Angel Island State Park is the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay. With great hiking trails and some of the best views of the surrounding Bay area it is an area that should not be overlooked. The Island is primarily in its natural state, with paved roads to make hiking and biking more accessible.
You can get to Angel Island by ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon. Since we went there after Muir Woods, we took the ferry from Tiburon. The Angel Island Ferry runs regularly to and from Tiburon. We bought our tickets right at the dock, but you may want to purchase them online ahead of time.
The ferry ride to Angel Island is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the views of Tiburon, the Marin Headlands, San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. When we arrived on Angel Island we stopped at the ranger station and picked up Junior Ranger books for the boys. We learned so much about Angel Island as we hiked around the island. It has an amazing history.
From 1910 to 1940, Angel Island was an Immigration Station, processing hundreds of thousands of immigrants, primarily from China. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were detailed at Angel Island. It went on to process US troops going to and returning from World War II and housed a Nike missile base in the 1950s and 60s. Today, there is no longer a military presence and the entire island is a protected State Park.
We hiked the nearly 6 mile Angel Island Perimeter Loop. This is an easy, paved trail, that takes you the entire way around the island. This would also be a great trail to bike. You can also hike to the peak of Mt. Livermore. This is a strenuous hike starting a sea level and climbing to the peak at 788 feet. You can also hike up to the US Immigration Station where you can tour the grounds and museum.
We loved the fact that the island is primarily in its natural state. It’s not too big to navigate in a day, but if you were up for camping, you could easily spend a few days convening with nature here. The best part about Angel Island are the views it offers to the rest of the Bay Area.
When we made it back around the island, we return to the ranger station, where the ranger announced to everyone waiting for the return ferry that the boys had just become Junior Rangers. They were extremely proud.
Angel Island was an unexpected gem for us and we regularly talk about what a great day we had. Have you ever been to Angel Island? Let us know in the comments.
Things to Know Before You Go
– Bring whatever food and water with you that you will need. There are limited services available on the island.
– Wear sunscreen and a hat. There is no shade as you walk around the island.
– Make sure you know the ferry schedule. While you don’t have to be on a certain one, you will not want to miss the last one of the day. There is no other way back.
This visit was part of our three-day San Francisco Itinerary.
