A Fun-Filled 5-Day Avalon, California Itinerary for Families

  • Day 1: Explore the Beach and Underwater Adventure
  • Start your day right with a visit to the famous Avalon Beach. Take a dip in the crystal-clear water or lounge on the soft sand while the kids build sandcastles. After you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy lunch at the Avalon Grille, where you can taste fresh seafood dishes while enjoying the stunning ocean view. In the afternoon, make your way to the Catalina Island Underwater Expedition. Get an up-close view of various marine creatures, such as the Garibaldi, seals, and sea lions. This one-hour journey is perfect for photo opportunities and educational insight into the local sea life.

  • Day 2: Take a Tour of Avalon’s Town and Museums
  • Embark on a unique golf-cart tour of Avalon, where you will learn about the rich history and culture of the town, including the iconic Casino. Next, make your way to the Catalina Island Museum, where you can explore the island's fascinating history through interactive exhibits and displays. End your day with dinner at the Bluewater Grill, which offers a wide variety of seafood dishes.

  • Day 3: Outdoor Adventures in Catalina Island
  • Start your day with breakfast at the Café Metropole, a cozy café that serves freshly baked pastries and delicious coffee. Then, head out to the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, where you can soar across five zip lines up to 1,100 feet long and 30 stories above the canyon floor. After the exhilarating adventure, enjoy an afternoon exploring the Botanic Garden, with its stunning and diverse arrays of nature and wildlife.

  • Day 4: Get Adventurous with the Family
  • Start the day with breakfast at the Original Jack's Country Kitchen, famous for its hearty breakfast dishes such as biscuits and gravy. Next, excursion to Catalina Island Descanso Beach, where you can enjoy a fun-filled day with the family by kayaking, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. Afterward, head to the Golf Gardens Miniature Golf, with two, 18-hole courses, and has Pacific island-themed, with a chance to take a selfie or two with the giant Tiki and Moai statues.

  • Day 5: Whale-Watching and Relaxed Island Time
  • Start your day with breakfast at CC Gallagher Bakery Cafe to fuel up energizing before a 2-hour Catalina Island Whale-Watching Expedition. Later, head back to the beach for some relaxed island time under some sun and an ideal place to curl up with a book or magazine.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Avalon Grille (1 hour, $15-50)
  • Catalina Island Underwater Expedition (1 hour, $18-45)
  • Casino Tour (1.5 hours, $15-38)
  • Catalina Island Museum (1-2 hours, $5-17)
  • Bluewater Grill (1 hour, $20-50)
  • Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour (2-2.5 hours, $135)
  • Botanic Garden (1 hour, $8-16)
  • Original Jack's Country Kitchen (1 hour, $10-25)
  • Catalina Island Descanso Beach (2 hours, free-50)
  • Golf Gardens Miniature Golf (1-2 hours, $10-20)
  • Catalina Island Whale Watching Expedition (2 hours, $75-110)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $304-$486

Transportation

There are ferry services available for travel to and from Avalon, California. The Catalina Express operates from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point. Round trip fare between Long Beach to Avalon is around $75 per adult and takes approximately 1 hour. Visitors may use taxis or rent golf carts, bicycles, or mini-mokes to get around Avalon.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider taking a ride on the glass-bottom boat, where you can be one with aquatic life. Sun lovers can take a day trip to the Ropers Beach, the perfect place for some beach sports like volleyball or Ultimate Frisbee, while Diving enthusiasts can arrange for a diving session. To shorten the trip, eliminate the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour, the Golf Gardens Miniature Golf or the Catalina Island Descanso Beach from your itinerary.

Airports

The nearest airport to Avalon, California is the Long Beach Airport (LGB), which is approximately 22 miles away from the city center. Major airlines such as JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines provide services here.

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