Angel Island - SF Bay

Guide/Book Page

Angel Island - SF Bay

Cruising Guide to Angel Island - San Francisco Bay California, USA

• Overview
• Boating Links for Angel Island (weather, charts, etc.)
• Fun things to do on Angel island
• Dog Rules
• ANCHORAGES - Angel Island - San Francisco Bay

Above: Live Angel Island Web Cam at Angel Island's Ayala Cove (during daylight hours).

Angel Island Overview

The premier cruising destination for sailboats and power boats in the San Francisco Bay, most sailors around the SF Bay call Angel island their favorite spot. With 7 anchorages (1 with mooring buoys and docks), there is generally protection available in any weather. The only downside to anchorages around the island are the wakes from passing ferries and commercial traffic, though they generally calm down overnight. Angel island is also about equal distance between the three bridges (Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Richmond Bridge), making it a quick day sail for most bay area boats.

Important Boating Links for Angel Island

• Online Marine Chart of Angel Island area in the SF Bay
• Angel Island Forecast
• Marine Forecast - San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay and the West Delta
• Wind Forecast
• Radar Image- National Weather Service
• Satellite Image - NWS (good to see fog)
• Currents at Angel Island (NOAA)
• Tides at Angel Island and in the San Francisco Bay
• Angel Island Park Information

Fun things for boaters to do on Angel island in San Francisco Bay

Hiking/Biking:

• Hiking and biking map (plus other Angel Island park information)
• Incredible hiking and biking opportunities all over Angel island.
• Over 13 miles of foot trails and fire roads circle the entire island.
• Most people love the long (about 5 mile) perimeter road, used to access the island's beaches and historical sites.
• The Perimeter Road and access roads to Immigration Station and Fort McDowell are paved. Other roads are gravel. Trails are packed dirt.
• Take the Northridge/Sunset loop trail to Climb to the top of Mt. Livermore (781 feet) for spectacular views.
• Wildflowers in season and roaming deer
• Rent a bike (available in summer and weekends in the spring and fall)
• Eight miles of roadway are available for bike riding on Angel island. Bicycles can be used on the island-circling Perimeter Road and the fire road.
• Walk on Quarry Beach

Spend some time at the visitors center

Motorized tram tours are available weekends in March and November on Angel Island, weekends and some weekdays in April and October, and daily between May and September, for a fee. Please call 925-426-3058 for more information.

Volleyball: Nets are set up in Ayala Cove and at Fort McDowell (bring a ball)

Baseball: A baseball diamond located at Fort McDowell can be reserved.

Look at some of the best views of the City, Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay anywhere.

Fishing: Normal fish and game laws apply

Photography: Wildflowers, nature, historic buildings, and spectacular views of the San Francisco bay, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Picnicking: Many picnic tables and charcoal barbecues are available for small groups near the ferry dock. You will also find picnic tables a various locations around the island. For groups of 35 to 200 people, you can reserve a site by calling (800) 444-7275.

Visit the many historic sites:

• Immigration Station (North Garrison)
• Fort McDowell (East Garrison)
• Camp Reynolds (West Garrison)
• Learn about the Coast Miwok villages that were once on the island.

Tours of Angel Island's historic sites are offered by State Park Volunteers on many weekends during the peak season, April through October and sometimes in November. Immigration Station tours MAY be available at limited times on the weekends from November to March. During the renovation of the Immigration Station, tours will not be able to enter the barracks or the grounds of the station. Please call 415-435-3522 to verify staffing if this is critical to your off-season visit.

Tours: Docent-led tours of historic buildings are often available on weekends and holidays, April through October. Nature walks are also available, with two-weeks advance reservation. To reserve any tour, please call 415-435-3522.

The Cove Cafe deli, bike rentals, and motorized tram tours are available every day from April through October. Please note that bike rentals, tram tours, and the cafe are CLOSED during the winter months (late November thru February) and are open Thursday thru Monday during March and early November. New for 2007 is a barbequed oyster bar and outdoor cantina.

DOGS:

Dogs (except service dogs) are not allowed on the island at any time.

ANCHORAGES - Angel Island - San Francisco Bay (clockwise around the island):

Anchorages at Angel Island - SF Bay:

1. Ayala Cove 2. China Cove (Winslow Cove) 3. East Garrison 4. Quarry Beach 5. Sand Springs Beach 6. West Garrison 7. Point Stuart

1. Ayala Cove

When most sailors say they are going to Angel island, they are talking about this cove. It is where the majority of sailboats and power boats choose to visit.

Facilities:

• Restrooms
• Picnic tables
• Camping spots (reserve well ahead)
• Dock
• Mooring Bouys (27)
• Ferry dock (to Tiburon)

Dock:

• Day use only: 0800-sunset (fees apply, pay at top of ramp)
• Slips 30' to 50'
• Slips are on a first-come first-served basis.
• This dock accommodates about 50 boats, and makes it really convenient to go ashore for a hike.
• NOTE: Be prepared for a big cross current (often over 1 knot) in this cove, making it difficult to dock. Lots of sailors choose to arrive and depart nearer slack tide to avoid this problem.

Mooring Buoys:

• Fees apply ($20 US), pay at top of ramp.
• Moorings can be used up to 7 nights in a row.
• Rafting permitted
• Make sure your bow is facing into the wakes from passing traffic as intended (northward).
• Buoys are on a first-come first-served basis.
• New mooring field installed in 2007.
• BUOY NOTE: Bring long lines, for the BOW and STERN moorings in Ayala cove. A tricky manover when the current is running strong (you might want to launch your dinghy for the second line).

2. China Cove (Winslow Cove)

The best anchorage is in about 20-30 feet of water. Mud and clay bottom, holding is pretty good. Set your anchor well, a strong tidal flow is in this angel island anchorage.

3. East Garrison

East Garrison is the cove to the north of Quarry Point on the east side of Angel Island. Recognized by the hospital and barracks on land. The best anchorage is in 20-35 feet of water with mud and clay bottom, holding is pretty good. Set your anchor well, a strong tidal flow is in this anchorage.

4. Quarry Beach

The best anchorage is in about 15-30 feet of water with mud and clay bottom. This anchorage can be really uncomfortable.

5. Sand Springs Beach

6. West Garrison

7. Point Stuart