Angel Island Winter/Spring 11.2.09-5.9.10

Take a Blue & Gold Fleet ferry to 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. For more about special events, tours on Angel Island and ferries from San Francisco, Oakland/Alameda and Vallejo, visit the "Angel Island Schedule" link below.

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. Scroll down for Cove Cafe schedule. Explore the island on a Segway Tour, a professionally guided 45-minute or 2-hour tour. 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 are allowed on the island.

Angel Island ferry tickets from San Francisco can be purchased online (redeemable at the Self-Service Kiosk outside Blue and Gold Fleet Ticket Booth at PIER 39), the PIER 39 Box Office or Bay Crossings Store at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Angel Island ferry tickets from Alameda and Oakland can only be purchased onboard respective ferries. Vallejo to Angel Island ticket are available at Vallejo Terminal Ticket Office.

Note: For passengers departing from and returning to San Francisco's Pier 41 or the San Francisco Ferry Building, please make sure to purchase two (2) one-way tickets. Tickets are valid for any departure time for up to six (6) months from date of purchase and are non-refundable.

Come see the newly restored Immigration Station...Now Open!

United States Immigration Station, Angel Island
Guided and Self Guided Tours

The majority of the Detention Barracks are available by guided tour only. RM 105 will be open for a self-guided experience when staff is available. The US Immigration grounds are open to the public during park hours 8am-sunset daily. Visitors may look at the interpretive panels and displays that are outside.

Weekend tour reservations are still available for groups of ten or more from April through the end of October. See schedule below. Please email aivc@parks.ca.gov for reservations. Groups of less than ten can purchase tour tickets on a first come, first serve basis at the Cove Cafe on Angel Island. Tours are not recommended for children under 10.

No service on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26), Christmas Day (Dec 25),
and New Year's Day (Jan 1).
Holiday service on the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 27)
and President's Day (Feb 15).  

FARES Pier 41 ADULT $7.50 (one-way) SENIOR (65+) - - - CHILD (6-12) $4.25 (one-way) CHILD FREE (5 & Under) All fares include State Park Fee. Angel Island ferry tickets from San Francisco are purchasable online (redeemable at Self-Service Kiosk at PIER 39), PIER 39 Box Office or Bay Crossings Store at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Angel Island ferry tickets from Alameda and Oakland are purchasable only on board respective ferries. Vallejo to Angel Island ticket are available at Vallejo Terminal Ticket Office. Blue & Gold Fleet and Angel Island State Park are partnering to provide great educational opportunities for school and educational groups. Applications for educational rates and fee waivers can be requested through Angel Island State Park at aivc@parks.ca.gov or (415)435-3522. Requests for school rates are subject to Angel Island State Park approval. Reservations for ferry service must be made separately with Blue & Gold Fleet by fax to 415-951-8735 on school letterhead. 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.

U.S. Immigration Station Tour Schedule
Reservations can be made for groups of 10 to 30 people
and must have no less than 2 weeks notice

Walking Tour Schedule
Wednesday - Friday
11am, 12:30pm, 2pm (On weekdays the 2pm tour is 45 min. to accommodate ferry schedule, tour starts from bottom of covered staircase).
Saturday - Sunday 
March-October: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm  
November-February: 12:30pm, 2pm

For more information, please visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25767

Walking Tour Fees
Schools K-12
Tour Maximum: 40 people (including chaperones)
Cost Per Person: $3.00
Tour Length: Approx. 1 hour

All Other Groups
Tour Maximum: 30 people
Cost Per Person: $7.00 Adults / $5.00 Children (5-11yrs)

On Island Transportation
Hiking
Visitors should expect to walk up 140 trail stairs and travel approximately one mile along park trails and roads to the USIS.

Biking
Visitors should expect to bike 1 1/2 miles to the USIS, bicycles must be secured at the top of the hill into the site. Due to steep terrain and vehicle traffic, bicycles are NOT permitted on U.S. Immigration Station grounds.

Shuttle Service
Shuttle service will be available for a fee, to and from Ayala Cove (ferry landing) and the USIS. Contact the Cove Cafe at www.angelisland.com or 415-435-3392 for cost and schedule.