Catalina Island Like You’ve Never Seen It: History, Legends & Hidden Gems in Avalon
Hi there! I’m Bre, and I’ve been living on Catalina Island for 9 years now. I’m raising my little family here, and I started Avalon History Tours because I realized that most visitors come for the beaches, the restaurants, and the views—but they leave without hearing any of the incredible stories that make this island so unique.
Catalina isn’t just a pretty place to relax and unwind (though it’s perfect for that, too). It’s a place with thousands of years of history, from ancient Native American culture to Golden Age Hollywood. And through Avalon History Tours, I get to share that history with curious travelers like you—right where it happened.
Meet Gary the Garibaldi: Catalina’s Most Colorful City Tour
Let’s start with something new and super fun: Gary the Garibaldi’s City Tour—the newest tour on Catalina Island, and trust me, it’s already making a splash 🐟
If you’ve ever been snorkeling here, you’ve seen the bright orange garibaldi fish darting through the kelp forests. They’re hard to miss—and that’s what inspired Gary, our cheerful, fishy mascot who now "leads" his very own guided city tour of Avalon.
Gary the Garibaldi’s City Tour is a custom made 14-passenger scenic, open-air golf cart ride through town filled with stories, laughs, photo ops, and Catalina fun facts. It's great for:
🧒 Families with kids 5+
🛳️ Cruise passengers with limited time
👟 Visitors who prefer to see the island without too much walking
📸 Anyone who wants great views and local stories
What You’ll Experience on Gary’s City Tour
Gary’s tour is all about relaxed, engaging sightseeing. Our open group ride lasts about 75-minutes and gives you a great overview of Avalon, both past and present.
Here’s what to expect:
🚗 A scenic ride through Avalon’s most iconic spots
🎤 Light-hearted narration from a local full of Catalina fun facts and a few fishy puns
🏝️ Stops for photos, views, and maybe a quick local story or two
🧭 A feel-good experience that’s part tour, part joyride, and totally Catalina
It’s the kind of tour you can take at the start of your trip to get your bearings—or at the end to wrap things up with something truly memorable.
👉 Tours run daily, and we recommend booking in advance (especially weekends & cruise days!).
avalonhistorytours.com
🧡 A Local’s Perspective: What Makes Catalina Special
I started Avalon History Tours because I love this island, plain and simple. I live here, I’m raising my kids here, and I believe Catalina is more than just a vacation spot—it’s a place with heart, stories, and history that deserves to be shared.
Gary the Garibaldi’s City Tour is my way of making those stories fun, accessible, and something the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re here for a few hours or a few days, we’d love to show you around. All of our guides are long-term locals with extensive knowledge of the islands history and are always happy to share what their life here looks like.
Hope to see you on the island soon!
—Bre
Founder, Avalon History Tours & Gary the Garibaldi City Tour
📸 Don’t forget to tag us in your pics and follow us on Instagram @avalonhistorytours!
#GaryTheGaribaldi #AvalonHistoryTours
