The 5, the 405, the 55, the 57, the 91, the 101 and even the 1—all of these roadways can be home to long stretches of bumper-to-bumper traffic on busy Southern California days and nights. But if one of these roads happens to lead you to the Catalina ferry landings in Long Beach, Newport, San Pedro, or Dana Point, then consider yourself lucky. Leave your car on the mainland, and enjoy an island escape that is home to very few regular-sized automobiles. Instead, on Catalina, you’ll mostly find that auto-ettes—more commonly known as golf carts—are the main transportation of choice. However, with so much to see and explore on the island, you might be wondering: How do you get around Catalina without a car? Whether you’re a first-time visitor or longtime fan of Catalina Island, there are plenty of options for exploring. Read on to learn more about how to get around Catalina without a car.
Taxi! Make like a New Yorker, and take a cab while you’re on Catalina. There’s not a hustle and bustle on the island of Catalina like there is on the island of Manhattan, however. Instead of speedy black and yellow taxis, in Avalon, you’ll want to be on the lookout for black and white vans that make up the fleet of Catalina Taxi and Tours cabs. These vans will be awaiting your arrival at the boat docks in Avalon, and they’re on call at your convenience 7 days a week. If you have luggage and need a ride to your hotel or rental accommodations, a taxi has plenty of room to get you, your party, and your stuff there. And if you need to call for a ride from your room to a restaurant (or beach or bar or any destination) downtown -- Catalina’s taxi service. They can be reached by phone at 310-510-0025.
But wait, there’s more! When it comes to taxi service, Catalina Taxi and Tours goes above and beyond—literally. You’ll notice that the streets that surround Avalon can start to get pretty hilly. It is up on those hills that you’ll find some of the most majestic views on the island. These viewpoints are just a short taxi ride out of the main streets of Avalon. Take a private tour of Avalon, which will give you the freedom to explore the town at your own pace. You can learn about the city’s history and culture, and you’ll see all the favorite local sights.
Walk around. Of course, you can wander around the downtown area of Avalon on foot. There are plenty of fun shops, great eateries, activities, and entertainment that you can get to just by walking the streets of Avalon. The distance from the ferry landing to the iconic Catalina Casino is just less than one mile, and it might take about 15 minutes on foot. For destinations like Descanso Beach, Hamilton Cove, the Wrigley Memorial, or the golf course, you may want to take a taxi.
On the water. On an island, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of boating options for visitors. From the pier downtown, you can rent small watercraft by the hour—from kayaks to smaller fishing boats. You may want to paddle board through all the boat moorings in Avalon and explore the harbor from up close. If you’re into a more intensive ocean adventure, consider snorkeling, scuba, or wildlife excursions with Catalina Divers Supply.
Rent a golf cart. For visitors, golf carts are rentable by the hour in the city of Avalon. Unless you’re staying in an accommodation that offers a golf cart as a part of your stay, there are not many options for long-term golf cart rentals on Catalina.
Jump in a jeep or a Toyota! What better way to see the less-traveled roads of Catalina than in an off-road vehicle? Eco tours of the island run daily through Catalina Taxi and Tours, and these private tours can take you to interesting destinations like the Airport in the Sky, Summit Overlook, the Nature Center, Rancho Escondido, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Shark Harbor, Little Harbor, and the ultimate island town—Two Harbors. These tours bring guests into the interior of the island, offering opportunities to travel the rugged hillsides and the gorgeous wildlife like bison and Catalina fox roaming free. Up to 6 passengers can book an eco tour.
Tour some more. Whether you want a fun family picnic or a romantic celebration while you’re on the island, Catalina Taxi and Tours has got you covered. And if you have an idea for a custom Catalina tour in mind, you can request that too.
Make a plan to get around Catalina. Once you’ve walked around Avalon and seen enough on your own, let the experts guide you to some special places on the island. Ready to book? Call Catalina Taxi and Tours at 310-510-0342 to reserve your tour today.
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