Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island

Welcome to The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island.

The Avalon is one of Santa Catalina Island’s premier hotels. We invite you to discover an environment of understated elegance, where luxurious bedding, unique artwork and hand-crafted hardwoods and tile combine to create an enchanting experience. Most of our Catalina Island hotel rooms have breath-taking ocean views of Avalon harbor and its scenic surroundings. We offer a range of room sizes all with deluxe king or queen beds and an array of amenities. Some of our Avalon hotel rooms can also accommodate a Murphy bed for additional family or friends.

Whether you are relaxing in your room, taking in the spectacular ocean view from our roof-top deck or spending a quiet moment in our garden patio, you’ll be able to savor your Catalina Island vacation. With a distinctive Craftsman style and unique accents designed just for the hotel, the surroundings of The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island create an enticing retreat that will become the foundation of your Catalina Island vacation.

Our guests can expect to be welcomed into our Catalina boutique hotel with warm Avalon bed and breakfast hospitality. At The Avalon you’ll discover that hand-crafted accents, luxurious decor and attention to detail are our hallmarks. We’ve worked hard to make sure your comfort is our first priority.

Whether you are a regular island visitor or this is your first trip to California we can help make your Catalina Island getaway one to remember. Within the pages of our website you’ll discover an array of resources, including Catalina vacation packages, Avalon vacation deals and a number of island vacation ideas. All of which are designed to make planning your trip to Santa Catalina Island, California, almost as fun as being here.

Each of The Avalon Hotel’s 15 guest rooms have been designed with the ultimate in guest comfort in mind. Decadent bedding, complimentary in-room refreshments and custom furnishings are just some of the many amenities you’ll discover.

The Avalon Hotel offers premier boutique hotel accommodations in the heart of beautiful Catalina Island. From classic Craftsman styling and deluxe bedding to a relaxed atmosphere and upscale bath amenities, The Avalon Hotel offers a unique hotel experience to every one of our welcomed guests.

Amenities

• Continental breakfast
• Custom bath amenities
• Bed and breakfast hospitality
• Taxi from boat terminal
• Craftsman style
• Garden patio with koi pond and firepit
• Afternoon refreshments
• Internet service
• Binoculars, gps units and laptops available

The breathtaking views from our Rooftop Getaway are sure to be a highlight of your stay at The Avalon Hotel. With a 360-degree vista of Avalon and its charming harbor, the Rooftop offers the ideal spot to sightsee and relax. Lounge chairs and tables are provided for your convenience.

The captivating fountain in the Garden Patio is just one of its many accouterments. You’ll also discover a fire pit, secluded seating and intricate landscaping.
 

Modern conveniences abound in this icon of early Californian architecture. Most rooms feature either 20 or 30 inch flat screens. High-speed internet connections are available for your convenience in each room at no extra charge. We also have in-room DVD/CD players. Laptop computers, binoculars and GPS units can be borrowed from the front desk if needed.

Continental just begins to describe our complimentary breakfast. Served from 7:30 to 10 a.m., the breakfast features fresh fruit, bagels, granola and muffins as well as fresh orange juice, organic coffee and a full selection of teas.

Located just off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island offers a resort experience that is very accessible. Visitors have a variety of transportation choices, from an hour-long ferry ride to a 15-minute helicopter ride. Transportation to Catalina Island is available at five mainland ports in Southern California. Once you arrive on the island most visitors are able to walk to destinations around Avalon. Taxis and shuttle busses can also get you where you want to go.

Catalina Island Ports

Catalina Island is home to two ports, one in the popular resort town of Avalon, and one in the rural community of Two Harbors.

Most visitors arrive on this Southern California island in Avalon, where they will find small beaches, restaurants, hotels, boat rentals, and many more businesses catering to tourists. Two Harbors is a tiny resort village offering just one hotel, one restaurant and a general store.

How to get to Catalina

Visitors have a range of transportation options for getting from the mainland to Catalina Island, including public ferries, helicopters, private boats and private airplanes. Helicopters and ferries depart from several ports in Southern California.

Catalina Express: This Catalina Island ferry offers year -round passenger service to Catalina with up to 30 daily departures from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. For boat information, directions, schedules and fares, visit www.catalinaexpress.com.

Catalina – Marina del Rey Flyer: This high-speed catamaran is convenient to the Westside and offers service to both Avalon and Two Harbors. For boat information, directions, schedules, fares and online ticket sales, visit www.catalinaferries.com.

