Hotels in Avalon: Art, History and Garden

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Avalon offers different ways to shape your stay: Green Pleasure Pier on Avalon Bay, a museum in the heart of town, Wrigley Memorial at the upper end of Avalon Canyon, and a guided tour of the city. You can focus on art and history, gardens and landscape, or a tour.

The Pier and Getting Your Bearings by the Water

Green Pleasure Pier extends 407 feet into Avalon Bay. The Avalon Visitor Center is located at 1 Green Pleasure Pier. Its operating details may change; check them before planning a visit. A pier in Avalon was officially named Pleasure Pier in 1915. This name is a historical point of reference in its own right, while Green Pleasure Pier today also marks the address of the visitor center.

Art and Architectural History

In the heart of Avalon is the Catalina Museum for Art & History. It offers exhibitions on art and history; the exhibition program changes. If you have a particular exhibition in mind, check the current program in advance. That way, you can tailor your museum visit to the topics that interest you.

The Catalina Island Casino is another point of reference in architectural history. It opened on May 29, 1929. Its ballroom is the world's largest round room without supporting columns. The museum and casino offer different focuses: the museum centers on changing exhibitions, while the casino is a precisely dated building with an exceptional ballroom shape. Art, history and architecture thus offer different ways to explore the trip's cultural themes.

Garden, Canyon and Memorial

Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden covers 38 acres. Its features include native plants, canyon views and insights into Catalina's history. Wrigley Memorial is the centerpiece of the Catalina Island Conservancy's Botanic Garden at the upper end of Avalon Canyon. It was built between 1933 and 1934. The garden brings together plant and landscape themes with history; the memorial adds a distinct architectural and historical focus. Those who want to focus on the garden and canyon will find different points of interest here than at the museum or in the ballroom's architecture.

Guided Tour and Getting There

The guided “Discover Avalon” tour runs along the waterfront, over the hillsides and through the heart of the friendly, historic city of Avalon. Its seven-and-a-half-mile route passes through scenic Avalon; the guides share Catalina Island's history and folklore. The tour connects several aspects of the area—water, hillsides and town—with stories about the island. Plan it as a route option in its own right, and check before your trip whether it is operating and what route details are current.

Catalina Express offers departures to Avalon several times a day from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Schedules and departure frequency may change; check the current schedule before traveling. Choosing a departure port is part of planning your trip; your preferred focus will determine which of these different themes you want to prioritize during your stay.

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