Casino VIP Backstage Tour

The Casino’s ballroom is the payoff: a grand, carefully preserved room where big bands once played, high above Avalon. This guided visit also takes you through the theatre and into parts of the building that are usually out of view, offering a close look at Catalina’s most striking landmark.

I like two things in particular: the chance to see art deco details and original backstage objects up close, and the view of Avalon from the Romance Promenade. The guides have included Kaitlyn, Kendra and Cecilia, with past tours praised for lively storytelling and thoughtful answers.

One practical caution: reaching the ballroom means walking up eight ramps in a 12-story building, then back down. The tour is about an hour, but it may not suit you if a sustained uphill walk is difficult.

• The 1929 Casino is a landmark, not just a pretty exterior. This tour takes you inside to explore its theatre, murals and ballroom.
• The ballroom recalls the big-band era. Its scale and design help explain why the building served as a major entertainment venue.
• Backstage details add a human touch. You may see original furniture, clothing and theatre equipment in rooms used by performers and staff.
• The Romance Promenade offers an Avalon view. It gives you a chance to look out over town after the indoor tour.
• Plan for eight ramps up and eight down. The route involves a moderate amount of walking, even though the tour lasts only about an hour.
• Call to schedule after booking. Your tour time is not confirmed until you provide your voucher information to the local operator.

A landmark built for entertainment

Catalina’s Casino opened in 1929, and its name can be misleading if you picture slot machines and gaming tables. This tour is about the building’s role as an entertainment center, with a movie theatre and a ballroom that hosted major musical performers and big bands.

That history matters because the architecture was made to be experienced from the inside. The murals, theatre spaces and ballroom are not just decorative backdrops. They show how the Casino brought performance and social life together in one ambitious building.

The Casino is also a useful way to understand Catalina beyond its harbor and waterfront. A guided visit gives you context for a landmark that has remained part of the island’s identity, while details about its history and preservation help explain the work involved in keeping it in use.

Start inside the Casino

Meet your guide at Catalina Island Casino, at 1 Casino Way in Avalon. The tour starts and ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

From the beginning, expect a walking tour rather than a seated talk. You move through the building with a professional guide, who connects its rooms and decorative features to the Casino’s history. The group can have up to 25 people, a size that still allows questions but may feel less intimate than a private tour.

The guide makes a real difference here. Past guides named Kaitlyn and Kendra were praised for clear, engaging narration, while Cecilia led a particularly memorable Christmas Eve visit. Those names do not guarantee who will lead your tour, of course, but they point to the value of a good guide in a building where stories bring the rooms to life.

Murals, theatre and the pipe organ

One of the early highlights is the art deco decoration. Look closely at the murals and the design details rather than rushing toward the ballroom. The building’s visual character is part of the experience, and a guide can help you notice features that are easy to miss when you are simply walking through.

The route also includes the Avalon Theatre. The theatre gives the tour a different feel from the ballroom: it is a place built for watching a performance, rather than joining one. Some visits have included access to backstage rooms, with old cameras, film equipment, lighting gear, original furniture and performer clothing on display. The exact contents and access may vary, so treat these as possible details rather than a guaranteed checklist.

A private viewing room overlooking the theatre has also been part of the experience. Seeing these work spaces helps make the building feel less like a grand shell and more like a busy venue that once depended on performers, ushers and technical crews.

You will also see a classic pipe organ. The tour highlights it as part of the Casino’s musical character, but do not assume there will be a live demonstration. Its presence, alongside the theatre and ballroom, is enough to show how much the building was designed around entertainment.

The uphill walk to the ballroom

The ballroom is the tour’s central event, but getting there is part of the outing. The building rises through 12 stories, and the route includes eight ramps uphill, followed by the same eight ramps on the return to ground level. The walking is described as moderate, yet the steady climb can feel demanding if you have mobility concerns or simply do not enjoy uphill walking.

The ramps are a distinctive part of the building’s layout. One past visitor noticed ridges designed for people walking in high heels, a small detail that links the practical route to the Casino’s former social life. It is the sort of feature you might pass without noticing if you were exploring on your own.

Take your time and wear comfortable shoes. The tour is short in clock time, but there is no need to treat the ramps as a race. If anyone in your group finds sustained walking difficult, consider that limitation before booking, since the climb is built into the route.

