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State Park Link: Angel Island State Park
Nearby Parks: Angel Island State Park Visitor Center Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Headquarters Fort Point National Historic Site Golden Gate National Recreation Area Marin Headlands State Park Baker Beach State Park James D Phelan Beach State Park San Bruno Mountain State Park Mount Tamalpais State Park Thornton Beach State Park Beach State Park John Muir National Historic Site Samuel P Taylor State Park Office Samuel P Taylor State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Angel Island State Park P.O. Box 318 Tiburon, California 94920 Phone: 415-435-1915 Reservations: 800-444-7275
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Area Accommodations
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations:
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| State Park Overview: |
 | In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais.
The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post.
From 1910 to 1940, the island processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base.
Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island (these area are off limits). Angel Island became a State Park in 1954. |
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| Area Activities |
| Photography | | |
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| Trails: |
| Foot trails and fire roads circle the entire island, and climb to the 788-foot-high summit of Mount Caroline Livermore. Special caution should be used around the historic buildings, and in the vicinity of the bluffs, which tend to erode easily, and provide unreliable footing. The main trails are well marked, and are designed to avoid most hazards, including the poison oak that is native to the region. Bicycles can be used on the island-circling system of main roads, and can be brought to the island on the ferryboats. Foot trails and the road to Mount Livermore are closed to bicycles for safety and resource protection. A concessionaire operates a snack bar, bike rentals, and limited tram service during the summer, and by special arrangement during the rest of the year. |
| Swimming: |
| There are no lifeguards, and swimming can be hazardous because of the very strong currents that run past the island with each change of tide. |
| History of the Area: |
| The movement to make the island into a public park got underway in 1947 and 1948, after the federal government declared it surplus property. A thorough study of the island's historical background was carried out by the National Park Service, and in 1954, after various delays, a number of citizens' groups managed to persuade the State Park Commission to acquire about 37 acres surrounding Ayala Cove. Meanwhile, the US Army had selected the island as a site for a Nike missile launching facility and radar control station. Despite this partial re-occupation of the island by the army, additional acreage above the cove was acquired by the State in 1958, and the mountain top itself was re-christened Mount Caroline Livermore, in honor of the dedicated Marin County conservationist who led the campaign to create Angel Island State Park.
In 1962 the Nike missile base on the south side of the island was deactivated, and the army once again left the island. In December of that year, the entire island was turned over to the State of California for park purposes -- with the single exception of the unmanned Coast Guard stations on Point Blunt and Point Stuart, which continue in active operation to this day. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Washington Square Inn - Delightfully situated in the very heart of San Francisco,the Washington Square Inn welcomes its guests with all the charm and comfort only a small European hotel can provide. | | San Anselmo Inn - A European-style inn with warm hospitality located in the charming village of San Anselmo with easy access to San Francisco, the Sonoma and Napa wine countries and Pt. Reyes National Seashore. | | Carriage House Bed & Breakfast - Architect designed, spacious, romantic, private, suites & room in beautiful, tranquil garden setting at Point Reyes National Seashore. 1 hour from San Francisco and wine country. Fireplace, kitchen | |  | Aurora Park Cottages - Calistoga, CA More than a B&B - Aurora Park Cottages is your private vacation retreat at the top of Napa Valley. Located in a country setting in beautiful Calistoga - the spa capital of California. FREE CHAMPAGNE AND CHOCOLATES! Please tell us you found us on www.stateparks.com and we'll have some chilled champagne and chocolates awaiting your arrival at Aurora Park Cottages. Web Site: http://www.aurorapark.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
 | Angel Island Home Page - Historical and visitor information about Angel Island State Park in California. Site of a National Historic Landmark, the Immigration Station played a role in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 ... |  | AngelCam - Please note that the photo time stamp is Pacific STANDARD Time. Ayala Cove, Angel Island State Park This is a nearly live photo of Ayala Cove on Angel Island State Park from the second floor of ... |  | Angel Island Home Page - ... permitting. GroupTramTours can be booked year-round depending on group size and driver availability. Angel Island State Park is open daily year-round Also, often referred to as the "Jewel of the ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| State Park Volunteers provide programs at the islands historic sites on most Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from May through October. The volunteers also conduct special tours for schools, clubs and other groups. For tour schedules and reservations, call the park. |
| Area Attractions: |
| A cafe, tram tours, and bike rentals are available seasonally (visit http://www.angelisland.com/ for schedule).
The Angel Island Company (a park concessionaire) will be operating Segway tours this year on the island. Tour prices are by a per person basis and limited to people 16 years or older. The caf?ill also host a barbequed oyster bar and outdoor cantina at the Cove Caf?a new and tasty treat to the visitors of Angel Island.
NOTE: Personal Segways are NOT PERMITTED on the island, unless it is being used as an assistance device for a disabled person. Segway rentals are available for guided tours only.
The trams run regularly scheduled one-hour tours with an audio program including information on the history of the island.
Private boats can use the boat slips or mooring buoys at Ayala Cove; day and overnight fees are collected. Mooring buoys can be used overnight. Paid overnight boaters may use the island with their dingy only until 10:00 PM.
Dock area and finger piers are closed at sunset. After sunset private boats must anchor offshore or on mooring buoys in Ayala Cove.
Groups can reserve the picnic areas and other camping facilities on the island by calling 1-800-444-7275. |
| Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| Access to the Island is by private boat or public ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon and seasonal service from Oakland and Alameda. There is limited weekday ferry service to Angel Island during the winter. (check with ferry provider)Latitude/Longitude: 37.8642 / -122.4308
Bicycles can be brought to the island on the ferry and used on the island's main roads. Bikes can also be rented seasonally. Dogs are not allowed on the island, service animals excepted. Roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, and scooters are prohibited. Bring camp stove or charcoal, no wood fires allowed. Night travel after sunset on the island is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety. |
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