Mexico & Pacific Coast
Quick Facts: Santa Catalina Island, CA, USA | Avalon Tender Pier (Pebbly Beach Road area) | Tender port — no direct docking | 0.5 miles to Avalon town center | Pacific Time (UTC−8, UTC−7 DST)
Avalon is one of those rare cruise stops where the town itself is the attraction — a walkable, golf-cart-filled Mediterranean-style village clinging to the hillside above a postcard harbor. Because ships anchor offshore and tender passengers ashore, budget an extra 30–45 minutes each way for the tender process, especially on busy days when lines form at the gangway.
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Port & Terminal Information
The ship anchors in Avalon Bay and tenders passengers to the Avalon Tender Pier, located on Pebbly Beach Road at the edge of the Avalon waterfront. There is no large cruise terminal building — you step off the tender and you’re essentially already in town. Find your bearings on Google Maps.
- Tender timing: Tenders typically run every 20–30 minutes. Check your ship’s daily schedule for the last tender back — missing it is not an option.
- Facilities at the pier: Minimal. A small tourist kiosk with maps, public restrooms nearby on Crescent Avenue, no ATM at the pier itself.
- ATMs: Available at Bank of the West on Crescent Avenue, about a 4-minute walk from the tender landing.
- Wi-Fi: No reliable Wi-Fi at the pier; head to Avalon’s cafes along Crescent Ave within 5 minutes on foot.
- Distance to city center: 0.5 miles on foot along the waterfront promenade — flat, scenic, and completely walkable.
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Getting to the City
Avalon is tiny — 1 square mile — and nearly everything is reachable on foot or by golf cart. No rental cars are permitted for visitors.
- On Foot — The waterfront promenade (Crescent Avenue) puts you at the Casino, Green Pleasure Pier, and most restaurants within 10–15 minutes of stepping off the tender. This is genuinely the best way to get around.
- Golf Cart Rental — The island’s signature transport. Rent from Catalina Island Golf Cart Rentals (near the pier) for approximately $75–$120 for 2 hours; book ahead in summer as carts sell out. The private guided golf cart tour on Viator is a premium option if you’d rather not navigate yourself.
- Taxi/Shuttle — Island Taxi operates small shared vans; fares within Avalon run $5–$8 per person. Useful for getting up to the Wrigley Memorial with luggage or if walking is a concern.
- Bus (Catalina Safari Bus) — Runs from Avalon to Two Harbors (the island’s other settlement) for approximately $35 each way; departs once daily. Only relevant for a very long port day.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — Not available in Avalon in the traditional bus sense. The scenic tram tour is the closest equivalent.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it specifically for interior island access (eco-tours, zip lines) where the ship’s excursion guarantees your return. For Avalon itself, go independently and save money.
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Top Things to Do in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island
Avalon punches well above its size — there’s genuine history, wildlife, and water activities packed into a very small radius. Here are the highlights worth your time.
Must-See
1. Catalina Casino (free exterior / $40 tour) — This 1929 Art Deco landmark dominates the north end of the harbor and has never been a gambling casino — it’s a ballroom and cinema. The interior is stunning, and the Casino VIP Backstage Tour on Viator (from $40, 1 hour) takes you behind the scenes of the Avalon Theatre and the enormous ballroom. Allow 30–60 minutes.
2. Avalon Scenic Tour (from $31.15) — The Discover Avalon Catalina Scenic Tour on Viator covers the town and hillside viewpoints in a 50-minute narrated tram ride — ideal for orientation if you arrive and want the lay of the land immediately. Great for first-timers.
3. Crescent Avenue Waterfront Stroll (free) — The main promenade runs the length of the harbor, lined with restaurants, boutiques, and the iconic Green Pleasure Pier. This is where Avalon’s social life happens. 30 minutes minimum.
Beaches & Nature
4. Descanso Beach Club (free beach access / $3 chair rental) — A short walk or golf cart ride north of the Casino, this is the most pleasant beach day option with calm water, a beach bar, and snorkel rentals (~$15). Arrive early for a chair. 2–3 hours.
5. Yellow Semi-Submarine Tour (from $53) — Sit below the waterline and watch Catalina’s famous kelp forests and garibaldi fish glide past without getting wet. Book on Viator — it departs from the Green Pleasure Pier and takes 45 minutes. Genuinely impressive marine life visibility.
6. Snorkeling at Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve (free / $15 gear rental) — A protected cove a 10-minute walk east of the pier where garibaldi (California’s state marine fish, bright orange) swim up to you. One of the best free activities on the island. 1–2 hours.
7. Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden ($7) — A 1.5-mile walk or short taxi ride up Avalon Canyon, this garden showcases plants endemic only to Catalina Island. Quiet, beautiful, and genuinely educational. 45–60 minutes.
Day Trips
8. Two Harbors ($35 bus each way) — The island’s remote second settlement with no cars, a dive bar, and spectacular hiking. Only realistic on a full-day port call of 9+ hours. Check the Safari Bus schedule before committing.
Family Picks
9. Avalon Scavenger Hunt (from $29) — A self-guided adventure through Avalon’s streets that kids genuinely enjoy. Book on GetYourGuide and it works on your phone with no guide needed. 2 hours.
10. Avalon Self-Guided Audio Tour (from $6.99) — Best value on the island. Download before you leave the ship and walk at your own pace through Avalon’s history. Book on Viator. 50 minutes.
11. Glass-Bottom Boat Tour (~$25 adults, $15 kids) — Departs from the Green Pleasure Pier every 45 minutes. Short, fun, and entirely suitable for young children. 40 minutes.
Off the Beaten Track
12. El Rancho Escondido & Interior Jeep Tours (varies, ~$60–$90) — The Catalina Island Conservancy runs inland wildlife tours to see bison (yes, bison — brought for a 1924 film and never left), fox, and eagle habitat. Departs from the Conservancy office on Sumner Ave. Book in advance.
13. Avalon Casino Ballroom Movie ($12) — If your ship is in overnight or late-departing, the 1929 theatre still screens films on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Art Deco interior alone is worth the ticket.
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What to Eat & Drink
Avalon’s food scene is casual, seafood-forward, and pleasantly unpretentious — this is a beach town, not a fine-dining destination. Prices run higher than the mainland given the island’s logistics, but portions are generous.
- Steve’s Steakhouse — Best waterfront views; seafood and steaks; Crescent Ave; $25–$45 mains
- Avalon Grille — Local favorite for fresh fish tacos and crab; Crescent Ave; $15–$22
- Luau Larry’s — Tiki bar vibes, strong mai tais, cheap nachos; on the waterfront; $10–$18
- Lloyd’s Bakery — Island-famous for date nut rolls and pastries; Sumner Ave; under $6; a genuine local institution
- Eric’s on the Pier — Casual counter service, best breakfast burrito on the island; Green Pleasure Pier; $10–$14
- The Lobster Trap — Focused menu of lobster, clams, and chowder; Beacon St; $20–$38
- Chi Chi Club — Late-night cocktails with live music on weekends; Crescent Ave; cocktails $14–$18
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Shopping
Crescent Avenue and Metropole Avenue are the two main shopping streets, both walkable from the tender pier in under 10 minutes. The best local buys are Catalina pottery (look for tiles and pieces in the signature blue-and-orange island glaze, produced here in the 1930s), handmade jewelry, and island-branded gear that actually looks good rather than typical tourist schlock.
Skip the generic souvenir T-shirt shops — there are
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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