Located in the south-east portion of Santa Catalina Island, Avalon is the only city on an island dedicated to natural beauty, conservation and hiking. Avalon is a picturesque city with art galleries, high-quality restaurants and a true island hideaway vibe.

Things to do

The downtown Avalon area is the perfect place to stroll around and experience the town’s laid-back coastal spirit. Shop for handcrafted souvenirs at SunKissed or browse the local art at the Catalina Art Gallery.

Many of Avalon’s excellent restaurants specialising in seafood, caught fresh from the surrounding waters. Bluewater Grill is a standout favourite among locals and visitors alike, while Maggie’s Blue Rose has some of the best Mexican food around.

The Catalina Island Museum have other traveling art exhibitions. The permanent exhibits are where you can learn about Santa Catalina Island’s rich history and gain a better appreciation of the island’s various roles.

Santa Catalina Island has dozens of kilometres of hiking trails that offer stunning scenery and glimpses of local wildlife. If you’re lucky, you may spot a Catalina Island fox or the island’s herd of around 150 bisons.

Getting around

You can reach Santa Catalina Island either by air or boat. The helicopter ride takes around 15 minutes, while the boat ride is about one hour. Within Avalon, it’s easy to explore on foot, but there’s also a bus that travels through the town.