously Descanso, you're doing too much.

We got to Descanso right when it opened and Julian was the first to greet us. He made us feel at home and was very sweet. He gave us great ideas of things to do in catalina and info about the island. He continued to check to make sure we are ok and if we needed anything. He truly made our experience unforgettable. Being in the service industry in hawaii, we were thoroughly impressed with his service and how friendly and socialable he was with us and guests, a perfect example of what we would called the true "ALOHA". Descanso is lucky to have him. Thanks for everything Julian!

Got daiquiris and they were great. Staff were all nice. Beautiful section of the island and every chair had a view. Loved the quiet peaceful atmosphere. I know I am outside in nature so it's forgivable but mannnnnn there were TONS of bees. Like every few seconds swatting, one fell in my drink, they kept getting stuck in my hair and they were all over the bar. If they were flies I'd be more grossed out but still...it was a bit much

Had a great time hanging at the Descanso beach club for the afternoon. It was a Monday afternoon so I thought it would be dead, but it was surprisingly lively with good music playing, and we enjoyed the vibes, the beautiful view of the ocean, and the food was better than expected as well. We shared a Descanso burger which was a solid 4, the grilled chicken salad which we really enjoyed, and some homemade guacamole. All in all it was a very enjoyable time there.

Descanso Beach Club is undeniably stunning--but the real force behind our unforgettable day was Julian, the absolute powerhouse of security and the unspoken protector of paradise. From the moment we arrived, Julian's presence was felt. Not just because he looks like he could body-check a bear if needed, but because he carries himself with total calm, control, and charisma. Julian wasn't just making sure everyone was safe--he was orchestrating the atmosphere. Watching over the crowd with sharp eyes and effortless cool, he created this invisible bubble of ease where you just knew everything was handled. No nonsense on his watch. No bad vibes allowed. But here's the magic: he did it all while being incredibly welcoming, funny, and genuinely awesome to be around. Honestly, it felt like having a personal Jarvis--if Jarvis wore sunglasses, walked the beach like a boss, and could shut down any situation with a glance. King Julian wasn't just keeping the peace--he was engineering it. If you're headed to Catalina, Descanso Beach Club is a must. But if Julian's on duty? You're in for a beach day that's not just beautiful--it's secure, smooth, and run by the legend himself.

Initially, I booked a set of beach front chairs w/ umbrella online a few months prior to my arrival. Booking them online was quick and easy. However, about a month before my arrival, I decided to cancel the beach chairs after reading other reviews. Boy I'm so glad I cancelled! When I finally arrived at Catalina Island, I headed over to the beach club around 1:00pm to check it out and see if I made a mistake in canceling. I was instantly glad I trusted my gut. Omg.. It was super overcrowded, kids running around screaming, loud music, definitely not relaxing or peaceful. There were so many people that I was bumping into them as I made my way down the rocks to the beach. They do charge a $2 access fee to visit the beach. As for the beach, it was crowded too. There is not much soft sand to lay/sit on between the large rocks and the water. I found a little spot, put down a towel and encouraged my son to go play in the water. Unfortunately, there were sharp rocks everywhere in the sand beneath the water, so he couldn't ever make it far into the water. I didn't bring water shoes, so we had to scrap our visit to the beach. I tried to find a table we could sit at and order some food/drinks, but all tables were taken. The tables that were empty were reserved. So we walked around then went to the showers to rinse the sand off our feet. Overall, I think this beach club would be a fantastic place if it's not on a port day for the cruise ships. It's a little remote from Avalon and I could see where it could be a great place to relax and enjoy the waves. But I was there on a cruise port day and it was too overcrowd, too much noise and not relaxing or enjoyable at all. I can say that the grounds here are mature, immaculate and give a tropical vibe. I wish I could've enjoyed it without all the crowds. Recommended on non-port days.

The vibe at this place is incredible. It's like the best parts of Newport Beach and then add extreme amounts of chill island vacation vibes! It's hard to get a table here but with drive and determination it can be done. We were able to snag a corner seat right up against the sand and water. This was heaven. Weather 72 degrees with gentle breezes. Food was tasty and fresh. Good burgers. Fresh oysters and poke. Tasty carne asada burrito. Try not to focus on price point but where you are sitting and just feel lucky to be sharing this space where seating is limited but the gorgeous views are not. Service was excellent considering our server was responsible for a large area of tables. This is a place you want to linger so be patient with your server. No rush. The ambiance is amazing. Enjoy.

We splurged and revenged a top-notch cabana here for our 10yr anniversary at Descanso Beach Club in mid September 2023. First of all, the "bee problem" wasn't anywhere as bad as we expected - a few little dudes buzzing here and there, but we largely had our drinks and food in peace. A little hand-waving at most was needed to shoo them away, and that was it. Food (nachos) was tasty (and easily splittable for 2-3 people for lunch), and drinks were great; mixed drinks (to me at least) had more than enough alcohol in them in. For a waterfront restaurant I was pretty darn happy that we got what we were paying for. And our server Jesse was on top of everything, not being too overbearing nor forgetting about us. Food and drinks came out promptly and quickly. Unfortunately, one of the parties next to us got drunk verrrrrry quickly and had loud music via speaker nearly the entire time. Not sure what Descanso Beach Club could do about this, but, like, a no loud music policy? Or have their own reggae music gently in the background? I dunno? Just annoying to have to shell out the amount we did for middle-aged women drunk-shrieking and their top-40 music blaring right next to us. The beach itself is fine - water is cool, the grounds are a little pebbly; very refreshing water and calm waves. If you're looking for pristine white soft sands buy a ticket to Hawaii and go there instead. Views of the old casino, small harbor, and chaparral-covered hills are gorgeous and peaceful; great change of pace from LA. Overall, thankfully, quite pleasant time, and we'd very likely go back, although probably would reserve the front row lounge chairs next time, which seem to have a lower chance of being situated next to 40-year old party girls.

Descanso beach club was such a cozy and relaxing beach. It is on the smaller size but we had no problem finding a place to lay down on the beach on the Saturday that we visited. There are chairs on the beach but they let us know that you have to make a reservation and pay to sit there. Sitting on our beach towels was just fine and it was great to just rest a bit after exploring the island. So I must say, after trying the Buffalo milk from Descanso Beach club, it is now one of my favorite drinks. It's so good! I can see why it is the official drink of Catalina Island. I loved the combination of coffee, banana, cacao, vanilla ice cream, and nutmeg. It was a 10/10. I also tried another Buffalo milk at a different place on the island and the one here is the best in my opinion.

A friend of a friend has a TERRIBLE experience here on her birthday too, as a breastfeeding mom getting complains about other patrons being "uncomfortable." She was covered up, and motherhood is a part of human nature. California civil code 43.3 gives women THE RIGHT to breast feed their child in a public place, NOT TO MENTION AGAIN she was covered up. Very disgusting and inappropriate to allow your staff to pass along these complaints instead of taking care of your other rude patrons and laying down the law. 100% unprofessional, 100% discriminatory, 100% telling of what your establishment is like by allowing this.