Visitors to Catalina can get a history lesson about the island by touring the many interesting buildings in Avalon. For example, there is the Catalina Casino Building which is the most prominent structure in the town. The round, 12-story edifice was constructed in 1929 and, contrary to what its name suggests, it is not a place for gambling but rather a venue for entertainment. During the Big Band era of the 1930s and 40s, the Casino Building rocked with the sounds of Harry James, Kay Kyser and Glenn Miller. The Catalina Country Club and Golf Course in Avalon evokes memories of the years that the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball held spring training on Catalina Island. From 1921 to 1951 the Cubs trained on Catalina, and the Catalina Country Club served as the clubhouse for the players.
Today, tourists come to Catalina because it offers beautiful scenery, pristine waters, and excellent beaches. There are so many ways for visitors to enjoy the waters that surround the island. For example, the glass bottom boat tours afford the opportunity to observe the colorful and exotic undersea marine species that thrive around Catalina. In fact, it was the people of Avalon on Catalina who invented the glass bottom boat. There is also para sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and ocean rafting. Anyone who enjoys scuba diving probably knows that the waters around Catalina Island are ideal for this activity. Tourists who would rather expend their energy on dry land can choose from golfing, hiking, zip lining, ghost tours of Avalon, the Avalon Museum and much more.
Accommodations on Catalina range from tent sites to luxury condominiums and four-star hotels. In between, there are quaint cottages, family-oriented inns and comfortable hotels on the beach. Catalina can offer an attractive and pleasant place to stay to all visitors regardless of the size of their vacation budget.
