Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Angel Island to provide for the health, inspiration and Angel Island played education of the people of California by helping a major role in the to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological State Park diversity, protecting its most valued natural and settlement of the West cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. and as an immigration station. Trails and roads crisscross the island, providing easy access to historic sites California State Parks supports equal access. and breathtaking views Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park of San Francisco, at (415) 435-1915. This publication can be Marin County and the made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249. Golden Gate Bridge. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Angel Island State Park P.O. Box 318 (mail) Tiburon, CA 94920 (415) 435-1915 www.parks.ca.gov/angelisland © 2003 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) A ngel Island is a grass- and woodland- from a detention camp for The U.S. Immigration Station covered mountain island with spectacular soldiers returning from the From 1910 to 1940, the United views of Marin County, San Francisco and the Spanish-American war to States Immigration Station (USIS), Golden Gate. Coast Miwok once inhabited a discharge depot. During nicknamed “the Guardian of the the island, and for nearly 100 years—from World War I, East Garrison Western Gate,” processed nearly the Civil War to the Cold War—the federal served as a recruitment and a million immigrants from more government used its strategic location for replacement depot and a than 80 countries. Immigration military bases, a quarantine station and an discharge point for troops staff ensured that new arrivals immigration station. Today, trails and roads returning from the war. Angel were healthy and self-sufficient. provide access to the island’s many historic Island was an embarkation U.S. Immigration Station European immigrants and first-class sites, facilities and breathtaking views. site for troops headed toward passengers faced only an inspection the Pacific war zone during World War II and a aboard ship and were detained infrequently. CULTURAL HISTORY processing facility for prisoners of war. When Chinese persons were specifically excluded Early Inhabitants troops returned from the war, a 60-foot sign from immigrating to the U.S. by the Chinese Coast Miwok began visiting the island about with the illuminated words “Welcome Home, Exclusion Act of 1882. Most of the 175,000 2,000 years ago. These indigenous people Well Done” greeted them from the island. In Chinese arriving at Angel Island were established camps and used the island July 1946, the Army abandoned the island, detained for up to ninety days—a few for primarily as a fishing and hunting site. declaring it surplus property. almost two years—while their applications In 1775, Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish The Army returned in 1954 during the Cold were considered. Due to appeals, most navigator, sailed the San Carlos into San War to build a Nike missile site. By 1962 immigrants were eventually granted entry Francisco Bay and anchored in what is now the system had become obsolete, and the to America. Many detainees expressed their Ayala Cove. With his pilot, José de Cañizares, Army decommissioned the base and left the anxiety and despair by writing and carving he developed one of the first maps of San island. Most of the island was turned over to on the wooden walls. Some Chinese wrote Francisco Bay. They christened the isle Isla de California State Parks in 1963. emotional poems, still legible today. Los Angeles (Angel Island). The Quarantine Station A 1940 fire destroyed the administration The Army on Angel Island In 1891 a Quarantine Station was opened building, closing the Immigration Station. The In 1863, during the Civil War, the U.S. Army at Ayala Cove (then known as Hospital first restoration phase of this National Historic established Camp Reynolds on Angel Island Cove), where ships from foreign ports could to protect San Francisco Bay. The island later be fumigated and immigrants suspected became a garrison for infantry companies, of carrying diseases could be kept in including troops serving in campaigns against isolation. As better medical examinations American Indians in the West. at the ports of embarkation and improved The Army designated the entire island medical practices made lengthy quarantines Fort McDowell and renamed Camp Reynolds unnecessary, the U.S. Public Health Service the West Garrison in 1900. New facilities at abandoned the Quarantine