WHY Avalon?? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea

Question

Well, Avalon was a huge disappointment for our family. I had it in my head that the island was very beautiful and would be great for nature lovers. My fault for not reading any negative reviews first. Avalon felt more like a cruise ship on land. Avalon is the most touristy place I’ve ever been to. Throngs of people, including the cruise ship people who stop in for the day. We didn’t see anyone other than ourselves in outdoor adventure clothes. Quite the opposite. There were lots of loud frat boys and giggly girls. People were always drinking beer at 8 am for breakfast. There were SO many smokers just throwing their butts all over the ground. Very trashy people.

The shops were not interesting, so we just couldn’t figure out what people do there all day and night, other than walking around with giant Modelo beer cans and drunkenly cruising around aimlessly on golf carts.

The town is overrun with merry makers joy driving golf carts too fast, and inexpertly, so walking wasn’t very pleasant. We were shocked to find that all the golf carts are gas powered, not electric, so the fuel odor was very strong since there are hundreds of golf carts all over the place. The restaurants are terrible. We read all the reviews and searched everywhere, but never had a good meal. Even the lobster roll at the Lobster Trap restaurant was a disappointment because, at $30 for a small sandwich, I would have preferred plain bread (its sandwich bread, not a true “roll”) because the bread was soaked in garlic butter so I couldn’t taste the lobster. That was a shame, because once I disposed of the bread, and could actually taste the lobster, it was actually quite good. Even the “upscale” restaurants were not tasty. Don’t make dining a big part of your trip.

The hiking was very basic. Nothing worth photographing. I was expecting so much more beauty. It was hard to reconcile the image of Avalon with the reality. I really felt like we were on a low end cruise ship with every ugly American on board with us.

Forget about exploring the island. On our first day we realized that Avalon was not the place for us, so we tried to get to Two Harbors, on the other side of the island. About a 50 minute drive, but at $260 each way in a taxi, we decided against it. The boat that is advertised as a 40 minute ride at a lower cost, actually only runs in the height of summer, not the last week of April when we were there. Very strange since the temps here in late April were perfect for exploring and hiking. The hiking on that side of Catalina seems much, much better than around Avalon. But getting there was so prohibitive, we finally gave up on the idea.

We travel a lot and I can honestly say that Provincetown, Massachusetts is a whole lot more enjoyable than Avalon. Also not a nature lover’s paradise, but a super fun downtown with great art galleries, good restaurants, not all outrageously expensive like on Avalon, and much more of a civilized type of visitor. Door County, Wisconsin, is a peninsula, and has outstanding nature, gorgeous beaches and forests, limestone cliffs and bluffs, tons of silent sports like kayaking, and very educated, artsy locals making the “vibe” much more upscale than on Avalon.

If you’re like us and are expecting beautiful vistas and nature lovers around, you probably won’t like Avalon, either. We are going to camp at Two Harbors next time and are hopeful that it will be better suited to what we’re looking for.

Answer

It sounds like your experience in Avalon was shaped by a combination of the heavy tourist presence, the type of visitors, and the limitations of the area for nature-based activities. Avalon is indeed the main town on Catalina Island and tends to attract large numbers of cruise ship visitors and day-trippers, especially in the spring and summer months. This often results in a busy, crowded, and sometimes noisy environment, which can feel very different from the quiet, nature-focused experience many expect.

Some key observations from your visit and general insights:

Tourist density: Avalon has a concentrated population of visitors, including cruise passengers, which contributes to crowds and busy streets, especially near the harbor and main streets.
Golf carts and traffic: Gas-powered golf carts are indeed common and can create noise and fuel odor. Walking around the town can be challenging due to the number and speed of carts.
Dining experience: Avalon’s restaurants are primarily geared toward tourists, which means prices are high and culinary quality can vary. Even “upscale” options may not meet expectations for serious food lovers.
Outdoor and hiking options: Hikes near Avalon tend to be shorter and more basic, with fewer striking vistas compared to other areas of the island.

If your priority is nature, hiking, and quieter, more scenic experiences, the western part of Catalina Island, around Two Harbors, is significantly better. Two Harbors offers:

Less crowded trails and hiking options, including coastal paths and higher elevation viewpoints.
Opportunities for camping and outdoor activities away from the cruise ship crowd.
More peaceful beaches and better access to kayaking and snorkeling in natural settings.

Other alternatives for a nature-focused, relaxed island or coastal experience in the U.S. that you mentioned, like Provincetown, MA, or Door County, WI, can provide a more artsy, quiet, and scenic vacation, often with more accessible hiking, kayaking, and forested areas, and fewer large tourist crowds.

Suggestions for future Catalina trips based on your experience:

Plan to stay at Two Harbors if you want a quieter, outdoor-oriented visit with hiking and camping.
Check ferry schedules and consider timing your trip to avoid peak cruise ship days, if you do visit Avalon.
Prioritize self-guided outdoor adventures rather than relying on Avalon as the main hub for nature activities.
Research and plan food and dining options in advance, as Avalon’s restaurants may not meet higher culinary expectations.

In summary, Avalon is suitable for tourists looking for a lively, social, and convenient hub, but not for visitors seeking tranquility, nature immersion, or high-quality dining. For a nature-centric trip to Catalina, Two Harbors or other parts of the island are a better fit.

WHY Avalon?? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea

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