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14 instant-book locations

Exer Urgent Care, Rolling Hills Estates
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Carbon Health Urgent Care, Long Beach - Ocean Blvd
Carbon Health Urgent Care
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Exer Urgent Care, Torrance - PCH
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Exer Urgent Care, Costa Mesa
Exer Urgent Care
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AFC Urgent Care, Torrance
AFC Urgent Care
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Exer Urgent Care, Torrance - Sepulveda Blvd
Exer Urgent Care
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Carbon Health Urgent Care, Costa Mesa
Carbon Health Urgent Care
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Exer Urgent Care, Long Beach - Willow St
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Newport Urgent Care
Newport Urgent Care
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Exer Urgent Care, Long Beach - Long Beach Blvd
Exer Urgent Care

Exer Urgent Care, Rancho Palos Verdes
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Marque Urgent Care, Newport Beach
Marque Urgent Care
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Exer Urgent Care, Long Beach - PCH
Exer Urgent Care

Exer Urgent Care, Redondo Beach
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Athena - Urgent Care Clinic, 100117
Athena - Urgent Care Clinic
Providence Urgent Care, San Pedro
Providence Urgent Care
San Pedro Urgent Care - Harbor, San Pedro
San Pedro Urgent Care - Harbor
Oceanfront Urgent Care
Oceanfront Urgent Care
One Medical Pacific City Huntington Beach
One Medical Pacific City Huntington Beach
UrgentMED, Rolling Hills Estates
UrgentMED
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Recent Urgent Care Reviews (20)
Urgent care in Avalon, CA
Avalon is a city of approximately 4,000 on Santa Catalina Island, 22 miles off the Los Angeles County coast. The island has one primary medical facility — Catalina Island Medical Center — which handles urgent care for residents and the roughly one million annual visitors who arrive by ferry or air. For serious emergencies requiring mainland hospital care, see urgent care in Los Angeles for post-transport options.
What services does urgent care in Avalon offer?
Catalina Island Medical Center in Avalon functions as the island's sole provider of urgent and emergency care, handling the full range of non-emergency and stabilization needs: respiratory infections, minor injuries, diving and snorkeling accidents, marine sting and bite treatment, heat illness from outdoor recreation, and pediatric illness. The center also manages trauma stabilization prior to medical evacuation to mainland hospitals when needed. Given the island's isolation, the medical center stocks a broader range of diagnostic and treatment capabilities than a typical mainland urgent care clinic, including the capacity to stabilize patients before air or sea transport.1
Does urgent care in Avalon accept Medi-Cal?
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program administered by DHCS, covers care at Catalina Island Medical Center for eligible patients.1 The island's year-round residential population of approximately 4,000 includes service-sector and hospitality workers who may rely on Medi-Cal. Visitors who experience illness or injury on the island and hold Medi-Cal should confirm coverage applies to the island facility; emergency stabilization is covered regardless of insurance under federal EMTALA law. According to KFF, approximately 12% of California adults under 65 are uninsured statewide.3
How does island isolation define health care access in Avalon?
Catalina Island is the most geographically isolated city in Los Angeles County — 22 miles of open ocean separate Avalon from the mainland port at San Pedro or Long Beach. The Catalina Express ferry takes approximately 75 minutes to reach Long Beach; Catalina Air Charter provides a 15-minute flight option. This creates a fundamental health care access constraint: conditions that can be managed with urgent care on the mainland require careful triage decisions on the island, because transferring to a mainland ER adds 1–3 hours to care timelines. Catalina Island Medical Center coordinates with LA County EMS for air ambulance when conditions warrant rapid transport.2
What health concerns are unique to Catalina Island visitors and residents?
Avalon's marine environment and outdoor recreation create health presentations not typically seen at mainland urgent care clinics. Scuba diving injuries — including ear barotrauma, decompression sickness risk, and marine animal encounters — are among the more distinctive urgent care presentations on the island. Jellyfish stings, sea urchin spine removal, and saltwater wound management are routine. Sun exposure and heat illness are significant during peak visitor season from June through September, when day-tripper populations can exceed the resident population by a factor of five or more. Catalina Island Medical Center has hyperbaric chamber access coordinated through mainland facilities for confirmed decompression illness cases.2
Nearby urgent care options
- Urgent care in Los Angeles, CA — The parent metro, accessible by ferry or air from Avalon
- Urgent care in Long Beach, CA — Nearest mainland city, 22 miles by sea
- Urgent care in San Pedro, CA — Alternate mainland port, 22 miles by sea
- Urgent care in Torrance, CA — Near mainland arrival point, broader clinic selection
Urgent Care FAQs
Is there urgent care on Catalina Island in Avalon?
Yes. Catalina Island Medical Center in Avalon is the island's primary medical facility, providing urgent care, emergency stabilization, and diagnostic services. It is the only medical facility on the island and serves both the resident population and visiting tourists. For life-threatening emergencies, mainland hospital transport is coordinated via ferry or air ambulance.Does urgent care in Avalon accept Medi-Cal?
Yes. Catalina Island Medical Center accepts Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. The island's service-sector and hospitality workforce includes Medi-Cal enrollees. Visitors with Medi-Cal should confirm out-of-area coverage applies to the island facility. Emergency stabilization is covered under federal EMTALA law regardless of insurance status.When should I seek emergency care vs. urgent care in Avalon?
Catalina Island Medical Center handles both urgent care and emergency stabilization. For life-threatening emergencies — heart attack, stroke, severe trauma, difficulty breathing — the center initiates mainland transport via air ambulance or the Catalina Express ferry. Do not delay calling 911 on the island for serious emergencies; the center coordinates with LA County EMS.How are diving injuries handled in Avalon?
Catalina Island Medical Center evaluates diving-related injuries including ear barotrauma, suspected decompression sickness, marine sting and bite wounds, and near-drowning. Confirmed decompression sickness cases requiring hyperbaric treatment are coordinated for mainland transport, as the island does not have a permanent hyperbaric chamber. Seek care immediately after any dive incident involving unusual pain, numbness, or neurological symptoms.How do tourists access urgent care on Catalina Island?
Visitors to Avalon can walk in to Catalina Island Medical Center, which operates as the island's urgent care and emergency facility. No appointment is required for urgent care visits. The center is located in central Avalon and is accessible on foot from the ferry terminal and most island accommodations. Insurance cards and photo ID should be brought to the visit.
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