Is Avalon Walkable? How Aurora Hotel Puts Catalina Island's Best Restaurants, Tours & Beaches Steps from Your Door

There’s something special about island communities. In addition to the obvious benefits like being surrounded by a beautiful ocean and gorgeous terrain, island towns often operate with a slower, more relaxed pace of life. Catalina has all of these positive qualities, plus a rich indigenous heritage, cool cultural history, and some impressive local architecture. Another boon to the Catalina community is the absence of busy mainland freeways and traffic. 

While there are some cars driving on the roads around Catalina’s towns of Avalon and Two Harbors, the main mode of transportation for islanders is the humble golf cart. Visitors can rent golf carts by the hour, but truly, the best way to get around Catalina is on foot. The key to walking your way through an Avalon vacation is choosing a convenient home base. The Aurora Hotel is just that. In addition to being conveniently located in the heart of Avalon, Aurora offers comfortable accommodations, nice amenities, and a friendly staff. Read on to learn more about Avalon’s walkability and how Aurora Hotel puts Catalina’s best restaurants, tours, and beaches just steps from your door. 

Location, location, location: As soon as you arrive in Avalon, you’re able to walk your way to the Aurora Hotel. The Aurora’s address is 137 Marilla Avenue, which is atop a short hill in Avalon. It will take you about 10 minutes to walk from the boat terminal along Avalon’s pedestrian-friendly Crescent Avenue up to the Aurora. Its hilltop location also makes it an ideal spot to enjoy clear views of Avalon Harbor from the rooftop deck. 

Know where to go. Avalon is small enough that you could just set out to explore on your own, but fortunately, the Aurora staff is super knowledgeable about local spots for food, drinks, hikes, tours, and activities. Stop at the lobby to ask if you need ideas for your island itinerary, and they can point you in the right direction. 

Get your walking shoes on. Bikes and e-bikes have made their way onto the roadways of Avalon, but it’s safe to say that traveling by foot is a preferred mode for visitors. The town spans just less than three square miles, and its layout is compact. This means that you can get from one end of town to the other quite easily. Check out some ideas for good walks, with Aurora Hotel as your starting point: 

• Go for a waterfront stroll. Whether you choose to cruise with a morning cup of coffee or after a happy hour in the evening, the paved road along Avalon’s crescent shaped waterfront is a pleasant half-mile stretch. Check out local landmarks along the way like the Green Pleasure Pier. 

• See how islanders live. It’s fun to walk through the residential streets of Avalon. They’re full of charming homes, and they offer a little respite from the busier beaches, shops, and restaurants. 

• Hike the hills. Downtown Avalon gets hillier as you walk inland toward the island’s hills. If you’re up for a little climbing, make your destination the Catalina Chimes Tower, or take the Avalon Canyon route to the Wrigley Memorial Gardens. For a wilder experience: A lot of the streets in Avalon lead you to more rigorous hiking paths like the Hermit Gulch Trail.

• Explore a local landmark. The Catalina Casino defines the Avalon waterfront. This iconic masterpiece–built in 1929–is a short walk along the water, away from downtown Avalon. Ask the Aurora staff about how to take a Casino tour so you can see some of the impressive murals, art deco style, and sweeping views from the Casino promenade up close. 

  

• Continue on to a restful beach. Descanso Beach is just around the bend from Casino Point, and it’s easily walkable from the Aurora. There, you can rent lounges or beach cabanas. You can even order food and drinks from the beachside restaurant and bar. The beach at Descanso also serves as a launching point for kayakers and snorkelers. Descanso, in Spanish, literally means “I rest.” However, if you’re looking for more adventures walk over to Descanso Canyon for a zipline experience or forest adventure trail. 

• Catch some culture. The Catalina Museum is about a 5-minute walk from the Aurora. It’s a great place to see historical exhibits, art collections, and plenty of Catalina culture.  

• Walk to dinner (or lunch, or breakfast, or dessert). The Aurora offers a daily continental breakfast for guests, but surely you’ll want to sample some of the island’s local fare. Whether you walk to get fish tacos on the Green Pier, grab a midday ice cream cone, snack on some fresh saltwater taffy, or head to a steak house dinner at Steve’s, all of these options–and more–are easily accessible on foot. 

The Aurora comes highly recommended. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a friendly vacation, or a family trip, there are plenty of room options to choose from, including ocean view rooms and junior suites. Book your room at the Aurora online, and don’t forget to pack your walking shoes!