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Catalina Island, located off the coast of California, has restrictions on personal car usage due to its efforts to preserve the environment and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

The city limits the number of personal-use vehicles to 800 because of limited parking space and to keep streets clear for pedestrian tourists.

Why are there no cars on Catalina Island?

Catalina has been a mostly car-free destination since the 1980s and has regulated the number of vehicles within the Avalon city limits.

The wait to bring a full-size car onto Catalina is over 25 years.

More than 500 names are on a waiting list for the coveted blue stickers that say a car is registered correctly.

The quota does not apply to permits for commercial vehicles, but such cars are not allowed to park overnight on city streets.

Taxis can operate on Catalina Island, but Uber and Lyft are restricted from doing business there.

Can you drive on Catalina Island?

You may not drive a car on Catalina Island. However, you can drive a golf cart around the island as I did when last visiting. It is a ton of fun!

Visitors are not allowed to drive cars on the island, and most residents drive about in golf carts (many homes only have golf-cart-size driveways).

Can you take your car on the Catalina Express?

No, you may not take a vehicle on the Catalina Express. Cars are restricted on the island.

Catalina Island is about 22 miles long and 8 miles across.

Most people stay in the bustling town of Avalon, where everything is at your fingertips, like restaurants, great snorkeling, and hiking. Boats are in the harbor, and there are a ton of tours to take.

Locals and visitors ride around in golf carts, bikes, or walk.

Can you take your car to Catalina Island?

No. You cannot take your car to Catalina Island. The city of Avalon restricts the number of vehicles allowed on the island since the 1980s. Locals and tourists use golf carts to scoot around Avalon. You would be out of place in a car. When you visit, notice that most residents have golf carts parked next to their homes.

Here is everything you need to know about getting to Catalina Island on the Catalina Express.