Location: Avalon
Top Things to do in Avalon
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Avalon, California (CA)
Avalon is the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island of the California Channel Islands, and the southernmost city in Los Angeles County. The population was 3,728 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Avalon
1. The Spa at Catalina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By prolifegirl
This is by far the best massage I have ever had. The therapists are very professional. I had the 80 minute Stress Buster and it was the simply awesome. I have been going here for years and would recommend Ally, Barb, or Lavina. You will not be disappointed.
2. RainDance Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Owned by Local Catalina Island artist, Porschia Denning. RainDance Art offers an Art Gallery and hosts Art & Wine Tours in Avalon. The gallery features art by Porschia, with a 1 hour walking Art & Wine Tour daily. The tour takes guests on a stroll to see the history of Catalina Art, as well as getting to know Catalina history, with the conclusion of the tour at the gallery for a wine tasting.
3. Catalina Room Escape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Join the Crew with the Catalina Pirate Challenge. Compete against the clock in this one-hour escape room experience. Enjoy the free charging stations and temperature controlled rooms as you work together to beat the captain and win your freedom. Free prizes and photos with every admission.
Reviewed By H4786RKsarahg
A fun experience! My husband and 2 kids and I enjoyed this. It was a lot of fun. The props and scenery are top notch and all the clues are not so easy — which is a good thing! We found out some things about each other. We wanted to do something beyond the regular tourist attractions and this was a hidden gem. We would highly recommend!
4. Catalina Island Casino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 867 reviews
The iconic Catalina Casino epitomizes everything glamorous about Santa Catalina Island. On the lower level the building features extraordinary Art Deco murals and a classic 1929 pipe organ inside the Avalon Theatre, which still shows movies on its massive screen.The top level of this 12 story high architectural wonder features the beautiful, world-famous Casino Ballroom, a masterpiece of design and a long-standing venue for the world’s best musical performers and big bands. It is also a popular venue for weddings and special events. The only access to the building is through an exclusive Casino Tour offered through Discovery Tours. Once on the tour you’ll soon understand why many call this the most romantic place in Catalina.
Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States
We took a wonderful tour of the Casino; before we came to the island, we thought this iconic building was a gambling establishment based upon the name. Casino means gathering place in Italian, and this dazzling building is just that; the bottom level contains a beautiful art deco movie theater with amazing architecture and lovely hand-painted murals. Interestingly it was created by the same architect that designed the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The upper level contains a grand ballroom that was a gathering place for famous big bands and the upper crust back in the day. You can still see movies in the nearly one hundred year old theater, and there are some nice ocean views from the upper level. Our guide was excellent, and it was wonderful to take a step back in time and learn about the history of this beautiful place.
5. Avalon Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 285 reviews
The Avalon Theatre is located in the lower level of the Catalina Casino building. It was built in 1929 as one of the first theaters designed for talking movies. The original Page organ still is played before the movies on Friday-Sunday nights. The theater features first-run movies, seats 1,184 people, is 138 feet across and 43 feet high. Art deco murals by John Gabriel Beckman (designed the artwork in the Grauman's Chinese Theater)adorn the walls and create a glamorous ambiance.
Reviewed By janiceo898 - Pahrump, United States
It is so wonderful that the Avalon Casino (not a casino as we think if it--no gambling) has been quite well preserved. It is an art deco masterpiece, consisting mainly of a theater and a ballroom. The history is fascinating. I was fortunate enough to have attended an event in the ballroom many years ago. It is gorgeous, and the list of stars who have been there is amazing. This trip, we visited the theater, which still shows current movies. On Fridays and Saturdays before the movie, a concert is presented on the 90-year-old theater pipe organ. It has not been perfectly maintained (the organist told me it is a bit of a struggle to play), but it is a thrill to hear it and imagine what it sounded like in it's day. My one regret us that I wasn't able to take the Behind-the Scenes tour--next trip for sure!
6. Catalina Island Casino Ballroom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
Few words can describe the ambiance of the Catalina Casino: it epitomizes everything glamorous and romantic about Catalina Island. The one-of-a-kind venue is simply stunning inside, outside, and all around. If the meticulously decorated walls could talk, they’d tell countless stories of romance and celebration gathered from decades of memorable events. The immense, Deco-themed ballroom is large enough to contain weddings, large meetings or lectures or musical events. The Casino has retained its signature lavish style: a stunning medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, 50-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas surrounding the wooden dance floor, and a vintage full-service bar anchoring the back. A sweeping veranda surrounds the ballroom with stunning 360-degree views of Avalon Bay.
Reviewed By whenyoudream - Torrance, United States
This is just a wonderful vintage building built in 1929. We came for the Jazz festival and experiencing it at a live event made it that much more special. At intermission, we walked around the portico that goes all around it, saw the island at night, the lights from Avalon and the boats on the harbor, magical. The only downer was the smoking section they have out there. The jazz event we saw was over half empty when it started because many people buy the whole weekend of events and come and go, so that was a bummer. But it eventually filled up, older crowd, great acts, top notch, great sound, cool ceiling (see photos).
7. Behind the Scenes Casino Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Step back in time 70 years to an era when big band leaders were king and “talkie” motion pictures were the latest fad. Put yourself in the footsteps of the performers and crew who made the Casino one of the most exciting places on earth.The Casino building is a working theater, ballroom, and concert hall to this day. Focusing on the cultural history of the building, this one-of-a-kind tour brings you unprecedented access to backstage areas that very few people are allowed to see; including the "green" room and editing room.
8. Afishinados Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Afishinados Gallery, fine fish art, jewelry and gifts that are made by local and regional artist friends. Everything in the store is hand made, nothing is imported. If you need to buy a gift for a fishy friend are looking to add a beachy piece to your boat or home or just enjoy marine-inspired art you will love a walk through this unique gallery.
9. Nature Center at Avalon Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Exhibits and films about Catalina Island’s wildlife, visit with a Naturalist, and get a hiking permit.
Reviewed By taylorzzzzzzzz - Los Angeles, United States
Great little walkable center with free displays detailing the flora and fauna of the island. Is definitely recommend checking it out.
10. Catalina Sea Spa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Located just steps from the beach in beautiful downtown Avalon, Catalina Island. We specialize in Couples Massage. Let us relax you and your loved one in one of our beautifully decorated couples rooms. Wonderfully soothing sugar scrubs, foot massages, peppermint scalp massages, and Lavender facial massages can be added to any service. We offer out-call mobile massage to be enjoyed in your vacation rental or Hotel room.
Reviewed By joyfulbalanceliving
We highly recommend Catalina Sea Spa and their 90 minute Romance Package Massage. Ester and Ramona were our therapists and they gave us an excellent and very professional 90 minute couples massage/treatment. We had never done a couples massage before and didn’t know what to expect. They had two tables set up in a small room side by side with peaceful music playing and low lighting to make us feel comfortable. The nice wide heated massage tables were very comfortable. They asked us both if we wanted them to concentrate on any specific areas. We both needed neck and shoulder work which they both focused on, far deeper than a typical Swedish massage followed by a peppermint scalp massage, sugar scrub, foot massage and lavender facial. My fiancé and I were so relaxed afterwards and felt great. We booked a 6pm time which allowed us to still have time to get a nice meal before we headed back to our hotel and slept peacefully that night. What a great way to begin our lovely weekend stay in Catalina to celebrate our birthdays! A big thank you to Ester and Ramona and Catalina Sea Spa for providing a wonderful treatment for us both at the same time! We will be back!!!
