Golf Cart Map & Scenic Tour
ALL MAP & ROAD SIGNS MUST BE OBEYED PLEASE STAY ON THE RECOMMENDED SCENIC ROUTE IN BLUE GOLF CARTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM ANY ROUTES IN RED USE CAUTION ON ALL DOWNHILL ROADS NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS IN GOLF CART AT ANY TIME CALIFORNIA STATE DRIVING RULES APPLY SPEED LIMIT IS 15 M.P.H STAY ON PAVED ROADS DO NOT OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC PULL OVER SAFELY AT ALL TIMES HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!
1. Three Palms Overlook
Welcome to Three Palms Overlook! Take a minute to look out over the town and the sparkling bay below. At just one square mile, Avalon is home to about 4,000 year-round residents and is the only incorporated city on Catalina Island.See the furthest point down the coast? That is Long Point, the widest part of the island. Catalina Island is 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point. Long before Catalina became a resort, this island was called Pimu and home to the Pimungans. For more than 7,000 years the island sustained the Pimungans and their simple way of life. After the ancient islanders, came Spanish explorers, Mexican rule, and finally…the United States and William Wrigley Jr., the genius behind Wrigley's chewing Gum. Wrigley purchased the island in 1919 and proceeded to create this unique Mediterranean style paradise just 26 miles from LA.Once you’re ready, we’ll roll down the hill toward Mt. Ada, William Wrigley’s island home. Please use caution driving down the road ahead—it is steep and narrow!
2. Mt Ada - Buena Vista Point
Welcome to Buena Vista Point! Look behind you at that sweeping staircase leading to the Wrigley Mansion.William Wrigley built this hilltop home for his wife Ada, choosing this location because it catches the first morning sun and the last afternoon light.Now look down at town. This view inspired Wrigley's vision for Avalon.After buying the island, he invested his time and his fortune building roads, hotels, and attractions, all to create his dream of Catalina as a "Playground for All”In the early 1920s, he even brought his Chicago Cubs here for spring training — why practice in icy Chicago when you can warm up in Catalina sunshine?Now look across the harbor at that magnificent round building and Avalon’s most iconic landmark, the Catalina Casino.Built in just over a year at a cost of 2 million dollars, the Casino opened its doors in May 1929 to celebrate Wrigley's tenth year of island ownership.Here's a fun fact: despite the name, there was never any gambling there. "Casino" simply means a ‘gathering place. It hosted movies, live music, and elegant ballroom dances.Alright, let's roll! We'll meet you at the old Bird Park in about 10 minutes.These roads are narrow and steep, so please keep right and take your time.
3. Catalina Bird Park & Golf Course
Welcome to the site of the former Catalina Bird Park, also built in 1929.In its prime, this seven-acre attraction housed over 8,000 exotic birds from around the world! Imagine the colors, the sound, and the chaos, and the best part? Admission was free!During World War II, limited island access forced the park to scale back operations, and by 1966 it closed for good. The remaining birds were moved to the newly established Los Angeles Zoo.You can still see the original entrance gate with its Catalina tile, and behind it, the old flight cage now serves as a playground for local preschoolers.Now take a look across the road at the Catalina Island Golf Course—California's oldest operating golf course!It first opened in 1892 as a tiny three-hole course for steamship visitors seeking resort life and the fashionable new game of golf.It quickly grew to nine holes, then in 1929 Wrigley expanded it to eighteen holes adding fairways, irrigation and lush landscaping.Though scaled back to nine holes today, it's still full of charm—ocean breezes, rolling hills, and over a century of island history in every swing.Ready to head uphill? We're making our way to a peaceful place of remembrance—the Wrigley Memorial and Gardens.Please be aware of traffic!
4. Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens
Up ahead is the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens — one of the most peaceful and picturesque spots on the island.After William Wrigley’s passing in 1932, his wife Ada created this living memorial, filling the canyon with cacti and succulents from all over the world, weaving her love of gardening with his love of Catalina.A few decades later, the Wrigley family expanded the gardens to nearly 38 acres, shifting focus to something truly special—the native plants of the Channel Islands. Many of these species exist nowhere else on Earth.Look up toward the memorial at the top of the canyon. The stonework, the steps, the colorful tiles — almost all of it came from right here on the island, including tiles from Wrigley’s own Catalina tile factory.It’s a mix of Art Deco style and natural surroundings that makes the whole place feel like it rose right up out of the hillside.If you have time later, the walk to the top is worth it. The memorial tower offers sweeping views back toward Avalon Bay, and the gardens themselves are calm, beautiful, and full of hidden surprises.When you're ready, we'll head back toward town to explore the other side of Avalon Bay.Please drive safely and keep right as we continue.
5. Avalon Fun Facts & Green Pleasure Pier
We hope you are enjoying the drive and the Tour! Let’s take another look at town. Even at just one square mile, Avalon has everything it needs: one school, one hospital, one library, one gas station, one police station and one city fire department. We also have one grocery store, and one post office—and neither one of those delivers!Wondering about all the golf carts? They're not just for fun—they're essential. Each household gets one golf cart, but there's a 20-year waiting list for a full-sized vehicle. That's Avalon's answer to traffic control!Now look at that long pier in the middle of the harbor—the Green Pleasure Pier.Built in 1909, it stretches 407 feet into the bay. It was built to help ease congestion on the beaches and today is home to the Visitor Center, Harbor Department, lifeguard station, and the official fish weigh station.Take one last look—the town fits snugly between hills and ocean, and the bay forms a perfect crescent. Legend says ancient islanders called it the Bay of Seven Moons—a name as mysterious and beautiful as its reflection on the water.Let's roll! We'll head to the top and down the other side.Please use extreme caution heading downhill—we'll stop again right above Avalon Harbor.
6. Burrito Point & Avalon Harbor
Welcome to another stunning view of Avalon Harbor.Take it in—the shimmering bay dotted with sleek yachts, sailboats, dinghies, and colorful fishing boats. It's a scene straight out of a postcard.For anglers, Catalina is the place! Drop a line off the Green Pleasure Pier for calico bass and sheephead or head offshore for yellowtail, white sea bass, and tuna. In summer and fall, blue marlin and swordfish turn fishing trips into stories you'll tell for years.Just beyond the pier is the Ferry terminal, where over a million visitors arrive each year after a scenic one-hour crossing from the mainland. It also welcomes tenders from the cruise ships that anchor outside the bay.Tucked past the terminal is Lover's Cove Marine Preserve—a protected sanctuary bursting with kelp forests and marine life. It's one of the island's best snorkeling spots, where you can get up close and personal with the bright orange garibaldi, California's state fish.Now take a look just down the road and you’ll see the Chimes Tower, have you heard them yet? The Catalina Chimes were a gift from the Wrigley’s to the town of Avalon and have been ringing out every quarter hour for over 100 years.When you're ready, we'll head downhill and along the coast past the Casino to our final stop—Descanso Beach, a spot once loved by movie stars!Please use downhill caution and keep right.
7. Descanso Beach & Hotel St. Catherine
Welcome to Descanso Beach—an island destination filled with history…and sparkle!From 1918 to 1966, this was home to the glamorous St. Catherine Hotel, a luxury seaside retreat that became a haven for Hollywood's elite. Picture Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Betty Grable lounging poolside—far from the flashing cameras of Los Angeles.Built by the Banning Brothers before Wrigley bought the island, the St. Catherine was Catalina's first major luxury hotel. The sprawling resort was thoughtfully designed to pamper upscale visitors and with a saltwater swimming pool, grand dining rooms, manicured gardens, and its own private pier where yachts and steamships would dock.Today, the Descanso Beach Club keeps that spirit alive with ocean sports, ziplining, adventure courses, and stunning coastal views—a perfect mix of historic charm and laid-back island fun.As you cruise back to return your golf cart, we want to thank you for joining us today.If you captured the Catalina magic, please tag us, we'd love to see the island through your eyes.And if this tour added a little sunshine to your day, a quick five-star review helps us share the good vibes.Thanks for exploring with us! More island adventures await in the app!
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