Can You Rent a Car on Catalina Island?
As a travel blogger who writes about Catalina Island a lot, I often get the question, “Can you rent a car on Catalina Island?”
No, you can’t rent a car on Catalina Island—and that’s actually part of its charm. Catalina has strict restrictions on personal vehicles, which helps keep the island peaceful and pedestrian-friendly. But getting around is easy and fun thanks to unique transportation options like renting a private golf cart, taking the very popular Private Golf Cart Tour, or booking a Private Tour of Avalon with a knowledgeable driver like this one.
Whether you’re exploring scenic overlooks or cruising the quaint streets of Avalon, you’ll find better—and more enjoyable—ways to see the island than driving a car.
Let’s explore these options.
Read our Ultimate Catalina Island Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
Taking a tour on Catalina Island makes sense
If it’s your first time visiting Catalina Island, guided tours are a great way to dive into its history, hidden gems, and ocean views without the stress of navigating on your own.
In addition to the private Avalon driving tour, consider hopping on a semi-submarine undersea tour to glimpse Catalina’s colorful marine life without getting wet, or take a culinary walking tour through the island’s best local bites.
Most of Avalon is walkable, and with golf carts, bikes, and private drivers available, getting around feels more like an adventure than a chore. Forget the hassle of car rentals—Catalina makes exploring effortless and memorable.
1. Private Golf Cart Tour
This Private Golf Cart Tour is by far the most popular tour and often sells out, so booking in advance is highly recommended. It wins Viator’s Badge of Excellence Award. It’s a favorite for good reason—it’s efficient, affordable (especially if you’re in a group of four), and gives you a full tour of Avalon in under two hours. With a knowledgeable local guide behind the wheel, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the island’s beauty without worrying about directions or parking.
The Private Golf Cart Tour gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5-star ratings from over 400+ reviews
On this tour, you will check out Catalina Island’s must-see sites like Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden and the hills of Avalon.
2. Private Tour of Avalon in a Car with a Guide
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to see the best of Avalon in style—and skip the crowds while you’re at it—this Private Tour of Avalon is the way to do it. For a luxurious, personalized experience, you’ll be picked up right at your hotel and whisked away by your own private driver who knows every hidden corner and scenic overlook on the island. Think: stunning views, photo-worthy moments, and a relaxed pace where you call the shots.
This isn’t your average island tour. It’s designed just for you, with plenty of time to soak up Catalina’s charm without ever checking your watch. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a next-level day on the island, this high-end tour takes care of every detail— so you can focus on enjoying the ride.
3. Take a Private Helicopter Tour of Avalon
Even though you can’t get around Catalina Island in a car, there are more thrilling ways to see it—like this breathtaking helicopter tour.
Take off from Pebbly Beach for a 20-minute flight over Catalina’s rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and sparkling shoreline. You’ll soar above Avalon’s postcard-perfect harbor, spot landmarks like the Catalina Casino and Descanso Beach Club, and catch glimpses of buffalo, eagles, or dolphins along the way.
Cruise past remote beaches like Empire Landing and Bird Rock, fly over the tiny village of Two Harbors, and glide above the island’s highest peak, Mount Orizaba. You’ll even spot the legendary Wrigley Memorial and the Airport in the Sky.
This tour is Catalina from the clouds—untamed, unforgettable, and utterly unlike anything on land.
How do you get to around Catalina without car?
If you don’t want to take one of the tours above, you can walk, bike, or take a taxi. The main hub of Avalon by the beach is flat and very walkable. If you want to go up into the hills, you’ll have to take a tour, rent a golf cart, rent a bike, hike, or get a taxi. Even locals get around the island via golf carts.
Taking a taxi
You can hire a taxi to drive you around the hills of Avalon or to get from Avalon to Two Harbors and back, which is more expensive than taking the Cyclone.
What you need to know about taking a taxi:
- Operates daily
- Pick up in Avalon
- Toyota Sienna minivan
- It holds up to seven people
- Book taxi here
- One-way fares start at $250
- Take around 1 hour and 15 minutes
Taking the Cyclone from Avalon to Two Harbors
The cheapest and fastest way to reach Two Harbors from Avalon is the Cyclone Power Boat.
Taking the Cyclone from Avalon to Two Harbors is a great way to see the island from a different vantage point and get some refreshing Pacific Ocean air.
Catalina Island is a boating town; most people visit to be on the water.
What you need to know about the Cyclone:
- Departs from Green Pier in Avalon
- The Cyclone Power Boat is only available seasonally from May to early October
- A one-way ticket costs $18
- Takes 40 minutes
- Check rates and schedule here
Catalina Island Video
Do they have Uber on Catalina Island?
No. They don’t have Uber or Lyft on Catalina Island. You can take a taxi, but it’s very easy to walk around Avalon, and there are bike and golf cart rentals everywhere.
What is the most affordable way to get to Catalina Island?
The cheapest and easiest way to get to Catalina Island is the Catalina Express.
The Catalina Express runs from Long Beach and San Pedro to Avalon (there is one ferry, with fewer time slots, that goes to Two Harbors), and the Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach to Avalon.
Book a round-trip ferry to Catalina from San Pedro or Long Beach: Check availability.
No time to read this whole article? No worries!
Book the Catalina Express here! ⛴️
Where to stay on Catalina Island
While it’s doable and enjoyable to go to Catalina Island just for the day (that is what we do), it’s also nice to stay overnight or spend a whole weekend on the island.
Below are my top five hotel picks in Catalina:
Best Time To Visit Catalina Island
The ideal time to visit Catalina Island varies depending on what type of activities you’re most interested in.
The summer months are recommended if you enjoy water activities because they are warmer.
Conversely, the winter season suits you best if you prefer to avoid large crowds.
Have fun on the island. Cheers for now! 🥂
Everyone loves this tour. Please book in advance.
Book this Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon, which has a perfect 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read More of My Tips About Visiting Catalina Island
- Cheapest Way to Get to Catalina Island
- Wrigley Botanical Garden & Memorial on Catalina Island
- Renting a Golf Cart on Catalina Island & What You Need to Know
- Is There a Bridge to Catalina Island
- Is Catalina Island Worth Visiting
California Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for California?
100% YES! – With basic coverage averaging $1.50 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing, one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)
💦 Can you drink the water in California?
Yes — But I wouldn’t. It doesn’t taste very good and there are contaminants in it. You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle, which filters drinking water while on the go (traveling) and helps keep you hydrated.
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in California?
Yes — Renting a car in California is one of the best ways to explore this vast, awesome state, and kind of a must! I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks both international companies and local California companies, so you get the best rates. (read more)
🏨 What’s the best way to book my California accommodations?
For California hotels, Booking is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World. If you’re considering a California Airbnb, don’t forget also to check VRBO, which has better rates than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the Ultimate California Packing List to get all the information you need about packing for a trip to California.
🛫 What’s the best site to buy airfare to California?
For finding cheap California flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
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