It was a heart-sinking sight after a wildfire erupted on the Bay Area's Angel Island State Park on Sunday, October 12, lighting it up in bright orange streams. The park reopened to visitors on Monday, and though areas that were burned and most hiking trails are currently off-limits, this is a great time to visit, with fewer crowds, superb fall weather, and almost half the island untouched by the fire. Here are three ways to enjoy the Angel of the Bay.
For an adventurous alternative to the ferry, try kayaking across the bay. The views from Angel Island are that much sweeter when you've powered there on your own. Sea Trek will suit you up and guide you from the Sausalito waterfront, picking the best route based on the current tides and winds. Unlike casual waterfront kayaking, the Angel Island Crossing trip is challenging; it's a 3-mile journey that takes kayakers across the second deepest part of the bay, Raccoon Strait. Kayakers arrive at a beautiful beach on the island's isolated west corner. From there, take in a trifecta of iconic scenery: Tiburon, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mount Tam. Spend some time exploring the island's Civil War structures, some of the oldest on the West Coast. Sign up soon: There are just two more Angel Island Crossing trips this year—October 26 (this weekend!) and November 30. Go forth and kayak!
TIP: Join the Bay to Breakers of sea kayaking this weekend: Paddle around Angel Island with 200 other kayakers on Saturday, October 25 to benefit people with disabilities and inner-city youth at the annual Paddle-a-Thon.
Sea Trek, Schoonmaker Point, Sausalito; 415-488-1000. The Angel Island Crossing Trip is $85. Bring your own water, snacks, and lunch. Photo courtesy of Chris Mueller.
Autumn biking is always brilliant on Angel Island, and a pedal around the park is especially poignant now. Bring your two-wheeler or rent one at Ayala Cove ($10/hour or $35/day). The 5-mile, mostly paved Perimeter Road (some patches are a bit gravelly) roams from the cove past sweet-scented eucalyptus forests and historic military buildings that were saved from the fires. Rolling toward the southern part of the island, you'll catch the unmistakable smell left from the blaze; you'll see the fire-scorched moonscape just past Battery Ledyard as far as Fort McDowell. This two-wheel perimeter survey offers some of the bay's most spectacular viewpoints; you can even score a rare double-bridge sighting of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges in full form. And it shows nature at its rawest: beauty, fragility, and resilience. Full circle.
From the dock at Ayala Cove, follow the bike route signs to Perimeter Rd. November 23 is the last day of operation for the bike rental shop until the spring of 2009. It's $13.50 to take the Angel Island Ferry ($14.50 if you take your bike). Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry schedule.
Ready to host a Halloween or holiday-season picnic or barbecue? Several of Angel Island's best picnic sites were untouched by the fire. The sprawling lawn at Ayala Cove makes for an ideal picnic spot; it gets crowded during summer, but the fall and winter months are quieter and less populated—especially right now. Another one of the bay's premier spots is only a 20-minute walk from Ayala Cove. Camp Reynolds, on the western side of the island, has everything you need for a picnic: huge bay views, lots of space, a tiny beach, and none of the crowds. Don't forget the Frisbee and Nerf ball!
TIP: All the concessions on the island are open until Nov. 23. This includes the Cove Café, which sells wine by the glass or the bottle!
Barbecuing is allowed on the island. All sites have picnic tables, barbecues, and water (except Camp Reynolds). All sites are dirt-based except for East Garrison, which is asphalt & dirt. Groups of 35 to 200 people can reserve a site by calling 800-444-7275. Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry schedule. No dogs.
Help Angel Island Recover: State park rangers are gathering emails of people who would like to volunteer to help rebuild the island. If you're interested, send your contact info to aivc@parks.ca.gov with the subject line "Angel Island Fire Volunteer." For information on making a tax-deductible donation to the Angel Island Association, visit angelisland.org.