Catalina Flyer Passenger Service:  The Catalina Flyer offers service from Newport Beach. For boat information, directions, schedules, fares and online ticket sales, visit www.catalinainfo.com.

Island Express Helicopter Service:  Visitors looking for a faster way to travel to Catalina can hop aboard the Island Express for a 15-minute flight to Catalina. Island Express helicopters operate charter on demand from 8am-sunset, departing from heliports in Long Beach and San Pedro. Luggage is limited to 25 pounds per person; passenger weight will be needed for reservations. For directions, fares and reservations, visit www.islandexpress.com.

 Catalina Island Terminals

Ferries and helicopters depart from several different locations along the Southern California coast. Visitors will want to confirm their departure location, time and date before travel, and allow ample time to find parking. Directions to terminals are listed below

Catalina Express

Long Beach Catalina Downtown Landing: Take the 710 Freeway south into Long Beach. Follow signs to downtown and exit Golden Shore. Turn right at stop sign, follow around to terminal on the right. Parking in parking structure on the left.

Long Beach Queen Mary: Take the 710 Freeway south into Long Beach. Follow all signs to the Queen Mary, which will lead you to the Catalina Express Port in the Queen Mary parking lot.

San Pedro: Take the 110 Freeway south into San Pedro. Take the Terminal Island, Exit 47 ramp. Stay in the right lane, exit Harbor Blvd. Follow signs to Catalina Terminal, Berth 95, entrance across Harbor Blvd. If you’re coming from Long Beach you can take Ocean Blvd. west, cross over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, and take the Harbor Blvd. exit.

Dana Point:

From Los Angeles – Take I-5 Freeway South & exit at Pacific Coast Highway.

From San Diego – Take I-5 Freeway North & exit at Beach Cities, Highway #1 off the ramp. Take a left at the signal, (Dana Point Harbor Drive) then left at Golden Lantern, which dead ends at Dana Harbor parking lot.

Catalina – Marina del Rey Flyer: Take the 405 freeway to the 90 west (Marina Del Rey Freeway) until freeway ends. Go straight to the third signal. Make a left on Mindanao. Make a left on Lincoln. Make a right on Fiji and go 1/2 mile to Fisherman’s Village. Enter parking lot near El Torito Restaurant. Ticket office is just left of the lighthouse.

Catalina Flyer Passenger Service Terminal at Newport Beach: Take the 405 Freeway to the 55 Freeway South. The 55 ends and becomes Newport Blvd, which ends and becomes Balboa Blvd. Travel 2 miles on Balboa Blvd. Turn left on Main St. for the terminal at the Balboa Pavilion or turn right on Palm Street for long-term parking.
 
Island Express Helicopters

Long Beach Queen Mary. Take the 710 Freeway south into Long Beach. Stay to the right and follow all signs to the Queen Mary/Port of Long Beach. Enter the Queen Mary parking lot and keep to the right, following the signs saying heliport. They will take you to the last parking lot. Park on the right side and the offices are about 200 feet from the parking area.

San Pedro: Take the 110 Freeway south into San Pedro. Take the Terminal Island, Exit 47 ramp. Stay in the right lane, exit Harbor Blvd. Follow signs to Catalina Terminal entrance across Harbor Blvd. If you’re coming from Long Beach you can take Ocean Blvd. west, cross over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, and take the Harbor Blvd. exit.

Catalina Island hiking and Catalina Island walking tours

Most of the city of Avalon is ideal for walking, whether it’s a quick jaunt to the Catalina Island Museum, (310) 510-2414, in the Catalina Casino Building or a more challenging visit to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, located a couple of miles up Avalon Canyon Road. More intrepid visitors may want to plan a multi-trip expedition to take on the Trans-Catalina trail.

Catalina Island zipline

Avalon’s newest adventure whisks visitors at 45 miles per hour above a dramatic canyon. One of the only ziplines in Southern California, the Catalina Island zipline opened in 2010 and has been thrilling guests ever since. Catalina Island zipline packages can be arranged through The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island.

Catalina Island bike rentals and Catalina Island mountain biking

Bicycle rentals are widely available in Avalon, including beach cruisers and tandem bikes as well as helmets for the younger generation. If you’re looking for little more adventure, mountain biking, including tours and rentals, is available in Catalina Island’s rugged interior and electric bike tours can show you the sights while giving you a boost up Avalon’s steeper hillsides.

