A 7-Day Volunteering Itinerary for Avalon, California

• Day 1: Visit the Catalina Island Conservancy and volunteer for a day of trail maintenance. You'll get to enjoy beautiful views of the island while giving back to nature. Afterward, explore the town of Avalon, grab a bite to eat at Luau Larry's, and indulge in some souvenir shopping.
• Day 2: Head over to the Catalina Island Humane Society and spend a day with the cats and dogs, helping with feeding, cleaning, and socializing the animals. In the afternoon, take a guided kayaking tour of the island's coastline and enjoy the stunning scenery.
• Day 3: Join a beach clean-up organized by the Clean the Beach Club, and help keep the shores of Avalon pristine. Afterward, relax on the beach or take a stroll through the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden.
• Day 4: Spend the day at the Avalon Grille and volunteer as a server or host, assisting the staff with the busy lunch and dinner service. In the evening, catch a movie at the historic Avalon Theatre or watch a performance at the Catalina Island Performing Arts Foundation.
• Day 5: Volunteer at the Catalina Island Medical Center and assist the healthcare professionals with various tasks. Afterward, take a scenic drive up to the Airport in the Sky and enjoy lunch and panoramic views of the island.
• Day 6: Give back to the marine life of Avalon by volunteering at the Catalina Island Marine Institute, helping with animal feedings, laboratory work, and other tasks. Follow it up with a guided snorkeling tour of the island's underwater world.
• Day 7: Join a community service event organized by the Avalon Lions Club and help with various projects around the town. In the afternoon, take a relaxing walk through the Hermit Gulch Trail or rent a bike and explore the scenic paths of the island.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Catalina Island Conservancy (6 hours, free)
• Catalina Island Humane Society (6 hours, free)
• Clean the Beach Club (4 hours, free)
• Avalon Grille (6 hours, free)
• Catalina Island Medical Center (6 hours, free)
• Catalina Island Marine Institute (6 hours, free)
• Avalon Lions Club (4 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: $0

Transportation

Most of the activities in Avalon are within walking distance, so you might not need a car. However, if you want to explore more of the island or visit the Airport in the Sky, you can rent a golf cart or a bike. Alternatively, you can take the Safari Bus Tour, which takes you to the island's interior and offers stunning views. The cost of renting a golf cart or a bike is around $50 per day, while the Safari Bus Tour starts from $70 per person.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can explore other volunteering opportunities on the island, such as the Catalina Island Art Association or the Catalina Island Foundation. You can also try out various water activities, including scuba diving, paddleboarding, or parasailing. If you have less time, you can combine some of the volunteering activities with other sightseeing options or relax on the beach.

Airports

The nearest airport to Avalon is the Catalina Airport (AVX), which is located about 10 miles from the town center. It serves small aircraft and offers several daily flights from the mainland. Alternatively, you can arrive at the Long Beach Airport (LGB) or the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and take a ferry or a helicopter to Catalina Island. Both ferries and helicopters depart from several locations in the LA area and take around an hour to reach Avalon.