Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Skip the airport and hop on a short ferry to paradise. In this PhotowalksTV episode, we take you on a Catalina Island day trip from Los Angeles, exploring Avalon on foot, by golf cart, on horseback, and even on roller skates in the historic Casino Ballroom. You’ll see why this island feels “a million miles away” while sitting just 22 miles off the California coast.
We start with the Catalina Express ride into Avalon, then wander the pedestrian‑friendly waterfront, colorful back streets, and classic beach cottages. Along the way, locals share what island life is really like, from the “August uglies” to why the water is so clear and perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Next, we ride golf carts up to Buena Vista Point for sweeping harbor views, stop at the Catalina Museum to unpack the island’s Wrigley history and iconic tile work, and visit the Chimes Tower and Pleasure Pier. Then it’s activity time: horseback riding with ocean views, roller skating on the original 1920s ballroom floor at the Casino, snorkeling and diving at the Dive Park, and relaxing at Descanso Beach Club with kayaks and classic beach scenes.
In the final segment, we share mobile photo tips around Avalon: where to shoot the “postcard” view, how to capture the Casino day and night, time‑lapse ideas from Buena Vista Point, and the back‑street details that make Catalina feel like a Mediterranean getaway close to LA.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Catalina is worth the trip, this episode shows you exactly how to do a full, photo‑friendly day on the island.
While in Avalon, we stayed at the lovely Seaport Village Inn, which is in the heart of town, just around the corner from the Catalina Casino, with great views and comfy surroundings. Thanks to the Seaport Village Inn for promotional assistance.
seaportvillageinn.com
Chapter markers
0:00 – Short Ferry to Paradise: Arriving on Catalina
0:31 – First Steps in Avalon: Island Vibes & Main Street
1:52 – Golf Cart Tour: Hills, Views & Local History
3:33 – Buena Vista Point: Romance, Clear Water & Island Life
6:11 – Catalina Museum: Wrigley, Tiles & Hollywood Stories
9:10 – Inside the Casino: Art Deco, Theater & Ballroom
10:45 – Horseback Riding with Ocean Views
13:02 – Skating the Historic Casino Ballroom
14:27 – Dive Park, Descanso Beach Club & Zipline Fun
17:30 – Catalina Phone Photo Tips & Sunset in Avalon
20:27 - Catalina's Seaport Village Inn
🔔 Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
#CatalinaIsland #Catalina #Avalon #SantaCatalina #IslandLife #LoveCatalina #LosAngelesDayTrip
🔗 Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
👉Facebook: facebook.com/PhotowalksTV
👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
✅ For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
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⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
Skip the airport and hop on a short ferry to paradise. In this PhotowalksTV episode, we take you on a Catalina Island day trip from Los Angeles, exploring Avalon on foot, by golf cart, on horseback, and even on roller skates in the historic Casino Ballroom. You’ll see why this island feels “a million miles away” while sitting just 22 miles off the California coast.
We start with the Catalina Express ride into Avalon, then wander the pedestrian‑friendly waterfront, colorful back streets, and classic beach cottages. Along the way, locals share what island life is really like, from the “August uglies” to why the water is so clear and perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Next, we ride golf carts up to Buena Vista Point for sweeping harbor views, stop at the Catalina Museum to unpack the island’s Wrigley history and iconic tile work, and visit the Chimes Tower and Pleasure Pier. Then it’s activity time: horseback riding with ocean views, roller skating on the original 1920s ballroom floor at the Casino, snorkeling and diving at the Dive Park, and relaxing at Descanso Beach Club with kayaks and classic beach scenes.
In the final segment, we share mobile photo tips around Avalon: where to shoot the “postcard” view, how to capture the Casino day and night, time‑lapse ideas from Buena Vista Point, and the back‑street details that make Catalina feel like a Mediterranean getaway close to LA.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Catalina is worth the trip, this episode shows you exactly how to do a full, photo‑friendly day on the island.
While in Avalon, we stayed at the lovely Seaport Village Inn, which is in the heart of town, just around the corner from the Catalina Casino, with great views and comfy surroundings. Thanks to the Seaport Village Inn for promotional assistance.
seaportvillageinn.com
Chapter markers
0:00 – Short Ferry to Paradise: Arriving on Catalina
0:31 – First Steps in Avalon: Island Vibes & Main Street
1:52 – Golf Cart Tour: Hills, Views & Local History
3:33 – Buena Vista Point: Romance, Clear Water & Island Life
6:11 – Catalina Museum: Wrigley, Tiles & Hollywood Stories
9:10 – Inside the Casino: Art Deco, Theater & Ballroom
10:45 – Horseback Riding with Ocean Views
13:02 – Skating the Historic Casino Ballroom
14:27 – Dive Park, Descanso Beach Club & Zipline Fun
17:30 – Catalina Phone Photo Tips & Sunset in Avalon
20:27 - Catalina's Seaport Village Inn
🔔 Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
#CatalinaIsland #Catalina #Avalon #SantaCatalina #IslandLife #LoveCatalina #LosAngelesDayTrip
🔗 Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
👉Facebook: facebook.com/PhotowalksTV
👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
✅ For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
=============================
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
