Editing Avalon, California (section)

==Geography==
Avalon is located on [[Santa Catalina Island, California|Santa Catalina Island]], approximately {{convert|22|mi|km|sp=us}} south-by-southwest of the [[Port of Los Angeles|Los Angeles Harbor]] [[Breakwater (structure)|breakwater]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title=Avalon Living 
 |publisher=City of Avalon 
 |url=http://www.cityofavalon.com/content/2497/2505/default.aspx 
 |access-date=August 29, 2009 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718133626/http://www.cityofavalon.com/content/2497/2505/default.aspx 
 |archive-date=July 18, 2009 }}</ref> It is the only incorporated city to be located on one of the eight [[Channel Islands of California]]. Due to its location on Catalina Island, it is the southernmost city in [[Los Angeles County]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.9|sqmi|km2|0|abbr=on}} on land and {{convert|58975|sqft|m2|0|abbr=on}} on water.<ref name=census_gazetteer>{{cite web|title=2014 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer2014.html|publisher=US States Census Bureau|access-date=November 27, 2014}}</ref>

===Cityscape===
[[File:Avalon California Aerial.JPG|thumb|300px|Avalon town and harbor, 2012.]]
The City of Avalon is oriented around Avalon Bay, with the harbor and beaches forming the center of the town's activity. The Cabrillo Mole, located at the south end of the harbor, acts both as a breakwater and the main docks for the cross-channel passenger boats.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moran|first=Julio|title=Walking Fine, but...|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/677347632.html?dids=677347632:677347632&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+29%2C+1984&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Walking+Fine%2C+but...&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411155950/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/677347632.html?dids=677347632:677347632&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+29,+1984&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Walking+Fine,+but...&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2013|access-date=March 10, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 29, 1984}}</ref> Many of the commercial businesses dedicated to serving visitors are located along the Crescent Street [[pedestrian mall]], which runs just behind the three main beaches of Avalon Bay. The pedestrian walkway is adorned throughout with decorative pavers, fountains, palm trees, and a decorative serpentine [[seawall]]. Many of these features were introduced to Avalon during an extensive re-design undertaken by [[Philip K. Wrigley]] in 1934.<ref name=otte/> Extending out into the center of the harbor is the green Pleasure Pier. The north end of the harbor is dominated by the [[Catalina Casino]]. Built in a style described as a cross between [[Art Deco]] and [[Mediterranean Revival]], the Casino serves as Avalon's most distinctive landmark.<ref>{{cite web|title=Casino Theatre and Ballroom|url=http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/island-info/history/catalina-casino|work=Visit Catalina Island|publisher=Santa Catalina Island Company|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref>

Outside of the bay and just north of the Casino is Descanso Beach, a private beach, entertainment and meetings venue run by the Santa Catalina Island Company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Descanso Beach|url=http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/activities-adventures/descanso-beach-club|publisher=Santa Catalina Island Company|access-date=May 3, 2013}}</ref> At the farthest north end of town are the Hamilton Cove condominiums, a gated community consisting mostly of second homes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Zan|title=Careening Around in Hamilton Cove|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60110877.html?dids=60110877:60110877&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+26%2C+1990&author=ZAN+THOMPSON&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Careening+Around+in+Hamilton+Cove&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630043347/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60110877.html?dids=60110877:60110877&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+26,+1990&author=ZAN+THOMPSON&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Careening+Around+in+Hamilton+Cove&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 30, 2013|access-date=May 3, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 26, 1990}}</ref> South of the bay is Lovers Cove dive park, a marine reserve frequented by both snorkelers and the classic [[glass-bottom boat]] tours.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rice|first=Jerry|title=Catalina is Adventure Island for Families|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CATALINA+IS+ADVENTURE+ISLAND+FOR+FAMILIES.-a0101256633|access-date=May 3, 2013|newspaper=Long Beach Press-Telegram|date=May 4, 2003}}</ref> Further south still is Pebbly Beach, an industrial area home to the Pebbly Beach Seaplane Base & Heliport<ref>{{cite web|title=Pebbly Beach Seaplane Base|publisher=Airnav.com|date=July 16, 2020|url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/L11|access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> and Pebbly Beach Generating Station, where Avalon gets its power.<ref>{{cite web|title=Edison Donates De-Commissioned Diesel Engine to Museum |url=http://www.ecatalina.com/news-article-1746.html |publisher=eCatalina |access-date=May 3, 2013 |date=June 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116161253/http://ecatalina.com/news-article-1746.html |archive-date=November 16, 2010 }}</ref>

