Seven-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Avalon, California

• Day 1: Explore Avalon Harbor
  Start the day at the Avalon Harbor to enjoy the view of the quaint port town. Visit the Catalina Island Museum to learn about the island's history, stop at the Green Pier to go fishing, and then spend some time at the Casino Building to enjoy its art deco architecture. End the day with sunset at Flying Fish Beach.
• Day 2: Outdoor Excursions
  Engage in thrilling outdoor activities at Avalon on this day. Begin with a two-hour Zip Line Eco Tour through the canyons, followed by hiking at the Hermit Gulch Trail. Then, rent a kayak or paddleboard from the Descanso Beach Club to explore the ocean, ending the day with a cooking dinner on the beach with the Haypress Picnic Area.
• Day 3: Explore the botanical gardens and farms
  Spend the day amidst the lush botanical gardens and farms of Avalon. Start with a visit to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, followed by exploring the Avalon Lavender Farm and other local farms for fresh produce. End the day with a tour of the newly built Catalina Island Company's Country Club and Golf Course.
• Day 4: Beach Day
  If you want to relax on the beach, this is the perfect day for it. Enjoy a water adventure such as snorkeling or surfing at Descanso Beach and Pebbly Beach, which provides ample opportunities for marine life viewing. Finish off the day admiring sunset views at Descanso Beach Club.
• Day 5: Catalina Casino Tours
  Perfect for an overcast day, start by admiring the vintage ships at the fully operational Catalina Maritime Museum, followed by a Catalina Casino Tour to explore the legendary art deco casino. Round out this day by immersing into Avalon nightlife at the Luau Larry's tiki bar.
• Day 6: Shopping and Food Tour
  Take a leisurely stroll around the local shops to browse souvenirs, craft items, and local goods. Head to the Avalon Grille for a late lunch, then visit the Avalon Winery for wine tasting. The day should end with a trip to the Chimes Tower for sunset views.
• Day 7: Underwater Exploration
  Finish off the visit by exploring the vast ocean life with the Green Pier Dive Center's Scuba Diving and Snorkeling tours. End the day by relaxing with a picnic while watching the sun go down at the Lovers Cove Beach.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Catalina Island Museum: 2 hours.
  FREE Admission.
• Green Pier: 2 hours.
  $10 for fishing, $25 for a fishing rod rental.
• Casino Building: 1 hour.
  $15 for a self-guided tour.
• Flying Fish Beach: 1 hour.
  FREE Admission.
• Zip Line Eco Tour: 3 hours.
  $115 per person.
• Hermit Gulch Trail: 2 hours.
  FREE Admission.
• Descanso Beach Club: 2 hours.
  $40 for kayak rental, $30 for paddleboard rental.
• Haypress Picnic Area: 2 hours.
  FREE Admission.
• Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden: 2 hours.
  $15 Admission.
• Avalon Lavender Farm: 1 hour.
  FREE Admission, $5 for self-harvesting lavender bundles.
• Catalina Island Company's Country Club and Golf Course: 1 hour.
  $45 for a round of golf.
• Descanso Beach: 2 hours.
  $2 admission fee, rentals for kayaks, snorkel gear, and surfing boards starting from $15.
• Pebbly Beach: 2 hours.
  FREE Admission.
• Descanso Beach Club: 2 hours.
  $10 admission fee.
• Catalina Maritime Museum: 2 hours.
  $17.50 admission fee.
• Catalina Casino Tour: 1 hour.
  $15 admission fee.
• Luau Larry's: 2 hours.
  $15-20 for cocktails.
• Avalon Grille: 1 hour.
  $20-40 for lunch.
• Avalon Winery: 1 hour.
  $15 for wine tasting.
• Chimes Tower: 1 hour.
  FREE Admission.
• Green Pier Dive Center's Scuba Diving and Snorkeling tours: 2 hours.
  $110 per person.
• Lovers Cove Beach: 2 hours.
  FREE Admission.
Total Estimated Costs: $472.5

Transportation:

Since the island can be accessed through the Catalina Express ferry or a helicopter, transportation has a significant cost. The ferry operates on a regular schedule, with fares varying between $75-80 for a round trip from Long Beach. Helicopter service is available for $320 for a round trip. For local transportation, visitors can rent golf carts, bikes, or hike. Rental rates for golf carts vary from $50-$100 per hour, depending on the season.

Useful Tips:

If visitors have an additional day, they can visit Two Harbours, a town located on the less developed portion of the island. Moreover, if visitors only have five days, it is recommended to skip the botanical gardens and farms tour, beach day, and Lover's Cove beach, as these have similar vibes to the one at the Descanso Beach Club.

Airports:

Avalon can only be accessed by boat, helicopter, or private planes. The closest commercial airports are the Long Beach Airport (LGB) located 23 miles or John Wayne Airport (SNA) located 39 miles from the island.