Catalina Island: Avalon Private Golf Cart Tour with Local Stops

Summary

See Avalon’s secret corners by golf cart with stories only locals tell

You’ll cruise Avalon by private golf cart, stopping at places locals actually care about—from Pebbly Beach to the pet cemetery and wild garden paths. Expect laughs with your guide, surprising stories, and time to feed fish at Casino Point before peeking into Avalon’s quirky diving museum. You’ll leave feeling like you saw Catalina through someone else’s eyes.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out from the little dock in Avalon, the golf cart humming under us, and right away our guide—Manny—waved at someone selling fresh churros. “That’s my cousin,” he grinned. The air smelled like salt and sunscreen, and honestly I was just glad not to be walking those hills. We zipped past Pebbly Beach where a couple of kids were skipping stones (one missed and pretended it was on purpose). There’s something about moving slow enough to catch all the small stuff—like the way the sun hit the Casino building’s old tiles or how you could hear gulls fighting over a sandwich crust behind us.

Manny kept pointing out things I would’ve missed: “That palm? It’s one of the ‘three palms’—everyone here has a story about them.” He told us about Catalina’s pet cemetery (I didn’t expect that) and how people sneak up there at night for ghost stories. At the Memorial Gardens, we stopped for a minute. The air was thick with sage and something sweet I couldn’t place—maybe wild fennel? My friend tried to pronounce ‘Mt. Ada’ in perfect Spanish; Manny laughed so hard he almost drove off the path.

We pulled over at Bell Tower Road for this wild view over Avalon—the kind that makes you go quiet for a second without even meaning to. Then down by Casino Point Dive Park, Manny handed us some bread to feed the fish (“Just don’t fall in,” he joked). I watched bright orange garibaldi dart around while some divers suited up nearby. The last stop was this tiny diving history exhibit tucked behind everything—I’d never have found it alone. Honestly, it felt more like hanging out with someone who grew up here than being on an official day trip of Catalina Island.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided golf cart tour of Avalon

• Visit Pebbly Beach
• See the Inn at Mt. Ada and three palms
• Explore the pet cemetery
• Walk through Memorial and Botanical Gardens
• View lookout points over Bell Tower Road
• Visit the Casino building and feed the fish
• Explore Casino Point Dive Park and Marine Preserve
• Peek at Avalon Diving History Exhibit

Top questions

How long is the private guided golf cart tour of Avalon?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

What are some stops included on this Catalina Island golf cart tour?

You’ll visit Pebbly Beach, Mt. Ada, “three palms”, pet cemetery, Memorial/Botanical Gardens, Bell Tower Road lookouts, Casino building, Casino Point Dive Park, and Avalon Diving History Exhibit.

Is pickup included for this Avalon golf cart tour?

The tour includes private transportation but does not specify hotel pickup; check with operator when booking.

Are service animals allowed on this Catalina Island tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Yes, bottled water is included for guests.

Can people of all fitness levels join this golf cart tour?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the starting point in Avalon.

Do I need to book my Catalina Island golf cart tour in advance?

Advance reservations are recommended as times and space are limited each day.

What’s included

Your day includes private golf cart transportation around Avalon with a local guide sharing stories along every stop; bottled water is provided throughout and all landing plus facility fees are covered so you can just relax and take it all in.