The Catalina Food Tour

Avalon is a compact town with an outsized restaurant scene, and the best way to taste it is on a guided food tour. The Catalina Food Tour walks you through the waterfront and the back streets, stopping at several local restaurants, cafes and shops for small plates, drinks and sweets, with a guide who explains how the town eats and why. Expect fresh seafood, tacos and ceviche, burgers and sliders that might feature the island's bison, plus pastries, chocolates and a cocktail or two. Between stops the guide shares history, architecture and local lore, so you leave with a sense of the town as well as a full stomach. It is a good first-day activity that gives you a shortlist for dinner.

Food on the island has its own character. Almost everything arrives by boat, which affects menus and prices, but the local fishing tradition and a loyal base of cooks keep quality high. Seafood is the star: grilled fish, shrimp, calamari and clam chowder appear at nearly every table.

Mexican and Californian influences show up in tacos and salsas, while old-school bars and diners add burgers, pizza and comfort dishes. Tastings on the tour are designed as small portions so you can sample several places without overeating, and dietary needs can often be accommodated if you mention them when you book.

The tour is as much a stroll as a meal. You pass the Casino, the Pleasure Pier, flower-filled courtyards and historic buildings, and the guide points out details most visitors miss, such as tile fountains, old signs and murals. Along the way you may hear how Prohibition, the Wrigley family and wartime shaped the town's dining and drinking culture.

Groups are usually small, which makes it easy to chat and to ask for restaurant recommendations. Wear comfortable shoes and bring an appetite, and plan a lighter lunch if you are joining the afternoon tour.Use the tour to plan the rest of your stay.

If you love a particular dish, note the restaurant for a return visit; the places that impress you at lunchtime may require reservations for dinner, particularly in summer. Ask your guide about the best view for a sunset drink, the quietest breakfast spot and where locals go late at night. After the tour, walk off the meal with a stroll around the harbor or a swim at Descanso Beach.

Pair it with the Casino tour for a satisfying day of food and history. Because tastings include alcohol at some stops, age limits and identification rules apply for the drinking portions, so check the details when you book.

Food tours are especially useful on an island where menus can look similar at first glance. A guide who knows the owners, the specials and the best times to visit can save you from tourist-trap mistakes. Many guests report that the tour helped them discover small places tucked away from the main waterfront, such as courtyards, bakeries and wine bars.

You also learn which dishes are local specialties and which are imports, which makes ordering the rest of your meals easier. If you enjoy it, tip the guide, say thank you to the owners, and return to your favorite stop for a longer meal later in the trip.