Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is located at the top of Avalon Canyon - just a short 30 minute stroll up from town! The Garden features a collection of native plants from both Catalina Island, and the surrounding Channel Islands. The Garden also features a collection of succulents from around the world. The park is also home to the Wrigley Memorial. This iconic island landmark was built in 1934 in honor of Catalina Island patron William Wrigley Jr. The unique structure incorporates a variety of native rock and stone, as well as the famed "Catalina tile."
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
44 within 5 kms
Attractions
14 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
660 reviews
Excellent
242
Very good
250
Average
142
Poor
20
Terrible
6
MICHELLE RQ
7 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
It was our first visit here and it was something we wanted to check off our list.
I love plants and was looking forward to this tour. It wasn’t really a tour and many plant names were missing to identify them as other gardens do have.
The garden grounds are nice and somewhat kept. Most of the plants are typical dry, desert type. We enjoyed the pleasant uphill walk through the trail up to the top. It was quiet and serene.
The Memorial building at the top has a massive appearance from the bottom but it’s not a building you can enter. It’s more of a memorial structure made with beautiful building material. The stone and tile work is wonderful and to think when the craftsmanship was done, it’s impressive.
The Memorial & garden is a part of the island’s history and a place to see but we wouldn’t necessarily go back again.
I love plants and was looking forward to this tour. It wasn’t really a tour and many plant names were missing to identify them as other gardens do have.
The garden grounds are nice and somewhat kept. Most of the plants are typical dry, desert type. We enjoyed the pleasant uphill walk through the trail up to the top. It was quiet and serene.
The Memorial building at the top has a massive appearance from the bottom but it’s not a building you can enter. It’s more of a memorial structure made with beautiful building material. The stone and tile work is wonderful and to think when the craftsmanship was done, it’s impressive.
The Memorial & garden is a part of the island’s history and a place to see but we wouldn’t necessarily go back again.
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSQRD1
Kent, OH871 contributions
Sept 2021
We enjoyed our short visit and drove to the location in a rented golf cart. I am big on gardens so this was high on our list to do. This is a very hot and dry area so plan ahead. I think I can safely say that this would not be eveyone's cup of tea but we enjoyed the cacti and the idea. Reading about the Wrigleys history on Catalina in advance helped us understand.
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McWag_SF
San Francisco, CA27 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We walked from Avalon to the Wrigley Memorial and then onward to the Garden in the Sky trail marker (tough climb), and back to Avalon. It was a long way (10 miles), but worth the effort. The Memorial building is a super cool example of Art Deco architecture. This is well worth the time.
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny Trekkie
San Diego, CA11,346 contributions
Sept 2020
I was really hoping to see something as amazing as wild and crazy from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, after all, William Wrigley Jr was one rich AF American during his time. Both Wrigley and Wonka were uber wealthy right?
It's still an impressive moment, sort of. A long curving stone staircase leads to a fairly tall arched tower with some colorful tiles, a fountain(not running during my visit; drought?), a forum, and...and..and...that's pretty much it. No big "WOW" factor. No outrageous William Wrigley Jr statue. No Wrigley Gum sculptures. No golden ticket. No 3 course dinner gum that turns your into a blueberry. No Oompa Loompas singing silly sonnets, though there were some bratty kids running around. Oh, and there's cactuses, lots and lots of different kinds of cactuses.
$8, I'll probably won't return again. Perhaps there is something more awesome for Wrigley in his hometown of Chicago
It's still an impressive moment, sort of. A long curving stone staircase leads to a fairly tall arched tower with some colorful tiles, a fountain(not running during my visit; drought?), a forum, and...and..and...that's pretty much it. No big "WOW" factor. No outrageous William Wrigley Jr statue. No Wrigley Gum sculptures. No golden ticket. No 3 course dinner gum that turns your into a blueberry. No Oompa Loompas singing silly sonnets, though there were some bratty kids running around. Oh, and there's cactuses, lots and lots of different kinds of cactuses.
$8, I'll probably won't return again. Perhaps there is something more awesome for Wrigley in his hometown of Chicago
Written 25 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn T
Pinehurst, NC114 contributions
Aug 2021
First advise, don’t walk up from town in the summer! there is a bus system you can take. the gardens are interesting, but it is by and large a a garden for cactus lovers. Especially because of the droughts, it is very dry and plants show the stress. The monument is impressive. There are views of the ocean from up here. Bring some water!
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilia
8 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Had an exceptional experience by the person working the front booth at the garden. Noelle was able to answer all of my questions and provide great insight. Her customer service skills are A+! Really enjoyed the gardens especially with some of the cacti in bloom 😍
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pianogirl66
San Diego, CA80 contributions
Apr 2021
We walked from our hotel to the Wrigley Memorial Gardens and it is a pretty good workout. There is a bus that goes along this road too if you haven't rented a golf cart and don't want to walk. The gardens have a lot of variety of desert-type plants and it is really nice. When you walk up the stairs to the top of the Memorial, you have a great view of the whole area and on a clear day can see the ocean.
Written 29 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danbohan9
Peoria, IL45 contributions
Jul 2020
We set out on a nice hike from the City of Avalon to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Gardens. The hiking directions and map we got from the Catalina website weren't totally accurate; so, we got lost a bit. Once you've gone up Metropole to Tremont Street, it's time to get out your GPS for how to continue your journey.
The Wrigley Memorial was very nice. The Botanic Gardens had a lot of interesting plants, especially cactus. The young women at the entrance was very knowledgable and helpbul.
The Wrigley Memorial was very nice. The Botanic Gardens had a lot of interesting plants, especially cactus. The young women at the entrance was very knowledgable and helpbul.
Written 1 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melody B
San Juan Capistrano, CA5 contributions
Oct 2022
I'm not a big fan of Avalon - pretty much a tourist trap - so going to the Wrigley gardens was such a treat and a much needed respite from the crowds on the harbor. The gardens are arranged by plant topography, and there is a nice information area near the entrance with several informative videos you can watch prior to walking through the gardens. The memorial is special, and a great view down to the harbor. Climbing up on the left side (facing the memorial) is much less steep!
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flo L
Santa Clarita, CA212 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
We hiked from the waterfront. It was a fairly easy hike, and a nice day for it. The botanical gardens were interesting. The view from the memorial depends on the weather. It was hazy for us. It was a good way to get some exercise and see something interesting. I’d recommend it.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time does the trolley come on Miller and Thomas heading north today the 4th of July
Written 4 July 2018
Mixed reviews about this place. Being flower lovers, not fond of cactus is there currently enough blooms for us to enjoy. How log does it take at a slow pace to see the gardens and memorial. Many stairs to memorial?
Written 12 August 2017
Great questions, Joanie! Thank you for your interest! Showcased in the Garden are the cacti and succulents that Mrs. Wrigley collected throughout her world travels, plus plants that grow naturally on Catalina Island and nowhere else in the world. Currently, there are lots of exotics and cacti in bloom. Here's a specific list for you:
- Pink Trumpet Vine
- Bougainvillea
- Crassula Falcata
- Trichocereus Macrogonus (cactus)
- Jacaranda Tree
- Chaparral Mallow (California native)
- Woody Lettuce (San Clemente endemic)
- Island Tree Poppy (island endemic)
- St. Catherine's Lace (Catalina endemic)
Approximately 50 steps lead to the top of the Memorial. The typical visit time at the Garden is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
You can read more about the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden on our website (unfortunately, TripAdvisor does not allow us to post a link to our answer).
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Written 28 August 2017
How much does it cost to take the trolley to the garden
Written 30 August 2016
From the Catalina Island Explorer website: Essentially, the Avalon Trolley runs from Pebbly Beach in the east, to Descanso Beach in the west. The trip is broken into two legs, Pebble Beach to the Wrigley Gardens, and then Wrigley Gardens to Descanso Beach and back. The entire route takes about an hour to complete. Each leg of the route costs $2 per person, or round trip is $4 if you prefer. You can purchase and all-day pass for $7.
Written 31 August 2016
I'd bring snacks, don't think there's a specific area
Written 7 February 2017
Where is the outside stairs. Made into a hillside. leading to nothing. These stairs were blocked to access. supposedly built long ago, however, never served any purpose. They are grasdy green.
Written 21 May 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing