Matt Houtsma

Great for happy hour which started at 11am on day our cruise ship was in town. $3 bud light and $6 margarita! Nice outdoor space.

Mari Nguyen

Ceviche and menudo were perfect for post-hike refuel

Mason Bentley

Food was great! We stopped here after golfing next door. Make sure you go early enough or late enough to not get caught in the school kid rush as it is a popular place for students to go to lunch at a nearby school.

Susan

Optional covered or umbrella patio seating outside. Can be chilly in evening hours. Beautiful view of golf course, mountains, school, hospital, street and horse stables. Always great food, fast and friendly service, best prices in town. I highly recommend. They have many items to choose from menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner. Give the Sandtrap 10 stars

trevor morris

Really tasty. If we had come here earlier in our trip I know we would have visited more than once. We were there at an odd time and it was empty. I imagine this is quite a lively place when it's busy.

Mike Moore

This place is a vibe. You stroll in post hike or after wandering around Avalon and it somehow welcomes you like it’s been waiting there just for you. Portions are generous, your wallet doesn’t collapse when you pay, and that fish and chips basket was so crispy and satisfying I briefly considered building a shrine to it. We split a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and fish and chips basket and still debated which was the real MVP. Full confession: I’m a die hard burger guy, and yet that fish had me second guessing life choices. Staff were super nice, making you feel like you weren’t just buying food, you were feeding your soul. The setting is great too. You’ve got that indoor outdoor dining deal going, birds and squirrels eyeing your table like they’re ready for a snack heist, and you can’t help but feel like you stumbled into some secret Puerto inspired breakfast nook but with tacos and margaritas replacing churros. Honestly, if you wander in here and don’t walk out thinking “this was well worth the detour,” check your taste buds. Sand Trap is the kind of hidden spot that makes Catalina Island feel like more than just a postcard scene, it makes it feel delicious too. You owe it to your stomach to give it a go.

liz street

One of the best places to eat & / drink in town. Good to see a long term family business still in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California. Tacos are yummy.

Carolina Lima

If you want a real Mexican dining and food experience, you must try this place! The staff were incredibly welcoming and provided the best hospitality. The environment was lovely. Very spacious, relaxing, and scenic. This is a hidden gem away from the tourist spots. Worth the walk to here. Thank you to the staff and cooks for serving my daughter the mojarra she has been craving ❤️

Jeffrey Murphy

Great spot for tacos — carne asada, pollo, carnitas, & chorizo were all delicious. They were $2 each during happy hour from 2-7 PM. Their horchata rice milk and cinnamon drink is refreshing and freshly made. Margaritas are also top notch. Easily within walking distance from the beach. Supremely chill atmosphere with little birds cleaning up crumbs on the ground.

k b

The Sandtrap – Catalina’s Hidden Taco Treasure (No Sand in Your Chips, Promise) I visit Catalina Island at least twice a year & The Sandtrap is always on the must do list. Eat, watch t.v. (only one), relax, & chill. Tucked a scenic 15-30 minute walk from the bustling town center (or a breezy 7-minute joyride by golf cart—don’t forget: sip, don’t drive!), this spot is a legit hidden gem for locals, students, and cruisers alike. And guess what? They get you. Specials for cruise-goers? Check. Student deals for the nearby school crowd? Double check. Happy hour? Triple taco check. Let’s taco ‘bout the food. I only sampled the fish taco and chips & salsa, but wow—¡qué auténtico! The fish taco had a good flavor within the Baja expected. The chips? Fresh-made daily, a rare flex. They were thicker than I usually like, but still hit the spot when dunked in that zesty, made-from-scratch salsa. The aroma of grilled carne asada was absent so I didn't try the tacos. I'm from San Diego so it's hard to try meat tacos from other places unless I know for certain. I chatted with friendly customers and they too delighted in their meal choices with accolades. The vibe? Open-air beauty. Shaded by trees or sheltered by actual structures, it’s a spot where your margarita gets a little extra glow from the Catalina sun. Seating choices abound: bar, table, or those high-top seats that let you sip and spy on passing golf carts. Full bar, clean restrooms, mobile-accessible, and full of the kind of warm service that makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years—even if it’s your first time. INSIDER KNOWLEDGE: Catalina’s got a couple other Mexican joints near the center, I’d steer you away from them with a firm flick of my tortilla. The Sandtrap? This eatery is solid—no gimmicks and no regrets, generally. Whether you're a curious tourist, hungry hiker, golf cart adventurer, or just someone who knows a good taco when they see one—The Sandtrap is your Catalina calling.

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