THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Ride an open-air safari tram above Avalon for sweeping views of Catalina Casino, Descanso Beach, and Mt. Ada. This 50-minute narrated loop blends local history, geology, and conservation insight with easy, photo-ready stops.
Ride an open-air safari tram above Avalon for sweeping views of Catalina Casino, Descanso Beach, and Mt. Ada. This 50-minute narrated loop blends local history, geology, and conservation insight with easy, photo-ready stops.
You climb aboard The Eagle at the ferry dock, salt spray on your face and the harbor’s slow rhythm underfoot. The open-sided safari tram eases through Avalon streets, then climbs to the rim of the bay; the ocean below seems to lean toward you, daring you to look farther. The guide’s voice threads local lore with natural history as the tram skirts the Catalina Casino’s sweeping promenade, pauses at Lover’s Cove, and drops you at Descanso Beach for a reef-framed view.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Catalina Adventure Tours · Avalon, California
You climb aboard The Eagle at the ferry dock, salt spray on your face and the harbor’s slow rhythm underfoot. The open-sided safari tram eases through Avalon streets, then climbs to the rim of the bay; the ocean below seems to lean toward you, daring you to look farther. The guide’s voice threads local lore with natural history as the tram skirts the Catalina Casino’s sweeping promenade, pauses at Lover’s Cove, and drops you at Descanso Beach for a reef-framed view.
Catalina’s story is tangible here: the Casino — a 1929 social hub, not a gambling hall — holds the island’s Hollywood-era glamour, and the Wrigley family’s imprint is visible in Mt. Ada’s terraces and gardens. Geologically, Catalina is a chunk of uplifted island arc with steep granite outcrops and sheltered coves that shape microclimates around Avalon. The tour’s narration covers conservation efforts that protect the Catalina Island fox and offshore kelp beds, and points out how development and restoration coexist in small spaces.
Practical guidance: the loop takes about 50 minutes and is suited to most fitness levels — you stay seated on the tram but step off briefly at viewpoints. Bring sun protection and a light wind layer: ocean air can shift quickly. Cameras with a wide-angle lens capture the bay; binoculars help spot sea lions and seabirds. Check in at the Catalina Adventure Tours window on the ferry dock 15–20 minutes before departure, and note that children under five require a car seat and their own ticket. The tram is an efficient primer on Avalon — compact, scenic, and packed with context for further exploration.
Check in at the Catalina Adventure Tours window on the Avalon ferry dock, across from the Catalina Express booth; the tram boards just behind the window.
The tour is suitable for most mobility levels; contact the operator ahead of time to confirm boarding assistance and space for mobility devices.
Tours may be canceled for bad weather; you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours prior or if the operator cancels due to conditions.
Strollers can be folded and stored on the tram; children under five must occupy a car seat and have their own ticket—bring a portable car seat if needed.
Catalina Adventure Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You climb aboard The Eagle at the ferry dock, salt spray on your face and the harbor’s slow rhythm underfoot. The open-sided safari tram eases through Avalon streets, then climbs to the rim of the bay; the ocean below seems to lean toward you, daring you to look farther. The guide’s voice threads local lore with natural history as the tram skirts the Catalina Casino’s sweeping promenade, pauses at Lover’s Cove, and drops you at Descanso Beach for a reef-framed view.
You climb aboard The Eagle at the ferry dock, salt spray on your face and the harbor’s slow rhythm underfoot. The open-sided safari tram eases through Avalon streets, then climbs to the rim of the bay; the ocean below seems to lean toward you, daring you to look farther. The guide’s voice threads local lore with natural history as the tram skirts the Catalina Casino’s sweeping promenade, pauses at Lover’s Cove, and drops you at Descanso Beach for a reef-framed view.
Catalina’s story is tangible here: the Casino — a 1929 social hub, not a gambling hall — holds the island’s Hollywood-era glamour, and the Wrigley family’s imprint is visible in Mt. Ada’s terraces and gardens. Geologically, Catalina is a chunk of uplifted island arc with steep granite outcrops and sheltered coves that shape microclimates around Avalon. The tour’s narration covers conservation efforts that protect the Catalina Island fox and offshore kelp beds, and points out how development and restoration coexist in small spaces.
Practical guidance: the loop takes about 50 minutes and is suited to most fitness levels — you stay seated on the tram but step off briefly at viewpoints. Bring sun protection and a light wind layer: ocean air can shift quickly. Cameras with a wide-angle lens capture the bay; binoculars help spot sea lions and seabirds. Check in at the Catalina Adventure Tours window on the ferry dock 15–20 minutes before departure, and note that children under five require a car seat and their own ticket. The tram is an efficient primer on Avalon — compact, scenic, and packed with context for further exploration.