The Sand Trap was an authentic Mexican respite on an unseasonably hot weekend in Catalina. The colorful awnings complemented the cheap drinks and tacos they offer for happy hour every day. We stumbled into this place for happy hour and had to come back the next day, it’s that good. The servers treat you like family and the fare was worth 3x the price they charge. Magnificent
Amira Parise
Fun Fun Fun
Samantha Patzold
Taco joint where you place your order at the window and they take your food out on paper plates and give you plastic wear. Very different
Vanessa Chamberlain
Cool place, good prices and the nachos were great! Really liked their late HH.
Michael Petrillo
Great locals bar with strong pours
Cecilia Papesch
Excellent food and value. Loved the friendly atmosphere and drinks. Margaritas are so good! I am definitely coming back.
John Harvey
This moment started off with Pedro and let me tell you, this guy is amazing. Come here for happy hour. It is from 2pm to 5pm. I would suggest a pitcher of Margaritas for $30 made with Hornito's Resposado (or you.can get one with well liquor for $22.00!)
Then I had the pleasure of meeting Luz when I ordered tacos. Happy hour tacos are only $2.00. The ground beef, carnitas, and chorizo were amazing. Add cheese if you're ordering the ground beef for only 50 cents more!
The seating is great. The bathrooms are clean and every staff memeber I met had a smile on their face.
This place rocks
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.
Rachel Kazmier
What a lovely and delicious stop on our golf cart toodle! I had the skinny ghost pepper margarita, the others had beer and buffalo milk! The ceviche was spot on and fresh as were the tacos! If I didn’t know better it felt like a cool beach bar in Mexico! Be sure to hit up this spot on your golf cart scenic drive!
F F
Me and my husband ALWAYS come straight here. There red chilaquiles are bomb! we are chilaquiles tasters from all over Cali and their salsa is on point. Chilaquiles come with chicken and beans. One of the other reasons this is our spot it's because of the staff , we come to visit them. They have became great friends.
Could not stop coming here for breakfast - so good - and large portions. Conchita and Maria are great bartenders out on the patio at Pedro’s Bar. Friendly environment and great vies of the golf course.
Steve Wesley
Always open , great food and d friendly service!!
JoAnna Vojkovich Arnold
Great Mexican food here and happy hour 🌮 tacos, Family run and delicious
The Sand Trap was an authentic Mexican respite on an unseasonably hot weekend in Catalina. The colorful awnings complemented the cheap drinks and tacos they offer for happy hour every day. We stumbled into this place for happy hour and had to come back the next day, it’s that good. The servers treat you like family and the fare was worth 3x the price they charge. Magnificent
Fun Fun Fun
Taco joint where you place your order at the window and they take your food out on paper plates and give you plastic wear. Very different
Cool place, good prices and the nachos were great! Really liked their late HH.
Great locals bar with strong pours
Excellent food and value. Loved the friendly atmosphere and drinks. Margaritas are so good! I am definitely coming back.
This moment started off with Pedro and let me tell you, this guy is amazing. Come here for happy hour. It is from 2pm to 5pm. I would suggest a pitcher of Margaritas for $30 made with Hornito's Resposado (or you.can get one with well liquor for $22.00!)
Then I had the pleasure of meeting Luz when I ordered tacos. Happy hour tacos are only $2.00. The ground beef, carnitas, and chorizo were amazing. Add cheese if you're ordering the ground beef for only 50 cents more!
The seating is great. The bathrooms are clean and every staff memeber I met had a smile on their face.
This place rocks
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.
What a lovely and delicious stop on our golf cart toodle! I had the skinny ghost pepper margarita, the others had beer and buffalo milk! The ceviche was spot on and fresh as were the tacos! If I didn’t know better it felt like a cool beach bar in Mexico! Be sure to hit up this spot on your golf cart scenic drive!
Me and my husband ALWAYS come straight here. There red chilaquiles are bomb! we are chilaquiles tasters from all over Cali and their salsa is on point. Chilaquiles come with chicken and beans. One of the other reasons this is our spot it's because of the staff , we come to visit them. They have became great friends.
Restaurantji Recommends
Happy hour drinks!
Friendly people!
Could not stop coming here for breakfast - so good - and large portions. Conchita and Maria are great bartenders out on the patio at Pedro’s Bar. Friendly environment and great vies of the golf course.
Always open , great food and d friendly service!!
Great Mexican food here and happy hour 🌮 tacos, Family run and delicious
Loading...