Angel Island

Welcome to Angel Island! A great place to enjoy the San Francisco Bay and get away from the bustle of the city. Separated from the mainland since the last ice age 10,000 years ago, the island was used almost exclusively for grazing livestock until the military established a base here during the American Civil War in 1863.

Virtually every part of the island has been shaped by military presence in some way, as our counter-clockwise tour of the Perimeter Road will illustrate.

You'll be aware by now that even the busiest ferry route to Angel Island is limited, so be sure to make a note of (and maybe even an alarm call for) the last boat off the island.

Many of the Angel Island park rangers live here on the island, and are possibly the best possible source of advice and information about the State Park. Be sure to make good use of their knowledge.

(415) 435-5390
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468

Turn right onto Perimeter Road. A counter clockwise route around Angel Island is what we have in store today. It's a perfect way to enjoy the San Francisco Bay views, make easy work of some small hills and visit some of the island's best landmarks.

Briefly escape from the perimeter road onto a smaller off-road single-track trail out to Point Stuart where you can enjoy calm, quiet views of the San Francisco Bay from Tiburon to Alcatraz Island.

The route returns downhill to the former army garrison of Camp Reynolds before snaking back up a steady incline (approx 170ft) back to the road.

The trail involves some easy off-road travel. Adds 0.9 miles to your journey.

Link: Camp Reynolds History (Angel Island Assn)

This short diversion cuts a corner off Perimeter Road, heading uphill to reach Battery Drew before rejoining the road a little distance later.

Take this route if you want to check out the century-old Battery Drew, but don't think of it as a shortcut as the effort to climb the small hill will wipe out any distance you save.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, Battery Drew remained in service until 1917 and like all coastal defenses in this area, it saw no action (which has to be a good thing!). Records show that the 8-inch gun only ever fired a total of 26 practice rounds.

You'll find evidence of decommissioned coastal defenses all over the island and throughout the San Francisco - and far too many to mention in our guides.

After carrying your bike down two short sets of steps you're free to explore the heart of Fort McDowell and the sandy Quarry Beach. This side trip adds only a short distance to your journey length.

Our side trip is the best way to explore Fort McDowell, from the enormous barracks and the buildings by the former boat dock all the way back up to the former hospital.

Decommissioned in 1946 some of these buildings are in a poor state of repair and shouldn't be entered, while others you are free to explore.

Fort McDowell History (Angel Island Assn)

Beneath an army barracks isn't the place you'd normally expect to see stretches of golden sands, but this tranquil little spot is a great way to enjoy views of the bay and the San Francisco city skyline as the water gently laps by your feet.

Angel Island was the first American soil to greet almost one million immigrants between 1910 and 1940. New arrivals were usually processed within three days, but thanks to a long-repealed Chinese exclusion law, a different treatment awaited the 175,000 Chinese immigrants who were confined here for months in prison-like conditions.

Operations were removed from the island when the administration building burned in 1940, survived by the large barracks on the hill and a recreation of the portal between the two buildings.

Now designated as a National Historical Landmark, the stories of immigrants who entered the country through here are retold through memorials and a guided tour of the barracks museum. Bikes are not permitted down in the cove - lock your bike in the racks provided and walk down.

(415) 435-5390
Free admission. Fee payable for museum tour.
History of the Immigration Station (CA State Parks)
Angel Island Immigration Station (Wikipedia)

Serving anything from a breakfast croissant to an afternoon beer or ice-cream, the Cove Cafe is a welcome sight for a weary cyclist!

One word of warning however - they close rather early. So when heading back to the ferry, check in here first or you might have to wait in refreshment limbo until the ferry arrives.

(415) 435-3392
Hours vary depending on the season, but commonly open approx 10am - 3pm (4.30pm at weekends).