Visiting the Island
Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. With great hiking trails, historic buildings, and many other recreational opportunities readily available, Angel Island is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the urban Bay Area.
Getting to the Island
Angel Island is a true island! There are no roads or bridges that lead from the mainland to Angel Island. You can get to Angel Island by public ferry or private boat.
Public Ferries
From Tiburon: https://angelislandferry.com/
From San Francisco: https://www.goldengate.org/ferry/schedules-maps/
Private Boat Use
Dock Slips: CURRENTLY CLOSED
Mooring: $30 for day-use, includes overnight (up to 8 people, $3 per additional person)
Plan Your Day
Before you plan your day at Angel Island, check the ferry times! The ferries won’t wait for you, so leave ample time in your itinerary to return to the docks. Here are some differing levels of difficulty of suggested activities based on the amount of time you will spend on the island. Find detailed information about the trails, historic sites, and activities under headers further below.
1 Hour
Easy: Visit the Ayala Cove Visitor’s Center to learn Angel Island’s story.
5-minute walk from dock | Level ground
Moderate: Hike to Point Ione for views of Raccoon Strait.
15-minute walk from dock with stairs | 0.5-mile one-way | Uphill | (20-minute walk without stairs)
Difficult: Brisk hike to the Ledyard Overlook for views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Bay Bridge, and more (if the fog cooperates)!
25-minute walk from dock with stairs | 1 mile one-way | Some uphill, mostly flat | (30-minute walk without stairs)
2 Hours
Easy: Hike to Camp Reynolds for views of historic buildings and the bay.
25-minute walk from dock with stairs | 1 mile one-way | Some uphill, mostly flat | (30-minute walk without stairs)
Moderate: Hike halfway up Mount Livermore for views of the north side of the island. Hike up Sunset Trail, turn left onto Fire Road, and turn left again to return down Northridge Trail to dock.
1.5-hour loop | 3-mile roundtrip | Some uphill, 140 trail stairs on Northridge Trail
Difficult: Brisk hike to the top of Mount Livermore. Pace only recommended for experienced hikers. Can be done via Sunset-North Ridge loop, or out-and-back on Sunset or North Ridge Trail.
2-hour loop | 4-mile roundtrip | Uphill, 140 trail stairs on Northridge Trail
3 Hours
Easy: Seasonally available lunch and tram tour with the Angel Island Café.
Regular service in the summer, intermittent service in the spring and fall, and no service in the winter. See availability and purchase tram tickets at www.angelisland.com . If there are open seats, tickets may be purchased when you arrive at Angel Island Café. Tram travels past most historic sites and viewing points on the island with audio recording telling the story of the park
Moderate: Hike to the U.S. Immigration Station, a National Historic Landmark.
30-minute walk from dock | 1-mile one-way | Uphill, 140 trail stairs | (45-minute walk without stairs)
Difficult: Hike around Perimeter Road to see historic sites and views
2.5-hour loop | 5-mile roundtrip | Some uphill
4+ Hours
Easy: BBQ in Ayala Cove. First come, first served grills and picnic tables. Only charcoal fires are permitted. Reservations suggested for groups of 35 or more: www.reservecalifornia.com
5-minute walk from dock | Level ground
Moderate: Leisurely hike to the top of Mount Livermore. Pace ideal for hikers who want flexibility for lunch, taking photos, enjoying the views, and more. Can be done via Sunset-North Ridge loop, or out-and-back on Sunset or North Ridge Trail.
2.5-hour loop | 4-mile roundtrip | Uphill, 140 trail stairs on Northridge Trail
Difficult: All trails! Want to see everything? Hike around Perimeter Road with a side trip to Mount Livermore up and back on Ida Trail. See historic sites and the best views in the bay.
3.5 hours loop, including detour to Mount Livermore | Allow additional time for stops | 6-mile roundtrip | Some uphill, some steep inclines, 140 trail stairs on Northridge Trail
Overnight
Campsites: Relax on the island after the last ferry leaves.
Reservations open 6 months ahead at www.reservecalifornia.com. Sites are a 1.5 to 2-mile hike from the dock, some uphill. Site 10 is the only designated accessible campsite. Bikes and wagons are welcome.
Boat Camping: Bring your boat to Ayala Cove for the night.
Mooring balls are first come, first served. $30 fee made onshore to staff. If staff not available, can deposit cash or check with iron ranger.
Hiking & Biking
Explore the island’s eucalyptus groves and oak woodlands, catch unparalleled views of the bay, or crest the 788-foot summit of Mount Livermore. Visitors are welcome to bring their own bike or rent a bike with the Angel Island Company (https://angelisland.com/) if they’re open. Here are three of the island’s most popular hiking and biking trails:
Perimeter Road
The Perimeter Road is a mostly paved and hilly road that goes in a 5-mile loop around the island, open to hikers and bikers. This trail is ideal for beginner hikers, visitors bringing strollers or wagons, and anyone interested in visiting the historic sites. The Perimeter Road also has the most accessible views of the Bay. Bikers should be cautious of their speed and pedestrians on a few steep hills and blind corners.
