Angel Island State Park
Angel Island State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
The largest island in San Francisco Bay features magnificent views of Marin County and San Francisco, while offering a wide variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there's something for everyone at Fisherman's Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone's sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighborhood a true San Francisco treat.
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750 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
992 reviews
Excellent
637
Very good
255
Average
73
Poor
20
Terrible
7
Chelsea
Minnesota556 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
This was a lovely day! The weather was nice and the sun sneaked out. I highly recommend you take the first available ferry and the first available tram tour once you get to the island. We booked an 1145 tram tour and were able to get on the newly released 1030 tour. The tram tour was great because it is quite the elevation change. When you face forward on the tram you want to be on the right side for the best views. If it changes for hop on hop off capability / I would recommend getting off at camp Reynolds and the Immigration barracks. If there is not hop on hop off- stay on the tram until the end, you get some interesting commentary on the last leg. The incline is sizable, the commentary was defiantly worth the tour!! There is food and drinks, beer, wine and cider available for purchase.
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mamabear1972
Stockton, CA27 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
I have been here a few times in the past and it is very different now. First, the cantina is closed so make sure you bring food or eat before you go. Second, you have to buy tickets outside the Ferry building and the prices are different than the website. It’s a short 30 minutes to get to the island. The tours and trams are not set up to coincide with the ferry times. We got there at 1145 and the first tram tory was 1:45. My kids and myself could walk to immigration station but my mom couldn’t do the steep hills and 1.3 mile walk. I bought her a single tram ticket but it wasn’t until 1 pm and they only run the single ticket tram a few times a day. She got stuck at the immigration station as we were able to walk down. I had to ask a park ranger to get her as she could never walk back. I do not recommend this hike to people with physical disabilities or the elderly unless they are in good, physical shape or pay for the tram tour around the entire park, which had a few set times.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah5677
Kuching, Malaysia76 contributions
Jan 2020
Went there on a Ferry, during winter but the park was still open, without the cafes etc. It has a long history pertaining to immigrants from China who were quarantined here to build the railroads of America. Come over when the weather is warmer and stay for camping etc.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christophe H
Ocean Springs, MS65 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
It’s about a 6 or 7 miles walk around the island. Costs about $15 a person round trip on the ferry from Tiburon. I think $1-1.5 for a bicycle. You can rent bikes there but it’s pricey. Bring your own. I’ll do that next time. There are so many deer on the island and super panoramic views of the bay
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy F
Sunnyvale, CA78 contributions
Jul 2020
This is a fantastic place to visit if you want hiking or beach combing away from the crowds, including a fun ferry ride.
We walked the Perimeter Loop. Although they recommend 2.5 hours to hike it (5.9 miles with some ups and downs), we took 3.5 hours because we took detours to two beaches (Perles Beach and Quarry Beach), as well as a walking tour inside the abandoned Fort McDowell, and a side trip to see the Immigration Station (also a beach called China Cove).
The main harbor (Ayala Cove) has park rangers and a snack bar. It also had a child-friendly beach with picnic tables. There are water spigots throughout the trail. But you're better off bringing your own drinking water. The island is wooded, but much of the trail is not in the shade.
If you're looking for a rigorous hike, you can hike up to the top of the hill in the center of the island (Mt Livermore). It's 700' high.
We walked the Perimeter Loop. Although they recommend 2.5 hours to hike it (5.9 miles with some ups and downs), we took 3.5 hours because we took detours to two beaches (Perles Beach and Quarry Beach), as well as a walking tour inside the abandoned Fort McDowell, and a side trip to see the Immigration Station (also a beach called China Cove).
The main harbor (Ayala Cove) has park rangers and a snack bar. It also had a child-friendly beach with picnic tables. There are water spigots throughout the trail. But you're better off bringing your own drinking water. The island is wooded, but much of the trail is not in the shade.
