Ferry Trail

New Spring Schedule Tiburon Angel Island Ferry

03.24.2015

Baseball isn't the only new season to happen this spring. Starting in April, the new, longer schedule begins for the Tiburon to Angel Island Ferry. Multiple ferries serve this historic park, but departing from Tiburon is a favorite. Angel Island's rich history, a hidden south-facing beach, and ridiculously scenic picnic spots and campsites are just a few reasons to go. It also happens to have unparalleled vistas of icons on the Bay. Go on an 8-mile bike-and-hike adventure starting from Ayala Cove, where regular ferries dock (ferries accommodate bikes, or you can rent your wheels on the island). From the cove, pedal southwest on Perimeter Road. At about 1.5 miles in, you'll lose the crowds and soak in a grand scene: San Francisco, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges. (This is also where you'll find the unmarked spur trail to off-the-radar Perles Beach.) Keep rolling another mile to the Service Road and a fire road, one of the hiking routes to Mount Livermore's peak. Park your wheels at the bike rack about a quarter mile up the fire road and continue by foot on Ida Trail. It's steep going for a bit before the trail relaxes into a winding, more gradual ascent with peekaboo views of Ayala Cove. At the peak—788 feet—grab a picnic table and stay awhile; the setting is Baymazing.

Get the ferry schedule from Tiburon to Angel Island. Pick up a map when you reach Angel Island. There is a bike rack at the start of the Ida Trail, which is up the fire road from the Service Road. You can hike this entire route too, just allow more time. Bikes are available to rent on the island. No dogs.

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