alcatraz night tour near me

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• Alcatraz Prison Tours
• Night Tours

Alcatraz Night Tour: What to Expect from this Popular Tour of The Rock

by Jill Loeffler   •

Updated: March 18, 2024

The Alcatraz night tour offers a more personalized option for visiting this top San Francisco attraction. This is also a great option for anyone who has already visited during the day and is looking to experience something a little different. 

I love visiting Alcatraz at night because the groups are smaller and the only people on the island are the people from your ferry. This way, you can get around quite a bit better and squeeze in more photos that aren't crowded with other visitors. 

One question I get a lot is if I like the day or night tour better. My response is always the Alcatraz night tour.

It's such a cool feeling to be on the island at night, as you get a better idea of what it was like to be a prisoner here. I also like it better because there are fewer people around.

It costs a little more than the Alcatraz day tour and does not run as frequently, so it's a little more difficult to fit it into most people's schedules. 

However, if you do have the choice between the two, go on the night tour. I know you will have a great time and LOVE it! 

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

What to Expect on the Alcatraz Night Tour

Two perks that are not offered on the day tour are the boat taking you around the island before you dock and the simultaneous live narration on the ferry ride.

After you get off the ferry, the Alcatraz night tour starts with a brief overview of what to expect given a park ranger. This is the same as during the day but includes information on additional things to do that evening.

Tip: It can get pretty windy and chilly on the ferry and island at night, so bring a warm jacket or windbreaker. I also recommend wearing long pants and comfortable shoes.

Even though they call them night tours, they are really evening tours as you will arrive on the island before it gets dark and leave shortly after dark.

Special Programs at Night

As you walk up the steep hill to the main cell house, additional rangers are on hand giving details on the history of this old federal and military prison and its famous prisoners .

Just to give you an example of what to expect, during my last visit, they had a very informative talk about Al Capone ( learn more about him and why he ended up here ) at a stop along the steep hill to the cell house. 

After two or three stops for these talks, you will reach the main cell house. This is where you will pick up your self-guided audio tour headset for your walk around this iconic landmark.

Self-Guided Cellhouse Audio Tour

Once you pick up your audio you will head to the main floor of the cell hours on a self-guided tour at your own pace. The audio tour takes you on a designated path where you will learn even more about Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz. 

On the Alcatraz Island night tour, you will explore this former federal prison to see what it was like to be a prisoner here. You will walk past and get the chance to enter a few of the solitary confinement cells. 

You will see the cell block and the cells where Frank Morris, John Anglin, and his brother Clarence Anglin plotted and attempted their escape. Learn more about this and other escape attempts here before your visit .

Along the way, you will see the library where books were stored for the inmates. You will also spend some time in the food service area where they ate all three meals daily. 

Even though it's a self-guided tour, it usually takes about 45 minutes. 

Want to learn more about the history of Alcatraz before you visit? Check out this page  which talks more about the prisoners and life in this maximum-security prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

Finishing Up Your Tour

Once you complete your audio tour, you will have some time to explore on your own. You will find a few more special programs given by the forest rangers. You will also have access to a few special areas that aren't open during the Alcatraz day tour.

During my last Alcatraz night tour, they opened some of the rooms in the medical area upstairs, where many prisoners stayed when they were ill. Rangers were also on hand to answer questions and provide additional information about these areas.

You can also roam around outside. You will get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco city lights, and all around the San Francisco Bay Area.

They don't publish which additional area will be open during these tours, but you can usually expect to see more of the island on the Alcatraz night tour than by day.

Alcatraz Night Tour Tickets

The challenge with the night tours is getting tickets. They only run a few nights a week and only one or two ferries a night.

Not only do they run on a limited schedule, but they also only allow around 300 people per tour. This creates a more intimate visiting experience, but it also creates a high demand for these tickets.

Limited access to these tickets and this tour also make it a more special trip. 

Alcatraz is part of the National Park Service. However, you cannot visit with your National Parks Pass. You must purchase tickets before your visit.

Winter Schedule: Early November - Early March

During the winter months, Alcatraz City Cruises only runs one tour a night to the island, only Tuesday through Saturday. This means that only 300 people a day can take this tour. 

The departure time is 3:50 pm from Pier 33 and the return time is 6:40 pm from the island. 

They do offer a second tour at 4:45 pm only during the busy holiday weekends. 

Summer Schedule: Early March - Early November

In the summer, they run three ferries. The first one usually leaves at 5:55 pm, the second at 6:30 pm, and the third at 7:05 pm. 

The return ferries leave the island at 7:55 pm, 8:40 pm, and 9:25 pm.

They will tell you all of this when you arrive, so you don't have to worry about writing it all down or bringing it with you.

I just want to give you an idea of how long you get to stay on the island during the Alcatraz night tour.

>> More about taking the ferry to Alcatraz

Tickets for the Alcatraz Night Tour

In the past, tickets would only go on sale 90 days in advance. Right now, they are releasing them about six months in advance so you can book them earlier.

I don't know when or if they will switch back to the 90-day lead time, but wanted to make you aware in case you don't see any tickets for your time frame.

Here is the current pricing (subject to change at anytime):

• Adults: $56.30
• Juniors, 12 - 17 Years: $55.15
• Kids, 5 - 11 Years: $33.00
• Seniors (62+): $52.25

The only place to purchase these is directly through the official site on Alcatraz Cruises ( find tickets ). Book them as soon as you can, so you don't miss out on the amazing adventure!

Your Alcatraz night tour will leave from Pier 33 at Alcatraz Landing, which is an easy walk from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf district .

