Alcatraz

The basics

The island is only accessible by tour and tickets often sell out well in advance. Lock in those high-demand tickets by booking a San Francisco tour that includes admission to the infamous federal penitentiary and a day of city sightseeing by bike, bus, boat, or Segway. Popular stops include Chinatown, North Beach, and the Ferry Building. Other options combine Alcatraz with cable car rides, bay cruises to Sausalito, or Marin headland adventures.

On the island, explore at your own pace with the self-guided cellhouse audio tour. You'll also find National Park Service exhibits, video presentations, docent- and ranger-led guided tours, and special programs that vary by season.

Things to know before you go

• Tickets include round-trip ferry transportation and an audio tour; you can take any ferry back to the city and they depart roughly every 30 minutes.

• Bring a camera and a coat for the chilly but beautiful ferry rides.

• You'll find a few snacks offered on the ferry, and water available on the island.

• Allow about 2.5 hours for the full prison experience, including both 15-minute ferry rides.

• The walk from the ferry dock is steep and hilly; an electric shuttle departs from the dock twice an hour and the cellhouse has elevators.

How to get there

All Alcatraz tours depart via ferry from Pier 33 near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. There are several parking garages in the area with rates ranging from $25 to $50 per day, but prices typically double during special events. Public transportation is a more cost-effective option, and multiple Muni lines run through the area, including the F-Line trolley. Many tours include round-trip transportation.

When to get there

Alcatraz cruises typically depart every 30 minutes from morning to late afternoon. The early-bird trip departs a little earlier, while the limited Alcatraz night tour allows visitors to stay on the grounds until late, and includes both live boat narration and a guided walk from the dock to the prison. Alcatraz tickets are hardest to come by in the spring and summer.

The history of Alcatraz Island

Originally established as a military prison in the mid-19th century, Alcatraz is perhaps best known as the maximum-security facility that housed Al "Scarface" Capone and other notorious gangsters. After the prison closed in 1963, Indigenous activists occupied the island from 1969 to 1971. It was then opened to the public in 1973 and is now the site of an annual Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

Ways to explore

Alcatraz Island is only accessible by ferry. You can book rides operated by Alcatraz City Cruises, the only licensed ferry service. Alternatively, many tours pair visits to the infamous federal penitentiary with city sightseeing by bike, bus, boat, or Segway. Popular stops include Chinatown, North Beach, and the Ferry Building. Other options combine Alcatraz with cable car rides, cruises to Sausalito, or Marin Headlands adventures. On the island itself, explore at your own pace with the self-guided cellhouse audio tour. You’ll also find National Park Service exhibits, video presentations, docent- and ranger-led guided tours, and special programs that vary by season.

At minimum, set aside 2–3 hours for an Alcatraz Island tour, as you’ll also need to factor in round-trip ferry transit to your timings. Alcatraz tickets often sell out well in advance. Lock in those high-demand tickets up to 90 days early—or look for combination tours that also visit other key San Francisco sights.

Accessibility

Pier 33 is fully accessible, and most of Alcatraz is too; the walk from the ferry dock is steep and hilly, but an electric shuttle departs from the dock twice an hour.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Umbrellas, cell phone battery packs, headphones

What to wear

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes; warm layers

Not allowed

Eating and smoking are prohibited in most areas of the island.

Amenities

Restrooms at the dock, dock ranger station, audio guides

Address

Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay and can only be reached via authorized Alcatraz City Cruises ferry services. Parking is not permitted at Alcatraz Landing but is available near Pier 33, where ferry services depart. Public transportation is a more cost-effective option, while many guided tours also include transit.

Driving

Pier 33 is generally a quick drive from most places in downtown San Francisco. If coming from the city center by car, you can take I-80 E toward Bay Bridge/Oakland. Exit onto the Embarcadero, which takes you straight there.

Public transportation

Public transit is the most cost-effective way to reach Pier 33. The Muni F Line runs right up The Embarcadero past the ferry terminal; disembark at The Embarcadero & Bay St.

Best times to visit

First ferries depart at 8:45am, and it’s worth getting an early service to enjoy this always-popular attraction with the fewest crowds. Alternatively, night tours offer an atmospheric way to visit.

Best days to visit

To avoid the biggest crowds at Alcatraz, it’s best to visit from Mondays to Thursdays. The site is closed annually on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Best months to visit

January, February, and March are the least-crowded months at Alcatraz. If you’re a birdwatcher, visit the island during the summer months, during seabird nesting season.

Special events

Visit in April to take part in Community Day festivities, or in October or November, when Alcatraz hosts an Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony.