Avalon: Haunted Golf Cart Tour

The most unusual way to see Avalon may be from a yellow golf cart, listening to stories about ghosts, strange sightings, and old island places after sunset. This 90-minute tour visits several landmarks, including the Steamer Tug Boat House and the gates of Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, while your guide supplies the eerie backstory.

I like the five-person limit, which keeps the ride personal and makes it easier to hear the guide. I also like the headphones, praised by Mary Ellen, since clear sound matters when you are rolling along city streets. The main drawback is weather: one October booking was canceled that morning because of wet roads, so keep your evening plans flexible.

Key points to know before booking

• Five seats keep the storytelling personal: This is a small-group ride, not a large bus tour.
• Jess brings island history into the ghost stories: Her tour has been praised for its humor and broad knowledge of Catalina.
• You see landmarks from outside: The route visits in front of important sites, including the Wrigley Memorial gates.
• The golf cart is part of the appeal: You get a scenic drive through Avalon instead of a walking-only ghost tour.
• Headphones help with the commentary: This is useful when the cart is moving and the group is small but the streets are not silent.
• The $85 price buys more than ghost tales: You also get transportation, a guide, a welcome kit, and a compact overview of Avalon.

A ghost tour with a view of Avalon

Many ghost tours keep you on foot and close to one block. This one covers more ground by golf cart, giving you a moving view of Avalon while the guide connects streets and landmarks to stories of paranormal activity.

That format matters on Catalina Island. You are not only listening to a string of spooky anecdotes. You are also riding through town and seeing recognizable places tied to the island’s past. The scenic drive gives the tour a broader feel, though the experience is still centered on storytelling rather than dramatic special effects.

You should expect a guided visit in English, with the route lasting about an hour and a half. The tour begins and ends at 121 Clarissa Ave., a big yellow building with green awnings. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for check-in, since a small vehicle and a fixed departure time leave little room for a late arrival.

Why the five-person limit makes a difference

The group is limited to five participants. That is one of the strongest practical features of this experience. A small cart means you can hear the guide more easily, ask questions, and stay involved in the story instead of watching from the back of a crowded vehicle.

The included headphones are another useful touch. Mary Ellen specifically praised them because she had worried about hearing the guide. That is a good clue about how the tour works: commentary is central, and the headphones help keep the stories clear as the cart moves around Avalon.

A five-person limit does not guarantee a private tour. Other people may still join your booking. But it does give the ride a quieter, more direct feel than a large group excursion.

Starting at 121 Clarissa Avenue

The meeting point is easy to identify by its yellow building and green awnings. Plan to arrive early rather than searching for the location at the last moment. A 10 to 15 minute arrival window gives you time to check in and settle into the cart.

The same address is used at the end, so you do not need to arrange a separate return pickup. That makes the tour simple to fit into an evening in Avalon. You can book dinner or another activity afterward, but leave a little breathing room in case the return takes a few minutes longer than expected.

The tour includes transportation by golf cart, a guide, a ghost tour, and a welcome kit. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand or plan a separate stop afterward.

Rolling through Avalon’s haunted streets

Once the cart leaves Clarissa Avenue, the ride becomes a combination of sightseeing and spoken history. The guide points out places connected with ghostly apparitions and unexplained events, giving you something specific to look at while you listen.

This is where the tour can appeal even if you are not a serious believer in ghosts. The stories give familiar streets a different mood, and the guide’s historical context adds substance beyond a simple scare session. Julie praised the historical information, while Catherine singled out Jess’s knowledge of the island and the number of interesting stories she shared.

Jess seems to be a particularly strong guide for people who want more than spooky sound effects. The available comments describe her as funny, informative, and well versed in Catalina’s past. The guide can make or break a storytelling tour, and the high marks for friendliness and information suggest that the human part of the experience is its main strength.

Still, your experience depends in part on who leads your departure. Jess is one named guide associated with the tour, but the information does not promise that she will lead every date.

The Steamer Tug Boat House and its darker side

The Steamer Tug Boat House is one of the named stops. You visit the area as part of the route and hear about its paranormal history from the guide.

The value here is the setting. Rather than hearing a ghost story in an abstract room, you are placed in front of a real Avalon landmark. The cart lets you take in the building and its surroundings while the guide explains why it has a place in the tour’s collection of haunted sites.

