After tendering into Avalon Harbor, we rented a golf cart and took the one hour tour that takes you around town, into the hills above, and up to the botanical garden. There are some nice photo ops on the way. It’s a great way to see everything, and you’ll almost certainly run into people you’ve met on the ship who are doing the same thing. Pretty much everyone does the same route, so if you want to save a little, rent a cart with another couple. They hold 4 – 6 people. Go early before they sell out and be prepared for a long line.

After returning the cart we walked to the casino and dive park. Catalina is home to world class scuba diving so if you’re into that, sign up before the cruise because it sells out. There is a nice seafood restaurant right on the beach overlooking the harbor and an Italian restaurant with a large deck right next door. The main street is lined with gift shops.

There were two ships in port that day, so most of the good shore excursions sold out early. The wine bus to the Califia Valley was still available and reasonably priced and we would have done that had we not already done it twice before. It’s a fun excursion with a scenic bus ride, and one of the wineries, LA Cetto, is a real working winery set among vineyards and a bull fighting arena. You get to see the barrel room, bottling line and lots of other equipment as they explain the whole wine making process.

Electing to skip any paid excursions, we walked around the boardwalk, checked out the marina, sculptures, small shops and a fresh seafood market. For $4.00 roundtrip you can take a bus further into town where there is more to do.