Visit Wrigley Botanical Gardens (Wrigley Memorial), Catalina Island, California

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The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is a botanic garden on Santa Catalina Island, California, operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy. It also contains a memorial to William Wrigley Jr. The botanic garden covers 38 acres (154,000 m²) near the town of Avalon on Catalina, off the shore from Los Angeles, California, USA. The garden places a special emphasis on California island endemic plants, i.e., plants that grow naturally on one or more of the Channel Islands of California but nowhere else in the world. William Wrigley Jr. (1861–1932) bought most of Catalina Island in 1919 with proceeds from his chewing gum empire. When he died on January 26, 1932, at age 70, he was interred near his Catalina home, in a tower in the botanical gardens. The tower stands 130 feet high and is primarily built with local materials. Wrigley's body has been moved, but his original grave memorial marker still adorns the tower site. The Catalina Island Conservancy now offers four new daily shuttle services through Wildlands Express. These shuttles connect the Trailhead Visitor Center to the gardens, making access easier for all visitors. The shuttles are free with a purchased garden entry ticket and are scheduled to align with cruise ship and ferry arrivals. The 3.2-mile roundtrip walk from Avalon can be challenging due to the incline, and this new service ensures more visitors can enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Visitors can purchase their ticket to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden at the Conservancy’s Trailhead Visitor Center or online. Shuttles run daily: Trailhead Visitor Center to Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden to Trailhead Visitor Center: 10 a.m., 11a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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