There’s a city in the state of California that has a 25-year wait just to own a car. No, that’s not a typo.
Avalon, a city on Santa Catalina Island, which is also the southernmost city in Los Angeles County, is dominated by golf carts because residents cannot just own a car at will.
According to SF Gate’s Andrew Chamings, who visited Avalon recently, the city puts limits on the number of cars on the street, which has led to the aforementioned 25-year waitlist just to get a permit to own one.
“The effect this has on the town extends far beyond the size and number of vehicles,” Chamings explained. “It also means no gas stations, no freeways, no drive-thrus and no exhaust fumes, giving the harbor a positively Mediterranean feel.”
Quite honestly, that sounds kind of nice. No traffic, no fumes, less stress.
Chamings adds that cruises are a big boost for business in Avalon. Cruise ships usually anchor near the small city on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, bringing passengers into town using smaller boats.
According to World Population Review, Avalon is just 2.886 square miles and has a population of 3,141 people as of 2025, a number that is down 8.69% since 2020.
The average household income in Avalon is $101,884, and the city has a poverty rate of 8.04%. The median age sits at 36.9 years, with the average age of males being 38.5 years and 36.6 years for females.