If you're looking for a rigorous hike, you can hike up to the top of the hill in the center of the island (Mt Livermore). It's 700' high.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CRLF
Weymouth, MA27 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful place with amazing views. It's also a sobering place in our country's immigration history. I appreciated the chance to experience both sides of Angel Island. The ferry trip from Tiburon was only 15 minutes and provided a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the fog. It is about a 30 minute walk / climb (1.3 miles one way) from the dock to the area with the Barracks Museum and the Immigration Station Museum. Immigrants were held in the barracks for weeks or months in crowded rooms, where they carved emotional poems in Chinese into the walls. The exhibits provide a lot of information about discrimination against Asian immigrants. The building has only been preserved versus restored, so it felt authentic and you can really imagine the conditions faced by the immigrants. If coming from Tiburon, note that you'll have to park in one of the public lots in town for at least $5 and allow extra time to walk to the dock. We took the 11:00 ferry there and the 1:20 ferry back, which wasn't enough time to see both museums. I'd recommend taking the 10:00 instead.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lengtan67
Kuala Lumpur1,177 contributions
Feb 2022
Took the Golden Gate Ferry from Port of San Francisco, Gate B and it cost USD 28 for both ways to Angel Island.
The ferry journey was windy and comfortable, and was approximately 30 minutes to get to the island.
Upon arrival , I went straight to the left of the pier and took the North Ridge Trail to hie to the top for stunning SFO skyline, and came down using the other trail.
Also took the tram tour (USD 17) to the Immigration Station, a pretty insightful tour giving more information on its history that lasted about 90 minutes or so. Ticket purchased from a cafe.
There were only 2 places for food when I was there, 1 was closed and another was only serving hotdogs or chili dogs with snacks like chocolate bars and chips plus drinks.
Better to bring you own if you want real food.
The ferry journey was windy and comfortable, and was approximately 30 minutes to get to the island.
Upon arrival , I went straight to the left of the pier and took the North Ridge Trail to hie to the top for stunning SFO skyline, and came down using the other trail.
Also took the tram tour (USD 17) to the Immigration Station, a pretty insightful tour giving more information on its history that lasted about 90 minutes or so. Ticket purchased from a cafe.
There were only 2 places for food when I was there, 1 was closed and another was only serving hotdogs or chili dogs with snacks like chocolate bars and chips plus drinks.
Better to bring you own if you want real food.
Written March 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan F
86 contributions
Jan 2020
What a beautiful place to enjoy nature and reflect on the immigration policy of the United States. It's almost too pretty to imagine the experience of thousands of Chinese immigrants to the United States as they awaited permission to enter the United States or deportation. Two wooden buildings stand testimony to the hurdles, hopes, and frustration of Asian immigrants entering the United States for a better life. A sobering tribute to United States immigration policy.. Be sure and note the 'Immigrant Heritage Wall" where names of those who passed through Angel Island are honored by their families.
Angel Island is so beautiful, it's hard to imagine the heartbreak and tribulation that poetry written on the walls of the Immigration Station depict.
Be sure and walk around the island and note the World War II history as thousands of American troops were launched to the Pacific during World War II. The buildings are the result of prisoner of war labor and left to return to nature.
Definitely worth a trip to see what happened, definitely worth a trip to hike the beautiful island, spectacular views of the Bay and SF bridges, themselves miraculous human engineering feats.
Bring your lunch as there are limited food options on the island and the ferry. The ferry from Pier 39 is relaxing and stops in Sausalito or Tiburon. It can be chilly so dress accordingly.
If you like history, nature, and a Bay Area experience on the water and land, consider this adventure! Leave yourself plenty of time to explore, hike, and see the Immigration Center.
Angel Island is so beautiful, it's hard to imagine the heartbreak and tribulation that poetry written on the walls of the Immigration Station depict.
Be sure and walk around the island and note the World War II history as thousands of American troops were launched to the Pacific during World War II. The buildings are the result of prisoner of war labor and left to return to nature.
Definitely worth a trip to see what happened, definitely worth a trip to hike the beautiful island, spectacular views of the Bay and SF bridges, themselves miraculous human engineering feats.
Bring your lunch as there are limited food options on the island and the ferry. The ferry from Pier 39 is relaxing and stops in Sausalito or Tiburon. It can be chilly so dress accordingly.
