Descanso Beach Club — Restaurant in Avalon

This was our 5th year visiting the Descanso Beach Club for a week (we've rented everything from chaise lounges to the Presidential Cabana) and although the setting is still beautiful and the employees super friendly, we were SO disappointed with the new "rules" menu changes, and price increases. First of all the beach servers started doing "last call" for drinks at about 3:45pm...even thought the beach was still full of people with money in their pockets, then at about 4:30pm we were told (everyday) that we needed to be off the beach at 4:45pm so they could collect and wash the towels - ironically, when we returned to the beach the following day(s), towels and chaise covers weren't always available - the staff was still waiting for the "laundry to be delivered." In addition - towels were NEVER offered, we had to ask for them! It was explained to us that another reason for clearing the beach at 4:45pm is because sometimes the beach club holds private events there, BUT there weren't any the week we were there(7/29-8/2). Throughout the day employees walked around with plastic bags asking to collect "garbage" that had to be handed to them - very tacky. One day at about 4:30pm my brother and two sons had been fishing all day - they came over to the beach club to tell us about their day and "beach security" came over TWICE to tell us the boys couldn't sit on the edge of our chairs and talk to us- they were told to leave the beach - very tacky & rude. However, the family behind us had two teenage kids laying out on towels in the sand in front of their parents' two chaises.The food choices on the menu have been reduced to much less variety and flavor. Nachos were no longer listed, we asked about them & our server said that they were available..we saw an order of them go by & noticed they were drenched in that nasty snack-bar cheese sauce (for $14), no thank you! We were informed by our server that they couldn't use shredded cheese because it takes "12-15 minutes" to melt??? Does that even make sense?? Then we asked about the chicken wings that use to be on the menu and were told they were available to order, but they weren't listed on the menu because the kitchen doesn't ever have enough for everyone...huh??? I am sure drink prices have substantially increased, for example a mai tai was $11 or $12, served in a plastic cup, even when seated at the restaurant - once I was offered the "ultimate" mai tai, which I ordered - it ended up being $15!! At least happy hour (which begins at 5pm - so after we were asked to leave the beach we had to stand around and wait 15min) has drinks at 50% off; however, service took FOREVER & the restaurant/bar was not crowded! Two days in a row we had to flag down a server, and when we did we were given the most annoyed look! We'll be back to Avalon next year, we may have to settle for Descanso's $2 beach - and bring our own chairs. The overall experience this year left us disenchanted with the beach club, which we have recommended to many friends visiting Avalon....will we continue recommending...

We visited here twice during our stay. The first visit was just to order a few drinks and appetizers at a high top table under a shaded umbrella. The spiced fruit bowl is sooo good! And they were out of oysters on the half shell so we had the ceviche. Very good food. Our waiter was very friendly and quick. The drinks we ordered were served in tall glasses - the Cabana Calada and a Buffalo Milk. Very great service at the restaurant. The 2nd visit, we had reserved 2 beachside lounge chairs. Our reservation stated that they opened at 10am but when we arrived we were turned away rudely and said they did not open until 11 even though I showed my reservation time as 10am. So we came back at 11 and were escorted to our loungers and given neon wristbands to wear. The lady at the beach club check-in was not very friendly and seemed like she did not want to be there. Our waitress happened to be the girl that had turned us away earlier so that was awkward. She also wasn't the friendliest but she did provide quick service. The drinks we ordered were much smaller but priced the same as the restaurant. So just a heads up you get less for your money at the loungers/cabanas then at the restaurant tables. We ordered the nachos and the spiced fruit bowl again, they were excellent. The little table in between our loungers was super dirty so I washed it myself with antibacterial wet wipes I carry with me. Overall, I think the beach club side of the business could improve as far as cleanliness and friendliness of the staff. They should also provide you with beach towels at check-in. They do give you bottled water and fruity frosty drinks when you first sit down which i think was great hospitality and refreshing. Heads up - the loungers must be reserved online beforehand. We saw so many people show up without a reservation and were disappointed to be turned away because they had no available loungers or cabanas to offer. Also, the loungers next to us had a family walk from the beach and sit down on them thinking they were available for all. The waitress served them waters but then the check-in lady saw them and asked if they had a reservation and they were confused. They were told they had to leave and they were very upset they had to pack up all of their stuff and go. They took the waters and left but had made the loungers all sandy and wet. The staff did not come to replace the lounge covers and the couple that arrived a short while later had dirty lounge chairs. I feel like for the money you pay, the staff should have replaced the terry cloth covers on those loungers so the paying guests had clean and fresh loungers. I also think that when they seat you at your loungers, they should do a wipe down of the table to ensure it's clean before serving drinks and food on a dirty surface. Handing out beach towels at check in as well would be cool And placing "reserved" signs on loungers so beach-goers know they are reserved and don't plop down on them and get them wet and dirty. Overall we really enjoyed the beach club and...

If you're new to Catalina or plan to go when it'll be really busy, I highly recommend reserving a chaise pair or cabana (you can easily book online and it's for the full day). It's very nice to know you've got a place to sit, relax, etc without having to worry about hunting down a seat. Plus, you get bottled water, towels, and service included.

The food menu is island bougie but there's probably something for everyone (e.g. all my husband ate was an order of fries). The drink menu is extensive and this is the only beach, as far as I know, that you can offer alcohol because it's "private." Drinks were a bit weak (just me, maybe?) but tasty. Pricing is reasonable, far more so than I'd have expected. Service was excellent!

If you want to actually go into the ocean, there's a small stairway in the middle that leads out to a strip of sand. Once you get past the first bit of sand (and the initial shock of cold water), you hit a patch of rocks before you get to where you can kick your legs without touching the bottom. This can hurt your feet and you may get knocked over, especially if you're short like me. We left with some small bruises and cuts but we also spent a couple hours getting tossed around and swimming. Don't forget to account for all the sand either.

It's definitely not a wave pool for kids but they can safely stand (supervised) closest to the land. I don't have kids but there were a few around and they seemed to be having a good time. A couple were building sandcastles by the cabanas.

On a Monday, it was busy but there was plenty of room to spread out. Most people seemed to stay up by the chairs or sitting on the ledge/rocks at the top of the beach.

There are outdoor stalls for changing, a couple of outdoor showers, and a building with restrooms. The showers are kinda varying, particularly in pressure (one of the foot jets is so powerful it's near painful).

There's a little shop with some clothes, hats, and other stuff for kids, like snorkels and floaties.

Last big note: BEES. More of a nuisance than anything, there are a TON of bees. They're very interested in the food and drinks but will hang around either way.

Overall, the view and ability to relax in a reserved spot was worth it but I'm not sure we'd do it again, at least while the other beaches...