Catalina Island

We enjoy putting together puzzles by artist Eric Dowdle of the cities and parks that we visit. After finding this small puzzle of Avalon’s waterfront in a shop, it was fun to see the different places we passed on our tour.

This big tile mosaic in the entryway of the Casino rises over 20 feet above the doors. A dramatic, art deco effect as you enter the historic building.

Avalon’s Casino, actually a ballroom and theater rather than a gambling location, rises above the harbor. It’s a distinctive structure that anchors the north end of the town.

Topped by a golden dome, the century-old Catalina Island Yacht Club sticks out into Avalon’s harbor.

The walkway along the harbor leads to the Tuna Club (beyond the arch), the birthplace of modern big game fishing and still an exclusive “club”.

This row of little cabins were built over the original canvas tents that early residents erected near the beach. Tiny houses that keep the rustic feel of Avalon’s history.

The Catalina Crafters have one of the more colorful facades in Avalon, featuring multiple tiles of parrots.

Another example of Avalon’s beautiful tiles decorating the Green Pleasure Pier buildings.

Historic houses climbing the hills above Avalon’s harbor include the Lookout Cottage (conical red roof) and the Wrigley Mansion (top of the ridge). The lady that the Lookout Cottage was built for didn’t like the location and never moved in. Whereas Mrs. Wrigley specifically chose the spot for her house so it would get the…

Avalon is decorated all over with tiles made from the island’s clay. This colorful pelican graced the side of a building on the Green Pleasure Pier.

Our walking tour of the town of Avalon included this view of the town’s waterfront with the sun peeking out from behind clouds. The green building on the far right is part of the Green Pleasure Pier that sticks out into the harbor.

Anchored just off Catalina Island, this member of the island’s welcoming committee posed for our photos in hope of getting paid in french fries. That’s the Casino in the background, which we walked to on our tour.