If you like history, nature, and a Bay Area experience on the water and land, consider this adventure! Leave yourself plenty of time to explore, hike, and see the Immigration Center.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmbdaze
Brooklyn, CT44 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I did the combo tour of Alcatraz and Ellis Island and had a known the tram tour was going to take up all my time on the island, I would have done things differently. The only thing I wanted to visit while I was there was the immigration station and when the tram pulled in there, we literally got to stay for five minutes. The museum at the immigration station is a separate entrance fee and they run shuttles from the dock that goes straight there. If I had to do it over again, I would’ve taken a shuttle, enjoyed the museum, and gone back in time for my ferry and skip the tram ride all together. If you want to know more about the history of the entire island and some of its military past, then the tram ride would be the best choice for you. If you want to go to the island and explore on your own, there are bicycle rentals available on the island as well, but it is very hilly so you would need to be physically fit to do that.
Written July 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
creativecrew
Allentown, PA2,398 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We rushed to catch the ferry and were very excited to go on the Immigration Center guided tour. No one at the ferry ticket counter or on the boat or on the Park website said anything about the state park being closed. Only when the full ferry of people disembarked did the Park Ranger announce that the Immigration center was closed for a holiday (December 27, really!!??) Everyone was upset! We had all traveled there to see the tour/facility.
Yes, you could walk around the campus and stand outside of closed buildings and get a sense of how this center was more like a prison than a welcoming port. But much of the context is missed without the guided tour. We would have loved to learn more.
Great hiking on the island if you are interested in that. Hope you visit when the Immigration Center is open for visitors.
Yes, you could walk around the campus and stand outside of closed buildings and get a sense of how this center was more like a prison than a welcoming port. But much of the context is missed without the guided tour. We would have loved to learn more.
Great hiking on the island if you are interested in that. Hope you visit when the Immigration Center is open for visitors.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, has anyone here been to Angel Island during COVID pandemic? Is the ferry super packed/crowded or do you think social distancing is reasonable? Also, the only ticket options we see is 11am or 1:30pm to go to the island (from SF), and 4:15pm to return (to SF) from the island. Which times, 11am or 1:30pm, do you recommend if we have to return trip at 4:15pm? I worry whether 1:30pm returning at 4:15pm may not be enough time on the island, is that the case?
Written March 18, 2021
Io ho acquistato il pacchetto Alcatraz + Angel Island, perché era rimasto solo quello, qualcuno sa dirmi se la mia visita ad alcatraz sarà anche all’interno della prigione o no?
Written March 26, 2019
I’m confused about how to get to the island from Oakland. From what I can tell, you go from Oakland to SF to the island...but what pier in SF? Ferry building or Pier 41? Is it a single ticket from Oakland, or do I need to purchase another ticket in SF?
Written October 2, 2018
Pier 41. I am not sure about Oakland but I think you need to purchase a ticket to Angel island at Pier 41.
Written October 2, 2018
Bonjour, Faustine. Que voudriez-vous savoir sur cette attraction ?
Bonjour, je souhaiterais savoir combien de temps il faut prévoir pour faire Alcatrza + angels island ? Merci !
Written August 22, 2017
Hola, tarda aproximadamente 4 horas con 30 minutos a 5 horas el recorrido completo.
Written August 22, 2017
Is there a possibility to over-night?
Written January 13, 2017
Yes. Nice place to camp in or near San Francisco.
Check Reserve America punto com, or use search engine to find site.
I tried to include URL, but site would not allow it.
Hope this helps
Written February 14, 2017
If I were lucky enough to get a cabin reservation, how does one get one's camping stuff from ferry to cabin? Tram? Walking distance?
Thanks in advance!
Written August 29, 2016
The Tram we rode was designated for the people that were part of the Alcatraz tour only. Granted that tour is seasonal for the summer months and maybe the Trams are used for other reasons outside of that time. But all the other people we saw were walking or riding bicycles. But if your cabin is not close to the marina, there has to be something offered due to the size of the island.
Written August 30, 2016
As others have said, Yes you are welcome to bring your bike. There are many great paths and roads to bile on. Stop by the information station and pick-up a free maps of the island. Also you can rent bikes but they are in short supply and often all out.
Written August 22, 2016
Yes!! That's what makes it so much fun!! Take your own or rent them there, the choice is yours. Check with the specific ferry service on the cost but it's only $1 - $2 more to bring a bike. I took the ferry in Tiburon, the parking is only $5 for the whole day and there's plenty of it available.
Written August 22, 2016
Hi is there plenty to see on Angel Island, can someone advise on what there is, thank you
Written July 23, 2016
Hi, there is camping, hiking, a tram tour of the island, there is a boat dock as well.
Written July 29, 2016
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