Inside the ballroom

At the top, the ballroom rewards the climb with an elegant interior and a striking sense of scale. This is where big bands once played and where some of the country’s leading musical performers appeared. Even without a performance underway, the room makes it easy to picture the energy of a dance night.

The room’s dance floor is a memorable feature. You may find yourself imagining the Casino in full swing, with a band playing and couples filling the floor. The tour is a look at the space, not an invitation to dance, but the ballroom’s preserved character helps you picture how it once worked.

The guide’s story is especially useful here. Without context, a large ballroom is beautiful; with the history of its performers and role in island life, it becomes a window into Catalina’s past. The room is often the highlight, and it is worth pausing to take in its proportions and details rather than focusing only on the next stop.

Avalon from the Romance Promenade

The Romance Promenade adds an outdoor pause to an otherwise indoor visit. From here, you can take in views of Avalon and the water below. The outlook gives the tour a welcome change of pace after the climb and lets you connect the Casino to the island around it.

Views depend on the day’s weather. One sunny visit can offer blue skies and clear water, while a cloudy day may not deliver the same effect. Still, the promenade is part of the appeal: it combines the building’s elevated position with a direct look back toward town.

If you are visiting Catalina on a cruise, work the tour into your port schedule with care. A noon tour has been suggested as a good option for a cruise day, but check the available time and leave room for the walk to and from the meeting point. Do not assume a particular departure time is offered every day.

Is $40.04 good value?

At $40.04 per person for about an hour, this is not the cheapest way to spend a short stretch in Avalon. You are paying for guided access and interpretation inside a landmark, not just a quick look at the exterior. The value is strongest if you enjoy architecture, local history, old theatres or grand public rooms.

The tour also has more substance than a single ballroom visit. You see the theatre, murals, organ and promenade, and may encounter original backstage objects and rooms. A strong guide can turn those spaces into a connected story, which is a more rewarding use of the hour than simply walking through on your own.

The price may feel less worthwhile if you have little interest in history or interiors, or if the ramps are a serious obstacle. It is also a short activity, so it is best considered one part of a Catalina day rather than the main event. For a building you may otherwise only admire from outside, though, the guided route offers meaningful access.

Booking and timing details to check

The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket. Booking is often made about 14 days ahead on average, so reserve early if your island visit has fixed dates. Most people can participate, but the walking route is the main physical consideration.

There is an important step after purchase: your tour time is not confirmed with the local operator until you call the number on your voucher and provide the voucher information. Do this promptly rather than assuming the date selected during booking automatically secures a place. A past family arrived to find the morning tour full, which is a good reminder to confirm the actual time directly.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That makes it sensible to confirm your schedule before purchasing and to keep the weather policy in mind if your island visit is brief.

Who should book this tour?

I would put this tour high on the list if you like historic buildings, art deco interiors, theatre history or live music heritage. It is also a good fit for families with an interest in the past, couples looking for an activity beyond the waterfront, and anyone curious about what the Casino looks like inside.

It is less suitable if you need a level, low-effort route or have limited time and cannot accommodate the uphill ramps. The walking is not the whole experience, but it is not a minor footnote either. Think about your group’s comfort before you commit.

For most visitors who can manage the climb, I would book it. The ballroom, theatre and backstage glimpses give you a fuller sense of the building than an exterior view can, and the tour’s best moments come from the combination of architecture, stories and the view over Avalon.

FAQ

How long is the Casino VIP Backstage Tour?

The tour lasts about one hour. The full visit includes walking through the Casino and returning to the original meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

Meet at Catalina Island Casino, 1 Casino Way in Avalon. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How much walking is involved?

The route includes eight ramps going up through the 12-story building, then the same eight ramps back down. A moderate amount of walking is involved.

What can I see inside the Casino?

The tour includes the Casino, art deco murals, the Avalon Theatre, a classic pipe organ and the ballroom. It also visits the Romance Promenade for views of Avalon.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and a professional guide leads the tour.

Do I need to confirm my tour time after booking?

Yes. Call the number on your voucher and provide your voucher information to schedule your tour time. Your time is not confirmed with the local operator until you do this.