Catalina is a real challenge to Mudhole-Adventurers  -- not because there are no mudholes there, but because they are all so expensive.  If you can overcome this concern, the other aspects of your vacation should fall right into line.

Not having done a great job of this ourselves, we offer no hotel recommendation.

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While we are not recommending a hotel, our experience illustrates the problem.  We wanted to go "in season" in order to take in some SCUBA diving when the water wasn't too cold. We stayed in the least expensive hotel we could find with a private bathroom -- Hermosa Hotel.  The room we reserved was about $80.00/night during the week and $95.00 on weekends.  Well, the room was so small and so noisy that we up-graded -- eventhough that meant moving from one room to another mid-stay.  This brought our room rate to an average of about $100.00/night.  For this, we had to walk a lot of steps to a room with noisy local neighbors behind, the bed obstructing the doorway to a small kitchen with heavily-rusted appliances, nothing well-cleaned.  The cupboard contained 12 plates, 1 cup, and a corkscrew.  And no heat, so you wouldn't want to stay here in the off-season to enjoy lower room rates. 

WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE:

• Rates are lowest in December, January, and February -- but the climate may be a little chilly and wet then.
• Take note of the numerous week-end events in the spring that draw crowds (charity themed foot races, etc.) -- you'll be competing with these folks for rooms
• Above all else for weekend visits:  know if a cruise ship is scheduled to make a port call -- this will choke the streets with day-trippers
• Since a large number of people do come over for just the day, planning your trip to avoid these crowds is useful at any time

MAPQUEST: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=avalon&state=CA&zip=90704&country=us&level=5

THE REALLY IMPORTANT POINT REGARDING  "HOW TO GET THERE":  It's an island -- you need a ferry. 

Catalina Express provides excellent and dependable service.    Ferries run on differing schedules from Long Beach downtown, from the site of The Queen Mary, and from other locations less frequently.

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Avalon is a great place for walking, or touring the countryside by rented golf cart.  There are many organized tours for getting deeper into the countryside by bus, cruising along the shoreline by boat, semi-submersible glass boats for viewing the marine life, etc. 

ATTRACTIONS

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE BY DAY OR BY NIGHT CASINO TOUR INLAND MOTOR TOUR WRIGLEY MEMORIAL & BOTANICAL GARDEN EVENING MOVIES AT THE CASINO (A LOCALS FAVORITE) THE MARLIN CLUB (A LOCALS BAR) ON CATALINA AVENUE J.L.'S LOCKER ROOM (A LOCALS BAR) ON SUMNER AVENUE

".....MUDHOLES.com is a great site!  My mom was a good friend of a Wrigley daughter so when I was a kid we got to hand out there -- they owned the Ranch atop the Island.....I'm not looking for an answer to anything here, except enjoyment, and would like to participate in the MUDHOLE site search adventure! -- Steve L.