Become a Friend

...and help us accomplish our mission of preserving and restoring the station and educating the public on the role of this Pacific gateway to America.

Volunteer Opportunities

Looking to get involved? Learn about volunteer opportunities at Angel Island State Park and at Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation! Click here for details.

Stay in touch!

We want to stay in touch with you, sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter.
Join our Email list

Visit the U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island

United States Immigration Station, Angel Island
Guided & Self Guided Tours

A majority of the detention barracks museum are shown by guided tour only.  The Visitor Center Room 105 on the first floor will be open for self-guided tours when staff is available (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).  The US Immigration (USIS) Grounds are open to the public during park hours 8am-Sunset daily.  Visitors are encouraged to view the interpretive displays on the Grounds.



Reservations

Tour reservations are available for groups of 5 or more.  Please see schedule below and email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for reservations.  Groups of less than five can purchase tour tickets on a first come, first served basis at the Cove Café on Angel Island.  Tours are not recommended for children under 12.

Reservations can be made up to seven months ahead and must be made at least three weeks in advance.  Groups must have between 5 and 30 people to make a reservation.  (4-12 school groups have a maximum of 40 people per tour.)

Tours begin at the Bell near the water at the USIS.

Special Tour Date Information
2009
November 25, 26     Site Closed No tours available.
December 21-31     Site Closed No tours available.

2010
February 15     Site will be open and tours available on a first come first serve basis.
May 31     Site will be open and tours available on a first come first serve basis.
July 5     Site will be open and tours available on a first come first serve basis.
September 6     Site will be open and tours available on a first come first serve basis.
November 24, 25     Site Closed No tours available.
December 20-31     Site Closed No tours available.

Tour Fees

With reservations:

Schools K-12
Tour maximum: 40 people (including chaperons)
Cost per person: $3
Tour Length: approx. 1 hour

All other groups
Tour maximum: 30 people
Cost per person: $7 adults, $5 children (5-11yrs.)
Tour Length: approx. 1 hour 20 minutes except for the weekday 2pm tour which is 40 minutes long and are $4 adults/$3 children (5-11yrs)

All first come first serve tour tickets are $7.00 each.

Our friends at the Angel Island Cafe have created this quick 5 minute orientation on how to book tours to the Immigration Station. Enjoy!

Ferry

Ferry schedules are subject to change and not all ferry service can accommodate every tour time, check the tour time and ferry schedule carefully- contact the ferry company for details.

Tiburon
Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Company www.angelislandferry.com

San Francisco
Blue & Gold Fleet www.blueandgoldfleet.com

Oakland and Alameda (summer weekends only)
Blue & Gold Fleet www.blueandgoldfleet.com

How to make it work: Ferries and USIS tours

Make sure you choose a tour time that corresponds to your ferry schedule.  The list below gives tour times that are available within the schedule of each ferry. (No guided tours available Monday or Tuesday.)

San Francisco Passengers-

Wednesday-Friday
11am, 12:30pm, 2pm (On weekdays the 2pm tour is 45 min. to accommodate ferry schedule, tour starts from bottom of covered staircase).
Saturday-Sunday
March-October: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm 
November-February: 12:30pm, 2pm

Oakland /Alameda Passengers-

Saturday- Sunday
May-September only: 11am, 12:30pm

Tiburon Passengers-

Wednesday-Friday
11am, 12:30pm, 2pm (On weekdays the 2pm tour is 45 min. to accommodate ferry schedule, tour starts from bottom of covered staircase).
Monday-Friday, November-February, ferry service by advance reservation for groups of 25 or more.  Individuals may piggy back with scheduled groups.

Saturday- Sunday
November-April: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm.
May-September: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm

Ferry schedules and tour times are subject to change, the information above is provided with the schedules as they are available as of 9/10/2009. Please check the tour time and ferry schedule carefully - contact the ferry company for details.


On Island Transportation

Hiking
The shortest route is to walk up the Northridge Trail (trail head at Ayala Cove dock area), the trail starts off with 140 trail stairs, turn left when you reach the paved Perimeter Road and travel approximately one mile along the road to the USIS.  The USIS is on the left side and there are signs to direct you down the hill into the site.
Approximate walking time: 30-40 minutes

To avoid the stairs walk towards the Visitor Center in Ayala Cove and follow the road up the hill, turning left when the road 'T's, the walk is approximately 1.5 miles.
Approximate walking time: 1 hour

Biking
Visitors should expect to bike 1½ miles to the USIS, bicycles must be secured at the top of the hill into the site.  Due to steep terrain and vehicle traffic, bicycles are not permitted on the U.S. Immigration Station grounds.

Shuttle Service
Shuttle service will be available for a fee, to and from Ayala Cove (ferry landing) and the USIS, contact the Cove Café at 415-435-3392 for cost and schedule.

OFF SEASON SHUTTLE LIMITS
The Cove Cafe has a limited schedule from November thru February, if you have special accessibility needs getting to the USIS please contact the Cove Cafe at least 1 week in advance.

Click here for tour package information in Chinese.