Handicap Accessible Tips and Hints for Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island is 22 miles off the coast of Long Beach, California, the island is 75 square miles, and the only city located on the island is Avalon. The only vehicles allowed on the streets of Avalon are golf carts, and that works well, as most restaurants, shops, and attractions are within what is considered walking distance.

As always, there are exceptions to all the rules and that’s good for wheelchair users as there are wheelchair accessible taxis and the Island Hopper tram. In the surroundings of the city there are several courtesy taxi telephones and the tram has regular routes through the city.

When planning your trip to the island, you want to take Catalina Channel Express and run out of Long Beach and San Pedro. There is handicap parking available at both locations and boarding is also accessible, newer boats are VERY accessible and all boats are accessible. As with all travel these days, there are luggage requirements, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them when making your travel reservations. This is where a personal travel website agent becomes valuable as they will be able to handle these details for you. There is also a service to the island from Newport Beach, however there is no handicap parking and the ramp to and from the boat is very steep so this service is basically inaccessible for wheelchairs or walkers with difficulties.

Where to stay on the island, Pavillion Lodge is just 14 steps from the beach and very close to the boat dock, and located near downtown Avalon. It has a large patio to relax and sunbathe. There are wheelchair accessible rooms on the ground floor with adapted showers. I have stayed here and it is very convenient and works very well.

This is a picturesque pedestrian-style island and is basically handicap accessible, which is wonderful as when cities and areas tend to be picturesque it drastically restricts mobility for the physically handicapped. If you can hop on a golf cart, they are rented by the hour (s) and by the day and that will make the island even more accessible for you. Most courses are not accessible, so a golf cart would work better if you can use one.

Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden is accessible, with help, as it is steep and rocky, so you may want to check this out to see if it would be accessible to you. The Art Deco Casino Theater has a ramp. The Casino Ballroom has an elevator. The Catalina Museum is accessible.

The events happening on the island are accessible: the Catalina Art Festival (September) is located on Crescent Street along the beach. The Catalina Jazz Trax Festival (fall) is at the Casino Ballroom. The News Eve Gala is at the Casino Ballroom. So make your reservations with your travel agent who travels with disabilities, pack your bags for an adventure of fun and relaxation, not to mention fresh air and wonderful weather.

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