Alcatraz Island
Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in us history.
What can you expect from this tour?
- A cruise from San Francisco to Alcatraz;
- 45 minute audio presentation "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cell house Tour," featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island;
- An overview from the island made by Discovery Channel;
- Tours by former guards and teachers;
- Historic gardens and abundant wildlife.
More information:
- Visitors who can not walk up the steep road of Alcatraz can make use of SEAT (Sustainable Transport Easy Access), an electric shuttle that runs twice an hour from the dock to the cell house, and twice an hour from the cell house to the bridge.
- Boarding is available on a first come, first served basis.
Departure place:
Pier 33, 1398 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Departure time:
Daily, at 9:10 am, from 9:30 till 12:30pm every 30 minutes, and from 13:05 pm and 13:35 pm.
Tour not available on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day1
Duration:
2,5 h
Return:
From 9:50 am till 16.25pm every 30/45 minutes
Allow 15 minutes to return to Pier 33 after departure from Alcatraz.
Please note:
Check in 30 minutes before departure. You must present a valid photo identification. No minors under the age of 18 are allowed to tour Alcatraz Island without the accompaniment of an adult. An adult must be with them at all times while on their tour of Alcatraz Island.
Much of Alcatraz is steep and hilly, so be prepared for walking long distances uphill. The distance from the dock to the prison at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters). This is equivalent to climbing a thirteen story building.
You can select morning or afternoon tickets, an exact timeslot will be given after your reservation. Tickets will be send within 24 hours.