San Francisco Bay, CA: Northern California Chapter, Angel Island Hike

Join us for sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay as we take the ferry for our annual hike around the perimeter of historic Angel Island, the largest natural island in the Bay and site of the former U.S. Immigration Station, the so-called “Ellis Island of the West,” as well as various Army installations that were active from the Civil War through the Cold War.

Schedule: Meet us at 11:00 AM on the Angel Island ferry landing, next to the Welcome Center. (See Getting There & Back section below for ferry options.) We’ll have lunch along the way, Fort McDowell or the Immigration Station. There are multiple ferry departures from Angel Island, but we expect to return on the 4:20 PM ferry to Tiburon and 4:45 PM ferry to San Francisco.

Like last year, we plan to form two smaller groups and have a break-out group hike to the top of Angel Island at Mt. Livermore (788 feet elevation). If time permits before the ferry rides back, we’ll stop by the Angel Island Café for drinks.

Level of Difficulty: Moderate. About 6 miles on paved roads along rolling hills with a couple of steep climbs and trail staircases. Total elevation gain is 350 feet (35 flights of stairs).

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register button to sign up. Please register if/when you are certain you can attend. Thank you!

Cancellation: If you are unable to attend, please email us as soon as possible at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can update our list.

Getting There & Back

OPTION 1: From SF to Angel Island, Golden Gate Ferry

• Ferry Building (Gate B): Depart 10:15 AM (Adult $31, Clipper Adult $18.50, Senior 65+ $16)
• Angel Island: Arrive 10:45 AM, Depart 4:45 PM

Prices are the round-trip total and include the Angel Island State Park admission fee. For ease and cost, paying by Clipper is highly recommended. Paper tickets are purchased at the ferry terminal Gate C (one-way tickets are sold so buy two). Ferry also departs from Gate C.

OPTION 2: From Tiburon to Angel Island, Angel Island Tiburon Ferry

• Tiburon Terminal: Depart 10:00 AM (Adult $18, Senior 65+ $16)
• Angel Island: Arrive 10:12 AM (~45 minutes before the hike start time as the ferry from SF doesn’t arrive until 10:45 AM), Depart 4:20 PM

Prices are round-trip and include the Angel Island State Park admission fee. Purchase tickets online. Clipper is not accepted. The Tiburon ferry terminal is at 21 Main St. Here is parking information. There is also free parking 1/2 mile before town on the right side of the road, or $5 parking 1/4 mile further on behind the CVS.

Carpooling: On the registration form is a link to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if you need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: Dress for the weather (layers work well) and bring a bag lunch, snacks, water and sun protection (hat, sunscreen). Hiking poles may be helpful, but not necessary. Clipper card/app with enough funds if taking the Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco.

The Ruff Stuff: Dogs are not allowed on Angel Island, except service animals.