Immigration Station and Angel Island Tour Information

Financial Assistance

PLEASE NOTE: All financial assistance for Immigration Station Tours and Historical Living Programs require a confirmed reservation before the application can be accepted. If you have not yet made a reservation, please do so first.  

For any Title-1 School visits to Angel Island State Park,  

Submit an application for a scholarship from the Angel Island Conservancy under “Title-1 School Scholarship Program”.

For visits to the U.S. Immigration Station, 

Submit an application for a scholarship from the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation through “Field Trip Scholarships”.

For a blended program (virtual and in-person) of the U.S. Immigration Station,

Please contact the California State Parks’ PORTS team.

Immigration Tours

Travel to the U.S. Immigration Station

Ferry

The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry (AITF) and the Golden Gate Ferry are the two available public ferry services. Please go to their websites for their schedule. You may be able to book a chartered time with AITF that's not on their public schedule. K-12 school groups visiting Angel Island State Park receive a discount on their ferry tickets. School groups visiting the U.S. Immigration Station must book a reservation to receive their ferry ticket discount. After the reservation is booked, you may contact the company to book your discounted tickets after the following Friday. 

Angel Island Tiburon Ferry (AITF): aiferry@angelislandferry.com | (415)435-2131

Golden Gate Ferry: contact@goldengate.org | (415)455-2000

  

Hiking

The shortest hike to the immigration station museums is a hilly 1-mile hike with 140 trail stair steps. Walk up the Northridge Trail (trail head at Ayala Cove dock area) stairs, turn left when you reach the paved Perimeter Road, and hike approximately one mile along the road to the immigration site. The immigration site will be to your left and there will be signs directing you down the hill into the site. We recommend planning 40 minutes for the hike, though experienced hikers may do the hike more quickly.

To avoid the stairs, there is a hilly 1.5-mile hike. Walk towards the Visitor Center in Ayala Cove, follow the road up the hill, and turn left when the road 'T's. We recommend planning 1 hour for the hike, though experienced hikers may do the hike more quickly.

Mobility Notes: For individuals who use wheelchairs, due to a couple of steep hills, we only recommend the 1.5-mile hike without stairs for those who have power wheelchairs with a strong battery. For other transportation options besides hiking, please look at the "Shuttles" section below.

 

Biking
The bike trail to the immigration station is a hilly 1.5-mile trail. Head towards the Visitor Center in Ayala Cove, follow the green "Bike Route" signs from Ayala Cove up to the Perimeter Road, make a sharp left (u-turn) at the top of the bike trail and continue on the Perimeter Road until you reach the immigration station. We recommending planning 20 minutes for the bike ride. 

Bikes must be left at the top of the hill into the site. Due to steep terrain and vehicle traffic, bicycles are not permitted on the USIS grounds. 

 

Shuttles

Angel Island Company (AIC), our partnered concessionaire, offers a shuttle service for those who cannot or don’t want to hike to the U.S. Immigration Station. Please check out their available times for their Shuttle Services at: angelisland.com

AIC does offer shuttle times that are not listed on their online booking schedule. To learn more about their additional times or to book a charter, please contact sfreeman@angelisland.com and (415)435-3392

In the winter season, AIC does not provide shuttle runs. While State Parks capacity does not have the ability to offer transportation for large groups, we can give rides to a few individuals with mobility concerns. However, we do not have the ability to transport a power wheelchair or an individual who cannot transfer to a vehicle.

If you’re having difficulty contacting AIC, please reach out to State Parks staff at (415)435-5537 or tours.angelisland@parks.ca.gov . We will contact AIC on our end and encourage them to respond to you. Please also reach out to us for transportation assistance in the winter.

 

Detention Barracks Museum - Programs

Looking for a one-stop step-by-step guide for booking a tour? Do you have questions about accessibility and language availability? This document has step-by-step information on booking tours for school groups, service project groups, donors, and more: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MckG47i3lyM9YnKGXf0gSELhdftNvSbzESO2vEVrQaw/edit?tab=t.0

We offer museum entry, group self-guided entry reservations, in-person guided tour reservations, and free virtual Zoom tours at the Detention Barracks Museum.

