Angel Island Facts

Brief History:

Angel Island is a microcosm of U.S. History spanning from the Miwok Indian times, through the Cold War. Angel Island has served as a hunting ground for the Miwoks, a Civil War encampment, a quarantine station during the Spanish-American War, a discharge depot and recruitment processing center during World War I, an embarkation station and POW camp during World War II, an Immigration Station often referred to as "The Ellis Island of the West" from 1910 through 1940 and a Nike Missile Base from 1955 to 1962.

Size:

740 Acres

Park Hours:

8:00 am to Sunset, every day, year-round. Limited ferry service in the winter.

Highest Point:

Mount Livermore is 781 feet tall, and was named after Caroline Livermore, a Marin County conservationist who led the campaign to create Angel Island State Park.

Historical Sites: Officers Quarters 11, Camp Reynolds

Ayala Cove Camp Reynolds/West Garrison Fort McDowell/East Garrison Immigration Station (National Landmark Status)

Views:

From the top of Mount Livermore there is a 360 degree view of the Bay, San Francisco, Sausalito, and Tiburon. On clear days you can also see the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, San Mateo Bridge and Dumbarton Bridge.

Flora and Fauna:

Native Island trees and shrubs include: Oak, Bay, and Madrone trees, Sagebrush, Chamise, Manzanita, Toyon, Elderberry, and Coyote Brush. Introduced plants brought to the Island by the military include: Eucalyptus, Monterey Pine, Douglas Fir, Monterey Cypress, Black Locust, Australian Tea trees, Portuguese Cork Oaks, and other trees and shrubs.

Hiking Trails:

Thirteen miles of hiking trails and roadway. Sunset Trail - 2 miles; Northridge Trail - 1.7 miles

Biking Trails:

Eight miles of biking access roadway/trails. Perimeter Road - 5 miles, partially paved.

Recreation:

Hiking, bicycling, volleyball, baseball, and fishing.

Restrictions:

No dogs allowed on the Island. No wood gathering or wood fires. Some areas are off-limits. No roller skates, roller blades, scooters, or skate boards. Stay on trails to avoid Poison Oak and ticks.