More geology info coming soon, but I’m posting ferry schedule for our June 2025 hike.
Hiking
Our hike is about six miles and takes about five hours due to ferry schedules. We start hiking about 11:00, and need to be back to the ferry docs by 3:00. If anyone coming from Tiburon can’t make the early ferry, I will share my cell phone number and you can catch up with us when the 11:00 Tiburon ferry arrives around 11:20.
Along with views of rocks along the shoreline, we’ll hike to the summit for amazing panoramic views of the Bay.
Trail Map
Geology
Angel Island is Trip 3 in Geologic Trips — SF and the Bay Area; chapter Metamorphism and Blue Schists (you can find the book used here, or at your local library–including ebook versions) I’m working on collecting a few web sites with more information, so folks can do a little reading before we embark on our trip. We usually aim for a low tide to get decent views of some of the sites that are best at low tide. Here’s a link to SF Bay tide tables.
From the book: Most Franciscan rocks have not been metamorphosed; that is, the pressures and temperatures in the subduction zone were not high enough to alter the rocks significantly. However, the Franciscan rocks that make up Angel Island are metamorphosed. They have been altered by extreme high pressure in the subduction zone. These rocks mus have been carried to greater depths in the subduction zone than most Franciscan rocks.
Ferry to Angel Island
Schedule and ticket prices last checked on May 17, 2025. These should be valid through summer 2025 (if not later).
All ferry tickets prices are round-trip, in general you reserve a seat on a boat out, then it’s open seating on the trip back. I recommend buying tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat and don’t end up waiting in line for tickets and missing the ferry. From SF, your Clipper Card should get you on, but be sure to get to the dock a bit early.
Summer times can be busy, but the rest of the year there is usually plenty of space.
From SF: Golden Gate Transit
The best pricing is if you have a Clipper Card, the trip from SF is only $9.50
SF Ferry Terminal, Gate B
- 10:15 departure, arrives Angel Island 10:45.
Return trip
- 3:20 departure, arrives Ferry Terminal 3:50 (this is the ferry we plan to be on; if anyone wants to stay longer they can catch the later ferry at 4:50–arrives SF 5:40)
Fare: $15.50 adults, $9.50 Clipper card adult, $8.00 Senior, youth, disabled
Parking
I’d advise taking BART or other public transit, but here are a few parking options that look like they may work.
- Golden Gateway Garage (open 7am-7pm, $10 flat rate on weekends)
- Embarcadero Center garages ($3/hour weekend, $37 max)
From Marin County: Angel Island/Tiburon Ferry
Tiburon Ferry Terminal
- 10:00 departure, arrives Angel Island about 10:20.
- The ferry from Tiburon runs every hour on weekends.
Return trip
- 2:20, 3:20, 4:20, 5:20
Fare: $18 adults, seniors $16 (plus fees about $1)
Parking
- Street parking is not available (2 hour limit); there are several parking lots most of which are expensive.
- Look for Parking Lot A and B near the Chase bank, about ten+ minute walk away. Lot A and B are $5 for the day (as of June 2025); the other lots are $20+ for the entire day.
Previous Meetup hikes
- June 24, 2012
- Oct 10, 2010
- August 2009
Comments or questions?
Leave comments and/or questions in the form at the bottom of the page.
Resources
Online documents
- Age, sedimentology, and deformational history of the Mesozoic Franciscan accretionary complex, Angel Island, California, USA (complete document requires GSA membership, but may be purchased individually)
- Google Earth: Streetcar 2 Subduction: Angel Island. Nice tour of the geology of Angel Island using Google Earth.
Videos
Virtual Field Trip: Kayak Beach, Angel Island
Blueshist rock and subduction.