Attraction
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the 1937 suspension bridge across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, free to walk, with a Welcome Center and café on…
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is the former federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, now run by the National Park Service and reached only by ferry from Pier 33.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic prison and national park site
- Area
- San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, United States
- Official site
- nps.gov
Good to know
- Ferry access only
- Cellhouse audio tour
- Ranger programmes
- Gardens
- Bookstore
Why we recommend it
Alcatraz sits about a mile and a quarter offshore in San Francisco Bay, a 22-acre rock with a long and layered history. Work on a fort began here in 1853, the army used it as a military prison from the 1850s, and in August 1934 it opened as a federal penitentiary. The prison closed on 21 March 1963. Its inmates included Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", and in June 1962 Frank Morris and the brothers John and Clarence Anglin made their famous escape; they are believed to have drowned, and no bodies were found.
The island's story does not end with the prison. From November 1969 to June 1971 a group of Native American activists occupied Alcatraz, an important chapter in the island's story. Today the island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service, and it is a National Historic Landmark.
The only way to visit is with Alcatraz City Cruises, the authorised ferry operator, from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero. Island tours include the round-trip ferry, admission and the award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour, along with park programming, exhibits and the gardens. Night tours and small-group Behind the Scenes tours with rangers are also offered. Tickets regularly sell out, so book as far ahead as you can, and check the cancellation terms when you do.
Plan on spending at least a few hours on the island. The weather can change fast, so dress in layers and bring a light jacket, and wear shoes with grippy soles, as paths are steep in places. The only food on the island is dry snacks and sweets from the bookstore, so eat before you go. The restored gardens, with heirloom roses and succulents first planted by military and prison families, and the seabird colonies of gulls, cormorants and night herons are worth slowing down for.
Pier 33 is fully accessible, but there is no general parking at the landing; the nearest garage is a block away at Francisco and Kearny, and the historic F-line streetcars stop right outside. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are a short walk west, so the trip fits easily into a day on the waterfront.
Alcatraz Island FAQs
How do you get to Alcatraz?
Only by ferry with Alcatraz City Cruises, the authorised operator, departing from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33.
Do you need to book Alcatraz in advance?
Yes. Tickets often sell out, so book as early as possible through the official operator.
What is included in an Alcatraz ticket?
Island tours include the round-trip ferry, admission, the Cellhouse Audio Tour and National Park Service programmes.
How long should you spend on Alcatraz?
The National Park Service suggests planning at least a few hours on the island.
Is there food on Alcatraz?
No meals are sold on the island, only dry snacks and sweets at the bookstore.
What should you wear?
Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes with grip soles; sandals and heels are not recommended.
Is there parking at Pier 33?
There is no general parking at Alcatraz Landing, though several paid lots are within five blocks and the F-line streetcar stops nearby.
When did the prison close?
The federal penitentiary operated from 1934 until it closed on 21 March 1963.