Angel Island — Attraction in Tiburon

​The salt-laced air, thick with the scent of the sea, hit us the moment we stepped on the ferry in Tiburon. As the boat pulled away from the dock, a cloud of gulls and pelicans followed, soaring so close we could almost reach out and touch them. The sun glinted off the water, a thousand tiny diamonds dancing on the surface of the San Francisco Bay, with sailboats like white commas flowing acrossthe blue expanse.

​We quickly arrived and started our ascent up the trail near the welcome center, winding our way up Angel Island, heading towards Mount Livermore, surrounded by nature and enjoying every vista along the way. The initial climb was gentle, but soon the path became steeper. Our legs and thighs began to burn, a familiar ache that was both a challenge and a reward. We felt our hearts beating stronger and our breathing was deeper as we pushed on, eager for the panoramic picture perfect views from the top.

​Finally reaching the summit, we were met with sights that took our breath away. A gentle fog, like a slow-motion tidal wave, was rolling in from the Pacific, a ghostly blanket that was beginning to swallow the Golden Gate Bridge and the distant cityscape of San Francisco. The views were serene and majestic, and we could feel the shared sense of wonder among the other friendly hikers, a mix of locals and tourists having a spectacular moment alike.

​After a long soak in the breathtaking 360-degree views, we began our descent. The downhill jog was a release, and the endorphins surged through our bodies while we listened to our favorite songs and sang along. We felt a sense of pure joy and freedom as we ran down the trails. It was on one of the less-traveled paths that we had our most magical encounter.

​A young deer, its eyes wide and curious, stood perfectly still on the trail just ahead of me. It wasn't spooked, and for a few long, quiet moments, we simply stood and admired it. The encounter was peaceful and amazing, a perfect encapsulation of the island's natural beauty. We continued on, feeling the warmth of the sun and the gentle breezes, a perfect ending to a serene day. The ferry ride back was relaxing and if you're lucky you might see a sea lion. We simply felt better for having taken the time to get away from it all.

It has an immigration station that was in service from 1910 to 1940. You can also take your time and explore Camp Reynolds and Fort McDowell. It's perfect for camping, hiking, biking, and picnics.

It's perfect for a weekend getaway that offers a great mix of physical activities, educational experiences, and nice natural beauty, all set against the iconic backdrop of the San Francisco Bay.

There are also sunset 1.5 hour ferry rides around Angel Island on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-May through mid-October. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Passengers are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinner and a bottle of wine to enjoy on the journey. The ferry provides tables and chairs, both inside...

Angel Island is an island in San Francisco Bay offering expansive 360° views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin County Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The entire island is included within Angel Island State Park and is administered by California State Parks. The island, a California Historical Landmark,[1] has been used for a variety of purposes, including military forts, a US Public Health Service Quarantine Station, and a US Bureau of Immigration inspection and detention facility. The Angel Island Immigration Station on the northeast corner of the island, where officials detained, inspected, and examined approximately one million immigrants, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.Angel Island is the second largest island in area of the San Francisco Bay (Alameda is the largest). The island is so large that on a clear day, Sonoma and Napa can be seen from the north side of the island; San Jose can be seen from the south side of the island. The highest point on the island, almost exactly at its center, is Mount Caroline Livermore, more commonly known as simply Mt Livermore, at a height of 788 feet (240 m). The island is almost entirely in the city of Tiburon, in Marin County, although, there is a small sliver (0.7%) at the eastern end of it (Fort McDowell) which extends into the territory of the City and County of San Francisco. The island is separated from the mainland of Marin County by Raccoon Strait, the depth of the water approximately 90 feet. The United States Census Bureau reported a land area of 3.107 km² (1.2 sq mi) and a population of 57 people as of...

Good place for a casual hike, with beautiful views of San Francisco and the bay. The ferry from Tiburon costs $18 per person and takes 20 minutes to arrive at the island. The ferry back to Tiburon leaves 20 minutes after the hour, every hour, until 5:20pm (on weekends.)

The whole loop around the island is around six miles and mostly paved. A lot of it is uncovered, so plan accordingly during the hot season. Bikes are allowed on the trail. As a result, you'll see a lot of inexperienced bikers around you when hiking. If you prefer to bike yourself, e-bikes are available for rentals for $16 per hour or $64 for the whole day (as of Sep/2023).

Facilities include public restrooms (near the pier only) and a place to buy sandwiches and beverages. There are many places to picnic and campground spaces for overnight camping. For those who prefer not to walk, motorized tours of the island are available.

Overall, this a great place to spend a few hours and burn some calories. If coming back to Tiburon, you can recover some of those calories by enjoying one of the many restaurants and coffee shops...