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Frequently asked questions
Do you do private food tours?
Why, yes, Catalina Food Tours does offer private tours! To set one up or learn more, please visit our Private Tours page and submit a Private Group Tour Request Form. We will respond within 24-72 hours. We love getting a group of like-minded, ready-to-roll, and up-for-anything people together for their own tour!
If a tour is sold out, can I be added to a wait list?
Yes! Catalina Food Tours offers a waitlist for public tours. Add your party to the waitlist and our team will get back to you with options to book. If a date and time is sold out, there is always a good chance that we will add an additional tour on that day. Please contact us to let us know what date you are interested in if you do not see availability.
Do I need to purchase a ticket if I’m not eating?
Yes. All guests must purchase a ticket whether they plan to partake in the food tastings or not. Non-paying individuals will not be able to join the tour for any reason(s). The ticket fees help cover the costs of all the food samplings and also pay for your tour guide’s wages. This isn’t just a food tour. Our guides are also offering valuable commentary on historical, cultural, and restaurant information during this experience.
Do I REALLY have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay cash?
Yes! Tours often sell out, and due to time-sensitive food and drink orders, we need a head count in advance — so no, we can't take cash at the door. Remember, if you have a set date you desire, book even further in advance! You'll be glad you did! You can purchase tickets online with all major credit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay.If a tour is sold out on a date you're interested in, look to see if there is another time offered, and if there isn't, please email us. Our friendly support staff will respond as soon as possible. If you want to join the tour (eating, drinking, or not), you need a ticket. Get ready to taste Catalina!You can book the Catalina Food Tour on line, or call (310) 961-3730 to book tickets now.
Where does the tour start?
The Catalina Food Tour starts at Topside by NDMK in Avalon. The restaurant is located on the 2nd level of The Trailhead Building at 708 Crescent Avenue. Access to the restaurant is provided by the stairs at the front of the building or the ramps & elevator on the side of the building. Your foodie guide will be at the tour start location up to 15 minutes before your tour start time.If you have a vehicle to park, please locate parking on the 200 or 300 blocks of Claressa, Descanso, or Catalina Avenues. Pay special attention to time limits for parking to avoid tickets while on tour.
What time do I arrive, will I be stuffed, and is alcohol involved on the tour?
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time so you can check in. You can look forward to being reasonably full, this tour is enough for lunch. As far as alcohol, there are a few tastings where alcohol is involved… YAY! (ID required). Non-alcoholic substitutes are available.
Is there parking near the tour meeting point?
Parking is available in the 200 or 300 blocks of Claressa, Descanso, or Catalina avenues. Please read all signage in the parking areas – the closer you are to the beach, the more limited the parking time (generally under an hour). Park toward the upper half of the street to steer clear of tickets.
I want to take the Catalina Food Tour, but have allergies?
We do our best to work with our vendors to accommodate everyone on this tour. We can provide alternatives for guests with the following allergies and aversions:No alcoholNo beefNo dairyNo fishGluten freeNo nutsPescatarianNo porkNo poultryNo seafoodShellfish allergyVeganVegetarianWheat free*If you and/or anyone in your party has an allergy or aversion, please let us know ahead of time by selecting the appropriate check boxes when you make your purchase.For those of you with food aversions (not medical food requirements), we will, of course, work with you. However, all of our locations are serving their specialty dishes, so if you are able to check your diet at the door for a few hours, that would be great!The alternate tastes may be significantly different from those tastes offered to others on the tour.
Is all food/beverage included in the ticket price?
The Catalina Food Tour price includes the cost of all food and beverage and server/bartender gratuities at each establishment.
Can I shop during the tour?
We ask that you wait to shop until after the tour has concluded; trying to shop and stay on schedule would be quite like herding cats…. We will make sure to point out some of the best spots to return to upon conclusion of your time with us.
Are gratuities accepted?
If you feel your gracious guide did a sweet job, then by all means show them your savory appreciation by giving them a few extra bucks! Here on the island, gratuities are customarily 10% to 20% if you had a great experience. Guides are able to accept cash, Venmo or Zelle. You also have the option to include a gratuity at the time of purchase. One more thing: We’d love it if you would leave us a review on TripAdvisor!
Is this tour appropriate for my baby, toddler, or pet?
The Catalina Food Tour welcomes all human guests 21 and older. Because we visit a bar on tour, all guests should bring their photo ID in case it is requested. Pets are not permitted due to health department regulations.
I roll in a wheelchair. Can I cruise along? How far/long are we walking anyway? Restrooms?
All current locations on the Catalina Food Tour are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible at all but one tasting location. We walk less than a mile over relatively flat surfaces. We'll have plenty of stops to eat and drink.
Do we tour in the rain? What should I wear?
We dine rain or shine! If the forecast is for rain, wear a hoodie or bring an umbrella.Here are some fun facts: On average, there are 278 sunny days per year in Avalon, CA. Avalon gets only 12 inches of rain per year, if we’re lucky. The July high is around 75 degrees. The January low can get down to low 50s; however, Catalina is known to have wonderful warmth in January when everyone else is freezing…As far as dress code, there is none! Wear flip flops or sneakers, but always carry a sweater or sweatshirt as it gets breezy, unless the forecast is for high 80s and up! Whatever floats your boat!
When is the best time to take the tour?
We highly recommend you take the tour at the beginning of your visit to Catalina Island. Our guests have found taking the tour on their first day helps them plan meals for the rest of their trip and determines places they want to return to so they might explore on their own.
Do you have anything to offer locals of Avalon and Catalina Island?
Locals who have joined us on tour have told us they learned something new – every time. Feedback of this nature has come from people who have made Avalon their life-long home. This is a great tour to bring visiting family members on or to take for a fun day-off date or team-building lunch.
We’re happy to offer private tours for locals. Also, keep our Tasty Blog in your regular reading to be up-to-date on upcoming dining specials, food events, and local happenings in the food world and beyond.
Are the pictures you took on the tour going to be emailed to me?
We love catching pics of our guests on tour. We use an app called Fotaflo that will send you the pictures from your tour so you can save your memories and share your experience on your own social media or with family and friends.
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