Visit Catalina Island
How to get around the Island
Getting around Catalina’s rugged coastline, its quaint town and isolated villages and the forested hills of the island’s interior can be by foot, bike, bus, taxi, boat or golf cart. However it’s done, it’s well worth the effort for the stunning scenery and varied plant and animal life. For more travel information check out these Travel Links.
Avalon has around 3,000 inhabitants in its narrow, twisting streets, swelled during tourist high season by huge numbers of visitors from the mainland. Transportation in the little town is by rented golf cart, but these are only allowed within the town itself. There are a few cars on the island, but their use is restricted and it’s not possible to hire a car here.
Getting around by taxi is another way of how to get around the island, although its only unrestricted area is the town of Avalon. Of the 300 or so miles of road, the only back road available to motorised vehicles is Stage Road. A popular means of travel for visitors is by bicycle, and bikes can be hired all over the island. Check out visitcatalinaisland.org for up to date info on travel in Catalina.
Hiking is another great way to explore the island’s interior, although a permit must be obtained on the day your hike in planned. This is the best way to get up close to Catalina’s flora and fauna, although the herds of bison are best seen at a distance! Native land mammals here include the endangered island fox and the island deer. The original 14 bison arrived in the 1920s via a film company who couldn’t afford to transport them back, and the herd now numbers 150
The most enjoyable way to travel is undoubtedly by boat and is a great way to answer the question, “how to get around the island?” to Two Harbors, admiring the spectacular views along the way and keeping an eye out for dolphins and whales. A rickety bus travels from Avalon to Two Harbors and a few other places in the summer season, with details on visitcatalinaisland.org, and the mainland is just an hour by boat away, making for a fun daytrip. Visit Catalina Tours for tickets and availability.