Do not expect a long indoor visit or a museum-style presentation. The tour is described as sightseeing from the cart, with stops in front of landmarks. If you want detailed architecture, extended exploration, or entry into every site, this may feel brief. If you prefer a steady flow of stories with several locations in one evening, the pace should suit you.

Wrigley Memorial from the gates

The route also goes to the gates of the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. The tour visits in front of this landmark, rather than promising entry into the gardens or memorial grounds.

That distinction is important when you plan your expectations. You will get the guide’s account of the site and its connection to the tour’s paranormal theme, along with a view of the entrance. You will not be booking a garden visit as part of the $85 price.

This stop adds a major Avalon landmark to the ride and helps break up the ghost stories with sightseeing. The guide’s historical explanations are likely to be as important here as the supernatural material. The best way to approach it is as a short, guided look at a notable place, not a full visit to the botanical garden.

What $85 per person gets you

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 90 minutes in Avalon. The price makes more sense if you value a small group, motorized transportation, a live guide, and a focused theme.

You are paying for a compact experience that combines three things: a scenic ride through town, island history, and ghost stories tied to actual landmarks. The included welcome kit adds a small extra, though no details are provided about what it contains. Food and drinks are separate, so the full evening cost will be higher if you add dinner or refreshments.

I would call the tour good value for someone who wants a guided introduction to Avalon with a spooky angle. It is less convincing value for someone who only wants dramatic paranormal encounters. The supplied feedback gives the strongest support to the history, humor, sound quality, and amount of the island seen during the ride.

Weather and cancellation deserve attention

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Catalina schedule is still shifting.

Weather may affect the operation. One booking was canceled on the morning of the tour because of wet roads. No broader weather policy is provided, so check your messages on the day of departure and avoid building an important dinner reservation too tightly around the return time.

This is especially relevant because the golf cart is open to the surroundings and depends on safe road conditions. A wet-weather cancellation is frustrating, but it is also a practical safety concern for this type of vehicle.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who like local stories with a mild scare factor. It also suits anyone who wants to see more of Avalon without committing to a long walking route.

History-minded visitors should pay attention to the guide descriptions. The strongest praise centers on island information, not only ghost tales. If you enjoy learning why a place matters as much as hearing what may have happened there, this combination should work well.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a serious investigation of paranormal activity, extensive time at each landmark, or entry into the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. The supplied details describe a moving sightseeing tour with outdoor stops, not a formal investigation or attraction admission.

Practical tips for a better evening

Arrive at 121 Clarissa Ave. 10 to 15 minutes early. Look for the big yellow building with green awnings, and allow time for check-in before the cart departs.

Bring a light layer if the evening is cool. The available information does not specify the vehicle’s weather protection, so sensible outdoor clothing is a safer choice than assuming a sealed cabin.

Eat before the tour if you prefer not to search for food afterward. Drinks and meals are not included, and the 90-minute schedule is built around the ride and commentary.

Use the headphones if they are provided for your departure. They have been especially useful for guests concerned about hearing every story.

Keep the ghost theme in perspective. The tour is designed to entertain and inform, with historical context and paranormal tales sharing the same route. The fun comes from seeing Avalon through a darker lens, not from proof of supernatural activity.

Should you book the Avalon Haunted Golf Cart Tour?

Book it if you want a small, story-driven ride that covers several Avalon landmarks in 90 minutes. The golf cart saves your feet, the five-person cap keeps the group intimate, and guides such as Jess bring history and humor to the route. At $85, the cost is fair when you value all three elements.

Think twice if your priority is entering the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, spending a long time at each site, or taking part in a hands-on ghost investigation. For everyone else, this is a practical way to add local history and a little nighttime suspense to an Avalon visit. Just watch the weather and leave room in your schedule in case road conditions change.

FAQ

Where does the Avalon Haunted Golf Cart Tour start?

The tour starts at 121 Clarissa Ave., at the big yellow building with green awnings.

Where does the tour finish?

The golf cart returns to 121 Clarissa Ave. at the end of the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 90 minutes, or about 1.5 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to five participants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and English is the listed tour language.

What landmarks are included?

The route includes the Steamer Tug Boat House and the gates of the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, along with other haunted sites in Avalon.

Does the tour include entry to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden?

No entry is specified. The tour visits in front of the gates.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.