$2,699,284Average Value$838Average Price per Sq Ft
A small-town coastal lifestyle in the Channel Islands
Most Angelenos view Catalina Island as a vacation getaway, but the lucky few who live there always have access to its coastal wilderness and natural beauty. Here locals and tourists alike enjoy sweeping views of bluffs, pristine beaches and a level of solitude that can be hard to find anywhere else in Los Angeles County. This isolation creates a strong bond between locals. “You’ll often see people ask friends for spare parts or hard-to-find ingredients instead of taking the ferry all the way to the city. Because of that, the sense of community with the full-time residents is probably stronger than you’ll see on the mainland,” says Avalon city manager David Maistros. Although it’s not convenient to the rest of Southern California — the ferry to Long Beach takes over an hour — the island itself is fairly easy to get around at 22 miles in length, with over 50 miles of coastline to explore.
Built along the crescent-shaped coast of beautiful Avalon Bay, Avalon is the only incorporated city on Catalina Island.
An elevated look down the streets of Avalon toward the marina.
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Beaches, hiking trails and more recreation on Catalina Island
Of course, the island’s biggest draw is its natural beauty. “All the beauty is kind of hard to get used to,” says Maistros. “I’ve lived here a long time, and I’m still not used to it.” The popular South and Middle beaches are sandy harbor areas located next to the area’s retail center and are well-trafficked by tourists. Between the beaches, the Green Pleasure Pier offers a place to fish, stroll or go on a boat tour. At Descanso Beach Club, locals can kayak and zip line — or just relax in a cabana next to the Pacific Ocean. For a quieter beach, locals can head to Lovers Cove, a rocky stretch ideal for snorkeling and diving. Residents can also bike and hike along many trails, including the nearly 40-mile Trans-Catalina Trail, where some recreationists may catch a glimpse of the famous bison herd or the endemic island foxes. It’s worth noting that even Avalon residents need permits to venture into Catalina’s conservation area, which covers more than 80% of the island, but the permits are easy to get at the Catalina Island Conservancy Center. The area’s Mediterranean climate results in mild winters and warm summers, making it an ideal place to explore the outdoors year-round.
Catalina boasts white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, reminiscent of a South Pacific paradise.
Further down the road, you’ll come to Hamilton Beach—a luxury villas community with magnificent ocean views and waterfront amenities.
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Craftsman bungalows, Mediterranean homes and condos with water views
Most of the island’s population, approximately 4,000 people, live in the small town of Avalon on the island's eastern side. There’s also a tiny settlement called Two Harbors, which is located on an isthmus near the northern part of the island. Centered around a retail hub, Avalon expands into walkable streets of close-set single-family homes. Here yard space is limited to nonexistent, but most residents are within a few blocks of a beach or a trail leading into the island’s wilderness, which functions as the town’s shared backyard. Outside central Avalon, the roads become more winding and ascend through hilly terrain, where condos and other homes are built into bluff sides. Most homes feature ocean views. Bungalows range from $700,000 to $800,000, while Mediterranean houses range from $1.2 million to $1.3 million. In the Hamilton Cove community, condos start from $800,000 for a one-bedroom and go up to $1.9 million for two bedrooms. Prospective buyers should keep a close eye on their options. “There’s very low inventory and a fairly hot market. Many of them are second homes for people that buy from the mainland and use them as vacation homes,” says broker Bart Glass, a Catalina Island native with over 30 years of experience. The area has a low crime CAP Index Crime Score: 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Different-colored homes line the streets in the residential area of Santa Catalina.
If Spanish villas are your style, Catalina Island has you covered.
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Bustling retail and restaurants on walkable Crescent Avenue
Along Crescent Avenue, residents can find a vibrant shopping district on the beach, highly walkable from many homes. “We have everything residents want and need,” Maistros says. There’s a wide assortment of restaurants, including the laid-back tiki bar Luau Larry’s, which hosts live music. An all-day breakfast spot, Catalina Coffee & Cookie Company offers patio seating with tables shaded by umbrellas. Bluewater Avalon is a standout seafood spot, best known for its deck views of Avalon Bay. Catalina Pottery & Tile Co. sells pieces by local artisans and displays ceramics created by potters from the 1920s. For groceries and necessities, there’s a Vons supermarket and a pharmacy called Leo's Catalina Drug Store.
Steps away from the marina, you'll find all the great shopping and dining Catalina has to offer.
The charming seaside city of Avalon offers a variety of culinary experiences to help make your island escape a memorable one.
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The Avalon Theatre and more unique attractions
There are many attractions on the island, despite being a small town — one of the benefits of being a travel destination. The Catalina Museum for Art & History displays an assortment of cultural exhibits from Chihuly glass art to exhibits about famous former residents like Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart. The Avalon Theatre shows movies in a repurposed casino featuring Art Deco and Mediterranean architecture. At the Catalina Island Undersea Sub Expedition, locals can take a submarine ride to see marine life.
The Catalina Island Undersea Sub Expedition gives riders glass walls for up-close views of marine life.
Located in the heart of Avalon, the Catalina Museum offers the best in art and history.
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A Long Beach Unified public school for all grade levels
Avalon School is kindergarten through 12th grade, has a B rating on Niche and serves most primary and secondary school students on the island. It offers courses in hospitality, tourism and recreation, which reflects the island’s tourist-reliant economy. The island’s only higher education option is the University of Southern California, specifically a satellite campus called the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.
Ferry services to Long Beach, COAST shuttles and more transportation
There are no main highways on Catalina Island, but there are many back roads used to get around. Although it’s a tourist destination, there isn’t an influx of traffic even during the popular summer months. Only businesses and a restricted amount of the population can drive on the island, so many locals and tourists opt for golf carts. Plus, most of Avalon is walkable. The City of Avalon Seaside Transit, also known as COAST, provides electric shuttles as public transit. Catalina Express provides ferry services to and from Long Beach. Residents can go to Catalina Island Health in Avalon for medical services. The town has the privately owned Catalina Airport – KAVX, which is open to the public, while the closest major airport is the Long Beach Airport.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Janelle File,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Avalon Kids and Dog Park
Dog Park
Playground
Knabe Park
Trails
Beach
Playground
Veterans Memorial Park
Trails
Old Ben Park
Boating
Trails
Beach
Trans Catalina Trailhead
Trails
Avalon City Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
Long Beach (Daugherty Field)
27 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Catalina Island
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Catalina Island, Avalon sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Catalina Island, Avalon over the last 12 months is $2,070,000.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$2,070,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$838
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median List Price
$2,349,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
12%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
11
Median Year Built
2018
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
5,542
Significantly above the national average
1,937
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,297
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Janelle File,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
485
Median Age
37
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$105,952
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$110,570
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.6%
College Graduates
31.6%
Advanced Degrees
0.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
81.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
12''
Average Winter Low Temperature
49°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
