We can all agree the Hawaiian islands are heavenly. Catalina? That’s lovely, too. But the San Francisco Bay is a little island paradise all its own, dotted with rocky outcroppings big and small, from the Sisters to Angel Island, Alcatraz and more. James Martin tallies an astonishing 48 in his book, “The Islands of San Francisco Bay,” from Belvedere to Yerba Buena, Red Rock and East Brother, whose Victorian-era light station and B&B is still shuttered.
Here are three you can explore with ease, including one you may not even realize is an island.
Angel Island
With its 360-degree views of the entire bay, this state park offers some of the most breathtaking scenery around. Hop the ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco and spend the day at this state park, once known as the Ellis Island of the West.
The perimeter trail offers a 5.5 mile loop around the island for hikers and mountain bikers. Head to the top of 788-foot Mount Livermore for the full panoramic effect. There are bike rentals on the island and tram and Segway tours. The U.S. Immigration Station Museum has been closed during the pandemic shutdown, but you can see the buildings and learn more at www.parks.ca.gov. (In non-pandemic times, the museum is open for guided tours and interpretive talks Wednesday-Sunday, $3-$7.)
Grab a bite at the Angel Island Cafe and Cantina near the ferry landing at Ayala Cove. Or pick up picnic fare at Lil Sam’s, the market next to Sam’s Anchor Cafe at 31 Main St. in Tiburon, before boarding the ferry. There are picnic tables and a beach at Ayala Cove.
Details: Find cafe and other details at https://angelisland.com. The Angel Island-Tiburon ferry runs Wednesday-Sunday with three or more round-trip crossings to the island beginning at 10 a.m. from 21 Main St. in Tiburon. Tickets are $5-$15, and reservations are required; https://angelislandferry.com. The Blue & Gold Fleet makes two round-trip runs Friday-Sunday from Pier 41. Tickets are $11-$19.50; www.blueandgoldfleet.com.
Alcatraz Island
One of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, The Rock is as much a part of the city’s iconography as the Transamerica Pyramid. The erstwhile home of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and other felonious types was turned over to the National Park Service in 1972, much to the delight of the 1.3 million visitors who traipsed these shores every year — before 2020, anyway.
The island reopened in March for tours. Google search results notwithstanding, just one tour company has the National Park Service concession. Book your Alcatraz City Cruises tickets ahead ($25-$41 for the day tour), then board the ship at Pier 33 for the 15-minute ride to the Alcatraz dock and a chance to explore this infamous island. The self-guided audio tour of the Alcatraz Cellhouse, by the way, is also available as an Alcatraz Experience app, so you can listen to it on your phone with your own earbuds. Find details at www.nps.gov/alca and www.alcatrazcruises.com.
Alameda Island
An estuary separates this island — and its 78,000 residents — from the mainland, with four bridges and two tunnels connecting the landmass, with its Victorian-era homes, cozy eateries and former Naval Air Station, to Oakland. The air station bears more than a passing resemblance to a ghost town but holds some spirited gems, including Faction Brewing, Rock Wall Wine Company and St. George Spirits.
The historic U.S.S. Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum is berthed at 707 W. Hornet Ave. — the pier at the far southern end of the station — and is open for tours on weekends. And downtown holds plenty of temptations, including Speisekammer, a German beer garden at 2424 Lincoln Ave. where you can get your schnitzel to go or enjoy it on the patio Wednesday-Sunday; http://speisekammer.com.
