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Teaching Tools | Resources for Teachers from Scholastic

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In 1905, construction of the Immigration Station began in the area then known as North Garrison. Surrounded by public controversy from its inception, the station was finally put into partial operation in 1910. It was designed to process Chinese immigrants whose entry was restricted by the Chinese Exclusion Law of 1882. A rush of immigrants from Europe were expected with the opening of the Panama Canal, but international events after 1914, including the outbreak of World War I, cancelled the expected rush, but Asians continued to arrive on the West Coast and to go through immigration procedures. Though most immigrants processed through the Immigration Station on Angel Island were Chinese, over 80 countries were represented by the influx of immigrants.

The influx of Asians into the United States, dating from the California Gold Rush, created tension between many immigrant groups. During the 1870s, an economic downturn resulted in serious unemployment problems, and led to outcries against Asian immigrants who would work for low wages, this along with the resentment towards Chinese who were finding themselves successful in the laundry, hotel and fishing industries led to very restrictive immigration laws. These laws allowed entry only to those that had been born in the U.S. or had husbands or fathers who were citizens. Enforcement of those laws was assigned to the Bureau of Immigration.

When it opened in 1910, the new detention facility on Angel Island was considered ideal because of its isolation. Access to and from the Island was very important to control and enforce the relatively new immigration laws and deal with the threat of disease from the many new people arriving daily to America. There were buildings to house and care for detainees, a pier, hospital, and regular boat service to the mainland. During the next 30 years, this was the point of entry for most of the approximately 175,000 Chinese immigrants who came to the United States. Most of them were detained on Angel Island for as little as two weeks or as much as six months. A few however, were forced to remain on the island for as much as two years.

Interrogations could take a long time to complete, especially if witnesses for the immigrants lived in the eastern United States. Some detainees expressed their feelings in poetry that they carved into the wooden walls of the detention barracks. Others simply waited, hoping for a favorable response to their appeals, but fearing deportation. Many of the poems that were carved into the walls of the barracks are still legible today.

By the time the fire destroyed the Administration Building, immigration had slowed in the country, the government was finding that the maintenance of the facilities on Angel Island were extremely expensive, and finally as the U.S. entered WWII, China became an ally to the U.S. and immigration policies on the Chinese changed in response. In August of 1940, a fire destroyed the administration building and hastened the government's decision to abandon the Immigration Station. On November 5, the last group of about 200 immigrants (including about 150 Chinese) were transferred from Angel Island to temporary quarters in San Francisco.The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and subsequent immigration laws were repealed with the passage of the Magnuson Act in 1943.

Today, most visitors to Angel Island find the Immigration Station a place of reflection. While often called the Ellis Island of the West, the U.S. Immigration Station, was in fact quite different. Arrivals at Ellis Island were welcomed to this country by the near by Statue of Liberty and screened primarily for medical reasons leaving an average of 2-3 hours of arriving. At Angel Island, the objective was to exclude new arrivals, the memories of many returning visitors are therefore bittersweet. The Immigration Barracks has been restored to allow visitors a glimpse into the life of an immigrant, through recreated bunk rooms and recreation areas you can see the spaces immigrants lived while on their journey to a new life in America.

Park staff and volunteers provide guided tours and interpretive talks to connect visitors today with the many issues and situations that immigrants faced on Angel Island over 100 years ago, and hopefully help visitors connect with their own family stories and the stories of immigrants today who, if you look closely, may be repeating history.

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California State Parks, State of California

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In 1905, construction of the Immigration Station began in the area then known as North Garrison. Surrounded by public controversy from its inception, the station was finally put into partial operation in 1910. It was designed to process Chinese immigrants whose entry was restricted by the Chinese Exclusion Law of 1882.

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This facility was primarily a detention center. Beginning with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, a series of restrictive laws had prohibited the immigration of certain nationalities and social classes of Asians. Although all Asians were affected, the greatest impact was on the Chinese.

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Visitor Info

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Accessible by commercial ferries, charter and private boats, Angel Island State Park, the largest Island in San Francisco Bay, is located one mile south of the Tiburon Peninsula. Park Headquarters and the main Visitor's Center are located in Ayala Cove on the North side, the Islands' main point of entry.

