Avalon in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Flight - Newport to Catalina

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 19, 2026

1. First Flight - Newport to Catalina Marker

Inscription.
Glen L. Martin, May 10, 1912, first water to water flight, Newport to Santa Catalina Island.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1912.

Location. 33° 20.59′ N, 118° 19.497′ W. Marker is in Avalon, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Crescent Avenue east of Catalina Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Located on the serpentine wall near the Pavilion Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 513 Crescent Ave, Avalon CA 90704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Independence Day - Catalina Island (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Channel Crossing (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Avalon Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); The Legacy of Blanche W (approx. 0.2 miles away); Avalon (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tuna Club of Avalon (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Leaping Tuna (approx. ¼ mile away); Catalina Island Yacht Club (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avalon.

Regarding First Flight - Newport to Catalina. On May 10, 1912, aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin was the first person to successfully cross the Catalina Channel by air. Martin equipped an ordinary land plane with pontoons and departed from Newport Beach. He arrived in Avalon Bay less than an hour later. This was the fastest and longest flight over water at that time.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. — Channel crossing marker in Newport Beach, an official California Historical Landmark.

Photographed by Craig Baker, May 19, 2026

2. First Flight - Newport to Catalina Marker

Glenn L. Martin at Avalon image. Click for full size.

courtesy Catalina Island Museum

3. Glenn L. Martin at Avalon

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on November 28, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.