Alcatraz Island San Francisco
Alcatraz Island offers visitors a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, and the 18-month occupation by Indians of All Tribes.
In addition to its rich history, Alcatraz San Francisco also offers natural beauty - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare. The award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Japanese. It can be paid for when you purchase your ferry ticket, or can be rented once on Alcatrz Island. The audio Alcactraz Island tour covers the inside of the cellhouse (at the top of the island) during the penitentiary era (1934 - 1963). Additional exhibits and videos available on the island (at no additional charge) cover other aspects of The Rock’s unique history.
There are no formal guided tours of Alcatraz - visiting the island is primarily a self-guided experience which you can do at your own pace. There is a ferry departing about every half hour, and we generally recommend about 2 to 3 hours to fully visit Alcatraz Island. Park Service staff offer numerous free programs throughout the day on a variety of topics: escapes, military history, American Indian occupation, natural history, etc.
If you prefer a more guided experience you might prefer the evening Alcatraz Island tour (generally available Thursday through Monday). The evening ferry ride to Alcatraz circles the island with live narration about Alcatraz’s history. Upon arrival on the dock, visitors receive a guided tour from the dock to the cellhouse level and have the opportunity to participate in a number of other special tours, activities, and cell door demonstrations that are offered throughout the evening. Some areas of the island open during the day are not open in the evening for safety reasons.
The most important thing to know when planning a trip to Alcatraz Island is that all access is provided through a private ferry company under contract with the National Park Service, Alcatraz Cruises LLC. We strongly recommend advance purchase - in summer and around holidays they frequently sell out up to a week in advance.
We have one final tip if you’re visiting Alcatraz San Francisco: dress in layers. The weather on Alcatraz can be some what unpredictable and can change quickly - it may be warm and sunny in the city and very windy and cool on the island. Summer days can sometimes be as cool as winter due to thick fog and strong winds.
