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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 ashore by ship's tender. Your ship's tender will drop you off at the Green Pleasure Pier, the center of aquatic activity in Avalon. The Green Pleasure Pier (it really is painted green) faces Crescent Avenue, which is the 4-block wide shoreside center of town. On either side of the pier you'll find a small beach; South Beach is to the right of the Pier, and Middle Beach is to the left of the Pier. 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 & Wi-Fi Access

Most of the hotels and resorts on Catalina offer internet access, but it's only accessible to their guests. And while there aren't any Starbucks on Catalina Island, there are some good alternatives:

Wi-Fi Hotspots

Descanso Beach Club offers complimentary Wi-Fi in their restaurant and bar, as well as in their private Cabanas and Lounge Chairs. It's a favorite of both visitors and locals, and a popular escape from downtown Avalon during the summer season. Located at 1 Descanso Ave. Phone: (310) 510-7410.

El Encanto Courtyard Coffee, 101 Marilla Ave. Offers free Wi-Fi. Plus the coffee and the freshly-baked pastries are good deals as well. Phone: (310) 510-1652.

Internet Cafes

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. Phone: (310) 510-1050.

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

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

To see the locations of Avalon's Internet Cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, see our Map of Avalon Internet Cafes and Wi-Fi Hotspots.

Cellular Phone & Data Services

	Cell service: Verizon's CDMA service covers Avalon and most of the island. It's said to be the best on Catalina. Data services: Verizon offers 3G services on Catalina, and it's available on most of the island. See details on Verizon's cell and data services coverage in Avalon.
	Cell service: AT&T's GSM service covers Avalon and most of the island. Data services: AT&T offers 4G service covering almost the entire island. See details on AT&T's cell and data services coverage in Avalon.
	Cell service: Sprint's CDMA service covers Avalon directly, and most of the island through off network roaming. Data services: Sprint offers 3G service in Avalon, as well as half of the island through off network roaming. See details on Sprint's cell and data services coverage in Avalon.
	Cell service: T-Mobile's GSM service covers Avalon and the surrounding residential area. Data services: T-Mobile offers 2G service in Avalon and the surrounding residential area. See details on T-Mobile's cell and data services coverage in Avalon.

Kindle Connectivity

In Avalon, you can download your Kindle 3G content through AT&T's 3G coverage in the city.

Local Holidays, Events & Festivals

Look for the following local festivals and events taking place in Catalina in 2013:

4th Annual Cafe Art Fair and Exhibition, March 29 to 31. 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.

Spring Fest, April 18. There's food, music and games galore on Front Street in Avalon.

Earth Day, April 22. A day of green living displays, organic food, eco-demonstrations, family activities and music. Free entry to the Wrigley Memorial.

Avalon Ball, May 11. This year is the 11th anniversary of the Ball. Dance at the Avalon Casino, featuring big-band music of the 1930's.

9th Annual Taste Around of Avalon, May 30. 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, May 30 through June 2. 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 22 to September 7 (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 25 to August 22 (each Tuesday and Thursday at the South Beach Lifeguard stand). Bingo cards are $1 each; winners get fun local prizes.

City of Avalon Centennial Celebration, June 26. Avalon turns 100 in 2013, and they'll be celebrating in the city.

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

55th Annual Festival of Art, September 19 to 22. Artists from around the country exhibit their works of art.

Avalon Billfish Classic, September 15 to 17. 100% catch and release tournament.

Jazz Trax Festival, October 3 to 6, 10 to 13 and 17 to 20. Three weekends of jazz performances featuring 30 different smooth jazz stars.

Catalina Eco-Marathon, November 9. The Eco-Marathon starts and finishes in Avalon, and in-between runs through different ecosystems on the Island.

Cruise Port Schedules

Avalon is a popular port for Carnival Cruise Line's Inspiration, which makes weekly 4-night cruises from the port of Long Beach to Ensenada and Avalon.

On average, cruise ship passengers will spend around 9 hours in Avalon.

In 2013, Avalon is slated to host 134,000 passengers sailing on 63 ships, up 14% and 11%, respectively, from 2012. For further information, see our Avalon Cruise Ship Schedule - 2013.