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Catalina and Avalon
Start with the ferry journey, then choose between an Avalon day trip and an island stay. Check current sailing and activity arrangements before booking.
- Guides
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- Checked places
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Image: Avalon Harbor, Catalina Island | Photo by Spatms on Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
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Map
Map of Catalina and Avalon
The map places Catalina and Avalon and its checked places in California; use it to compare travel distances between the coast, wine country, islands, mountains, and desert.
Loading the visitor map…You can also choose an area from the list below.
California regions
1SausalitoGolden Gate ferry day-trip town with a Bridgeway waterfront, Fort Baker, and the Army Corps Bay Model.2YountvilleDestination-dining base in the Napa Valley, home to The French Laundry and Domaine Chandon.3St. Helena / CalistogaUpvalley wine-country towns with historic wineries, a castle, spas, and the Old Faithful geyser.4South Lake TahoeTwo-season lake and ski base on the California shore, with Emerald Bay and Heavenly Mountain Resort.5MendocinoNorth Coast bucket-list village wrapped by headlands, with a lighthouse and redwood-canyon parks.6Cannery RowAquarium and Steinbeck waterfront corridor along Monterey Bay, from Cannery Row to Fisherman's Wharf.7CarmelTiny coastal town of galleries and inns beside Carmel Beach, the Carmel Mission, and Point Lobos.8Big SurThe cliff-hugging Highway 1 drive past McWay Falls, redwood state parks, and Nepenthe.9Santa BarbaraDowntown State Street and the waterfront, with the Old Mission, Stearns Wharf, and the courthouse.10Santa Monica / VeniceLA coastal neighborhoods from the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park to the Venice boardwalk.11AvalonFerry-and-island escape to Avalon, with the Casino landmark, Wrigley Garden, and Descanso Beach.12La Jolla CoveSan Diego coastal cove for snorkeling and sea lions, near Birch Aquarium and Torrey Pines.13Palm SpringsMid-century desert-resort core with the Aerial Tramway, Art Museum, and design shopping.
A practical plan for this area
Decide between an Avalon day trip and an island overnight before booking activities. For a day trip, choose one main stop such as the Casino tour or Descanso Beach and leave the rest of the visit flexible. An overnight gives more room for a slower harbor evening.
Getting there and back
Choose the mainland departure port and the correct island arrival before buying ferry tickets. Save both sailings, check-in instructions and the final trip back. Arrange the mainland return from the ferry terminal as a separate step.
Before you book
Book the return sailing as carefully as the outward one. Check whether your Casino visit needs a particular tour ticket and whether beach seating or activities require a separate reservation. Confirm accommodation baggage storage for an overnight.
If plans change
If sailing conditions change, check the operator’s rebooking options before travelling to the mainland port. A tight onward flight makes a weather-dependent island visit a poor final-day choice.
Plan reviewed:
Guides
California planning guides
Region decisionNorthern vs Southern California: which coast to plan your first trip aroundCalifornia is too big to see in one trip, so pick a region and base, not a statewide loop. The Northern California coast — Sausalito, Mendocino, Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur — is cooler, foggier, and more about dramatic coastline and redwoods. The Southern California coast — Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, La Jolla, and Catalina — is warmer, more about beaches and cities, and easier with kids. Palm Springs desert and Lake Tahoe are add-ons that pull you inland. Choose by weather, driving tolerance, and whether you want scenery or beach time.Family coast plannerCalifornia coast with kids: aquariums, piers, and easy beach daysThe kid-friendly California coast is built from three things: two major aquariums (Monterey Bay in the north, Birch at Scripps in the south), piers for rides or waterfront time (Santa Monica's Pacific Park and Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf), and easy sea-life spots like La Jolla Cove, Old Fisherman's Wharf, and Catalina's Descanso Beach. Pick the region first, then anchor each day on one aquarium or pier and keep the beach loose. Budget the admissions — Monterey Bay is about $65 adult and $50 for ages 5–17 as of 2026, with children four and under free — and book aquariums online to smooth entry.
Planning categories
Hotels, restaurants and things to do in Catalina and Avalon
Checked visitor places
Places to visit