Catalina Island golf cart rentals

For those looking to save their legs, renting a golf cart does just that. Golf carts are the chosen method of transportation for Avalon residents, so it’s no wonder that a recent survey showed that renting a cart is the most popular activity for visitors. Two companies rent golf carts in Avalon: Catalina Cartopia, (310) 510-2493, and Island Rentals, (310) 510-1456.

Catalina Underwater Adventures and Catalina Island watersports

Catalina Island scuba diving

Chosen as the top North American dive destination by readers of Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine, the island offers an unmatched opportunity for both Avalon shore and Catalina boat diving. Gear rentals, classes, boat dives and introduction dives are available from dive shops in Avalon. Divers will also enjoy experiencing the Casino Point Dive Park, the first municipal dive park in the country. Catalina Island scuba diving can be arranged through Scuba Luv, Catalina Dive Shop or Catalina Divers Supply.

Santa Catalina Island snorkeling

Snorkeling has long been a favorite Catalina Island activity and can be undertaken by anyone who can swim. Water temperatures usually exceed 70 degrees in the summer and rarely drop below 60 degrees even in the winter. Even so, many who choose to take the plunge opt to rent a wetsuit along with the rest of their gear. Taking the plunge can be as uncomplicated as renting equipment, buying some frozen peas to feed the fish and walking out to Lover’s Cove. Guided tours of the cove are available through Catalina Snorkel and Scuba. Or, for those looking for a bit more adventure, several companies, including Wet Spot Rentals and Snorkeling Catalina, offer guided tours to secluded island coves.

Catalina Island boat tours

Visitors who would rather let the fish be the ones who get wet have a couple of choices to experience Catalina’s undersea gardens. Several Catalina glass bottom boats offer both day and night time cruises into Lover’s Cove, where passengers can watch vast schools of tame fish swarm beneath the vessels, eager for a handout. Three semi-submersibles take the concept one step further. Passengers actually sit beneath the waterline, giving them a fish’s eye view on the daytime and nighttime marine life action in Lover’s Cove. Glass bottom boat trips and semi-submersible tours are available through Catalina Discovery Tours or Catalina Adventure Tours.

Catalina whale watching, Catalina fishing & Catalina Island adventures

Catalina Island ocean adventures abound and include rafting tours, Catalina para-sailing and renting jetskis in Catalina. Whale watching around Catalina Island includes regular opportunities to see California gray whales and the majestic blue whales and well as several species of dolphin that frequent Catalina waters. Catalina charter fishing boats are available to take you in pursuit of marlin, tuna and other game fish.

The Conservancy’s 42,000 acres represent about 86 percent of an island that is visited by more than 1 million visitors a year. Those visitors represent an ideal opportunity for the Conservancy to share its mission of education.

For more information about the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy or to make a financial contribution, visit www.CatalinaConservancy.org.

Conservation

Formed in 1972 by the Wrigley family, the Conservancy was charged with preserving the island in its natural state for perpetuity. In 1975, the family deeded more than 42,000 island acres to the newly formed organization and developed its mission, which is to balance conservation, education and recreational uses on the island.

Catalina Island Conservation

Conservation continues to be the Conservancy’s most important purpose. In Avalon, visitors can find an example of that purpose at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, where native plants are showcased alongside exotic succulents. Catalina Island is home to a number of plants that are found nowhere else on earth, and much of the Conservancy’s work is spent eliminating introduced plants in order to give the native plants a better chance at long-term survival.

Catalina Island Fox and Catalina Island bald eagle populations

Working hand-in-hand with another organization, the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the Conservancy has already ensured the long-term survival of two animal species whose future on the island was in doubt. Bald eagles once again make their homes in the skies above Catalina and Island foxes will continue to forage on its hills and valleys, thanks to the efforts of the two organizations.

Whether you’re planning a special anniversary, a getaway with your best friends or a dream wedding, your surroundings set the stage for memories that will last a lifetime.

Catalina Island is the ideal location for getting away from it all without the hassles of a destination event. With its island setting, dramatic vistas and the quaint village of Avalon, Catalina makes an event special before it even begins.

Business meetings, executive retreats and strategic planning sessions are ideal on the island and meeting space is available on Catalina. The Avalon Hotels family of properties can meet your needs for on-site small meeting space, hospitality and distinctive accommodations.

At The Avalon Hotel we understand how important your event is and we consider it our responsibility to make sure that your accommodations reflect the elegant tone that you want your event to convey.

Please feel free to call our experienced hospitality staff to inquire about making your event special at The Avalon Hotel.