This Little City Is Known As the ‘Capri of California’—and It Has Turquoise Waters, White-sand Beaches, and Scenic Views

Key Points

• Avalon, on California’s Catalina Island, is known for its Mediterranean-inspired scenery, turquoise waters, colorful hillside homes, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

• Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, beach clubs, ziplining, historic casino tours, and excursions into the island’s rugged interior to spot wild bison.

• Just an hour by ferry from Long Beach, Avalon offers waterfront restaurants, historic hotels, and a walkable downtown ideal for a weekend getaway.

The city of Avalon, California, sits 20-something miles off the coast, but feels half a world away. Located on the southern tip of Catalina Island, an hour from Long Beach by ferry, it’s surrounded by the Pacific but feels as if it were plucked from the Mediterranean.

White and pastel-colored homes cluster on hills planted with palms and eucalyptus trees framing a turquoise crescent of water and white-sand beaches. A pedestrianized promenade lined with ice cream and gift shops leads to a wooden pier surrounded by gently bobbing sailboats. It’s little more Santorini than Santa Monica, and such it’s often been called the “Capri of California.”

In the 1920s, Avalon was a magnet for mainlanders, and glamorous vacationers, film crews, and famously, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. were drawn to its idyllic setting. Today, however, most visitors tend to stick to the busy beach—they’re missing out.

“Catalina Island is amazing because it is simple,” says Rob Adelphia, a Catalina Island Company tour guide. “One can find their place without searching. Whether you are called by its history, the pristine water, or the sway of the palm trees, or so much more, the point is that you will be called. You will be taken away to that happy place for you.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Avalon, California.

Best Things to Do

Most visitors spend much of their time here on or near the water, lounging on the sand with a drink in hand at Descanso Beach Club, lazily swimming in the bay’s calm waters, or perhaps snorkeling among bright garibaldi fish and giant kelp fronds waving languidly like a car dealership’s inflatable tube man.

But there are a surprising number of things to do for a place with a population of just over 3,000 people. Kids gravitate towards the mini golf course, the fish-finding Undersea Exhibition boat, or the pier with rod and reel in hand (you can borrow all the gear, including bait, from the nearby shack).

Adventurous weekenders barrel down the zipline course or ascend to the skies with a parasail. History buffs take the behind-the-scenes tour of the storied Catalina Casino (best capped with a roller-skate session round the historic ballroom). “It is nearly 100 years old and as magnificent today as it was then,” says Adelphia.

To see some of the island’s interior, either rent a golf cart for a quick trip up the nearby hills for the signature Avalon view or sign up for a two- or three-hour excursion with a tour operator such as Catalina Island Company. Jeeps and modified Hummers take guests out for a couple of hours for tours themed by history, ecology, and bison spotting—the herd was introduced to the island for a movie in the 1920s.

Where to Eat and Drink

Visitors have quite a few restaurants to choose from in this little island city. Pier 24 is a favorite for classic seaside grub. I recommend ordering some “Frings” (French fries and onion rings) before taking your pick from pasta, bison-topped pizza, or burgers, and don’t forget to take a look at the playful artwork on your way in.

Avalon Grille is among the most upscale on the island, with prices to match. It’s centered around a lively bar, but patio tables outside offer easy breezy al fresco dining and the best seats for people-watching. The Pacific halibut with a macadamia nut crust is a highlight, served with crispy udon noodles, various vegetables, and braised papaya and pineapple relish.

Descanso Beach Club is a scene-y spot where you can tuck into fish tacos and cocktails with your feet in the sand, while locals love Original Antonio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, which conveniently serves up pizza by the slice if you’re on the go.

Where to Stay

You can camp on Catalina–and hiking between rustic sites on the 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail is popular–but most people stay in one of Avalon’s hotels. They’re all steps from the beach and every seafood shack, bar, and other amenity you might need–including the island’s only Vons grocery store.

Try Hotel Atwater, a historic spot named after William Wrigley Jr.’s son’s wife, Helen Atwater Wrigley. Life revolves around the spacious and inviting lobby, and rooms are comfortable with the requisite coastal chic feel. Or book into the recently renovated Pavilion Hotel, which is on the main waterfront strip. Rooms are centered around private gardens planted with tropical shrubs and offering multiple places to curl up with a book. The nightly wine and cheese hour is reliably convivial. Both hotels will pick you and your luggage up from the ferry terminal.

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