Travel Note
We have taken the Catalina Island Express to get to Avalon and found it to be simple and comfortable. Upon arrival in Southern California, you will make your way to one of the ports (Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point) and take the ferry from there. We flew into LAX, Ubered to Long Beach, and ferried to Avalon. Please note - we landed at LAX during rush hour on a weekday, so the drive to Long Beach took twice as long as we anticipated. From Long Beach, the ferry ride was about an hour and the ride was very smooth. There are also regional airports, Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport, that are closer to the ports, so please look into those options as well. Ferry tickets tend to sell out, so please book a few weeks out to ensure a smooth travel day. You can also get to Catalina Island via helicopter. We have not tried this option, but have seen great reviews for Maverick Helicopter. The ride to Catalina Island via helicopter is 15 minutes long.
Travel Note
The primary mode of transportation on Catalina Island is golf carts. Some Airbnbs, like those at Hamilton Cove, provide a golf cart for you to use during your stay. If you are staying at a hotel or a rental that does not provide a golf cart, you can rent from Island Rentals or Catalina Island Golf Cart Rentals if you feel so inclined.