Catherine's Guidebook
Best beaches
My best beaches have beautiful unique features and easy access to the ocean.
A wonderful place to get your feet in the unique black sand of Hawaii and maybe see some honu (turtles) sunning themselves.
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
A wonderful place to get your feet in the unique black sand of Hawaii and maybe see some honu (turtles) sunning themselves.
Ho’okena beach is a great place to swim and see dolphins playing in the morning.
12 locals recommend
Hookena Beach Road
Ho'okena Beach RoadHo’okena beach is a great place to swim and see dolphins playing in the morning.
Hapuna Beach
Honoli'i Beach Park
This is the #1 surf spot on Hilo side.
Food scene
Great coffee and best morning food for easy pickup or dine-in in Oceanview.
15 locals recommend
Coffee Grinds
92-8674 Lotus Blossom LnGreat coffee and best morning food for easy pickup or dine-in in Oceanview.
Kai Loki’s is a locally owned restaurant. Great food and mellow atmosphere. They have a full bar , Karaoke night and play all the games on big screen TVs for sports fans.
11 locals recommend
Kai Loki’s Restaurant
92-8754 Hawaii BoulevardKai Loki’s is a locally owned restaurant. Great food and mellow atmosphere. They have a full bar , Karaoke night and play all the games on big screen TVs for sports fans.
A local fully operational coffee farm that has tours and wonderful coffee treats in their cafe. Smoothie’s to! The Lava flow is very popular 😉
39 locals recommend
Ka'u Coffee Mill
96-2694 Wood Valley RdA local fully operational coffee farm that has tours and wonderful coffee treats in their cafe. Smoothie’s to! The Lava flow is very popular 😉
A must stop place when heading to Punalu’u or Volcano. Best Malasada’s on this side of the island. My favorite is the Bismarck.
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11A must stop place when heading to Punalu’u or Volcano. Best Malasada’s on this side of the island. My favorite is the Bismarck.
Great subs and pizzas but they close at 5:00 so go early and get takeout.
40 locals recommend
Hana Hou Restaurant
95-1148 Naalehu Spur RdGreat subs and pizzas but they close at 5:00 so go early and get takeout.
My #1 recommendation for dining in Kona best view, best food and atmosphere!! But you MUST make a reservation!!
91 locals recommend
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrMy #1 recommendation for dining in Kona best view, best food and atmosphere!! But you MUST make a reservation!!
This is my favorite place to eat in Hilo. The atmosphere is wonderful and the burgers are to die for!! A must try for foodies.
41 locals recommend
Hilo Burger Joint
776 Kilauea AveThis is my favorite place to eat in Hilo. The atmosphere is wonderful and the burgers are to die for!! A must try for foodies.
Sightseeing
South Point Park
South Point RoadThis is a once in a lifetime trip into the depths of the Big Island. A wonderful tour that can be very easy for everyone or you can opt for the intensive spelunking experience. Schedule your tour before you arrive if you’re only staying a short time. Bookings can get tricky if you don’t have extra days.
24 locals recommend
Kula Kai Caverns
92-8864 Lauhala DrThis is a once in a lifetime trip into the depths of the Big Island. A wonderful tour that can be very easy for everyone or you can opt for the intensive spelunking experience. Schedule your tour before you arrive if you’re only staying a short time. Bookings can get tricky if you don’t have extra days.
Get up close and personal with our favorite live volcano 🌋. Madam Pele is alive and well in Kilauea Caldera. Visit the Thurston Lava tube as well.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Get up close and personal with our favorite live volcano 🌋. Madam Pele is alive and well in Kilauea Caldera. Visit the Thurston Lava tube as well.
One of my favorite cultural experiences on the island. Only a 30 minute drive from the the house that travels back into historic Hawaii Nei.
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160One of my favorite cultural experiences on the island. Only a 30 minute drive from the the house that travels back into historic Hawaii Nei.
Okay, I only discovered this place myself a few years ago, this is a magical hike into a world of exotic beauty. The plants and flowers that you will see here will stay with you for a lifetime. It’s a little spendy but totally worth the money.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyOkay, I only discovered this place myself a few years ago, this is a magical hike into a world of exotic beauty. The plants and flowers that you will see here will stay with you for a lifetime. It’s a little spendy but totally worth the money.
Another must see in Hilo. A beautiful Japanese Garden that is being restored to it’s original beauty. Complete with Japanese bridges and tea house. Great spot for pictures!
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StAnother must see in Hilo. A beautiful Japanese Garden that is being restored to it’s original beauty. Complete with Japanese bridges and tea house. Great spot for pictures!
City advice
Book before you go
Get a massage! Fortuna Massage
This fabulous masseuse has a studio just minutes from the house. A relaxing addition to your vacation. Call Sarah @808-557-6700