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Avalon/Catalina Basics

Santa Catalina Island is one of the eight Channel Islands located off the Southern California coast. With a year-round population of about 3,500 people--the vast majority of whom live in Avalon--the island's population swells to over 10,000 people a day in tourist season.

The mainstay of Catalina's economy is tourism. More than 90% of the island is owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Catalina enjoys a moderate marine climate, with average summer temperatures in the 70s F (about 27° C). The sun shines 267 days a year in Avalon.

First Impressions

Avalon, the main city on Santa Catalina Island, rises behind a small harbor filled with large and small sailing craft. A number of condo developments can be found north of the harbor. One of Catalina's great charms is its unusual blend of built-up pleasure port and unspoiled, wild interior.

Catalina's infrastructure does not allow your ship to dock in Avalon, so it will drop anchor in the harbor and you will be transported to the pier by ship's tender. Your ship's tender will drop you off at the Catalina Island Boat Pier, which is a two block, three minute walk to the Green Pleasure Pier, the center of aquatic activity in Avalon. The Catalina Island Boat Pier is where the ferries from Los Angeles arrive. There are bathroom facilities nearby, and signs will direct you to where you board the ship's tender for your return back to your ship.

Avalon is a very walkable city, and after you've explored the city and the interior, played a round of golf or spent your time on the beach, you can relax with a drink at one of the restaurants or bars along Crescent Avenue, just behind the Green Pleasure Pier.

Time Zone

Santa Catalina Island, located in Los Angeles County, is on Pacific Time, eight hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time.

Language

English is universally spoken on Catalina. Some of the shopkeepers in Avalon also speak Spanish.

Currency

The US dollar is the official currency in California. The shops do not accept Pesos, Loonies or Euros.

Banks and ATMs

There is one bank branch on Catalina Island: US Bank, 303 Crescent Avenue

ATM machines can be found at the following locations in Avalon:

Discovery Tours Information Center on Catalina Street (the extension of the Green Pier)

Abe's Liquor Store (inside store), 122 Sumner Avenue

Boat Terminal, on the Green Pier across from the Catalina Island Visitors Bureau office

US Bank, 303 Crescent Avenue

To see the locations of Avalon's ATMs, see our Avalon ATM map.

Weather

Catalina boasts a year-round Mediterranean climate, with warm, sunny days and cool evening breezes.

In the summer, the average high temperature is in the mid- to low-80s F, with the nights cooling down into the mid-60s. The winters are quite mild, with average highs in the high-60s. On average, the sun shines 267 days a year, and the island only gets around 12 inches of rain annually.

Catalina's water temperatures vary seasonally, from a low in the mid-50s F in the winter to a high in the low-70s F in the summer months.

Avalon Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	68	69	69	73	74	78	83	85	83	79	73	69
Avg High - C	20	21	21	23	23	26	28	29	28	26	23	21
Avg Low - F	46	48	50	53	58	61	65	66	64	59	50	45
Avg Low - C	8	9	10	12	14	16	18	19	18	15	10	7

Avalon Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	2.8	2.5	2.4	0.6	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.3	0.2	1.1	1.9
Avg, mm	70	64	60	15	3	0	0	2	7	6	28	49

Avalon Weather Forecast, CA

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

There aren't any Starbucks on Catalina Island, so you need to go to one of the following shops to get your internet fix:

Avalon Public Library, 215 Sumner Avenue, offers public access Internet computers with printers. Open Tuesday through Thursday, 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. (310) 510-1050.

Tradewinds Internet Cafe, 117 Sumner Avenue. Open daily, year round. 310-510-0010.

Catalina Discount & Variety, in Cricket Alley by Von's, 125 Metropole Ave., 310-510-1088.

To see the locations of Avalon's Internet Cafes, see our Map of Avalon Internet Cafes.

Finding US Newspapers

You can find US newspapers throughout Avalon, including the LA Times, NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today

Kindle Connectivity

In Avalon, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through AT&T's 3-G coverage in the city.

Local Holidays, Events & Festivals

Look for the following local festivals and events taking place in Catalina in 2012:

3rd Annual Cafe Art Fair and Exhibition, April 6 to 8. This 3 day event on Crescent Avenue, along the waterfront, will have more than 40 artists and vendors, entertainment and fun for all ages! 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Earth Day, April 21. A day of green living displays, organic food, eco-demonstrations, family activities and music. Free entry to the Wrigley Memorial.

Avalon Ball, May 12. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Ball. Dance at the Avalon Casino, featuring big-band music of the 1930's.

8th Annual Taste Around of Avalon, May 31. Kick-off to the Annual Flying Fish Festival! Enjoy the most scrumptious tastes of delectable food or beverages from some of Avalon’s finest dining establishments.

Flying Fish Festival, June 1 through 3. Flying Fish aquatic activities, a Flying Fish parade and other Flying Fish activities are featured in this 3-day fish fest.

Summer BBQ's at DC3 Grill, June 23 to September 8 (One Saturday each month from June to September). Summer BBQ at the DC3 Grill, located 1600 feet above sea level at Catalina's Airport-in-the-Sky. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet while listening to live music on their outdoor patio.

Summer Beach Bingo, June 28 to August 25 (each Tuesday and Thursday at the South Beach Lifeguard stand). Bingo cards are $1 each; winners get fun local prizes.

4th of July Celebration, July 4. Features a golf cart parade down Crescent Avenue, a fireworks display, and a dinner at the Casino.

54th Annual Festival of Art, September 21 to 23. Artists from around the country exhibit their works of art.

Avalon Billfish Classic, September 16 to 18. 100% catch and release tournament.

Jazz Trax Festival, October 4 to 7, 11 to 14 and 18 to 21. Three weekends of jazz performances featuring 30 different smooth jazz stars.

Catalina Eco-Marathon, November 10. The Eco-Marathon starts and finishes in Avalon, and in-between runs through different ecosystems on the Island.

Cruise Lines Making Port

Avalon is a popular port for ships making weekly 4-night cruises from Los Angeles to Ensenada and Avalon. Cruise ships arrive in Catalina on average once a week. In 2012, Avalon will host just under 120,000 cruise ship passengers sailing on 57 ships. If you'd like to see which cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Avalon, check out our Avalon Cruise Ship Schedule - 2012.

The following cruise lines make port in Catalina in 2011: