It\u2019s a picture-perfect island.<\/p>\n
This iconic isle, known as the \u2018Caribbean of California<\/a>,\u2019 has earned its place among the best islands in the continental US.<\/p>\n The elite list of 15 islands was curated by Travel + Leisure as part of its annual World\u2019s Best Awards<\/a>. <\/p>\n Determined by readers, the list recognizes the world\u2019s top destinations and is considered among the hospitality industry\u2019s most prestigious honors.<\/p>\n Catalina Island is a favorite amongst travelers. Dmitry \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n In the national ranking, California\u2019s Catalina Island<\/a> came in at a respectable, if not exalted, twelfth place.<\/p>\n Known for its turquoise waters and laid-back vibe, Catalina had an overall guest ranking of 81.98, putting it just behind the Florida Keys and a hair ahead of South Carolina\u2019s Hilton Head Island. <\/p>\n A 76-square-mile island, anchored by perfectly crescent-shaped Avalon Bay, Catalina has long been a destination for nature lovers and sailboat enthusiasts.<\/p>\n Located just an hour by ferry from the Port of Los Angeles, the island was catapulted into the cultural lexicon with the once-fictional, now-actual Catalina Wine Mixer. <\/a><\/p>\n The outlet praised<\/a> Catalina\u2019s glass-bottom boat tours, clear waters, and historic casino, calling a jaunt to the island a perfect day trip from LA or an ideal overnight stay.<\/p>\n \u201cPack that sunscreen, toss a floppy hat into your weekend bag, and get ready to sip fruity drinks with tiny umbrellas. Catalina is your easy, breezy, California-style Caribbean getaway\u2014no passport required,\u201d they commanded. <\/p>\n Catalina came in twelfth place, behind the colorful archipelago of the Florida Keys. Nancy Pauwels \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The truly adventurous can opt to travel to Catalina on a Sea-Doo jet ski<\/a>, thereby increasing the likelihood of being delivered to port in the sublime company of a pod of dolphins. <\/p>\n Top honors for the country\u2019s best island went to Georgia\u2019s Golden Isles, which include the barrier islands of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island, all of which are celebrated for their history, beaches, golf, and isolated brand of luxury. <\/p>\n Readers gave the Golden Isles an overall score of 91.59. <\/p>\n While Catalina failed to make it to the top of the best islands list, another California locale took first place in a different category. Marty’s Art \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n In addition to being crowned the best island in the US, the Golden Isles ranked number 11 in the world\u2019s best islands ranking. <\/p>\n Georgia keeps going for the gold: earlier this year, St. Simons Island, Georgia, part of the Golden Isles, was voted the most underrated travel destination in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.<\/a><\/p>\n Travel + Leisure also recently named it one of the\u00a0best small towns for a summer getaway<\/a> and one of the\u00a0best places to retire on the East Coast<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Second and third place for T+L\u2019s best island in the US went to Maine\u2019s Mount Desert Island and Massachusetts\u2019 Nantucket. The latter, with its pristine coastline and dense concentration of pre-Civil War homes, is described as \u201ca postcard come to life.\u201d <\/p>\n While Catalina failed to make it to the top of the best islands list, another California locale took first place in a different category.<\/p>\n Appellation Healdsburg, a retreat tucked among Sonoma County\u2019s vineyards, was named the No. 1 resort in the continental U.S. and the best resort in California in\u00a0the World\u2019s Best Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe opened this hotel less than a year ago with one belief: that hospitality is at its best when it is rooted in place,\u201d the hotel wrote on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>. \u201cTo win two categories and to be recognized this early in our debut year, by the travelers of Travel + Leisure whose opinions shape our industry, is a moment we\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n The 15 best islands in the U.S. in 2026<\/p>\n Golden Isles, GA<\/p>\n Mount Desert, ME<\/p>\n Nantucket, MA<\/p>\n Kiawah Island, SC<\/p>\n San Juan Islands, WA<\/p>\n Cumberland Island, GA<\/p>\n Amelia Island, FL<\/p>\n Mackinac Island, MI<\/p>\n Longboat Key, FL<\/p>\n Outer Banks, NC<\/p>\n Florida Keys, FL<\/p>\n Catalina Island, CA<\/p>\n Hilton Head Island, SC<\/p>\n Marco Island, FL<\/p>\n Block Island, RI<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t