Roadways in Avalon, California

[Max Rockatansky]

I haven't been to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island in years but just got back from a trip this weekend with my wife.  The roadway infrastructure is definitely a standout from other Californian cities given the vast majority of motorized traffic is comprised of golf carts.  The city seems to be where all the Scion IQs go to die given, they are cheap two-seaters.  These were the highlights of the trip in terms of road stuff:

St. Catherine Way

IMG_3993 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

IMG_4214 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Pebbly Beach Road

IMG_4091 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Wrigley Road

IMG_4112 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Stagecoach Road

IMG_4159 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

IMG_4163 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Chimes Tower Road

IMG_4181 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

IMG_4186 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

IMG_4191 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

Cresent Avenue

IMG_4230 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

We managed to avoid paying the typical rental cart fees through a deal my wife arranged with a local.  Apparently, locals aren't supposed to rent out their carts, but cash can open up some doors.  I'm to understand the going rate for cart rentals is $60-$100 an hour.

[Road Hog]

Safe to say no interstates or expressways.

[Max Rockatansky]

Just roads mostly less than standard two-lane width.  Pretty much everything paved on the island is around Avalon.  There is over 100 miles of dirt roads branching away from the city west towards Two Harbors.  There is a signed Truck Route from Pebbly Beach, but I didn't document it too closely.

[Max Rockatansky]

I found city of Avalon FAQ page on motor vehicles:

https://www.cityofavalon.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=75

Some interesting takeaways:

-  The city permits what is calls one "autoette" per household.  Essentially it is a motorized vehicle that is no more than 130 inches long and 55 inches wide.  If I'm reading the ordinances and FAQ right even a golf cart is considered an autoette.
-  Full size vehicles are mostly permitted with some size restrictions.  Two full size vehicle permits have to be voided for anything new to be issued to private residences.
-  Apparently if you have owned property in Avalon since 1989, you're grandfathered out of the vehicle limitation ordinances.
-  I've heard claims that private citizens can't rent their cars or carts but I'm not seeing any language in the city code to back that up. 
-  Business vehicle permit transfers have to be approved by Avalon Vehicle Hearing Officer.

[bing101]

Cool Tour on Catalina Island. This place has things that one wished happened on the mainland. 

[Max Rockatansky]

Cool Tour on Catalina Island. This place has things that one wished happened on the mainland.

My wife seems serious about making it an annual trip.  If that rings true I'll probably try to steer a trip to Two Harbors so I can partake in dirt road trips with my mountain bike.  I guess we'll see if they actually happens.