Camp Under the Stars at Angel Island State Park: Your Ultimate Outdoor Escape
Camp Under the Stars at Angel Island State Park: Your Ultimate Outdoor Escape
Angel Island State Park shines as a pristine jewel in San Francisco Bay, offering a setting that combines breathtaking views with adventurous camping opportunities. Accessible only by ferry, this lush island is home to diverse ecosystems, rich history, and miles of hiking trails. Campers can enjoy ocean views, watch the sun dip below the horizon, and immerse themselves in nature—all just a short ride from the city. With only a limited number of campsites, those seeking solitude in a group environment can enjoy the serenity of the island while engaging with fellow adventurers around the campfire. Whether it's hiking the trails or biking around the perimeter, there's a perfect outdoor experience waiting for everyone.
Adventure Guide to Camping at Angel Island State Park
Key Facts:
- Location: Angel Island State Park, San Francisco Bay
- Reservations: Required for campsites; book well in advance through the California State Parks website
- Campsites: Six distinct campgrounds with a total of about 30 campsites
- Activities: Hiking, biking, birdwatching, historical tours
Recommended Suggestions:
- Best Time to Visit: April to October for mild weather
- Packing Tips: Bring multiple layers, sunscreen, water, and food as there are limited facilities.
Interesting Facts:
- Angel Island has served as a military outpost and an immigration station, contributing to its rich history.
- The island's strategic location has made it a key defense point, evidenced by historical military installations scattered throughout.
History of the Activity and Area:
- First utilized by native Miwok tribes, the island has seen centuries of transformation. It was designated a state park in 1950, aiming to preserve its natural and cultural heritage. Today, campers can hike the historical trails lined with remnants of old military installations, offering a unique glimpse into the region's past while enjoying present-day outdoor activities.
Getting There:
- Accessible via ferry services from San Francisco, Tiburon, and Oakland, adding an element of adventure right from the start.
Enjoy a unique camping experience where nature, history, and community converge on Angel Island!
Adventure Map
Reviews
Ana Martinsa year ago
Really nice biking and hiking experience. It’s not as touristic as some of the other islands (Sausalito) but I do believe it is way better!
We recommend doing the bike across the island and then doing the hike. We rented the bikes once we arrived, but I do believe it is cheaper to do it outside the island and rent them for the day instead.
A must do in San Francisco! You really can’t beat that view 😉
Wilson Tsang11 months ago
TLDR: nice hiking and scenic views with a cool history and museum about immigration history on the island
The ferry to the island was quick from SF, less than 30 minutes. The views were very scenic even on a cloudy day. We enjoyed the immigration museum (free) and the detention center ($5) on our home around the island. From the port to the immigration museum is about a 35 minute walk (some uphill involved including long flights of stairs) but the roundabout way without stairs takes another 15-20 minutes longer.
Lily Bloodworth11 months ago
Very beautiful island with a lot of history, hiking trails and amazing views of San Francisco city and Bay . You need to take short ferry rides to get there.best time to visit there is on the sunny day. Pack your snacks and water before get on trails.
TabletOrd4 months ago
This place definitely had lots of variety and history about it. I arrived at the jungle, and I saw this red echidna with big, spiky knuckles, he was looking at me really suspicious like. There was this awesome waterpark, vut there must be absolutely no safety regulations here because it was made entirely of rocks! I enjoyed the carnival, thought that was pretty cool. The ice mountain had some sick snowboarding too, saw some blue hedgehog absolutely tearing it up there. I saw this massive airship over the island, no clue what that was about. There was this awesome volcanic cave I went into, and it was all crystallised. Very beautiful. Then there were these big floating gardens up in the sky, all made of marble or something. Then I saw this huge staircase collapsing as the same blue hedgehog I saw snowboarding was running straight up it, with a yellow fox with 2 tails behind him. Very strange, hope they got kicked out for destroying the place! It seems like the red echidna didn't seem to care all that much, thought he was the owner or something. But it was still a pretty cool place.
Marco Paganinia year ago
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 in the area.
