It features a diverse and rugged landscape, including rolling hills, canyons, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches. The island covers an area of about 75 square miles (194 square kilometers). Santa Catalina Island ( Tongva: Pimuu'nga or Pimu Spanish: Isla Santa Catalina often shortened to Catalina Island or Catalina) is a rocky island off the coast of Southern California in the Gulf of Santa Catalina.