Angel Island: Summit Hike, Beach & Live Music

Hey Happy Hour Hikers!

This could be the best hike in the Bay Area: a scenic ferry ride, a summit hike, a hidden beach, and a waterfront bar with live music. Come join us!

THE HIKE

We will start hiking on Angel Island at 10:30 sharp. See 'Getting There' below to find out how to meet us. We will hike the North Ridge Trail from Ayala Cove, where the ferry docks. The trail is gentle but far from flat, and has amazing views very quickly. At the summit, there are a bunch of places to eat our lunch. The views are unparalleled - Oakland, SF, Marin headlands, Alcatraz, and all 3 bridges.

After lunch, we'll head down a beautiful ridge trail to show you my favorite beach on the island (Perle's Beach), one that hardly any people go to. The beach has a perfect view of the SF skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

After the beach we will walk 30 minutes on the paved ring road back to the ferry dock.

Facts & Figures:

• 4 total miles and 788 vertical feet
• I'm thinking something like: 1 hour to the summit, 30 minutes for lunch, 30 minute hike to the beach, 30 hanging at the beach, and 30 minute walk back to the cafe.

THE HAPPY HOUR

This hike ends at a bar with good food, beer & wine, and live music on the water in the sun. Hard to beat.

Most people walk right past the only food place on Angel Island, or stop in to get a quick sandwich. But their food is surprisingly good, and the secret is that they also serve beer and wine. And they have a big outdoor deck along the water, to take in the sun.

Most importantly, in the summer months only they have live music every weekend from 2-4. Perfect way to end any hike. I chose Saturday for our hike after researching the bands and learning that a local funky bluegrass band was playing (Savannah Blu from Mill Valley).

GETTING THERE & BACK

• FROM SF: I will be taking the 9:45 ferry from Pier 41, arriving at 10:10. You can use your Clipper card. Get there by 9:30 so you can find which gate it leaves from. I will be taking the 4:45 ferry back (last ferry!), arriving at Pier 41 at 5:25. If you haven't done this, the ride has been rated one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world :)

*FROM TIBURON: There's also a Tiburon ferry. It's hourly and takes 12 minutes, so you'll want the 10 am ferry. Parking is tough in Tiburon, so arrive there extra early. You might be walking, or paying a bunch. You can take the 4 or 5pm ferry (last one) back
*So......meet us in front of the bathroom building right as you get off the ferry. Look for Ken. Very easy.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Bring your lunch (or just snacks) for the stops at the summit, or the beach. Or just wait until we hit the Cantina around 1:30.
  *No four-legged friends unfortunately on the island.
  *As always, only RSVP if you are sure you can make it, and update your RSVP asap if plans change. This is important! We limit the number for each hike for everyone's enjoyment, so if you no-show, other people can't go. :( I'll ask consistent no-showers to leave the group.
• There is a bathroom at the meeting area and water.
• If you want to bring guests, they must join the group and RSVP for the event, too, so we can know who's coming. Thanks!