Beyond Avalon: Exploring Catalina’s Interior

Upon arriving in Avalon, most visitors are charmed by the views of the Catalina Casino, the boats in the harbor, the long Green Pier, the striking ridgeline of the island, and the collection of hotels, houses, and businesses that dot the town’s landscape. There’s so much to do in this little island town: golf, swim, dive, shop, dine, paddle, and, of course, relax. However, on Catalina Island, there is much more to explore, and you don’t see it all when you first arrive. In fact, only a small fraction of the island is actually developed. 

About 88% of Catalina is conserved and protected from overdevelopment and the destruction of endemic plants and wildlife. And although it is protected, that doesn’t mean you can’t catch a glimpse of all the rugged beauty that lies within the island’s interior. When you come to visit Catalina, book an experience or two with Catalina Taxi and Tours to see some special parts of Southern California that remain untouched and wild. Read on to learn about life Beyond Avalon: Exploring Catalina’s Interior. 

Meet the residents. One of the major draws of an interior tour is encountering some of the island’s local wildlife. On most interior excursions with Catalina Taxi and Tours, you’ll have the chance to see some of the fauna that the island is famous for. 

• American Bison–Back in the 1920s, a herd of bison were brought to the island to film a Western movie. Today, the descendants of that herd continue to freely roam the island’s interior. Interested in seeing some bison? Take a Catalina Taxi and Tours trip to Haypress. This gorgeous picnic spot has a playscape, barbecues, and hiking trails, and it’s just about a 20 minute ride into the interior from Avalon. (A packed picnic lunch is available for an extra fee.) Be on the lookout: Bison are often spotted around the pond at Haypress. 

• Catalina Island Fox–Quite possibly one of the cutest creatures on the island, this endemic species has fortunately had a resurgence of its population. They can often be spotted roadside, in the brush, and all throughout Catalina’s interior. 

• Bald eagles–Keep your eyes on the sky. One good trick to look out for bald eagles is to look for a “golf ball” shape in the treetops or on the rocky ridges of the island. That white spot in the wild is often the head of a bald eagle. They’re also spotted–with an impressive wingspan–soaring over the canyons or nesting nearer to the coastline. No matter where you see bald eagles, they’re a majestic sight. 

See the sights. As you explore Catalina more deeply, in addition to amazing vantage points of the ocean, there are some unexpected landmarks. From an airport at 1602 feet to old outposts, a shuttle to the interior will bring you to some remarkable island locales. 

• The Airport in the Sky–Have you ever been to an airport on a mountaintop? The island airport was commissioned by Philip K. Wrigley in 1940, and it has a storied past. Learn more about it on a Catalina Taxi and Tours trip to the airport. Visit the DC-3 cafe for their famous cookies, or try a bison burger for lunch. 

• The Nature Center–Learn more about Catalina’s unique eco-system at this stop, right nearby the airport. 

• Blackjack–Interested in the Trans Catalina Trail? A ride to Blackjack mountain, the second highest peak on Catalina, is 25 minutes away from Avalon. This is a popular campground spot on the famous 38.5-mile hiking trail. If you’ve got big hiking plans, Catalina Taxi and Tours can help with pickup, drop off, and gear transport if needed.

To the interior, and beyond. There is even more to explore if you head through the interior to some of the best loved beaches on the island. See Catalina’s West End, or spend the day at a scenic, secluded beach. Catalina Taxi and Tours can get you there. 

• Two Harbors–Take a tour to Two Harbors for some good old fashioned island adventures like snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring. Known as the Isthmus, this part of the island is home to the eponymous, unique geographical feature, and you can walk from one side of the island to the other quite easily. 

• Little Harbor–About a 45-minute drive out of Avalon, this is a favorite spot for campers and hikers. Avoid the Avalon crowds, and take some time to make it a beach day here. 

In the mood for a mini-adventure? Take a shuttle to the Summit, about a 15-minute ride out of Avalon. Enjoy some spectacular views of the Pacific, of the island, and on a clear day, of the mainland too. Wind down from your tour, and walk back down to Avalon to explore even more.

Book an island interior tour today! Our private eco-tours are a favorite way to see Catalina’s wild side. Catalina Taxi and Tours can help you from the moment you arrive in Avalon to the time you are ready to depart. From taxi transfers to all-day adventures and even food delivery, our drivers are available to help. We recommend booking tours ahead of time, and taxis can be called for on-demand service. Check out all of our tour options, and book ahead on our website.