Catalina Island in the fall
 

Your suggestions, please. From San Diego or LA?

LA
Catalina Express leaves from San Pedro and Long Beach near LA and also Dana Point.
Catalina Flyer leaves from Newport Beach (once daily)
Fall used to be great, have a good time

Tip: Take some Dramamine an hour before your departure in case of sea sickness.

Unless you are highly susceptible, on the Catalina Express company catamarans, it really isn't necessary. There is no ferry from San Diego. I like the Commodore Service upgrade which is available from Long Beach or San Pedro.

Where are you staying in California?

I'd consider taking the helicopter one way and the Catalina Express the other.

Are you looking for other suggestions besides transport??

If you’re susceptible to seasickness this is a good suggestion, helicopter over, ferry return as the currents in the channel cause much more movement on the way over than back. The voice of personal experience.

All boats are located closer to LA than SD. My son, who now lives in SD will be coming up to LA (where we live) to have us drive him and his wife to San Pedro over the 4th of July weekend to take the boat to Catalina. That way he won't have to pay the daily fees to park (about $22/day) and look for a parking space . . . limited over the holiday weekend.

Catalina Express from Long Beach takes an hour. You will barely feel anything on the catamaran. If you have ever had seasickness, use a patch and the drugs. Not necessary to take the helicopter.

Service is more frequent from Long Beach, BTW. I would not use San Pedro, there is not any advantage coming from San Diego.

Well, unless things have changed, the boats from San Pedro also stop at Two Harbors but the Long Beach ones do not. However most people who are regular tourists would probably want to take whichever is more convenient. Campers would also probably want to take the San Pedro boat.

Actually most of the sailings from San Pedro no longer stop at Two Harbors, so yes, things have changed. The schedule is much better though from Long Beach for typical visitors. There are only a few daily departures that include Two Harbors, one nonstop, and one via Avalon (which doubles the time). One can also go in to Avalon and take the powerboat to Two Harbors for $15 each way.

Ferry schedules from the mainland are available at catalinaexpress.com. For the Power Boat, camping, etc, Catalina Island Company manages a lot of them.
visitcatalinaisland.com

Never have taken the helicopter. I always enjoy the boat trips out and back.