5-Day Itinerary for Avalon, California on a Shoestring Budget

• Day 1: Start your day at the Catalina Island Museum to learn about the history of Avalon. Head over to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden for stunning views and explore the botanical gardens. End your day with a stroll along the Avalon Pier.
• Day 2: Take a morning hike on the Hermit Gulch Trail to see the beautiful scenery of the island. Refresh yourself with a swim at the Crescent Beach. Enjoy a sunset dinner at Antonio's Pizzeria and Cabaret.
• Day 3: Explore the Catalina Island Casino, which houses a movie theatre and a museum of art. Walk to Descanso Beach Club for sunbathing and cocktails. Try delicious freshly made taffy at Lloyd's of Avalon.
• Day 4: Take a glass-bottom boat tour to see the colorful marine life and Ship Rock. Afterwards, visit the Avalon Grille for lunch. End your day with a hike around Cape Canyon.
• Day 5: Enjoy a leisurely morning breakfast at Catalina Coffee and Cookie Co. Rent a kayak and paddle around Lover's Cove to see the underwater gardens. Head back to the mainland by ferry and catch the sunset on the way.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Catalina Island Museum (2 hours, $17)
• Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden (2 hours, $7)
• Avalon Pier (1 hour, free)
• Hermit Gulch Trail (3 hours, free)
• Crescent Beach (2 hours, free)
• Antonio's Pizzeria and Cabaret (1.5 hours, $15)
• Catalina Island Casino (2 hours, $5)
• Descanso Beach Club (3 hours, $25)
• Lloyd's of Avalon (30 mins, $5)
• Glass-bottom boat tour (2 hours, $50)
• Avalon Grille (1.5 hours, $20)
• Cape Canyon (2 hours, free)
• Catalina Coffee and Cookie Co (1 hour, $10)
• Lover's Cove Kayak rental (2 hours, $40)
Total Estimated Costs: $211

Transportation

To get to Avalon, visitors need to take a ferry from Long Beach, Dana Point or San Pedro. Round trip fares range from $75 to $100 and the travel time is about an hour. Once on the island, tourists can walk, bike, or take a taxi or golf cart. Taxis and golf carts can be expensive, so it's best to plan ahead and walk or bike when possible to save money.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking a guided zip line tour or renting a bike and exploring the island more. For those with less time, shorten the itinerary by skipping repeat attractions and choosing a few options from the list.

Airports

The closest airport to Avalon is the Long Beach Airport (LGB), code LGB, which is about 22 miles away. John Wayne Airport (SNA), code SNA, is about 45 miles away, while the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), code LAX, is approximately 50 miles away. Visitors can take shuttles or taxis from these airports to their ferry departure location or hotel.