Angel Island
Angel Island State Park
The largest island state park in the bay, with the remains of an immigration station for Chinese immigrants, a loop trail and 360-degree bay views. It is reachable by ferry.
Angel Island lies in the northern part of San Francisco Bay and is entirely a state park. The immigration station on the northeast corner (1910 to 1940) detained and interrogated large numbers of Chinese immigrants. The poems in Chinese inscribed on the walls of the wooden barracks are an important relic of Chinese American history. The station is now a museum, which holds special significance for Chinese visitors.
The Perimeter Road loop is about 8 km long and can be walked or cycled, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline and Sausalito along the way. Fit visitors can climb Mount Livermore (about 240 meters) in the center of the island for 360-degree views. Ferries from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco or from Tiburon sail to Ayala Cove in about 25 minutes, and the ferry ticket includes park admission. Food options on the island are limited, so bring your own, and keep an eye on the time of the last ferry.
Opening hours
08:00 to sunset; check the state park website for Immigrant Station museum hours
Nearby sights
- Alcatraz Island
- Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39
- Ghirardelli Square
- Sausalito
- Lombard Street
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Battery Spencer (Marin Headlands)
- Coit Tower & North Beach