Museum Entry

Mon-Tues: CLOSED (Grounds open)

Wed-Sun: 11-2:30pm

*Please note: Hours change depending on public ferry schedules. If planning for a visit in the future, please contact staff about museum hours. 

Fees: $5 Adults | $3 Youth (5-17yo) | FREE Children (Less than 5yo)

 

Guided In-Person Tours

Our guided tours have a limit of 30 people for non-school groups and 40 people (students and adults) for school groups. For larger groups, please book back-to-back tours to accommodate your numbers. Our guided tours are intended for 4th graders and up, and the general public. If your school group is younger, please book a self-guided in-person tour and/or a free online tour.

Non-School Group Fees: $7 Adults | $5 Youth (5-17yo) | FREE Children (Less than 5yo)
School Group Fees: $3 per person

Make your reservation here: https:/ports.parks.ca.gov/6-passports-blended-access-field-trips/guided-in-person-immigration-station-tour-at-angel-island-state-park/. 

Want to receive notifications when we open new tour dates? Sign up here: https:/www.aiisf.org/field-trips

 

Self-Guided Group Reservations

Our self-guided reservations have a limit of 30 people for non-school groups and 40 people (students and adults) for school groups. For larger groups, please book back-to-back tours to accommodate your numbers. You can supplement your self-guided visit by booking a free online tour before your in-person visit. 

Non-School Group Fees: $5 Adults | $3 Youth (5-17yo) | FREE Children (Less than 5yo)
School Group Fees: $3 per person

Make your reservation here: https:/ports.parks.ca.gov/6-passports-blended-access-field-trips/self-guided-in-person-immigration-station-museum-entry-at-angel-island-state-park/

 

Virtual Zoom Tours

Our virtual tours have no capacity limit and are free. You’re welcome to share the link with other parties or other teachers and have multiple devices call in. While 4th graders and up are the intended audience, younger students and the general public are also welcome to sign up.

Make your reservation here: https:/ports.parks.ca.gov/1-ports-on-demand/immigration-stories-told-from-angel-island-state-park-2/

Want to receive notifications when we open new virtual tour dates? Sign up here: https:/ports.parks.ca.gov/

 

Angel Island Immigration Museum (AIIM) - Programs

We offer free museum entry at AIIM. Interested in hosting a special event at AIIM? Contact the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) here: aiisf.org/contact

Mon-Tues: CLOSED (Grounds open)

Wed-Sun: 11-2:30pm 

*Please note: Hours change depending on public ferry schedules. If planning for a visit in the future, please contact staff about museum hours. 

 

Field Trip Scholarships, Resources, and More

Looking for financial assistance, classroom resources, or more for a school field trip? Check out: aiisf.org/field-trips

 

Food

Angel Island Company (AIC), our partnered concessionaire, sells cold food options (sandwiches, salads, and more) when they’re open. Please check for their hours on their website https://angelisland.com/ or by reaching out to sfreeman@angelisland.com or (415)435-3972

Near the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry landing at Tiburon, there are several restaurants. Near the Golden Gate Ferry landing at San Francisco, there are also several restaurants at the ferry building.

If you don’t receive confirmation from AIC about their hours or are coming with a large group, we highly recommending packing your own food and snacks. We have several water stations throughout the park, including by the docks and at the U.S. Immigration Station.

Still have questions? Please contact the State Parks tour staff at (415)435-5537 or tours.angelisland@parks.ca.gov

Civil War Living History Program

The Overnight Living History Program (also known as the Environmental Living Program or ELP) gives students a chance to experience the life of Union artillery soldiers stationed at Camp Reynolds on Angel Island during the Civil War. Through hands-on activities, students learn what life was like for 24-hours in a typical soldier’s day, including baking bread and finishing with a cannon firing before they depart. (A mandatory Teacher Training Weekend is held in September)

  • Program Capacity:      20-44 People (No more than 11 adults)
  • Program Length:        24 hours
  • Program Availability:   September to mid-June.

Appropriate for 4th, 5th, and 8th grade levels.

Plan for a 30-minute walk one-way (1 mile) to the site from Ayala Cove.

Applications go out in early spring for the following school year. For more information, contact the program coordinator at john.clagett@parks.ca.gov or (415)435-3522