The perimeter trail offers views of the entire San Francisco Bay along the
5.5mile
loop around the island. This the most popular trails on the island and is open to hikers and bikes (rentals available at the island on a first come basis).
How long is the bike ride around Angel Island?
| Length 10.5 miles | Time 2.5 hours | Total Climb 1350 feet | Fun Rating 4 | Scenic Rating 10 |
|---|
How long is the perimeter trail on Angel Island?
The Most Popular Angel Island Biking & Hiking Routes
The Perimeter Loop — This route is about
5.5 miles (9 km)
long, most of it on a paved asphalt road, and it both starts and ends at Ayala Cove.
Is it worth going to Angel Island?
Angel Island is the “Ellis Island of the west” and
it has some amazing views of Alcatraz and San Francisco as well as Oakland and Berkeley
. There are easy hikes and tough ones as well as tours and the restaurant is really good! Expensive though.
Are there bathrooms on Angel Island?
Paths of travel between these facilities are generally accessible. The curbside drop-off area and the ferry boarding dock are generally accessible.
Public restrooms adjacent to the boarding dock are generally accessible
. The ferry has no restrooms.
Does anyone live on Angel Island?
Just over one square mile in size,
Angel Island currently hosts a small community of about 30 residents
, all of whom work, or are related to those who work, on the island in some capacity for the state. “It's like a small town where everybody knows each other and everybody knows each other's business.
Can you walk Angel Island?
Away from the hustle of the city, Angel Island offers a retreat to tranquility surrounded by magnificent San Francisco Bay views. The Perimeter Road provides access to pretty much everything else one can see and do on the island! It's got fantastic views around the bay.
It's a fun walk and a good cycling ride.
Can I bring my own bike to Angel Island?
Bicycles are welcome aboard the Angel Island – Tiburon Ferry
. The fee is $1.00 per bike for round trip transportation.
What happens if you miss the last Angel Island Ferry?
What happens if I miss the last ferry? We do not recommend missing the last ferry. It's very expensive to get you off the island.
A private boat will need to be chartered to take you back to the city
.
How do you get around Angel Island?
Take a tram tour
: If you want to see it all but don't want to hike, the best way to get around Angel Island is on the tram tours that leave from the cafe several times daily. Pick up your tickets inside. On this hour-long tour, you'll visit Camp Reynolds, the Nike Missile Site, Fort McDowell, and Immigration Station.
What is the history of Angel Island?
In 1850, President Millard Fillmore declared Angel Island a military reserve and during the Civil War, the island was fortified to defend San Francisco Bay from potential attack by Confederate forces
. Angel Island continued to be an active military installation through World War II.
How do you get to Angel Island?
Access to the Island is
by private boat or public ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon
. Weekday ferry service to the island during the winter is provided by the Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco.
Are there beaches on Angel Island?
Angel Island State Park – Perles Beach in Tiburon, California.
Perles Beach is on the west side of Angel Island State Park on San Francisco Bay near Tiburon
. It's hidden away below the main loop road near the Camp Reynolds West Garrison site. The island has paved roads and dirt fire roads for cyclists to enjoy.
What is the largest ethnic group at Angel Island?
The great majority came from
China or other Asian countries
, including Japan, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Korea and Vietnam.
Can you stay on Angel Island?
Looking for a place to stay?
The Lodge at Tiburon and the Waters Edge Hotel are both close to the ferry terminal, your ticket to Angel Island
. A hidden retreat, The Lodge at Tiburon offers resort style luxury accommodations, bike rentals for guests, and an “Adventure on Angel Island” package.
Can you swim to Angel Island?
Can I swim to the island?
Swimming to the island is not encouraged due to strong currents found in Racoon Strait, the waterway between Tiburon and Angel Island
. Tiburon is one (1) mile from the island and the closest mainland point.
How long is the ferry ride from San Francisco to Angel Island?
The ferry from San Francisco Ferry Building Gate B to Angel Island Ferry Landing takes
30 min
including transfers and departs four times a day. Where can I stay near Angel Island?
What kind of immigrants came to Angel Island?
On the west coast, between 1910 and 1940, most were met by the wooden buildings of Angel Island. These immigrants were
Australians and New Zealanders, Canadians, Mexicans, Central and South Americans, Russians, and in particular, Asians
.
Are there bears on Angel Island?
This is one of the cheapest ways to enjoy the shores of San Francisco Bay and the views are stunning here.
You also don't have to worry about bears or snakes here
. The only animal you have to watch out for is a raccoon.
Why do they call it Angel Island?
Why Do They Call it Angel Island? Angel Island was named by Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala. He called it “Isla de Los Angeles,” which is Spanish for “Island of the Angels,” because he arrived on the Catholic feast day of Our Lady of the Angels. The bay where he first landed is called Ayala Cove.
What animals are on Angel Island?
Deer and raccoons
, both excellent swimmers, are the only large land mammals on the island. Harbor seals and California sea lions often sun on the rocks. Birds include scrub jays, hummingbirds, flickers, hawks and owls. Near the coves, visitors may find egrets, grebes, blue herons and brown pelicans.
What is the highest elevation that you can see on Angel Island where is it located?
On a clear day, Sonoma and Napa can be seen from the north side of the island; San Jose can be seen from the south side of the island. The highest point on the island, almost exactly at its center, is
Mount Caroline Livermore
, more commonly known as simply Mt Livermore, at a height of 788 feet (240 meters).
Are electric scooters allowed on Angel Island?
BYOB – or Rent One of Our Bicycles or eBikes
Exploring Angel Island on a bike or e-bike allows you to reach amazing parts of the island normally too difficult to reach by foot
. Riding out of Ayala Cove, you will border along tall trees and Pacific coastlines of Tiburon, San Francisco and the East Bay.
Can you bike around Angel Island?
The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry has offered scheduled service for 54 years and welcomes bikes
. Note that the ticket price includes park admission and there is $1 extra fee per bike, and park rules require that you wear a helmet.