Most of the residential units in Avalon are tucked away off of the beachfront, either in the flat lands further back into the canyon or on the hills that constitute the sides of Avalon Valley. Many of the major municipal amenities are located even further into the canyon, including City Hall, the fire station, the Catalina Island Medical Center, and Avalon Schools. The [[William Wrigley Jr. Summer Cottage]], also known as Mount Ada, is now a hotel. The [[Wrigley Botanical Gardens|Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens]] are located at the farthest end of town away from the bay.<ref>
{{cite web
 |date=February 15, 2024 
 |title=Wrigley Memorial
 |url=https://www.lovecatalina.com/things-to-do/historic-landmarks/wrigley-memorial/
 |work=The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens 
 |publisher=Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority}}</ref> The Memorial prominently features native Catalina Island building materials, including the famous pottery and tile that were made on the island from 1927 through 1937.<ref>
{{cite book
  | last = Coates
  | first = Carole
  | title = Catalina Island Pottery & Tile: Island Treasures 1927–1937
  | publisher = Schiffer Publishing
  | date = July 2007
  | location = Atglen, PA
  | url = http://catalinacollectors.org/blog/articles/carole_coates.html
  | isbn = 978-0-7643-1401-8
  | access-date = August 28, 2009}}
</ref>

===Climate===
Avalon has a [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Koppen]]: ''BSk''), with mild temperatures year-round. The [[National Weather Service]] maintained a cooperative station at the Avalon Pleasure Pier from 1909 through 1988. Average January temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|64.6|F|C|sp=us}} and a minimum of {{convert|49.3|F|C|sp=us}} and average August temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|75.4|F|C|sp=us}} and a minimum of {{convert|64.1|F|C|sp=us}}. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|105.1|F|C|sp=us}} on July 6, 2018, during a major Southern California heatwave,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.almanac.com/weather/history/CA/Avalon/2018-07-06|title=Weather History for Avalon, CA|last=Grad|first=Shelby|website=Almanac.com|access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|29|F|C|sp=us}} on January 2, 1973.<ref name=climate>{{cite web
|url = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?caaval+sca | title = Avalon Pleasure Pier, California| access-date = August 29, 2009
|publisher = Western Regional Climate Center}}</ref>

Annual average precipitation is {{convert|11.88|in|cm|sp=us}} and there are 34 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with {{convert|34.54|in|cm|sp=us}} and the driest year was 1953 with {{convert|4.10|in|cm|sp=us}}. The most rainfall in one month was {{convert|11.68|in|cm|sp=us}} in May 1921. The most rainfall in 24 hours was {{convert|6.75|in|cm|sp=us}} on October 22, 1941. Weather records are still maintained at the Santa Catalina airport.<ref name=climate/>

{{Weather box
|location = Avalon, California (Avalon Pleasure Pier) (1909–1988)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 85
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 90
|Jun record high F = 91
|Jul record high F = 95
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 95
|Nov record high F = 89
|Dec record high F = 85
|year record high F=
|Jan high F = 62.0
|Feb high F = 62.7
|Mar high F = 64.0
|Apr high F = 65.4
|May high F = 67.0
|Jun high F = 69.0
|Jul high F = 72.0
|Aug high F = 73.3
|Sep high F = 72.8
|Oct high F = 70.9
|Nov high F = 67.4
|Dec high F = 63.4
|year high F = 67.5
|Jan low F = 47.2
|Feb low F = 48.1
|Mar low F = 49.4
|Apr low F = 51.5
|May low F = 54.2
|Jun low F = 57.0
|Jul low F = 60.6
|Aug low F = 61.7
|Sep low F = 60.0
|Oct low F = 56.7
|Nov low F = 51.7
|Dec low F = 48.4
|year low F = 53.9
|Jan record low F = 29
|Feb record low F = 32
|Mar record low F = 37
|Apr record low F = 37
|May record low F = 32
|Jun record low F = 38
|Jul record low F = 45
|Aug record low F = 45
|Sep record low F = 41
|Oct record low F = 39
|Nov record low F = 37
|Dec record low F = 30
|year record low F=
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.40
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.78
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.04
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.97
|May precipitation inch = 0.35
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.04
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.00
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.06
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.25
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.46
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.15
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.23
|year precipitation inch = 12.73
|source 1 = http://www.wrcc.dri.edu<ref>{{cite web | author=WRCC | title=Western U.S. Climate Historical Summaries Weather | url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0395 | publisher=Desert Research Institute | access-date=December 28, 2011}}</ref>
|date=December 2011
}}