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The Catalina Casino
has been the main
attraction of Santa
Catalina Island
entertainment and
culture since it
opened in 1929.
Overlooking the
Avalon landscape
from its majestic
setting along the
harbor, the casino
exemplifies the
style and romance of
Catalina Island.
Restored to its
original condition,
the Art Deco,
circular icon is a
stunning reminder of
Catalina’s glorious
past.
The American
Heritage Dictionary,
third edition, lists
the source of the
name “casino” as
Italian, however;
casino is a
diminutive of casa,
“house,” itself from
Latin casa. The word
casa, then casino
was first applied to
a country house as a
social gathering
place, or a room or
building where one
could dance. There
is no gambling at
the Catalina Casino.
The building was
built as a massive
twelve-story
building and is
divided into a
spectacular grand
ballroom and movie
theatre. It is also
available for
special events and
weddings.
Completely restored
just a few years
ago, the ballroom
retains its original
romantic style--a
lavish mixture of
rose-hued walls, an
arching, fifty-foot
ceiling with five
Tiffany chandeliers,
an elevated stage,
raised seating areas
around the dance
floor, and a epoch,
full-service bar in
back. The movie
theatre is also a
work of art, and now
runs first-run
movies every night.
The Casino hosts
most of Catalina’s
major indoor events,
including the annual
New Year’s Eve
Celebration and the
Catalina Island Jazz
Festival. Tours of
the Catalina Casino
are available daily.
 Via Casino
detail
Catalina
Island
pictures
by BTaylor
Cancun travel guide
Isla Mujeres, Cozumel |
