Angel Island

For our last full day in San Francisco, we decided to take a day trip to Angel Island, a California National Park and the second island in the Bay alongside Alcatraz. We woke up early and walked to Pier 39 to get tickets, then hopped on the ferry for a 20 minute scenic view of the bay area to the island. However, upon our arrival we were told that the tour we were planning on taking (of the Immigration Station area) was overbooked because there was an entire elementary school's worth of 5th graders also on the tour. So instead, we took a bus tour of the entire island, learning more about the history of the site. As well as being used as a first embarkation site for Asian immigrants, the island was also home to many native Californians’, naval stations, and avid environmentalists all trying to make the island fit with their purpose.

After the trip to Angel Island, the group split up with half of us going to see the Mechanical Museum on the Beach front (video below) and the other half stayed around Pier 39 for shopping and food. We ate a final dinner together at Wipeout! and then had free time. Dr. Medina and I went to Union Street and walked around a bit, getting to see the Coit Tower, River City Bookstore, and a bunch of enthusiastic St. Patrick's Day Nightlife: Irish step dancers and bagpipers performed outside at a block party. Then it was back to the hostel before it got too crazy out.

Tomorrow we have plans to wake up early and see the historic Hyde Street Pier before we leave for the airport - Wish us luck!