Are you planning a trip to Catalina Island? If so, renting a golf cart might be the perfect way to explore its island terrain and stunning ocean views.
But before deciding if that’s right for your vacation, keep reading for information about renting a golf cart on Catalina Island – including the best way to explore Catalina Island!
No time to read the full post? While you can rent a golf cart, it might not be worth the cost and hassle. Instead we recommend a hands-off option: Private Guided Golf Cart Tour of Avalon.
Why Are There Golf Carts On Catalina Island
You’ll see locals and tourists riding golf carts all around; which is rare in California! Living in California, we’re used to cars all around so seeing a California city filled with golf carts is a whole new world!
Plus there’s no Uber or Lyft either! Why is that? California regulates the number of cars in the city of Avalon so you will only spot a few cars. Instead, people ride on golf carts on this island of only 76 square miles.
Planning your trip to Catalina Island? Here are the best hotels, and ferry service:
😴 Best Hotels On Catalina Island:
- Hotel Atwater (💲) (free access to Descanso Beach Club)
- The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island (💲💲) (360 views of Avalon!)
- Hamilton Cove (💲💲💲) (includes golf cart to explore the island)
⛴️ Best Ferry Service: Catalina Express (cheapest and quickest way)
Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental Price
Rentals start at $60 per hour and you can rent it for up to 2 hours so, $120. Depending on the golf cart rental, you might have to pay either by credit card or cash but deposits are required.
Best Places To Rent A Golf Cart On Catalina Island
You can rent one at either of these two golf cart rental shops: Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental or Catalina Golf Cart Rentals. Here’s what you need to know about these 2 rentals:
🏌️ Catalina Island Golf Cart Rentals
- Reserve up to 24 hours in advance for 4-passenger golf carts
- For 6-passender golf carts, it’s first come, first serve
- Child seats are available for no additional charge
- Pay with credit card but cash deposits are required.
- At least 25 years old to drive the golf cart
- First come, first serve
- Provide military discounts
- Child seats are available for no additional charge
- Pay with cash
- At least 21 years old to drive the golf cart
Should I Rent A Golf Cart On Catalina Island?
The main advantage of renting a golf cart on Catalina Island is that it allows you to explore the island with at your own pace.
With its rugged terrain and winding roads, renting a golf cart is much easier than walking or cycling around the island. Sure, you can also take a taxi or a bus but when will you ever travel around an island in a golf cart?
The main disadvantage associated with renting a golf cart on Catalina Island is that it can be costly.
Additionally, the golf carts may not have a lot of storage space for luggage or other items you plan to bring with you.
According to Catalina Island locals on Quora, it’s better to walk than rent a golf cart since the island is so small.
But what if you’re on a time crunch and you want a hassle-free solution to see Catalina Island while learning more about the island? Tour with a private guide on a golf cart! Learn more about why it’s the best way to explore Catalina Island.
Best Way To Get Around Catalina Island
The best way to tour Catalina Island is to book a golf cart tour! With a private guide, the tour takes you through many Avalon attractions including Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden, Pebbly Beach, and Catalina Casino.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Rating: 5/5 for 240+ reviews
Top reasons to choose this tour:
1️⃣ You get to learn and ask all questions about Catalina Island and its history and get a more personalized experience exploring Catalina Island.
2️⃣ See more attractions in less time! Rather than you trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B, you get to see the best of the best in 2 hours.
3️⃣ There are multiple tour times to choose from so you can customize your itinerary accordingly.
4️⃣ It’s hassle-free! You don’t need to worry about how to drive and steer a golf cart. Just take a seat and get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime tour experience.
5️⃣ Your guide can pick you up from anywhere there is street parking! If you’re just getting out off the ferry, the guide can pick you up from the Catalina Express port terminal. If you’re staying at a hotel, the guide can pick you up from any of the hotels below:
El Terado Terrace Mini Suites & Townhomes
Here are some Avalon Golf Cart Tour reviews about their experiences with the tour guide:
“Leti, our guide had a wealth of knowledge related to Catalina Island which made our tour wonderful! If we rented a golf cart on our own we would have lost that experience! Love her! Thank you! ❤️” – Rosemarie_E
“Excellent informative experience with an engaging and accommodating guide. My mother-in-law uses a walker so it worked great for her mobility challenges.” – Patricia_Y
“From start to finish, this was a great tour experience. Our tour guide Letty was very informative and funny. She was able to answer any of the questions we asked, not sure if they were all correct answers but we had a blast with her.
We saw and learned more in the two hours spent with her than we would have if we rented a cart and driven around ourselves.
