A Storybook Getaway to The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island

Story and photos by Greg Aragon

After a 60-minute cruise across the San Pedro Channel, we spotted the rugged island’s iconic round Catalina Casino and its tiny harbor full of colorful boats. We had made it to Catalina and our getaway to The Avalon Hotel was before us. Our journey to the island began aboard a Catalina Express high-speed catamaran, slicing smoothly through the deep blue water. After disembarking, we walked 15 minutes through town to the hotel, where we found a property so idyllic and charming, it reminded me of a Hallmark movie set.

A Masterclass in Cozy Design

The hotel blends the charm of a European seaside boutique with the warmth of a cozy bed-and-breakfast, greeting you with rich, beautifully hand-carved African teak wood wrapped around the lobby. After a warm and friendly greeting from the front desk, we checked into suite 206. Inside the room, we found a masterclass in efficiency. Built-in storage drawers offer tons of luggage space, and a clever office desk nook provides a dedicated workspace without crowding the room.

The sleeping arrangements are brilliantly flexible: a big, comfy queen bed anchors the space, supplemented by a cozy, fold-down Murphy bed. In the bathroom, old-fashioned black-and-white checkered tile floors add vintage luxury to the bathtub and shower combo.

One of the first things that struck us upon entering the room was the ocean view taking up the balcony door windows. From this vantage point, we could see the historic Catalina Casino and boats bobbing in the crescent-shaped harbor. Some people actually live and stay on those anchored boats, waking up over the water and literally swimming straight to the beach each day. Once acquainted with the room, we climbed up a couple flights of hotel stairs to a hidden rooftop paradise. This guest-only escape offers tables, chairs, and complimentary drinks, boasting panoramic views of the island and ocean.

The Charm of a Car-less Community

Location is everything, and the hotel sits just one block from the main drag. Like the rest of town, everything is within walking distance. A quick stroll from the hotel leads straight to the sand, where a roped-off beach area provides a safe haven for the kids to play. While here, we rented inner tubes and the kids zoomed in and out of the gentle waves and then built sandcastles. For lunch, we walked a couple blocks to Vons market and picked up some chicken and sandwiches from the deli. We then enjoyed a picnic on the beach.

After lunch, we explored town and one of Avalon’s most unique quirks: its vehicles. Because the city strictly limits the size and number of vehicles allowed on the island—resulting in a decades-long waiting list for a standard car—residents rely heavily on micro-vehicles. Amidst the sea of golf carts, Japanese Kei trucks stand out.

These tiny, 660cc-engine workhorses are imported directly from Japan. They are prized by locals because their narrow frames easily navigate Avalon’s tight, steep streets while legally bypassing standard vehicle size limits. My son and I love small trucks, and getting to look at them was one of the main reasons we came to the island.

To make our walks a little sweeter, we made a daily stop at Lloyd’s of Avalon for ice cream. Centrally located on Crescent Avenue, this legendary sweet shop has been a Catalina institution since 1934. The shop even holds a famous piece of Hollywood lore: a teenage, pre-fame Marilyn Monroe—then still known as Norma Jeane Dougherty—worked a part-time job right behind the counter during WWII.

Kelp Forests and Local History

The next morning, we headed down to the hotel’s patio for complimentary breakfast. Here, in a garden-like setting surrounded by a trickling fountain and a peaceful koi fish pond, we enjoyed fresh homemade pastries, hard-boiled eggs, toast, bagels, juice, and coffee.

We then took a glass-bottom boat tour out to Lovers Cove Marine Preserve, which offered a window into Catalina’s crystal-clear waters. Looking through the viewing panels, the ocean floor came alive with thick, towering amber kelp forests. Bright, neon-orange Garibaldi—California’s official state marine fish—darted through the kelp alongside schools of striped Opaleye, silver Kelp Bass, and camouflaged Calico Bass.

Back at the hotel, the rooftop deck provided the perfect spot to unwind and read up on the building’s history. The Avalon Hotel stands on ground steeped in island lore, built on the site of the original 1920s Catalina Hospital. Reimagined as a boutique hotel, it preserves the classic Craftsman architectural style that defined early 20th-century California coastal living, blending historical preservation with modern comfort.

Reading about the island, I learned that chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. bought the island in 1919 and shaped it into a premier destination. He even brought the Chicago Cubs here for spring training. Beyond Avalon’s town limits lies a wild interior managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. This backcountry is famous for its wild American bison. A movie crew originally brought 14 bison to the island in 1924 for a silent film shoot. When the production ran out of money to herd them back, Wrigley allowed them to stay. Today, a managed herd of about 150 bison still roams the golden hills. Visitors can explore this rugged side of the island via classic inland motor tour buses or rugged, open-air 4×4 Humvee eco-tours that climb up to the 1,500-foot peaks.

Scaling the Hills

Our next adventure was renting a golf cart. This is the island’s primary mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike, making the roads feel like a whimsical, slow-moving parade. Driving up the steep, winding hills reveals beautiful homes precariously perched on the cliffsides, alongside even more hidden tiny vans and utility trucks tucked into narrow driveways. Along the ridges, we encountered mule deer grazing by the roadside. These deer are not native either; they were introduced to the island in the 1930s to encourage tourism and have since completely adapted to the rugged terrain.

Local Flavor at The Lobster Trap

For dinner, we discovered a beloved island landmark tucked just off the main waterfront: The Lobster Trap. Stepping inside, the restaurant immediately wraps you in a lively, casual, and unapologetically maritime atmosphere. A giant replica fish hangs proudly from the ceiling, flat-screen TVs show sports games, and the energetic chatter of tourists and locals creates a welcoming, family-friendly hum. The extensive menu has plenty of crowd-pleasers. The kids kept it simple and completely cleared their plates with orders of golden chicken nuggets and a classic, juicy grilled hamburger. I opted for their signature lobster roll sandwich, featuring a perfectly grilled bun packed with chilled claw and knuckle meat tossed in a creamy, subtle tarragon sauce. It was the ultimate, authentic bite of coastal comfort food to fuel us after a long day of exploring.

Riding in Style with Catalina Express

The following morning, we said goodbye to The Avalon Hotel and boarded the Catalina Express. Upgrading to the Commodore Lounge granted us priority boarding to skip the lines and sink into spacious, leather-trimmed seats inside the exclusive upper-level cabin. With complimentary drinks and snacks in hand, we relaxed in quiet luxury on the smooth ride back, watching Catalina Island slowly dissolve into the ocean mist.

For more information on staying at The Avalon Hotel, visit The Avalon Hotel or call 310-510-7070. For more info on getting to the island, visit Catalina Express at Catalina Express or call 800-613-1212.