Avalon Walking Tour: Local Audio Guide & Stories Anytime

Summary

Walk Avalon’s streets with a local’s audio guide in your ear

You’ll stroll Avalon’s colorful streets with local voices guiding you through stories and secrets most visitors miss. Expect spontaneous moments—like pausing for taffy or catching boat chatter—and insights only residents share. With lifetime access and offline maps included, you can start whenever you feel ready and let curiosity lead the way.

What’s the experience like?

“That house up there? Yeah, people always ask about it,” Matthew said in my headphones as I wandered past the Green Pleasure Pier. I’d just landed from the Catalina Express and honestly, I was still shaking off the sea air — you know that salty smell that sticks to your jacket? The pier was busier than I expected for a weekday, gulls squabbling over dropped fries and a couple of kids poking around for bait. The audio tour kicked in right on cue, like it knew exactly when I’d pause to stare at the boats bobbing around.

I liked how Matthew didn’t sound like some robot or museum voice — he actually lives here, which you can tell when he jokes about golf carts being “the real traffic jam” in Avalon. There were other voices too: a historian talking about the old casino (which isn’t really a casino — who knew?), and someone else explaining why everyone waves at each other even if they don’t know you. It felt like eavesdropping on locals chatting, except they’re talking to you. The GPS thing worked better than I thought; every time I drifted toward a new street or stopped to watch someone paint tiles outside their shop, the day trip Avalon city tour just picked up where I left off.

At one point, I sat on a bench near Crescent Avenue and just listened while the sun warmed my back. You could hear distant laughter from people renting skiffs or glass bottom boats nearby. The stories made me notice tiny things — like how everyone seems to have their favorite snack spot (I tried the saltwater taffy; sticky but worth it). There’s something about hearing these details from people who live here year-round that makes it stick more than reading signs ever could.

I still think about that view from up by the big house on the hill — not because it’s famous, but because Matthew described what it’s like growing up seeing that skyline every morning. Made me wonder what it’d be like to stay longer than just an afternoon. So yeah, if you want an Avalon city tour that feels personal but lets you wander at your own speed (and maybe get lost for a bit), this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Avalon and Catalina Island

• Visit Green Pleasure Pier
• Learn about Catalina Express ferry service

Top questions

How do I access the self-guided Avalon audio tour?

You use your smartphone with the VoiceMap app; once downloaded, audio plays automatically as you walk using GPS.

Does the Avalon city tour work offline?

Yes, after downloading via VoiceMap, both audio and maps work offline.

Is this day trip suitable for families with strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

Are service animals allowed on this walking tour?

Service animals are allowed throughout the Avalon city route.

What is included with my purchase of this Avalon audio tour?

You get lifetime access to the full Avalon City audio guide plus offline maps via VoiceMap.

Where does the Avalon city tour start?

The suggested starting point is Green Pleasure Pier in central Avalon.

Can I take public transportation to reach Avalon for this tour?

Catalina Express ferries run frequently from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point to Avalon.

What’s included

Your experience includes lifetime access to Matthew’s locally narrated Avalon City audio guide through VoiceMap, plus offline access to all maps and location-based stories—so you can wander without worrying about signal or timing.