2026 Avalon Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

Who can resist a refreshing blue-and-white island in summer 1 hour from LA Low-cost island access Spend a day as a “spiritual Greek” Travel mouse D “LA travel guide” first stop — Catalina Island ⛴️ Island access ➤ Catalina Express ferry ❶ Book on the official website. One-way ticket $44.5 per person (ferry tickets are especially limited on holidays. Booking 2–4 weeks in advance is recommended) ❷ The ferry route has 3 boarding points + 2 island drop-off points to choose from (about 1h15min trip) Boarding points: · San Pedro · Long Beach · Dana Point Catalina Island drop-off points: · Avalon · Two Harbors 🛝 Avalon is near the visitor center with many attractions ⛺️ Two Harbors is better for hiking and camping ❸ The official recommendation is to arrive 1 hour early at the boarding point, but in practice, 30 minutes early is enough (boarding starts 15 minutes before departure) 🚗 Island transportation ➤ golf cart self-drive around the island Get off at Avalon station. Within a 5–10 min walk, there are three golf cart rental shops (cash only) ❶ This time we chose Catalina Island Golf Carts. Rental is $65 per hour, deposit $65, max rental 2 hours per trip, return by 5 PM latest ❷ Staff will help familiarize you with the map before starting and recommend a clockwise route around the island. You can stop anytime along the way for photos and check-ins. The whole trip takes 1.5–2 hours 📷 Recommended photo route: Lovers Cove ➜ Three Palms Overlook ➜ Tremont Overlook 🪂 Water activity ➤ Parasail The most exciting activity, highly recommended! Takeoff and landing feel weightless-free, and your clothes won’t get wet. We were lucky to see dolphins jump out of the water three times 🐬! ❶ The boat ride out can be rough. If you get seasick easily, prepare in advance ❷ The whole trip lasts 1 hour, with 6 groups going out together. Each group flies for 10 minutes ❸ Ticket price $95 per person More “LA travel guide” content coming soon

Got to spend some time exploring the coastal towns in California recently. Honestly, if you didn't know where you were, you'd think you were somewhere in Southern Europe. First stop was Santa Barbara. The Spanish-style architecture is beautiful—lots of white walls, red-tiled roofs, and palm trees with the mountains in the background. Walking around the streets, the lighting was perfect for photos. It actually reminded me of those scenic, peaceful towns you'd see in a slice-of-life anime. I just sat at an outdoor cafe, had some coffee, and enjoyed the cool sea breeze. Super chill. I also took a boat over to Avalon on Catalina Island. The view of the colorful houses climbing up the hillside next to the crescent bay was incredible, especially with all the small yachts docked there. I waited around until sunset to get some shots, and the golden hour light didn't disappoint. It made the whole harbor look so warm and peaceful. Definitely a nice change of pace. It was just really nice to walk around, take photos at my own pace, and enjoy the scenery.

Catalina Island

A travel recommendation for students studying in Los Angeles We recommend Catalina Island, which can be reached by boat from Long Beach, to students studying in Los Angeles and surrounding cities. The island has many picturesque spots that will enhance your vacation quality. 🏖A one-day trip is enough!🏖 The crescent-shaped beach and beautiful island scenery attract many visitors from surrounding areas, making it one of LA's relaxation backyards. Students who are 21+ with a driver's license can rent a golf cart on the island and drive around, giving a strong vacation vibe. The island is small and can be explored in one day. 🏖Buy ferry tickets on the Catalina Express website🏖 You can choose to depart from the Long Beach port and arrive at Avalon on Catalina Island. Sometimes the boat may sway a bit, so remember to bring motion sickness medicine. Stay alert because there's a high chance of seeing wild dolphins on the way! 🏖Activities on the island🏖 You can browse the Catalina Island website for activities like parasailing🪂 and submarine tours. The submarine tour, as shown in my photos, allows you to see many fish!! It's like an underwater world. 🏖Food on the island🏖 We recommend The Lobster Trap 🦞, which is incredibly delicious. Note that some seafood is seasonal. Locals highly recommend this place for its fresh and tasty meat, and the lobster burger is juicy and succulent. 🏖Travel preparations🏖 It's advisable to bring sunscreen and motion sickness medicine. Bring a thick coat if you want to sit in the open-air area of the boat, as it can get very cold when the boat is moving. And definitely, definitely book any entertainment activities on the island in advance‼️‼️ Otherwise, there's a high chance they will be fully booked unless it's the off-season. Have a pleasant trip and stay safe! Angeles