Insider Favorites: Sherri’s Guide to Avalon, California
I lived in Avalon on Catalina Island for nearly 20 years. This Pacific paradise offers unique adventures, spectacular natural beauty, and the closest you can get to Mediterranean-style living without leaving Southern California. Living on the island requires flexibility and adaptability, but it also provides the blessings of small-town life and unspoiled natural wilderness.
I want to share with you my favorite…
Food
- Quick-service restaurant: Café Metropole
- Mid-range restaurant: The Lobster Trap
- Fancy restaurant: Zest at the M (a pop-up restaurant available about monthly)
- Al fresco dining spot: Bluewater Grill
Drink
- Chill bar: CC Gallagher
- Cocktail bar: Descanso Beach Club
Nightlife
- Dance club: There’s only one—the Chi Chi Club
- Live music venue: Don’t miss seeing something in the Casino, whether it’s a movie in the theater or a concert in the ballroom
Outdoors
- Sporting event: Scuba diving in the Casino Dive Park
- Hiking trail: The Trans-Catalina Trail
- Place to get a view of the city: Buena Vista Point
- Place to watch the sunset: On the backside of the island overlooking Little Harbor
Culture and Attractions
- Museum: The Catalina Island Museum
- Historical landmark: The Casino Building
- Place to take your family: Snorkeling at Lover’s Cove
- Place to take your special someone: The Spa Room at Aurora
Shopping
- Brand-name shopping mall: There is none—that’s one of the reasons why we love Avalon
- Boutique shopping spot: The Steamer Trunk