Fire Road
The Fire Road is a moderately hilly dirt trail that goes in a 3-mile loop around the island, open to hikers and bikers. Including the trails that need to be taken to access the Fire Road, the Fire Road hike is overall a 5-mile experience. This trail is ideal for hikers looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in nature. The Fire Road also has some of the best views of the Bay. Hikers and bikers should be cautious of uneven trails, poison oak, and ticks.
North Ridge and Sunset Loop
This intermediate 5-mile loop has dirt trails that are accessible to beginner hikers, but recommended for people with some hiking experience, open to hikers only. This trail is ideal for a classic hiking experience and anyone who wants a 360-degree view of the Bay at Mount Livermore, the island’s summit. Hikers should be cautious of uneven trails, poison oak, and ticks.
North Ridge Trail includes approximately 140 trail stair steps. To avoid stairs, hikers can go out & back between Sunset Trail and Mount Livermore.
There are no bike trails to Mount Livermore.
Questions about the trails? Call Angel Island State Park at (415)435-5390.
Beaches
For beachgoers who don’t mind some wind, Angel Island has a few options! Remember: all wildlife is protected on state parks, so don’t tuck any shells into your pocket to take off the island. Swimming is allowed, but the water is cold, currents can be strong, and there are no lifeguards. If you go in the water, be careful and make sure to have a way to dry off and stay warm!
Right by the ferry landing, just a minute’s walk away is the Ayala Cove beach. A smaller beach with picnic benches and a grassy field just a stone’s throw away. Ideal for visitors planning a leisurely day, families with younger children, and anyone who doesn’t want to stress about being late to the ferry.
About a 2-mile hike in opposite directions from the ferry landing are Angel Island’s most popular beaches, Quarry Beach to the east and Perles Beach to the southwest. Quarry Beach is well-protected from the wind and located right next to the historic World War I and World War II buildings at Fort McDowell (East Garrison). For those willing to brave a more difficult downhill hike and more wind, Perles Beach will get visitors away from the crowds, towards beautiful views, and onto the island’s biggest stretch of sand.
China Cove and Camp Reynolds both also have a small beach that are nice rest stops for those interested in visiting the island’s immigration museums and Civil War site, respectively.
Questions about the beaches? Call Angel Island State Park at (415)435-5390.
Camping
Campsites are reserved through ReserveCalifornia (https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/). Reservations open 6 months in advance and are booked quickly. Site 10 is the island’s only ADA-accessible campsite.
Historic Sites
Beginning with the ancestral presence of the Huimen tribe of the Coast Miwok, Angel Island has experienced thousands of years of human history.
No structures remain from the Native American stewardship, Spanish exploration, and Mexican cattle ranch eras of the island. The Nike missile site from the Cold War era is fenced off from the public. However, Angel Island’s historic U.S. Immigration Station, World War I/II buildings, and Civil War site have stood the test of time and are still around for the public to visit.
Remember: Historic buildings are precarious and can be dangerous. Never climb the structures and look out for posted signs. Not all of the historic sites are open to the public.
A 1-mile hike with trail stairs to the northwest will lead to the U.S. Immigration Station. This site has the only two museums that are regularly open to the public. With a $5 entry fee, the Detention Barracks Museum holds the original engravings and 200 Chinese poems that immigrants carved into the walls during America’s oft-forgotten Chinese Exclusion era in the 1900s. The World War II Mess Hall, featuring the stories of interned Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans, is included in the barracks entry fee. For free, the historic hospital and now renovated Angel Island Immigration Museum shares stories of past and present immigration. Both museums are closed on Mon-Tues and are typically open from 11-2:30pm. Hours may change based on the season.
Questions about the U.S. Immigration Station? Call the Angel Island State Park tour staff at (415)435-5537.
Continue about a mile past the U.S. Immigration Station, for a combined 2-mile hike from the ferry landing, to take a step back in time to the World War I and World War II era of Fort McDowell (East Garrison). Explore, discover, and read about the historic buildings where soldiers were trained, processed, and deployed. Buildings are closed and not open to the public. The chapel and guard house may be open based on volunteer availability, mostly on summer weekends.
Alternatively, a 1-mile hike in the other direction from the ferry landing to the west will lead to the Civil War site at Camp Reynolds (West Garrison). With a beautiful view of the bay, read and learn about the historic quarters and lives of the Union soldiers who were stationed on the island. Buildings are closed and not open to the public. The bakehouse may be open based on volunteer availability.
Questions about the historic military sites? Call the Angel Island State Park tour staff at (415)435-5537 or the program coordinator at john.clagett@parks.ca.gov
Trams, Bike Rentals, and Food
The Angel Island Company offers tram tours, bike rentals, and cold food (sandwiches, salads, snacks, and more). They have regular service in the summer and intermittent service for the rest of the year. You can find information about pricing, availability, and more at their website: https://angelisland.com/
Visitors are welcome to bring their own food onto the island. There are no indoor dining areas, but there are several picnic benches throughout the park. The café by the ferry landing is the only place on the island that sells food, but there are several restaurants in the San Francisco ferry buildings and near the docks at Tiburon.