In Ayala Cove, visitors can obtain a brochure providing a map and brief history of the Park's sites, a description of the facilities and things to do. Brochures are available at the Rangers' kiosk, Angel Island Conservancy's Information Station and the Cove Café (note: the Cove Café is open weekends only in February, March, and early to mid-November and daily April thru October).

The new CalParks mobile apps, available for iPhone and Android, marks an exciting new time for visitors who want to explore California's many parks.

Local Lodging

Visiting from out of the area? Looking for a place to stay? The Lodge at Tiburon and the Waters Edge Hotel are both close to the ferry terminal, your ticket to Angel Island.

A hidden retreat, The Lodge at Tiburon offers resort style luxury accommodations, bike rentals for guests, and an "Adventure on Angel Island" package. Be sure to check out The Lodge's restaurant, Tiburon Tavern, featuring elevated comfort cuisine paired with Northern California's freshest cuisine and coastal influences.

The Waters Edge Hotel boasts superb views and amenities, including a continental breakfast delivered to you every morning and a fireplace in every room.

Map of Available Parking for Downtown Tiburon

Note: Parking lots accept CASH only - credit and debit cards are not accepted.

Clothing & Weather

If you are looking at local weather forecasts to determine what to wear, you may discover that nothing quite predicts what you will find on the island. Like the rest of the Bay Area, Angel Island is a study in micro-climates. It can be warm and sunny on the north side and foggy and cold on the south. For that reason, we strongly suggest dressing in layers to be ready for both chilly and warm weather.

General Information & Rules
Please contact the Ranger's office for information not listed below:
(415) 435-5390.
Bicycles can be brought on the ferry, or rented seasonally at the Cove Café located in Ayala Cove. In addition to bicycle rentals, the Café offers Segway and tram tours which can be arranged seasonally (note: the Café is only open weekends in February, March, and early to mid-November and daily April thru October). Visitors can buy lunch at the Café, the outdoor Oyster Bar, and Cantina, or bring their own lunch to eat in the picnic areas. During summer weekends there is often live music to enjoy with your lunch and the view. Credit cards are accepted by the Café and Cantina with a $15 minimum purchase; an ATM machine is available in the Café. For information call the Café: (415) 435-3392 or visit angelisland.com.

Picnic tables and charcoal barbecues are available for small groups, a short walk from the ferry dock, on the lawn in front of the Visitor Center in Ayala Cove and locations around the island. For groups of 35 to 200 people there are five picnic areas that can be reserved for a fee for day use only.

There are 11 environmental campsites, including an ADA site, 9 numbered sites (each site accommodating up to 8 people), and a kayak-accessible group site (holds up to 20 people). To reserve a campsite, call Reserve America at (800) 444-7275 or visit ReserveAmerica.com.

The California State Park Annual Day Use Pass can be used to pay day-use dock fees for private boats, however is not accepted by visitors coming via the public ferries.

A few small lockers are available for day-use for $1. They are located near the vending machines next to the bike rental kiosk in Ayala Cove.

Dogs (except service dogs) are not allowed on the island at any time.

For persons with limited mobility, visit the California State Parks site for Accessible Features.

Due to the terrain, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, and personal Segways, are prohibited.

Wood fires are prohibited. Bring charcoal for the barbecues, as it is not available for purchase on the island.

Metal detectors, while allowed, are not recommended because digging or disturbing the soil or ground in the park is prohibited.
Permits are required for events that:

Involve the sale of alcoholic beverages

Require liability insurance

Involve filming for commercial purposes

Charge participants fees beyond regular use fees

Involve the sales of items or services

Have special conditions or requirements

Are for weddings and wedding receptions

Include docking charter boats

For information or permits, please contact a State Park Ranger at (415) 435-5390.
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Accessible by commercial ferries, charter and private boats, Angel Island State Park, the largest Island in San Francisco Bay, is located one mile south of the Tiburon Peninsula. Park Headquarters and the main Visitor's Center are located in Ayala Cove on the North side, the Islands' main point of entry.