Santa Catalina Island: A remote island resort beloved by Marilyn Monroe

Avalon, the island's center, is a fun place to explore on a golf cart.

Due to environmental protection regulations, there are almost no cars on Santa Catalina Island. Instead, residents use golf carts.

A golf cart is essential for touring Santa Catalina Island, which has many hills, so we recommend renting one.

There are many cart rental shops on Crescent Avenue, Avalon's main street. Each cart can seat four people and costs about $90 for two hours.

It's not difficult to drive because it moves slowly. Another fun thing about this tour is that you can communicate with local people in a friendly manner, such as by saying hello when you pass their carts.

You can feel the pleasant natural breeze as you head towards your destination, and since the boat is maneuverable, if you find a scenic spot or another place that catches your eye, you can take plenty of photos.

A classic confectionery shop beloved by locals since 1941

Loyd's of Avalon

Crescent Avenue, Avalon's main street, is lined with pop, colorful shops and has plenty to see besides the golf cart rental shop.

Among them, "Loyd's of Avalon" is famous as a long-established confectionery shop that has been in business for over 75 years.

The specialty of this shop is "Salt Water Taffy," a sweet with a texture similar to caramel. It's hard to find anywhere else, so it makes a perfect souvenir.

The store is filled with colorful, visually striking American sweets, including large chocolate-covered strawberries.

There is also a bakery, crepe, and ice cream section, so you can buy some and enjoy it on the benches outside. A large parfait sculpture in front of the store is the landmark.

Edible art cookies with a motif based on the famous tiles of Santa Catalina Island.

Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co

As you walk through the city of Avalon, you'll notice that many of the unique tiles are used in the architecture, such as decorating buildings and fountains, and are also sold as souvenirs.

Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. sells cookies made from these famous tiles.

The cookies are slightly larger than the palm of your hand and feature delicate designs, and customers can choose the design they like when ordering. All cookies are handmade daily using the store's own original recipe.

They also serve light meals such as burritos and sandwiches, making this a homey coffee shop that can also be used for lunch.

A mini submarine tour where you can encounter the rare fish "Garibaldi" in the crystal clear sea

Catalina Island Undersea Expedition

The beautiful waters of Santa Catalina Island are home to many rare fish, the most famous of which is the bright orange Garibaldi, California's state fish and a protected species.

There are even submarine tours available that allow you to dive into the ocean and get a good look at these beautiful seas and precious fish.

During the 45-minute tour, you will dive to a spot where many fish live and scatter bait. Then, you can see beautiful natural fish including Garibaldi fish filling the windows of the submarine.

For those who want to experience nature more physically, snorkeling and diving are also recommended. You can rent equipment and take lessons from an instructor.

Although California has a warm climate all year round, the water temperature is low. In the summer, the water temperature rises to about 22°C, but in other seasons, it may be difficult to enter the sea depending on the day, so be sure to check in advance.

A restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood while feeling the sea breeze

Avalon Grill

When it comes to food on Santa Catalina Island, seafood is a must-try.

There are many restaurants in Avalon, but one of the most popular is Avalon Grill, known for its high-quality menu of locally caught seafood with a California twist.

The most popular item is the "GRILLED OCTOPUS," which is surprisingly soft inside and crispy on the outside.

Other dishes include grilled scallops, miso-marinated salmon, and meaty lobster with mushroom sauce.

Located on a corner facing the main street, the restaurant is bright and the large windows let in a pleasant breeze from the ocean. The high ceilings give the restaurant a great sense of openness.

From the terrace seats you can see the white sandy beach and the blue sea, and you can see people enjoying cocktails during happy hour.

This bar also serves the rare cocktail "Wrigley Martini," a favorite of Philip K. Wrigley, a famous businessman with ties to Santa Catalina Island.

This cocktail, which was invented in the 1950s, was originally only served at a bar in Wrigley Building, one of Chicago's most historic buildings.

In addition, there is a wide selection of wines and cocktails from around the world to enjoy, allowing you to spend a relaxing and luxurious time gazing out at the sea.

Enjoy the spectacular view from this classic hotel built in 1921

Mt.ADA

Santa Catalina Island has a history of nearly 100 years as a resort area, and there are many quaint buildings and hotels still standing. One hotel that you might want to stay at is "Mt. ADA."

This hotel was originally the home of Philip K. Wrigley, a businessman with ties to Santa Catalina Island who founded the world's largest chewing gum company.

Built in 1921, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and exudes a classic atmosphere reminiscent of times gone by.

It's about a 15-minute cart ride from Crescent Avenue. As the name suggests, the hotel is built on a small hill, so you can get a panoramic view of Avalon Bay.

The most luxurious room to enjoy the spectacular view is "The Grand Suite," which was originally renovated from Wrigley's bedroom with a fireplace, his wife's bedroom, and a living room.

The balcony overlooking Avalon Bay is directly connected to the bedroom, so you can enjoy the best experience of waking up to the ocean in front of you in the morning.

This hotel has only six rooms in total, including The Grand Suite, so if you'd like to stay there, make sure to make your reservation early.

Santa Catalina Island is a place where nature remains in stark contrast to the urban area of Los Angeles.

In addition to activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, anyone can easily enjoy the crystal clear waters and see precious tropical fish by taking a submarine tour.

As it is a resort area where many historical old American buildings remain, not only can you feel the atmosphere of that time, but there are also many stylish restaurants.

You'll be amazed to find a port town with such natural beauty and a classic atmosphere just a few hours from Los Angeles.