Catalina island

Welp, getting close to time to head out west. I came up with a different plan for an overnight excursion, instead of going to Laguna or Newport beach, Catalina/Avalon looks like a really cool overnight sojourn. Terrorizing the place on golf carts looks particularly appealing..vroooom.

As this trip approachs I find myself uncharacteristically unprepared, by this time I've usually pored over miles of tripadvisor reviews, yelped til my eyes bleed and studied all pertinent maps. Shoot, I just got dialysis finalized this week with my start times. I still have til tues. so I still got's a few days I suppose.

I was wondering if any of our Ca. crowd has any input on Avalon, must visit rest., best places for golf cart doughnuts/burnouts...any help at all would be much appreciated. For eats, we love seafood and would love a really good casual place that has all things from the sea, crustaceans in particular. So if'n anyone's eaten around here or just anything to else to add, again, much appreciated

I go to Catalina several times a year. Will be there the afternoon/evening of the 25th, but not Avalon. I will be up at Long Point, it is Long Beach Yacht club's place.

I am usually there for races to the island and back which is really an excuse for a bunch of sailors to go party. So, my experience lies mostly in the islands bars more than their restaurants. however, we do have several (restaurants, that is) that we tend to prefer.

Steve's Steakhouse is probably the nicest. If Swordfish is on the menu it is always sustainably harpooned and perfectly prepared.
Bluewater Grill seems to be a favorite of the crew. Its OK I guess. It does have good views of the harbor, so great for the pure tourist.
Luau Larry's is the epitome of Catalina. Pretty good food, good drinks and decent prices (for an island tourist trap).

Every race destination has its own signature drink. Catalina's is the "Buffalo Milk". You should try it.

Avalon is small and easily explored on foot. That said, it is built on the side of a fairly steep hill so a golf cart can make exploring past the waterfront easier. Wrigley field can be reached by cart but the rest of the island would be too far.

The "island" tour by jeep or truck might be worth doing. It takes you to the airport and back, gives history and such and you might see a buffalo.

Catalina Island is a low key place to visit. There is one localized area where you can book your tours. There are bus tours, glass bottom boats, jeep tours, zip line, and tours of the casino. The casino has a museum on the bottom floor. This is not a gambling casino, but a place with a big dance floor where bands from the "big band" era came to play. The casino tour is my favorite. Lots of little shops to explore and places to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. I, also, have gone by sailboat and have little knowledge of hotels. You will definitely enjoy exploring the island.

Thx for the replies guys. I have steves and luau larrys down from all the good reviews on tripadvisor, steves is next door to hotel macrae which is where we're staying so that's cool. The Lobster trap looked plenty kitschy and touristy as well, so we'll check that out.
Orchid, I'm thinking we might do the casino tour since you gave it a high mark, that and rent a golf cart for the afternoon one afternoon. Unfortunately it looks like we'll have to be in Anaheim tues. morning so I guess Catalina will only be a one night two day trip.

Sooooo....

California here we come.....