Rising from the middle of the bay, Angel Island was devastated by a 2008 fire that burned 300 of the park’s 740 acres. As you explore this domed beauty, all around you’ll spot signs of the land repairing itself. You can spread out a picnic in a protected cove overlooking the close but immeasurably distant urban surroundings, or explore the island on foot or bicycle. The island has served as a military base, immigration station, WWII Japanese internment camp and Nike missile site, leaving it some interesting and thought-provoking forts, exhibits and bunkers to explore.