Attractions

What to See & Do on Angel Island

Passengers disembark from the ferry at Ayala Cove, a small marina abutting a huge lawn area equipped with tables, benches, barbecue pits, and restrooms. During the summer season, there's also a small store, a gift shop, the Cove Cafe (with surprisingly good grub), and an overpriced mountain-bike rental shop at Ayala Cove.

Angel Island's 12 miles of hiking and bike trails include the Perimeter Road, a paved path that circles the island. It winds past disused troop barracks, former gun emplacements, and other military buildings; several turnoffs lead to the top of Mount Livermore, 776 feet above the bay. Sometimes referred to as the "Ellis Island of the West," Angel Island was used as a holding area for detained Chinese immigrants awaiting admission papers from 1910 to 1940. You can still see faded Chinese characters on some of the walls of the barracks where the immigrants were held.

The 1-hour audio-enhanced open-air Tram Tour of the island costs $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, $9.50 for children 6 to 12, and is free for children 5 and under; schedules vary depending on the time of year. Tours generally run at 10:30am, 12:15pm, and 1:45pm on weekdays, with an additional run at 3pm on weekends and holidays. But check in at the Cove Cafe upon arrival on the island for current day's tram schedule.

Guided Segway tours of the island are available as well, March through November. The 2 1/2-hour interpretive tour circles the island's paved Perimeter Trail and costs $65, plus a $3 processing fee. Tours leave at 10:30am and 12:30pm daily. All riders must be 16 years and older. To make tour reservations call tel. 415/435-3392 or visit www.angelisland.com.

During the warmer months you can camp at a limited number of reserved sites; call Reserve America at tel. 800/444-7275 or visit www.reserveamerica.com to find out about environmental campgrounds at Angel Island. Reservations are taken 2 days to 7 months in advance.

Guided sea-kayak tours  are also available. The 2 1/2-hour trips combine the thrill of paddling stable, two- or three-person kayaks with an informative, naturalist-led tour around the island (conditions permitting). All equipment is provided (including a much-needed wet suit), kids are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Rates run $65 to $75 per person. For more information, contact the Sausalito-based Sea Trek at tel. 415/488-1000 or www.seatrekkayak.com. Note: Tours depart from Sausalito, not Angel Island.

For more information about activities on Angel Island, call tel. 415/897-0715 or log onto www.angelisland.com.

What to See & Do in Tiburon

The main thing to do in tiny Tiburon is stroll along the waterfront, pop into the stores, and spend an easy $50 on drinks and appetizers before heading back to the city. For a taste of the Wine Country, stop at Windsor Vineyards, 72 Main St. (tel. 800/289-9463; www.windsorvineyards.com) -- its Victorian tasting room dates from 1888. Twenty or more choices are available for a free tasting. Wine accessories and gifts -- glasses, cork pullers, carry packs (which hold six bottles), gourmet sauces, posters, and maps -- are also available. Ask about personalized labels for your selections. The shop is open Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 7pm.