Access to the Island is by private boat or public ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon. Weekday ferry service to the island during the winter is provided by the Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco.
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Finally, in 1997, the station was declared a National Historical Landmark. Just over one square mile in size, Angel Island currently hosts a small community of about 30 residents, all of whom work, or are related to those who work, on the island in some capacity for the state.
Angel Island is an easy day trip and a great way to spend some time outdoors away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hiking, biking, and photography are its three key activities as you visit some of the historical buildings.
Overall, almost everyone who came through Ellis Island (around 98% by some counts) was admitted. By contrast, 60% of the immigrants who arrived at Angel Island—most of whom were Chinese—were detained, and it took weeks or months to be released; the longest detention Lee found was 756 days.
In July 1946, after serving the military for a variety of purposes, the Army declared Angel Island surplus and eventually transferred ownership to the State of California for park, recreational, and historical purposes.
Newbie backpackers seeking the latter can look no further than San Francisco's Angel Island. Just a 30-minute ferry ride away from neighboring cities, explorers feel all the bliss of remote camping with clear views (and cell service) of the entire San Francisco Bay.