History of the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is owned and operated by the Evans family of San Diego. Entrepreneurs William and Anne Evans founded the company more than 60 years ago and it has been a mainstay in America’s Finest City ever since. After first opening the Bahia Resort Hotel in 1953, the Evans family acquired the right to develop land on the other side of Mission Bay for the Catamaran in 1958. Currently, Anne Evans serves the company as Chairman Emeritus, Grace Evans Cherashore serves as Executive Chairwoman, and David Cherashore and Bill Evans serve as Executive Board Members. While the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa caters to corporations big and small for conventions, meetings, and parties, the Evans family is proud to provide a fun, yet tranquil environment for families all year round.
 

1958

The Catamaran opens as a modest 82-room inn with Polynesian motif after the famed Scripps family abandoned their summer estate in late 1955. This marks the Evans family’s 2nd resort on Mission Bay after building the Bahia Resort Hotel in 1953.
 

1961

The Victorian-style sternwheeler Bahia Belle starts cruising Mission Bay between the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, and Bahia Resort Hotel. The Belle, providing public cruises into the night and event venues, is now the entertainment hub of Mission Bay.

1969

The resort is remodeled with the addition of a 14-story tower with 150 rooms, suites, and studios. This expansion brought the room count to 232 and provided a group of guests with unequivocal views of Mission Bay and San Diego.

1986

The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa expands with the addition of the 300, 400, 600, 700, and 800 buildings, bringing the room count to the current 310. The private parking structure also is built to accommodate the increased number of guests.

2001

The beginning of a great summer tradition in San Diego occurs with the first Catamaran Sunset Luau. Local luau entertainment specialists, Pride of Polynesia, provide hula dancers and fiery torch dancers for the enjoyment of guests.

2005

The South Pacific-inspired Catamaran Spa opens with 10 treatment rooms, relaxation lounge, steam room, sauna, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and a whirlpool and fitness center that overlook Mission Bay.