Angel Island is the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay and one of the most rewarding day trips you can take from the hotel. At 740 acres of protected state park, the island offers hiking, biking, beaches, historic sites, and some of the finest panoramic views in Northern California.
Often called the “Ellis Island of the West,” Angel Island served as the main immigration station for the Pacific coast from 1910 to 1940. Before that it was home to the Coast Miwok people, later a Civil War-era military post, and during World War II a processing center for prisoners of war. Today its layered history is preserved across the island and woven into every tour, trail, and tram stop.
Reach the island by ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. The short crossing from Tiburon takes about 10 minutes and delivers you straight into Ayala Cove, the island’s main landing and day-use area.
Clear days are spectacular, but even foggy afternoons have a certain drama as the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge drift in and out of view. Pack layers, sunscreen, and water – services on the island are limited to the café at Ayala Cove.
All the way to experience Angel Island
Drive it: You can experience the wonders of Angel Island without hiking and entirely by car, ferry, and tram. Follow the driving route north from the hotel to the charming town of Tiburon and the Tiburon-Angel Island Ferry terminal.
The ferry lands in Ayala Cove where you can purchase your tram tickets, lunch at the café, or have a picnic. Visit the visitor’s center, which was part of a Quarantine Station in the late 1880s and now houses natural and cultural history displays.
The hour-long roundtrip tram ride leaves from Ayala Cove, follows the Perimeter Road, and includes an audio history of the island. It stops briefly at Battery Ledyard to enjoy its panoramic view of the Bay Area.
The tram is the easiest way to see the island if you have limited time or are traveling with young children or visitors who prefer not to walk long distances. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive at the dock a few minutes before departure.
Bike it: Bike or drive from the hotel to the Tiburon-Angel Island Ferry, bring your bike on the ferry, or rent one at Ayala Cove. The 10.5 mile bike ride from the hotel to the ferry terminal is fairly level and mostly on bike paths or back roads.
The driving and bike routes separate at Highway 101, with the bike route traveling on a raised walkway over the marshlands of Pickleweed Inlet. It turns east at Sycamore and south on Hamilton to pass back under 101, then circumvents Strawberry Point on Seminary and East Strawberry Drives.
After a mile on Tiburon Blvd and Greenwood Beach Road, the route connects with the Tiburon Bike Path into Tiburon. Once on Angel Island, follow either the Perimeter or Fire Roads around the island.
No need to worry about cars – only park vehicles and the tram are allowed on the island. Bike rentals at Ayala Cove are a great option if you’d rather not bring your own, and they include helmets.
Hike it: On Angel Island, the fairly level 6 mile Perimeter Road loop provides access to all the historical sites and spectacular viewpoints, including Battery Ledyard.
Alternatively, the moderately steep 6 mile loop hike up to Mount Livermore via the North Ridge Trail and down via the Sunset Trail offers unsurpassed 360° views of the entire Bay Area. At 788 feet, Mount Livermore is the island’s high point and takes in the Golden Gate, downtown San Francisco, the East Bay hills, and Mount Tamalpais on a clear day.
Hikers should plan on two to three hours for either loop, and longer if you stop to explore the Immigration Station museum on the east side of the island. The museum is a profound and moving experience – expect to spend at least an hour reading detainee poetry carved into the barracks walls.
Other stops worth your time include the beach at Quarry Point, the historic buildings at Camp Reynolds (a preserved Civil War outpost on the west side), and the Nike missile radar site remnants on the island’s upper slopes.
Planning tips: Ferries run on a seasonal schedule, with more frequent service in summer and on weekends. Check the ferry website before you go, and book ahead on holiday weekends. Dogs are allowed on the island but must be leashed, and they can ride on the Tiburon ferry as well.
Whether you choose the tram, a bike loop, or a hike to the summit, Angel Island delivers one of the most complete Bay Area experiences you can find in a single day.
