Catalina Chimes Tower — Attraction in Avalon

Ahoy there! If you're looking for a walk that's not too steep or far and offers some killer views of Avalon Bay, then the Catalina Chimes Tower is just what the captain ordered. Sure, the tower itself is currently under renovation, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the stunning scenery around it. And let's be real, the tower has probably been "under restoration" since the days of Blackbeard.

Now, if you really want to make the most of your time on Catalina Island, I highly recommend getting there early before the crowds take over like a bunch of landlubbers. And if you really want to feel like a swashbuckling pirate, rent a golf cart to explore the island's nooks and crannies. It's the perfect way to see more of the island and get to the Chimes Tower without breaking a sweat.

But whether you're on foot or in a golf cart, the views around the Chimes Tower are simply breathtaking. So go ahead, climb that 226 ft of elevation gain like a boss, and soak in the happiness of Avalon's beautiful bay. And don't forget to keep on trekking up the road past the Chimes Tower for even more spectacular views of Avalon Bay, Avalon, and Descanso Bay. It's like discovering treasure troves of stunning vistas at every turn. So hoist your Jolly Roger and keep on adventuring, me...

At the roundabout heading towards the casino don't go straight (to the Casino), don't take the second option, but take the third option that runs very much uphill. Take your first right after you've gone about a block uphill. This leads to a windy uphill climb that becomes one way after passing the Zane Grey Pueblo. You keep climbing steeply uphill away from town. At the crest is a gated road into the interior (don't take that) and then one of the Zipline-across-the-valley adrenaline junkie places. You are now descending steeply and come to the Catalina Chimes Tower about halfway down on the way back to town. We did this in two heavily loaded gas golf carts and I descended very slowly. Golf carts often have a single brake on the axle instead of four brakes (one per wheel) and I didn't want to experience brake fade. The views are stunning and the chimes are for real (we had the chimes mark the quarter hour while we were taking photos). Well worth the views and the adventure, but a...

Biked our way up to this spot and let me tell you—I was convinced the hills were infinite, like some kind of enchanted treadmill designed by a mischievous mountain fairy. Just when I thought my legs were going to file a formal complaint, boom—we arrived.

And oh, what a reward! A view so stunning it practically high-fived my eyeballs. Absolutely breathtaking (though that could’ve also been the uphill struggle still wheezing through my lungs).

We got to stroll onto the balcony like royalty surveying our scenic kingdom, and even ventured into the bell tower—which was part history lesson, part "is this where ghosts hang out?" adventure. Learned some cool tidbits too, so now I’m not only exhausted but educated.

All in all, a magical, mildly sweaty journey. 10/10 would climb the hill...