There were 4 of us so when you divide the cost by 4, I felt it was an awesome price for what we saw and learned. I highly recommend this tour for a first-timer like us who grew up with the song and were looking for romance.” – Jack_B
If you want to make sure you get the most out of your trip, then I recommend booking this tour.
You’ll get to see so much more of the island than you ever could alone, and you’ll be able to spend more time relaxing than worrying about how to get around the island.
Other Options To Get Around Catalina Island
Not interested in renting or touring in a golf cart? No worries! Here are the other options to get around Catalina Island.
🚕 Taxi
If you’re looking for an alternative option to Uber or Lyft, you can take a taxi from Catalina Transportation Services. You’ll find taxis as you exit the ferry terminal and the taxi stand (where Metropole Avenue meets Crescent Avenue).
🚌 Public Transportation
You can also take the bus and choose among these options:
🚲 Bike Rentals
Biking is another great way to see Catalina Island. You get to go at your own pace and the island has a few bike rental options:
👣 By Foot
The cheapest way to explore this island is by walking around. The island’s size is only 76 square miles.
Where Is Catalina Island
Catalina Island is located off the coast of Southern California. It’s 29 miles west of Long Beach. Catalina Island is 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point.
Catalina Island Map
How To Get To Catalina Island
The best way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry. It’s just a 1-hour ferry ride that Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer offer.
You can choose to depart from any of these 4 cities closest to Catalina Island: Dana Point, Long Beach, Newport Beach, and San Pedro.
⛴️ Easily book a round-trip ferry to Catalina Island from Long Beach or San Pedro.
🚁 If you’re worried about getting seasick, you can choose to fly from mainland California to Catalina Island via IEX Helicopters.
✈️ If you’re flying into mainland California to visit Catalina Island, the closest airport is Long Beach Airport.
🚘 But you can find better flight options at Los Angeles International Airport which isn’t too far from Long Beach. You can rent a car at the airport to head to the ferry ports.
Where To Stay On Catalina Island
Catalina Island has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:
Budget-Friendly Option: Hotel Atwater
Mid-Priced Option: The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island
Lux Option: Hamilton Cove
Best Things To Do On Catalina Island
Catalina Island is one of the best islands in California. There are so many things to do in Catalina Island for any age.
If you’re planning a trip for the first time to this amazing island, then we recommend you check out these other once-in-a-lifetime tours to do.
📸 Catalina Island Casino Tour: Explore this 1929 casino, its art deco murals, and its history.
📸 Semi-Submarine Tour: Check out the underwater world; it’s one of the best things to do with kids.
📸 Catalina Glass Bottom Boat Tour: Discover different fish species without needing to dive underwater.
Best Time To Visit Catalina Island
The best time to visit Catalina Island depends on what you want to do while on the Island. If you love getting into the water, then go in the summer. If you absolutely hate crowds, then go in the winter.
🌷 Spring: Fewer crowds and mild weather
Spring weather info for Catalina Island: March, April, and May
☀️ Summer: Warmest weather; best for getting into the water
Summer weather info for Catalina Island: June, July, and August
🍁 Fall: Fewer crowds and mild weather
Fall weather info for Catalina Island: September, October, and November
🌧️ Winter: Least crowds and off-season
Winter weather info for Catalina Island: December, January, and February
FAQs: Renting A Golf Cart On Catalina Island
Can you drive golf carts around Catalina Island?
You sure can! You can either rent a golf cart or tour in golf carts.
How much is it to rent a golf cart at Catalina?
It costs $60 an hour to rent a golf cart. You can rent it for up to 2 hours so it’ll cost a total of $120.
How long does it take to golf cart around Catalina?
You can golf cart around Catalia for 2 hours.
Do I need to reserve a golf cart on Catalina Island?
That depends on the place you rent the golf cart. If you rent from Catalina Island Golf Cart Rental, you can reserve up to 24 hours in advance for a 4-passenger cart while reserving a 6-passenger cart is on a first come, first come basis.
If you book from Island Rentals Inc., it’s a first come, first serve basis so no reservation required.
How do people get around Catalina Island?
You’ll see locals traveling in golf carts or public transit as you can’t drive your car on the island. As of now, there’s a 25-year waiting list to have your own car on Catalina Island!
Final Thoughts: Golf Carts On Catalina Island
While there are also other methods of navigating the island through taxi, public transit, bike, or simply by walking, renting a golf cart on Catalina Island is a unique experience.
But for a hands-off experience to see the best attractions in 2 hours, travel around with a private guide through a golf cart tour.
