Casino VIP Backstage Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. The Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Santa Catalina Island. You'll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows nightly movies on its massive screen. A short film is shown highlighting the history of this iconic building and its Hollywood connection. This tour requires uphill walking inside the casino.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A moderate amount of walking is involved, including climbing 8 ramps in a 12-story building, then descending the 8 ramps back to ground level.
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a non-motorized wheelchair
Ramps should be accessible with a well-charged motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter
Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own caregiver
Your tour is not confirmed with the local operator until you call the number located on your voucher to provide your voucher information and schedule your tour time. See voucher for details
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Catalina Island Casino
Walk through the Casino
Catalina Island Company
Walk by
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Gratuities
Options
Casino VIP Backstage Tour
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must do!
208lynng,,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So very interesting and cool! The view from the ballroom upstairs is amazing! So fancy to hold an event here. Also, the movie theatre downstairs is excellent! It's like you can see all the old Hollywood stars have been there.
Everyone should let see this the best tour
tahoejunebug,,Apr 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The best tour in Avalon everybody should do this excellent tour guide is very educated on the casino and made it a lot of fun
Challenging to see Dome for seniors
M2040LCmariac,,Mar 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I just placed 2 stars since we did not really get inside the dome.Its an iconic landmark of the island. However, you need to find your own transportation to get there. Should be prepared to climb flights of steps to see all 4 floors which is not ideal for older folks. This is w vip guided tour. Another option is self tour & stay in one floor only. We think the “ good historical stuff” is at the different upper floors. We were happy to just pass through it when we took the city tour.
A must see!
Karyn P,,Nov 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00What an amazing place! Totally worth the visit. Our tour guide “Kaitlyn” was very informative. And sooo much history within those walls. Totally beautiful day when we exited the Ballroom. Baby Blue Skies :) Crystal water below.
Worthwhile tour!
Stay02656919735,,Nov 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting tour—quite a lot of history. Casino is beautiful! Vintage projection equipment, costumes and art deco lighting and furnishings. Very worthwhile!
Awesome
mary j,,Aug 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. The old elegance of the Casino was a delight and the history of the casino was super great. Maybe next time we can dance on that beautiful dance floor or maybe take in a movie or attend a special event.
Stumbled Upon a Terrific Tour
Rob K,,Aug 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I hadn’t planned out my day in Catalina beyond taking the ferry. As I walked around, I found out that I could take a guided tour of the Casino, which was one of my main adjectives to see while on the island. Rebecca was our tour guide, and besides being super friendly and knowledgeable, she was also very enthusiastic about sharing the history of this building. The tour was fantastic. I took so many photos! I’ve recently toured Mann’s Chinese and El Capitan theatres, and this tour was by far the best. Rebecca shared with us not only so much of the history, but also much of the technology and behind-the-scenes aspects of the Casino. I just wish we had more time! She efficiently navigated us through, but I had a few more questions that I would like to have asked. I enthusiastically recommend. Take this tour if you have the chance.
So much to see and so much better than we thought
smerdlapgraslbinder,,Jul 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First off - the Avalon Casino is NOT a place where gambling EVER happened. Apparently, Casino merely was used in the original Italian sense of 'gathering place.' The structure holds some really interesting architecture, a theater, and a huge ballroom where the big bands literally used to play. The backstage tour shows all of this off to great advantage and takes you into the inner workings of a fabulous piece of history and architecture. Very much worth the price!
"A Step Back In History"
kemberly q,,May 30, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide was very personal & an amazing and knowledgeable guide. The most memorable is the history of the building & being able to see the back rooms with the original furniture, clothing & equipment made it just that more special.
A blast into the past
Lisa K,,Dec 30, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00What a fabulous step back in time. Loved learning about the history of the casino and walking all around the building. The ballroom was spectacular! Our guide was fabulous and informative.
Related Experiences
Operated by Santa Catalina Island Company