More comfortable accommodations are slowly coming to Santa Catalina. The relatively “upscale” places are primarily along the main road that leads into the village. Most of the surf camps (and restaurants) are off the dirt road that intersects the main street. The sea view gets better and better the farther along the road you go.

Those without their own transportation should note that it’s a considerable walk between most of the surf camps and town. It takes about 20 minutes at a good clip to get from the last one, Oasis Surf camp, to the town’s main road. Carry a flashlight, as there are no lights along the road and without a moon you’ll literally be stumbling about in the dark.

Those with their own transport should note that the road to the surf camp often requires a four-wheel drive. As you drive into town, it’ll be the steep, rocky road to the left. It quickly levels off, but beware of car-eating mud-holes—it’s not unusual to get stuck up there. The surf camps are at the ends of private roads that veer off the main road toward the water. Every place is either right above or a short walk away from the main point break.