Major city · United States
Avalon
Give Avalon one night if you want the Casino and a cove; two nights if you also want the interior or Two Harbors. Day-trippers get about 5 usable hours.
Avalon is the only real town on Santa Catalina Island, 22 miles off the Southern California coast, and almost everyone arrives by fast ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point. It is small, walkable and car-light: golf carts and bicycles do the work, and the water — not the streets — is the reason to come. One night covers the Casino, the museum and a cove; two nights let you add the Wrigley Memorial or a run to Two Harbors.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, ferry sell-outs), Dec–Feb (some businesses close midweek)
- Airports
- AVX · LGB · LAX
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Avalon911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Avalon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyAvalon is a low-crime resort town and the main risks are practical: sun and dehydration on the trails, steep stairs and hills…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAVX Catalina Airport (Airport in the Sky) (Private and charter aircraft only; no scheduled airline service.
- Getting aroundWalk the flat core: the pier, Crescent Avenue, the Casino and the museum are all within 15 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or pastry$5–9
- BeerDraft beer or a cocktail$8–16
- Museum or sight ticketCatalina Island Museum, adult$17
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomUS$600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$100 · Mid US$180 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AVX Catalina Airport (Airport in the Sky) (Private and charter aircraft only; no scheduled airline service. On the island's ridge, about 30 min by road from Avalon.) · LGB Long Beach Airport (Closest mainland gateway to the Catalina Express terminal in downtown Long Beach.) · LAX Los Angeles International (Main international gateway; allow 45–90 min by road to the San Pedro or Long Beach ferry terminals, more in traffic.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Avalon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the flat core: the pier, Crescent Avenue, the Casino and the museum are all within 15 minutes on foot. Golf carts are the local standard for the hills and Hamilton Cove, bicycles cover more ground, and a seasonal shuttle and taxi vans fill the gaps. Golf carts are not allowed on roads leaving Avalon, so the interior needs a bike, a tour or a boat.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Two Harbors
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h by boat
Seasonal ferry from Avalon, or the Cyclone powerboat; some visitors hike or bike the 20-mile Trans-Catalina route
Quieter village with camping and a beach; the boat is the sane option, the trail is a full day.
Airport in the Sky (AVX)
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Conservancy shuttle or a guided interior tour; no public road access by golf cart
The airport restaurant is the draw; confirm the shuttle runs on your date.
Interior trails and the island's far side
cautionDoor to door: Varies
Bike or hike with a same-day Conservancy permit
Hilly, exposed and no water on some routes; carry more than you think you need.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Crescent Avenue and the waterfront
Steps from the ferry pier, restaurants and the beach; noisiest and priciest, and the easiest base for one night.
Avalon Canyon Road and the country club
Inland, quieter, 15–25 min walk uphill from the pier; better for golf, the Wrigley Memorial and longer stays.
Hamilton Cove
Condominium complex about 2 miles north of town; needs a golf cart or shuttle, good for groups and longer rentals.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$300 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$180 | US$360 |
| Catalina Express round trip from Long Beach or San Pedro2 × US$90 · check | US$180 |
| Golf cart rental, 1 hour1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Casino tour, adult2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$96 |
| Trip total≈ US$528 per person per day, bed included | US$1,056 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; ferry and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or pastry | $5–9 |
| Fish and chips or a burger on the pier | $16–26 |
| Draft beer or a cocktail | $8–16 |
| Golf cart rental, per hour | $50–70 (check) |
| Bicycle rental, per day | $12–40 |
| Casino tour, adult | $14.50 (check) |
| Catalina Island Museum, adult | $17 |
| Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, adult | $12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferries sell out on summer weekends and holidays: book the crossing before you book the room.
- Golf carts are banned on roads outside Avalon; do not plan to drive one to the interior.
- Hiking the interior needs a free permit from the Conservancy, picked up the same day.
- Many restaurants and shops close early or midweek in winter; check before a winter trip.
- Cell service is patchy on the interior trails and around the island's far side.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AvalonAvalon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies on Catalina; the nearest consulates-general are in Los Angeles. US visitors: this is a domestic trip, no passport needed.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Catalina Express, Long Beach or San Pedro → Avalon: about 1 h; round trip roughly $90 (check)
- Catalina Flyer, Newport Beach → Avalon: about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Island Express helicopter, San Pedro or Long Beach → Avalon: about 15 min; premium fare (check)
Say or show
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the ferry pier? — Where is the ferry pier?
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
- Is the trail open today? — Is the trail open today?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
English is the only language you need; cash is useful for small pier vendors and the golf-cart stands.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Avalon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, ferry sell-outs), Dec–Feb (some businesses close midweek) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for Avalon: last Catalina Express departures, weather cancellations, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the pier and Crescent Avenue, the Casino and Descanso, the museum and Metropole, Avalon Canyon.
- Place pages with verified hours (Casino tour, Catalina Island Museum, Wrigley Memorial) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dive and snorkel fixtures for Casino Point and Lover's Cove so water days can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Avalon
- officialCatalina Express
- officialCatalina Island Conservancy
- officialCatalina Island Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Avalon, revision 5240449 (CC BY-SA 4.0)