Angel Island
A California State Park and Wildlife preserve, Angel Island is one of the finest historical sites in the Bay Area and includes military garrisons and compounds from every major war dating back to the U.S. Civil War. Also known as the "Ellis Island of the West”, Angel Island's Immigration Station was the first stop for millions of Pacific Basin, Asian and Russian immigrants entering the United States. A day trip to Angel Island will provide a quick overview; however return visits are recommended to explore all that the island has to offer.
The official park concessionaire, the Angel Island Company, offers a variety of visitor services in the island's Ayala Cove area. Seasonal services include: economical mountain bike rentals, naturalist-led kayak tours, a one-hour, audio-enhanced Tram Tour of island historic sites, and a moderately priced menu of food and beverages at the Cove Cafe. Explore the island on a Segway Tour, a professionally guided tour with 45-minute or 2-hour options available. The company also offers special catering and recreational equipment rentals for groups and picnics. See the Angel Island Company website for more details. Only service animals allowed on the island.
Schedule & Fare Information
Civil War Days (June)
Every year for just one weekend cannons and muskets boom out on Angel Island. Bring the family, take a picnic, catch a ferry ride and discover the a day in he life of a Civil War soldier at historic Camp Reynolds. Activities include baking in an historic brick oven, music, historic guided site tours, cannon and musket firings, flag signaling, rope and doll making and much more. The event is free and beginning at 11:00 am with the raising of the flag and ends at 3:30 with the striking of the colors. A shuttle service is available from Ayala Cove, or take the short walk and enjoy the beautiful view or Marin County. Come join us next year for this once a year not-to-be-missed event!
Victorian Days (August)
The free living history program on August 16 and August 17, 2008 between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day will “bring to life” the soldiers who were stationed at Camp Reynolds. Volunteers interpreting the life at Reynolds from 1863 through 1940 will host the event.
Camp Reynolds, Angel Island, was established to support coast artillery covering the entrance to the San Francisco Bay in 1864, and was an active U.S. Army post until the end of WWII. Camp Reynolds includes a brick quartermaster building, now used as a living history barracks, and original officers’ quarters, dating from 1864 to the 1880s. One is fully restored and furnished in circa-1880 Indian Wars furnishings and artifacts.
Angel Island Segway Experience
Now you can explore this jewel of San Francisco Bay on a Segway Tour! The Segway is an electric, self-balancing, personal-transportation device designed to travel miles on a single electrical charge. The first such tour to operate in a California state park, choose from a 45-minute or two-hour professionally-guided tour. Tours offer the best views of downtown San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, and waterfront community of Tiburon. Segway Tours are currently offered on Angel Island seasonally and can be purchased online at www.angelisland.com.
Angel Island Service from Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo
Angel Island Service from Alameda and Oakland operates seasonally from mid-May through October on Saturdays and Sundays only. Tickets for Alameda/Oakland Ferry Service to Angel Island are available ONLY on board the boats.
The City of Vallejo and Baylink Ferry are offering ferry departures from Vallejo that connects conveniently with Angel Island ferry service in San Francisco every day. Discount tickets are available ONLY at the Ferry Terminal Ticket Office in Vallejo.
Note: For passengers departing from and returning to San Francisco Pier 41 or San Francisco Ferry Building, please make sure to purchase two (2) one-way tickets. Tickets are valid for six (6) months from date of purchase.
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