English
600+ reviews
Enjoy a perfect pairing of iconic experiences in San Francisco with a tour inside the Alcatraz Penitentiary with a 45-minute audio guide combined with a 1-hour cruise around the city's main landmarks, including a pass under the Golden Gate Bridge!
Best price:
$135
30+ reviews
For a deep dive into San Francisco's history, this activity combines the Alcatraz visit with a walking tour of Fisherman's Wharf and the Barbary Coast trail with the help of a guide that will make the evolution of the city come alive and will walk you through its most important events.
Best price:
$109
600+ reviews
Enjoy a complete tour of the San Francisco area which includes the city itself, the beautiful waterfront town of Sausalito, a stop at the Muir Woods National Monument, home to the iconic redwood trees, and the iconic Penitentiary of Alcatraz Island. The complete tour will take approximately 9 hours, but by the end you will have a complete overview of this fascinating slice of California.
Best price:
$199
These tickets are the standard ones and can be bought on the official website of the ferry company. They start at $45 and offer the round-trip ferry to Alcatraz Island, admission to the permanent exhibits and the 45-minutes Cellhouse Audio Tour. You will have a fixed departure time but you can stay on the island as long as you like, up until the last ferry of the day.
These atmospheric night tours include an on-board audio narration to set the mood and a guided tour of the penitentiary after the sun has set, giving you a whole different outlook on the life of the island, aided by optional activities like cell door demonstrations and short talks. On the way back, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the bay area lit up at night.
This Behind the Scenes tour will let you visit multiple area that are off-limits to the general public in a small group, guided by a Park Ranger that will tell you all about the history of the place. After the tour, you will be able to explore the island on your own up until the start of the night tour, which is also included in this experience.
This tour to Alcatraz and Angel Island includes ferry transportation and the visit of both islands. In Alcatraz the regular ticket is included, so you will be able to freely roam the site and make use of the 45-minutes Cellhouse Audio Tour. On Angel Island you will stop for 2 hours, one of which can be used for the Angel Island Tram Tour, which includes an audio tour and will take you through this breathtaking natural park.
Alcatraz opening hours are the same throughout the year, Monday to Sunday.
Alcatraz Island: 9 AM to 6:30 PM
Ferry: 8:40 AM to 6:30 PM
There is no fixed limit to your Alcatraz visit, but the average duration for a complete tour is around 2.5 hours including the ferry ride. Keep in mind that the 45-minute Cellhouse Audio Tour is always included in the ticket.
Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay.
The ferry departure point is located at Piers 31-33 (cross streets of Embarcadero & Bay Street). Here you will be able to embark the official ferries that provide round-trip transportation to the island. Once there, you will find the entrance to the barracks approximately 100 feet from the docks, whereas the entrance to the Cell House is approximately 1/4 mile up the hill.
Food service is only available on the ferry, there are no food vendors on the island itself. There is, however, a picnic area near the docks, so bringing your own food is a valid option if you plan to have a meal during your visit.
There are limited bathroom facilities on the island, only at the docks and at the top of the island. Near the docks there are also areas for eating and smoking. There are no lockers available, and large bags and luggage aren't allowed, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Alcatraz Island is in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, so you will find plenty of exciting things to do in and near San Francisco itself!
Near your departure point, a tour of Fisherman's Wharf is always an interesting experience to find out more about the city's history.
If you love nature and the trip to Muir Woods didn't fully scratch that itch, then a tour to Yosemite Park might help.
Want to see where the most exciting pieces of technology get invented? A day trip to the Silicon Valley might inspire your next project!
But, after all the exploring, what's better than relaxing with a glass of wine? Take part in a wine tasting in San Francisco or take your experience to the next level with a tour to Napa and Sonoma Valleys, where the wine you're going to taste is actually made!
From 1850 to 1933, Alcatraz also served as a military prison. During the Civil War, it housed Confederate sympathizers and captured privateers. Later, Native American leaders and military prisoners found themselves incarcerated on the island.
The military prison on Alcatraz was known for its harsh conditions, intended to discipline unruly soldiers. Escape attempts were rare due to the island's isolation and the treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay. This period laid the foundation for Alcatraz's reputation as a location for detaining dangerous prisoners and contributing to its ominous legacy as "The Rock."
Alcatraz housed some of the most dangerous criminals in the U.S. One of the most famous inmates was Al Capone, a legendary mobster known for his role in organized crime during Prohibition. Another high-profile convict was George "Machine Gun" Kelly, who gained notoriety for bootlegging and kidnappings.
Robert Stroud, also known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz," served a significant portion of his sentence at the prison, though he was never actually allowed to keep birds there. These inmates contributed to the mystique and fear surrounding Alcatraz, reinforcing its reputation as the place for America's "worst of the worst."
Alcatraz was reputed to be inescapable due to its isolated location and the frigid, turbulent waters of San Francisco Bay. Nonetheless, there were 14 known escape attempts involving 36 inmates. One of the most famous escape attempts occurred in 1962 and involved Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers.
Using makeshift tools, they dug through their cell walls and created a raft from raincoats. Despite their cunning plan, they were never seen again, and their fate remains a mystery, leading to widespread speculation and intrigue. Escape attempts often ended in failure and recaptures, reinforcing the prison's daunting reputation.
Life inside Alcatraz was austere and regimented, designed to break the will of the most hardened criminals. Inmates were given minimal privileges, including strict schedules and limited contact with the outside world. The daily routine was a relentless cycle of confinement, work, and meals.
Prisoners could work in various prison industries, including laundry, sewing, and furniture manufacturing. Recreation was limited to a small yard where inmates could briefly glimpse the bustling city of San Francisco, a tantalizing reminder of the freedom they had lost. Such harsh conditions were intended to deter future crimes and ensure control over the prison population.
Alcatraz’s enduring legacy extends into various forms of popular culture. The island has been depicted in numerous movies, books, and TV shows, underscoring its iconic status. Films like "Escape from Alcatraz" and "The Rock" showcase the notorious prison's mystique and its dramatic escapes.
Additionally, documentaries and historical programs explore the island's complex past. Alcatraz's influence is not just limited to entertainment; it has also played a pivotal role in raising awareness about Native American rights, most notably through the 1969 occupation by the Indians of All Tribes, which spotlighted indigenous issues.