More geology info coming soon, but I’m posting ferry schedule for our March 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.
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.
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 have been updated for March 2025.
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.
Summer times can be busy, but the rest of the year there is usually plenty of space.
The best pricing is if you have a Clipper Card, the trip from SF is only $9.50
Golden Gate Transit
SF Ferry Terminal, Gate B
- 10:15 departs, arrives Angel Island 10:45
Return trip
- 3:20 departs, 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
Angel Island/Tiburon Ferry
Tiburon Ferry Terminal
- 10:00 departs, arrives Angel Island
Return trip
- 1:20 and 3:20
Fare: $18 adults, seniors $16 (plus fees about $1)
Resources
Videos
Virtual Field Trip: Kayak Beach, Angel Island
Blueshist rock and subduction.