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Beautiful, pristine Angel Island is the largest island in San Francisco Bay. This island was a prime fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians some 3000 years ago. It was later a pirate retreat, a cattle ranch, and even a U.S. Army post. Today, it is an ideal location for hiking, trail riding, bird watching, and simply strolling. Some of the best views of San Francisco can be found from the top of Mount Livermore, plus spectacular views of Sausalito, Mt. Diablo, the Marin headlands, and Mt. Tamalpais.
But the island's history has a darker side. As many as 175,000 Chinese immigrants were detained, and processed by the federal government within its forbidding barracks between 1910 and 1940.
Due to fear and ignorance, the United States passed the "Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882" to seriously restrict Chinese immigration to this country. Throughout its years of operation, thousands of people of Chinese descent were detained, many deported, and others spent months on Angel Island before being admitted into the country. Many committed suicide rather than being sent back across the Pacific.
Many detainees wrote poems about their plight on the island, which can still be seen etched upon wooden barrack walls, floors, and even trees. Fortunately, a US Park Service ranger discovered these writings and saved the island's ignominious past from destruction. The Angel Island Immigration Station offers a visible reminder of this chapter of history.
There is a wonderful five-mile trail which rings the island. Bicycles can be rented on the island, or can brought by ferry. The climb to the top of Mount Livermore is worth the sweat and effort, for the views are breathtaking. There is day use camping on Angel Island and even overnight camping is permitted on certain occasions.
It can get very windy at times so be prepared. Ferry service is available from San Francisco, Tiburon, Oakland, and Vallejo. The Tiburon ferry is probably the best, since you return from Angel Island to another wonderful location. Call the ferry companies for details, prices and schedules.
Blue and Gold Fleet: (415) 705-5555; Tiburon Ferry: (415) 435-2131; Oakland/Alameda: (415) 705-5444.
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