Angel Island Immigration Station

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The U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island is now ready for visitors. After three years of work a re-opening celebration took place Sunday, February 15, 2009. The Immigration Station at Angel Island originaly opened in 1910. It was built on the Island because of its remote location. There were buildings to house and care for detainees, a pier, and regular boat service to the mainland. During its 30 years of operation, this was the point of entry for most Chinese immigrants to the United States. The average detention was two to three weeks, but many stayed for several months and a few were forced to remain on the island for nearly two years. In 1940, the government decided to abandon the Immigration Station on Angel Island and for a while it was used as an army barrack.

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Starting April 1, 2009, the US Immigration Station site will be open to the public during park hours, 8 am to sunset, daily. Visitors may look at all the interpretive panels and displays that are located outside. Wednesday through Sunday, between 10 am and 3 pm, Room 105, the Chinese men’s dorm on the first floor, where many poems are visible, may be open for drop-in visits, if staffing is available. (During guided tours, access to Room 105 may be limited.) When open for self-guided tours, there will be a staff person available to answer questions. Angel Island is a hilly, grass and forest-covered island, the largest in San Francisco Bay. It is located one mile from the Tiburon Peninsula. The park covers 740 acres and is 788 feet high at the top of Mt. Livermore. It provides spectacular views of Marin County, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate, and the entire Bay Area.

Getting there: The Blue & Gold Fleet offers ferry service year-round from San Francisco; on summer weekends there is added service from Oakland and Alameda. Ferry schedules don"t always mesh with island tour schedules, so allow yourself plenty of time. More informations on tours can be found here.