Casino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island
Catalina Island, United States

Casino VIP Backstage Tour

Outty Ranking 64 4.7 · 54 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $40

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September 2026

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Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$40
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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 54 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Casino VIP Backstage Tour worth booking?

Casino VIP Backstage Tour is a 1-hour experience in Catalina Island, United States, from $40 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 54 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (54)
Duration
1 hours
From
$40 per person

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. The Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Catalina Island. You'll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals

What you get

    About this experience

    Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. The Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Catalina Island. You'll see the extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows nightly movies on its massive screen. A short film is shown highlighting the history of this iconic building and its Hollywood connection. This tour requires uphill walking inside the Casino.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Catalina Casino

      Walk through the Casino

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Catalina Island Company

      Walk by

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Catalina Island

    Look for the large round Building

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Look for the large round Building

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Santa Catalina Island Company

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • A moderate amount of walking is involved, including climbing 8 ramps in a 12-story building, then descending the 8 ramps back to ground level.
    • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a non-motorized wheelchair
    • Ramps should be accessible with a well-charged motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter
    • Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own caregiver
    • Your tour is not confirmed with the local operator until you call the number located on your voucher to provide your voucher information and schedule your tour time. See voucher for details

    Photos

    Casino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island, photo 2Casino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island, photo 3Catalina CasinoCasino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island, photo 5Casino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island, photo 6Casino VIP Backstage Tour in Catalina Island, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 53 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    53 verified traveler reviews for Casino VIP Backstage Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    45
    4 star
    5
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    sagent2 · August 2026

    Awesome!

    Awesome! Great history knowledge.

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your fantastic review, sagent2! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Casino VIP Backstage Tour. Hope to see you again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    M827ODtheresac · August 2026

    Fun tour

    Great way to see the inside of the Casino that you wouldn’t get to see with general admission. Great info and knowledgeable tour guide. Highly recommend.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the VIP Backstage Tour. Hope to see you again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    rone775 · July 2026

    Great tour

    My wife and I absolutely loved the tour of this remarkable building. The history here and the architecture and beautiful design make this a must see. Unfortunately I forgot the name of our guide but she was new and we were her second tour she ever lead. She was amazing. New so many interesting facts and was fun and pleasant.

    Response from the operator: Thank you, Ron! We’re thrilled to hear you and your wife enjoyed the Casino VIP Backstage Tour and found the history and architecture captivating. We hope to welcome you back soon for more memorable experiences!

    via Tripadvisor

    Stacy_B · July 2026

    VIP outstanding

    The VIP tour is a must for anybody interested in the historical information and story about the casino. The tour was conducted by an outstanding young guide by the name of Alyssa. She led us from the movie theater through the backstage area and up to the ballroom with hidden rooms including the private Wrigley suite and the projection room. She told some great stories and gave us a unique background.

    via Viator

    ckdunaway · July 2026

    Loved this incredible tour.

    We had a new tour guide and she was incredible. In smaller groups (10 and under) you get to go into the projection rooms, dressing rooms, behind the stage in the movie theater and so much more. I would highly recommend this tour. What a fantastic piece of California history.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    19
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)77
    Review evidence (18% weight)62
    Booking momentum (14% weight)56
    Value for money (12% weight)83
    Listing quality (10% weight)73
    Local standing (8% weight)58
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Casino VIP Backstage Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Catalina Island.

    How much does Casino VIP Backstage Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Catalina Island usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Casino VIP Backstage Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Catalina Island is not rushed.

    Is Casino VIP Backstage Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 54 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Catalina Island, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Casino VIP Backstage Tour?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Casino VIP Backstage Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Casino VIP Backstage Tour?

    +

    Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Catalina Island can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Catalina Island and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Casino VIP Backstage Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Catalina Island within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Catalina Island?

    +

    Catalina Island packages ferry transfers with glass-bottom boats, submarine and snorkel tours in Lover's Cove, zip lining, Avalon golf-cart tours and inland bison safaris. On Outty we rank every Catalina Island experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Catalina Food Tour, Catalina Island Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon, Haunted Catalina Walking Ghost Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Catalina Island?

    +

    May to October, with the calmest crossings in summer. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Catalina Island?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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