Station at Angel Quarry Point, called East Garrison, evolved Island in 1946. Civil War reenactment at Camp Reynolds Landmark has been completed as a tribute to Picnicking roadways while immigrants from around the world. The island’s scenic picnic areas have tables, cyclists have access running water and barbecues. to nine miles. Foot NATURAL HISTORY trails and Mount Ten thousand years ago, the island was part Camping Livermore are closed of the mainland. Angel Island was created by The park’s four environmental camping to cyclists. The speed rising oceans at the end of an ice age. areas have water and pit toilets nearby. The East Bay Sites are generally protected limit is 15 mph, and Plant Life from wind. The more exposed Ridge Sites cyclists age 17 and In the 1800s, cattle grazing and wood offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and under are required harvesting eliminated much of the native oak San Francisco. The Sunrise Sites can be to wear helmets. woodland and coastal brush habitats covering Golden Gate Bridge view reserved individually or combined as a Watch for vehicles on Angel Island. group camp for up to 24 people. The Kayak roadways. Bicycles can be rented seasonally The U.S. Army and the Immigration Service Camp on the west side—near a small from the onsite Angel Island Company. planted many non-native trees such as beach—also accommodates groups up to For more activity information, visit eucalyptus and Monterey pine. Since the 20. Kayak campers must secure their boats www.angelisland.com or call (415) 435-3392. creation of the state park in 1963, oak, bay, from high tidewaters. Campers must carry madrone and other native trees and shrubs ACCESSIBLE FEATURES their equipment up to two miles and bring are reclaiming their habitats. Wildflowers A number of facilities, several restrooms, camp stoves or charcoal, as no wood fires are cover the island in spring. one campsite and the tram tour are allowed on the island. accessible. Because of the hilly terrain Animal Life Boating and ongoing improvements, visitors are Deer and raccoons, both excellent swimmers, Boat slips are available first-come, first- encouraged to call the park in advance or are the only large land mammals on the served from 8 a.m. until sunset. Overnight visit for more island. Harbor seals and California sea lions http://access.parks.ca.gov mooring buoys are available first-come, information about accessible features. often sun on the rocks. Birds include scrub first-served. A fee is charged for both day use jays, hummingbirds, flickers, hawks and owls. and overnight mooring, with a seven-night PLEASE REMEMBER Near the coves, visitors may find egrets, limit. All boaters must tie fore and aft due to • State law protects all natural and grebes, blue herons and brown pelicans. swift currents. cultural resources—wildlife, rocks, plants GETTING TO THE ISLAND Tours and structures. Do not disturb them. • Only service or assistance animals are Angel Island is reachable Tours of historic buildings and sites are allowed on the island. year-round by public ferries. available. Guided nature hikes can be • Stay on designated trails to avoid ticks and For information, visit scheduled upon request, and tram tours are poison oak. www.parks.ca.gov/angelisland. available seasonally. Call (415) 435-5537 or • Do not feed raccoons or other wildlife. email [email protected] for ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES • Roller skates, roller blades, scooters and information and scheduling. For camping and group picnic skateboards are not allowed anywhere on reservations, call (800) 444-7275 Hiking and Bicycling the island. or visit www.parks.ca.gov. Flicker Hikers have 13 miles of trails and • Wood fires are not permitted. F Samuel P. San Pablo e Point Campbell r a Taylor SP r d Bay y e t 101 o m China 4 a T l 80 i Angel Island Camp A b / u d SP r China o n a State Park n Cove San l Richmond k Rafael 580 a O o U.S. Immigration Station t y P r e (North Garrison) 131 Angel Island SP Raccoon Strait r r 1 e im F e Tiburon S t Point Simpton Ferry to an Fran e 24 cis r Mt Tamalpais SP Berkeley co R d 101 OAKLAND Point 80 Ione 580 Sa SAN FRANCISCO n P F r Snack Bar N a a o O c B n Ayala r i a c 880 t c y h e f 1 is 200 i c a c o Cove n 100 0 5 Mi 280 Visitor 300 East Bay Sites 400 Center 500 1, 2, 3 0 5 10 Km R Hill id Platform Group Picnic g e Group Area This park receives support in Picnic t ra e T il Area s part through two nonprofit associations: n u the Angel Island Conservancy S 600 T Guard (www.angelisland.org) and Draw Group rail Kayak Picnic Areas House the Angel Island Immigration Group (A & B) Station Foundation Camp (www.aiisf.org).