Avalon, California

Avalon, California
Avalon Harbor from Chimes Tower
Motto: 
To the Island Valley of Avalon
Location of Avalon in Los Angeles County, California
Avalon
Location in the Los Angeles Metro Area
Avalon
Avalon (California)
Avalon
Avalon (the United States)
Avalon
Avalon (North America)
Coordinates: 33°20′27″N 118°19′40″W / 33.34083°N 118.32778°W / 33.34083; -118.32778
Country United States
State California
CountyLos Angeles
Incorporated (city)June 26, 1913
Named afterAvalon island, Idylls of the King
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorAnn Marshall
 • Mayor Pro TemMichael Ponce
 • City CouncilYesenia De La Rosa
Lisa Lavelle
Mary Schickling
 • City ManagerDavid Maistros
Area
 • Total
7.66 sq mi (19.83 km2)
 • Land2.88 sq mi (7.47 km2)
 • Water4.77 sq mi (12.35 km2)  0.07%
Elevation
30 ft (9 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,460
 • Density1,199.0/sq mi (462.94/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
90704
Area code310/424
FIPS code06-03274
GNIS feature ID1660283
Websitehttp://cityofavalon.com/

Avalon is the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island, in the California Channel Islands, and the southernmost city in Los Angeles County. The city is a resort community with the waterfront dominated by tourism-oriented businesses. The older parts of the city on the valley floor consist primarily of small houses and two and three-story buildings in various traditional architectural styles.

In 1919, William Wrigley Jr. gained control of Avalon and oversaw much of its development, including the construction of the landmark Catalina Casino. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, several different developers tried to develop Avalon into a resort destination community, but most before Wrigley went bankrupt.

The population was 3,460 at the 2020 census. Avalon attracts about 1 million visitors a year and is frequently visited by cruise ships. Before European colonization, the island was inhabited by the Tongva people.