A Four-Day Itinerary to Explore Avalon, California

  • Day 1: Visit the Catalina Island Museum, explore the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, and take a plunge at Descanso Beach Club.
  • Day 2: Take a scenic hike to the Hermit Gulch Trail or for more adventure, go zip-lining at Zip Line Eco Tour. Head to Luau Larry's for happy hour and enjoy live music during evening at the Casino Ballroom.
  • Day 3: Get on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour, checking out the thriving marine life through the crystal clear water. After that, rent a bike to check out the Island's trails or cycle into the scenic town. Explore Avalon's local art scene at Open Studio Arts, and then enjoy lunch at The Lobster Trap.
  • Day 4: Head out for a snorkeling trip or scuba dive with instructors from Catalina Divers Supply. Later, have a relaxing time on the beach with a paddleboard rental, catch the sunset at the Catalina Casino history museum or grab a glass of wine with some cheese pairings from Bluewater Avalon.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Catalina Island Museum (2 hours, $17)
  • Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden (1 to 2 hours, $8)
  • Descanso Beach Club (3 to 4 hours for beach day pass, $105)
  • Hermit Gulch Trail (2 to 4 hours, free)
  • Zip Line Eco Tour (2.5 hours, $120)
  • Luau Larry's (2 to 3 hours, $10-$20 for food and drinks)
  • Casino Ballroom (2 to 3 hours, show tickets start at $15)
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour (1 hour, $38)
  • Bike rental (2 hours, $20)
  • Open Studio Arts (1- 2 hours, free entry with donation)
  • The Lobster Trap (1 hour, $10-$25 for food)
  • Snorkeling Trip (3 hours, $70)
  • Scuba Diving (3 hours, $180)
  • Paddleboard Rental (1 hour, $35)
  • Catalina Casino history Museum (2 hours, $15)
  • Bluewater Avalon (2 hours, $30 for two people)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $633 (excluding accommodations/transportation)

Transportation

To get to Avalon island, there are two ways; ferry or helicopter. The Catalina Express takes around an hour and costs $75 roundtrip, while the helicopter ride takes about 15 minutes and costs $250. Taxis, bikes or golf carts are the best transportation options to get around the island. For taxi fare, it will be $3 per person for a ride inside Avalon and the farther destination will cost around $5 per person on average. Bikes can cost $20 for a two-hour rental with discounts for longer rentals. Golf cart rentals are generally around $50-$100 a day for a two to four-seater.

Useful Tips

For travelers with more time on their hands, additional activities to add to the itinerary include kayaking, fishing, or camping. Those with less time may have to skip some trip activities or reduce time spent at each location. For instance, one can choose to have lunch and enjoy panoramic ocean views at The Avalon Grille or Steve's Steakhouse after exploring the Wrigley Memorial Garden on day 1, or combine zip-lining and the Hermit Gulch hike on day 2. Don't forget to dress in layers, and bring compatible footwear for exploring the island comfortably. Also, ensure you have cash or an ATM in handy as not all establishments accept credit cards.

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