Catalina - Wrigley Botanical Gardens and Memorial

The Wrigley Botanical Garden and Memorial are located just over 1.5 miles inland from Avalon Bay. You can walk it, but bring water, sunscreen, and a hat as the cool coastal temperatures quickly heat up on this mostly shadeless hike up the hill to its location high on the hill of Avalon Canyon Road. Renting a golf cart or a bike is another option in getting to the Gardens. The Catalina Trolley is $2 one way and can be picked up from Avalon to the various stops along the way up to the Gardens\Memorial. Admission to the Wrigley Gardens is $7.00 and they are open from 8 am - 5 pm. Upon entry, you will see the shaded Education and Display Center which has various exhibits related to the unique plants that grow only on the Channel Islands of California (which includes Catalina Island).

Education & Display Center
Wrigley Education and Display Center

The foot path that leads away from the Education Center and past the restrooms and proceeds toward the Wrigley Monument takes you through the garden. The first section will take you through an area with varieties of cactus and other succulent plants. As you continue up the hill, you will reach a section where California Island Endemic plants (species of plants that grow only on the Channel Islands).

Path Through the Cactus & Succulent Areas
Path Through the Cactus & Succulent Areas

As you return to the main path, you continue to the Memorial where 2 sets of stairs on either side will take you up to it. The beautiful steps curve around the sides of the building and there is a spot on the staircase shown below where a beautiful tiled bench has been carved into the stone where you can rest for a moment under a shade tree, should you need to do so.

Steps to the stop of the Wrigley Memorial
Steps to the Top of the Memorial

The stairs reach the mid section of the Memorial. To get to the arches, head over to the left side of the building past the memorial plaque and lion's head and locate the iron doors where another set of steps will take you into the arches. The picture below shows the gorgeous detail of the tile inside of the arches but hardly shows how it really looks in person.

Wrigley Memorial from the Base
Wrigley Memorial from the Base

Once at the top of the memorial, after enjoying the tile work and lattice work in the structure, catch a spectacular view of Avalon Bay toward the mainland.

Ocean View from the Top of Wrigley Memorial
Ocean View from the Top of Wrigley Memorial

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