Gateway Cities Census Data

AVALON

Description: Avalon, located on Santa Catalina Island some “twenty-six miles across the sea,” (as memorialized in the song), hasn’t always been an island of romance. For more than 7,000 years, various Native American groups inhabited Avalon. It was once a haven for Yankee smugglers when the Mexican government controlled California.

When the United States took control, squatters transported sheep and cattle to the island. It was not until the 1880’s that vacationers discovered the island.The city was incorporated in 1913. In 1919,William Wrigley, Jr., the founder of the world’s largest chewing gum manufacturer, purchased controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company, which spurred Avalon’s development as a resort.

Today,Avalon is noted for its quality of life, smog-free days, easy lifestyle and clear waters by the bay. And, while only 3,000 people live there year-round, nearly a million visitors take a hour-long boat ride or a quick helicopter ride to visit every year. Need to get around while you’re there? Favorite modes of transportation are rented golf carts, bicycles, mopeds and walking! Recreational opportunities abound; camping, hiking, golf, SCUBA diving, fishing and more.

The city, which was incorporated in 1913,recently opened a new city hall and fire station facility adjacent to Catalina Island Visitors Golf City Hall Course.

(city description courtesy of Press Telegram 2006 Almanac)