Angel Island SP

About The Island

Angel Island State Park, the largest island in the San Francisco Bay offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. With great hiking trails and many other recreational opportunities readily available, Angel Island is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the urban Bay Area. 

Angel Island is truly a walk through time! Beginning with the earliest inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, Angel Island was a seasonal hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a safe refuge and supply stop for Spanish explorers like Juan Manuel de Ayala, one of the first to map the San Francisco Bay.

From 1910 to 1940, the U.S. Immigration Station processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were detained at the Station before being sent to facilities farther inland.

The Island has been a cattle ranch and beginning with the Civil War at Camp Reynolds, the Island has over 100 years of military history. With the outbreaks of WWI and WWII thousands of troops both returning and embarking for conflicts around the world were processed through Angel Island. In the '50s and '60s, the Island saw its last military service as a home to a Nike missile base.

In 1954 the transition of Angel Island as a California State Park began. Starting with Ayala Cove on the western side of the Island, park visitors had the first opportunities to enjoy the beauty of this amazing Island. In the early 60's the final departure of the military allowed the rest of Angel Island to become park lands and the rest is history!

Angel Island State Park Interpretation Master Plan Completed

A comprehensive Interpretation Master Plan has been completed for Angel Island State Park and is the culmination of a two-year joint effort by California State Parks and Angel Island Conservancy. The final product is a long-range plan that provides a roadmap for new and improved interpretive facilities, educational programs and recreational opportunities on Angel Island, the largest island in San Francisco Bay.

To read the full press release about the IMP, click here: Angel Island IMP Press Release.
To read the entire IMP, click here: Angel Island State Park IMP. 

Location - Directions

Access to the Island is by private boat or public ferry.
From San Francisco, Oakland and Alameda - Blue & Gold Ferry Service    www.blueandgoldfleet.com
From Tiburon - Tiburon/Angel Island Ferry Service   www.angelislandferry.com

There is limited weekday ferry service to Angel Island during the winter. (check with ferry provider)

  Bicycles are allowed on Angel Island, all riders under 18 years of age are required to wear helmets. Bike rentals are available seasonally.
  Dogs are not allowed on the island, service animals excepted. 
  Roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, and scooters are prohibited. 
  Charcoal grills or camp stoves are permitted in campsites, no wood fires allowed. 
  Night travel after sunset on the island is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety.

Facilities - Opportunities

A cafe, tram tours, and bike rentals are available seasonally (visit http://www.angelisland.com/ for
schedule).

The Angel Island Company (a park concessionaire) operates Segway tours the on the island. Tour prices are $65.00 person and limited to people 16 years or older. The Café also hosts an outdoor cantina at the Angel Island Café, a new and tasty treat for visitors to the park.

NOTE: Personal Segways are NOT PERMITTED on the island, unless it is being used as an assistance device for a disabled person. Segway rentals are available for guided tours only.

The trams run regularly scheduled one-hour tours with an audio program including information on the history of the island.

Private boats can use the boat slips or mooring buoys at Ayala Cove; day and overnight fees are collected. Mooring buoys can be used overnight.  Paid overnight boaters may use the island with their dingy only until 10:00 PM.

Dock area and finger piers are closed at sunset. After sunset private boats must anchor offshore or on mooring buoys in Ayala Cove.

Groups can reserve the picnic areas and other camping facilities on the island by calling 1-800-444-7275.

Park staff and volunteers provide interpretive programs and conduct tours for schools, clubs and other groups. For tour schedules and reservations, call (415) 435-5537 or email: tours.angelisland@parks.ca.gov