Grab your bike and let’s head to one of the most underrated State Parks in California. Nestled in the heart of San Francisco Bay, Angel Island State Park offers one of California’s most scenic and exhilarating biking experiences.
With its breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the surrounding bay, this historic island is a cyclist’s paradise.
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a casual biker, the well-maintained trails and gentle terrain make it accessible for all levels.
Join us as we explore the hidden gems, rich history, and natural beauty that make biking at Angel Island an unforgettable adventure.
This post is all about Scenic Rides and Historic Trails: Biking Angel Island State Park.
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Angel Island San Francisco CA
Angel Island, often referred to as the ‘Ellis Island of the West,’ boasts a rich and complex history that sets it apart from other destinations in California. Initially inhabited by the Coast Miwok people, the island’s modern history began with its use as a military garrison during the Civil War.
Later, from 1910 to 1940, Angel Island served as an immigration station where hundreds of thousands of immigrants, primarily from China, were processed and detained. This period left an indelible mark on the island, with poignant stories of hardship, hope, and resilience etched into the barracks’ walls in the form of Chinese poetry.
The island’s military significance continued through World War II, when it functioned as a detention center for prisoners of war and a processing center for military personnel.
In 1954 the transition of Angel Island began for it to become a California State Park.
What makes Angel Island truly unique is its dual role as both a natural sanctuary and a historical landmark. The island offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore diverse ecosystems, from lush woodlands and grasslands to pristine beaches and tidal marshes, all while uncovering layers of California’s multifaceted past.
Hiking and biking trails provide access to breathtaking vistas and historical sites, including restored buildings and interpretive exhibits that bring the island’s stories to life. This blend of natural beauty and poignant history creates a singular experience, making Angel Island a must-visit for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike.
Angel Island Ferry
I order to get to the State Par you’ll have to ride ferry.
You have two options. You can take a ferry from the small town of Tiburon with Angel Island Tiburon Ferry or the ferry from San Francisco with Golden Gate Ferry.
These ferries will shuttle you over to Angel Island. I recommend booking your ferry ticket at least 1 days before you plan to visit.
You can purchase your tickets online with Angel Island Tiburon but it looks like tickets can only be bought in person with Golden Gate Ferry. You can find tickets and ferry time schedule HERE with Angel Island Tiburon and HERE with Golden Gate Ferry.
Cost of Visiting:
Once you pay your ferry ticket, prices shown below, you do NOT have to pay an additional entrance fee at the island as your ferry ticket already includes the park fee.
Angel Island Tiburon Ferry
– ADULTS (13-64) $17.40
– SENIORS (65+) $16.20
– CHILD (6-12) $15.20
– SMALL CHILD (3-5) $6
Golden Gate Ferry
– ADULTS (19-64) $28
– SENIORS (65+) $14
– CHILD (5-18) $14
– SMALL CHILD (4 and Under) Free *limit 2 per full fare adult
Cost reflects a roundtrip ticket.
Angel Island Bike Trail
First off bicycles are only allowed on the paved Perimeter Loop and the Fire Road Loop. Perimeter loop is 6 miles long while the Fire Road Loop is about 3 miles.
You can do either ride in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion. My suggestion if you decide to do both loops is to do the opposite motion of the first one, that way you get a different perspective on your second ride around the island.
The trail start to the fire road loop is near the immigration station. Ebikes are more than welcome on the island as well.
Angel Island Bike Rental
So the easiest and most convenient location is on the island itself. We’ve rented from Angel Island Company about 4 times now and have never had a problem.
We have heard though that their opening hours are unreliable but they have always been open when we’ve gone, but just something keep in mind if you plan to rent a bike on the island. Bikes are first come first served on the island.
- Angel Island Company (On Angel Island)
- Demo Sports Tiburon According to their website only rent bikes during the spring and summer season.
- Sausalito Bike Rentals
Things to do on Angel Island
Enjoy the beautiful ride around the perimeter of the island but make sure to stop at a few of the attractions along the way. Don’t miss the Immigration Station, Fort Reynolds, Fort McDowell, Quarry Beach and the many viewpoints along the way.
Angel Island Hikes:
- North Ridge and Sunset Loop
- Angel Island Perimeter Loop
- Mount Caroline Livermore via North Ridge Trail
- Sunset Trail to Mount Livermore
- East Bay, Sunrise and Ridge Sites Loop
Food on Angel Island
I recommended bringing a packed a lunch, there is only one restaurant and although I’ve never tried it, I’m sure whatever you bring will be much nicer. Plus there are several picnic areas to enjoy your meal.
If you forget to bring lunch visit Angel Island Cafe & Cantina. They offer a small variety of meals, snacks and drinks with a wine and beer selection.
What to Bring for the Day
Don’t forget to pack the following for a more enjoyable day:
- Water Bottle- There are a few water fountains around but I recommend bringing your own water bottle
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Sunscreen
- Jacket-It can get quite windy and foggy on the bay and when you stop riding you will be happy you have layer to cover you
- Comfortable shoes
- Hat-For when you walk around and don’t have your helmet on.
That wraps up this post, Scenic Rides and Historic Trails: Biking Angel Island State Park.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- Everything You Need To Know About Hiking Tomales Point Trail
- Kayaking Tomales Bay: Exploring California’s Coastal Gem
- Things to do in Mendocino County | 2 Day Itinerary
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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