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 Permits
III Transportation
III Camping
III Books
and Maps III Caution
Hiking
permits are required by the Catalina
Island Conservancy. They are free of charge, and available the
day of your hike. They can be obtained at these locations:
Conservancy
House
in Avalon, at 125 Claressa Ave. Open daily from 9:00 to
5:00, weekends closed for lunch. 310-510-2595
Catalina
Island Interpretive Center
a mile up Avalon Canyon, across from Campground. Open
daily from 9:00 to 5:00. 310-510-2514.
Catalina
Airport
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., call 310-510-0143.
Two
Harbors Visitor Information Center
Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., call 800-785-8425.
Early
Morning Ride to the Airport
The Airport van is offering an early morning ride
to hikers and bikers. It leaves at 7:30 a.m. from the Tour Bus Plaza
(between Catalina Ave. and Sumner Ave.) in Avalon, and takes a 35
minute ten-mile drive to the Airport. The driver will drop you off
anywhere along the way. From the Airport you can make a nice day
hike back to Avalon, to Two Harbors, or to Little Harbor. A filling
breakfast is also available at the Airport's Runway Cafe.
You can obtain your hiking or biking permit at the Airport after
you arrive.Reservations must be made the day before your trip. Call
310-510-0143 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Catalina
Safari Bus
Providing transportation between Avalon and Two Harbors, by way
of Black Jack, the Airport and Little Harbor. Please call 800-322-3434
for information and reservations.
The
Little Harbor Shuttle Catalina Kayak Adventures
Offers round trip bus service from Avalon or join their Little
Harbor Day trip for an awesome kayak expedition. Charters available.
Reservations required 310-510-2229.
Catalina
offers five scenic campgrounds, as well as boat-in camping at
isolated coves. For information on all of these campgrounds see
the Catalina Island Camping page.
Conservancy
House (125 Claressa, 310-510-2595)
The Catalina Island Conservancy sells a basic one-color map of the
island, with selected roads and trails. You can pick it up at the
same time you get your permit. Their gift shop also features several
books.
Catalina
Island Museum (in the Casino Building, open 10:30-4
daily)
Also has a good collection of books for sale, including some rare
ones that are out of print.
Catalina
Island Interpretive Center (a mile up Avalon Canyon
Road, 310-510-2514)
Nothings for sale here yet, but they have a great collection of
maps and a very extensive library of natural history and ecology
guides. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to answer questions.
A highly recommended stop before heading into the hills.
Poison
Oak
Poison oak is common in Catalina's canyons and creekbeds. If you
brush against it stop immediately and wash your skin with soap.
Don't itch! That only spreads it to your hands and then other parts
of your body. The rash is sometimes difficult to aquire the first
time, but subsequent reactions require less contact and tend to
be much more severe.
Rattlesnakes
It's rare to see or hear a snake along trails and roads, but it's
worth it to be careful. The bites are rarely fatal, but (like
bees) if you have an allergic reaction it can be life-threatening.
Snakes are cold-blooded, so in the heat of the day they're often
in the shade of tall grass, and at night they will sometimes try
to absorb the heat off the blacktop roads. And even the babies
are poisonous.
Heat
Make sure to carry plenty of water. Most of the Island's streams
have dried up by May, and the daytime summer temperature can get
up to 90 degrees.
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