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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 island's population swells to over 10,000 people 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

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 & Festivals

The following local festivals and events are scheduled to take place in Catalina in 2010:

Buffalo Run, February 27. This is a half-marathon with a hilly yet scenic course along the east end of Catalina Island.
Catalina Island Marathon, March 13. A race along dirt trails and roads in the interior of the island; begins in Two Harbors and ends in Avalon.
Earth Day, April 17. A day of green living displays, organic food, eco-demonstrations, family activities and music. Free entry to the Wrigley Memorial.
Avalon Ball, May 15. Dance at the Avalon Casino, featuring big-band music of the 1930's.
Flying Fish Festival, June 3 through 6. Flying Fish aquatic activities, a Flying Fish parade and other Flying Fish activities are featured in this 2-day fish fest.
Summer Beach Bingo, June 29 to August 26 (each Tuesday and Thursday). Bingo cards are $1 each; winners get fun local prizes.
4th of July Celebration, July 4. Features a parade and fireworks display, as well as a dinner at the Casino.
Catalina Pottery & Tile Extravaganza, September 1 to 30. A month-long celebration of Catalina tile. In the Museum, with walking tours around Avalon.
Avalon Billfish Classic, September 19 to 21. 100% release tournament.
52nd Annual Festival of Art, September 17 to 19. Artists from around the country exhibit their works of art.
Catalina Classic, September 19 to 21. Southern California's largest billfish tournament.
Jazz Trax Festival, October 1 to 3, 8 to 10 and 15 to 17. Three weekends of jazz performances featuring 30 different smooth jazz stars.
Catalina Eco-Marathon, November 13. 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 3- and 4-day cruises from Los Angeles and San Diego to Ensenada and Avalon. Cruise ships arrive in Catalina on average once a week. If you'd like to see when ships are scheduled to arrive in Avalon, check out the 2010/2011 Cruise Ship Calendar.

The following cruise lines make port in Catalina: