descanso beach club

My boyfriend and I spent two of our three days here at the Descanso beach. I haven't been here in a couple of years and I am so impressed with the gorgeous cabana beach chairs beach bar and accommodation they have built up here. You can choose to rent a cabana or lounge chairs. We brought our own. The water here was crystal clear! The wait staff was very accommodating her and service right on the beach! All the drinks you can imagine. However their menu was very limited. Due to our plant-based diet we were limited to salad and french fries. I'd like to see the menu expanded with healthier options.You can rent kayaks and paddle boards for very reasonable rates as well. Adorable little shops clean bathrooms showers and lockers. One of the only places you can consume alcohol while laying out on the beach. Highly recommended can't wait to go back!

you would be well advised to get there early and put your hard earned cash down for a cabana - perfect for teens to relax and text while the moms splash around in the ocean haha

Descanso Beach Club has done a remarkable thing - created a perfect blend of serene beach resort with a snappy, party atmosphere. The food is quite good. The facilities are newly built (suitable for weddings) and ample and the landscaping is perfectly elegant.

We went to see Mindy Abair in October 2014 and had never been to Descanso Beach Club. We were blown away by the music, the romantic cabanas and huge lounge chairs set up on the beach and the blue lighting gives everything a dreamy vibe. People are extremely friendly and we were invited to hang out with a group in one of the cabanas that I understand are quite pricey to rent for an evening. We were only there one evening but what an evening to remember. We stayed in the cabana way after the music was over, (as these people we met knew management). As the evening turned to the wee hours of about 1:00 A.M. we are all amazed to see deer coming down from the hillside and began roaming on the beach and walking all around us. The deer were extremely tame and some of our party actually hand fed these deer, which I'm sure was wrong maybe even dangerous to do but after several bottle of wine, our better senses were blown away in the soft breeze. The beach is small but at night, it serves as a fabulous back drop to party the night away. I have no input on a daytime visit, but Descano Beach Club is a must for an evening out if you travel to Catalina Island.

We enjoyed relaxing at the outdoor patio and drinking mojitos after a few hours of kayaking or cycling. The drinks and the appetizers are well-above the normal price (ex: mojitos in plastic cups $11 each, cheap tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa $8, views from the patio $ priceless) but what you learn to expect in Catalina. Lots of cabanas, lounges, restrooms, changing rooms, kayak rentals, ziplining, etc., available. There is also outdoor massage in a tented cabana available ($$$)A great place to go enjoy afternoon cocktails. A little cold once the sun goes down.

We were blown away by the improvements to this beach club. It was always the best place to go to the beach in Avalon but with the improvements in landscaping and the restrooms, it is now better than ever. The best part is being able to order food and drinks and have them delivered to your beach chair or private cabana. The snorkeling is great and there are many other activities here including the Zip Line adventure. With the improvements being completed right now, Descanso Beach Club will be completely first class. A fitting nod to the historic St. Catherine Hotel which used to occupy this place.

Great access to beach and a sheltered bay for snorkelling, swimming and kayaking. The open bar has been kept due to regulations reasons. This club is open to all visitors.

Nice beach to get tanned. They've got cabana tent and all the stuff you need for a nice day lying down.

Major construction was underway while we were there. Very loud and disruptive. I'm sure it will look great whatever is they are doing when done.It is more of a family beach club than the typical "stereotype" of a beach club. Pros:Amazing viewsComfortable chairsLounge chairsControlled accessDid I say views?Nice to be away from the major tourist blockOnly place on beach where you can drink alcohol right on the beach.Shopping vendorsRestrooms and changing rooms!Cons:Beach access is very rocky, even the sand is rockyWhile servers are friendly, beverage service is very very slow

Everyone was so helpful and friendly! Made me wonder what was in the drinking water hahaha. Had a two hour sup and kayak rental! Loved the view from the ocean

We have visited Descanso Beach club prior years but, our visit last August, 2014 exceeded my expectations. We had a wonderful server named Ulysses. He was on top of it! We never had to wait long for a drink and he happily fulfilled my picky requests. I had a fabulous blueberry cocktail spritzer in which he had adjusted exactly to my liking. The kitchen was under construction at the time so, they had a made to order barbecue set up out on the grass. The barbecue served the best shrimp kabobs I have ever had! The sides were fabulous and the portions were very large. Not to mention the prices were great! One plate of 2 kabobs and all of the sides you wanted was enough to fill up two of us. I always enjoy laying on the lounge chairs, sipping a cocktail on the beach! Descanso's is the best place to do it! If you want amazing service keep an eye out for Ulysses! One more thing.. The bee issue that I have witnessed and others have mentioned was not an issue at all. I didn't see any bees around and trust me, I was looking!

It is a nice quiet place to put the feet up for the day. The beach is mostly rock bit where you sit it is. They have great smoothies. Cruise lines will sell you a package that is more expensive if you just show up on your own.

We had gone on a walk on our last day on the island because we were taking the ferry back to Newport Beach that evening. We stopped for a sit and a drink. My partner ordered one cocktail, and I ordered another. I can't say anything about his cocktail, since I did not have any, but my cocktail was only weakly alcoholic. I do not generally drink alcoholic beverages, and this tasted weak to me. We enjoyed the view. The music was a bit loud for quiet conversation.

So, if you've not tried the drink (w/alcohol) called Buffalo Milk... it is a must... like a yummy milk shake! We sat outside (this bar is outside) and enjoyed the beautiful ocean views and sipped our decadent drinks... a perfect afternoon!Good service and fabulous views...

We rented two beach chairs on October 2nd and had a great time snorkeling and hanging out. We had a few drinks and some lunch. Since it was the off season I think the service could have been a little better and I WAY over tipped our waiter. But all in all we had fun.