Here’s the bucket list for your day ashore: the most extraordinary thing to do at each stop, and the private, small-group, or expert-led way to make it yours — your own pace, real access, none of the crowd.
In port at Avalon, the bucket-list move is Private Golf Cart Tour of Avalon with Expert Local Guide. Avalon Local Tours runs it — a private, expert-led experience at your own pace, not a 40-person coach. Below: all 6 bucket-list things to do on a Avalon port day, each with the independent way to make it yours.
1culture
Glide through Avalon's sun-drenched streets aboard a private golf cart with a storytelling local guide — the quintessential Catalina experience. See 25+ landmarks, hidden hillside vistas, and colonial-era architecture at your own unhurried pace.
Book it withAvalon Local ToursUSD 260 for up to 5 passengers (2-hour private tour; local admissions tax & fees added at checkout)
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2history
Step inside the crown jewel of Catalina Island — the magnificent 1929 Catalina Casino — and ascend its tower for jaw-dropping 360° views over Avalon Bay. A bucket-list rendezvous with Hollywood-era glamour and Wrigley family legend.
Book it withCatalina Island Company (Visit Catalina Island)USD 29.71 adults (12–54) | USD 27.51 children (2–11), seniors (55+) & military — Discover Avalon Tour inclusive of Casino
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3water
Slip into the crystal-clear waters of Lovers Cove, Avalon's protected marine reserve, and come face-to-face with leopard sharks, garibaldi (California's brilliant state marine fish), and forests of kelp. A world-class snorkel haven steps from the harbor.
Book it withCatalina Island Company – Descanso Beach Ocean SportsUSD 20–25 per person for snorkel gear rental; glass-bottom kayak tours approx. USD 65–75 per person (confirm current rates at the beach kiosk or via visitcatalinaisland.com)
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4scenic
Ascend to Avalon's most beloved hilltop monument — the grand Wrigley Memorial — set within a living tapestry of rare Catalina Island endemic plants. A serene, inspiring escape into natural beauty and island history above the harbor bustle.
Book it withWrigley Memorial & Botanic GardenUSD 9 per adult | USD 5 children (ages 5–12) | under 5 free (entry fees support the Catalina Island Conservancy)
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5scenic
Settle into a private, sun-drenched beachside cabana at Avalon's most glamorous beach club — a legendary retreat where azure water laps a crescent of golden sand accessible only by boat or a short walk from the harbor. Pure Riviera-on-the-Pacific indulgence.
Book it withCatalina Island Company – Descanso Beach ClubCabana rentals from approx. USD 150–250 per day (seasonal; includes lounge chairs & umbrella setup); beach access USD 5 per person. Confirm current cabana rates via visitcatalinaisland.com.
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6wildlife
Venture deep into Catalina's protected backcountry — 88% of the island is wild, rugged nature reserve — on an expert-led open Jeep safari. Spot free-roaming bison, island fox, and golden eagles in a landscape most visitors never see.
Book it withCatalina Island Conservancy – Eco ToursUSD 89 per adult | USD 49 per child (approximately; confirm current rates at catalinaconservancy.org — prices vary by tour length and season)
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