Other Alcatraz Tickets

In addition to the Alcatraz night tour tickets, you will also find these other official ticket options. You can purchase all of these directly through the official website for Alcatraz City Cruises. There are some retailers that are also allowed to sell Alcatraz combo tickets that I explain in the section below. 

Day Tours : The day tour is the most popular Alcatraz cell house tour. They run daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Several tickets are available each day. All Alcatraz Prison tickets include roundtrip ferry transportation. Learn more about this tour here . 

Behind-the-Scenes Tour : The Behind-the-Scenes tour is another great option. This one offers a personally guided tour that lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. It's also a small group tour with only about up to 20 people per tour. It runs during the day, costs a bit more, but is an amazing way to really get to see a lot of Alcatraz.

Note : I get questions all the time about purchasing Alcatraz day and night tours from other venues. There are a handful of designated resellers that will allow you to find tickets when they are sold out (a few are recommended below). However, not all tickets are legitimate. If you are unsure, please reach out to me and I'll help you decide if where you plan to buy is offering real tickets. I usually answer back within 24 hours.

More Alcatraz Combo Ticket Options

If you find that the Alcatraz night tour is booked or you would prefer to go during the day, then check out some of the great combo tour tickets available. These are also great for last-minute purchases or if the day tours are sold out as well.

The one I recommend often is the one through GetYourGuide. This Alcatraz tour package includes the day trip to Alcatraz as well as a 1-day ticket for their Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. You can see several of our most popular attractions with the ease of their bus tour that takes you right to each one. Find out more about the tickets on GetYourGuide .

Other combo tickets are available on GetYourGuide. They've created a round-up of the best offerings from agencies all around town. Some include a visit to Alcatraz as well as a ferry ride to Sausalito, a wine tour, or a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. Find their ticket selection here .

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Alcatraz Night Tour

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Alcatraz night tour combined with San Francisco city

• Description

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Trip overview.

Experience two of California’s iconic sights in one combo private custom and all-inclusive tour. These two destinations are a must see and best to experience as a private and personalized trip. Save yourself the hassle of finding parking and negotiating traffic. Book this all-inclusive adventure and we will take care of the rest.

Join our San Francisco city guided tour, combined with the Alcatraz night adventure. Explore a unique custom adventure of Alcatraz Island “The Rock” at night. The Alcatraz night tour offers visitors a unique perspective of Alcatraz Island after dark – a totally different experience from the day tour of Alcatraz.

The extreme challenge with Alcatraz night tours is getting tickets because they only offer this tour from Tuesday through Saturday nights, and that’s only in the summer.

Very Important!  Before you book Alcatraz night tour:

1. Alcatraz night tour requires 70 business days advance booking

2. This shopping cart calendar shows availability because it can't be blocked for only one product as it  governs over 200  products and tours on our website in 10 different languages!

3. All reservations are subject to availability even if your transaction is  approved. Your transaction will be voided if you book an Alcatraz night tour within 69  days.

4. Please reach out to us via our live chat before you book Alcatraz night tour due to the  extreme challenge with Alcatraz night tour tickets availability.  Alcatraz National Park Service only offers this tour from Tuesday through Saturday for only a few visitors (like a lottery) , and that’s only available in the summer!

5. Alcatraz is managed by the national park service; we have no control over their policy and tickets’ availability.

6. We are not blame if you ignore these terms and conditions when booking Alcatraz night tour online

Trip Description:

Experience two of California iconic sights in one combo private custom tour all inclusive. These two destinations are must see and experience your way as a private and personalized trip itinerary for you to save your time , money, parking and traffic and all the hassle and book this all included adventure.

Your tour will be conducted in two separate steps; you will first enjoy a private custom tour of San Francisco iconic attractions and unique sights with a private tour guide in a luxury vehicle, and the second part of the tour will take to the legendary Alcatraz island

The first part of your Alcatraz combo tour will start with a complimentary meet and greet with at your hotel in San Francisco, your personal driver is an experienced and passionate tour guide , he or she will offer you a comprehensive and private guided tour by 4X4 luxury SUV of San Francisco’s top attractions, famous and hidden sights including neighborhoods where large vehicles are prohibited such as Lombard Street( one of the most crooked streets of California), Coit Tower, ‘Painted Ladies’ (Victorian homes) at Alamo Square, Sea Cliff on Baker Beach offering stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. While traveling in comfort, you will learn about San Francisco history, architecture, and geology, and stop anywhere you want to capture stunning views of iconic sights such the Historic Presidio, take in the sweeping views from the Twin Peaks, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Fisherman's Wharf, Marina Distract, Palace of Fine Arts, Inspiration Point, Ghirardelli Square and its famous chocolate factory.

Our SUVs are luxury vehicles that allow you to gain insider access anywhere in San Francisco steep hills and narrow streets where larger vehicles are restricted and prohibited. Avoid the crowded places and large bus commercial bus tours and take advantage of this VIP and personalized Intimate custom city tour tailored to your presence and expectations. We treat you like one of our own as we work with you and always willing to go the extra mile to serve you better, you will be excellent hands and worry free as include all required services and fees for you, so you relax, and enjoy this memorable experience.

The second part of your Alcatraz combo adventure will take you to legendry Island also known as the ‘The Rock. Following your private excursion of San Francisco, your personal tour guide drive to Alcatraz ferry building, a terminal for Alcatraz ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz and vice versa, this is the only ferry line allowed to access Alcatraz Island.

Don’t worry about traffic, parking and sold out tickets and crowed, we take care of all that on your behalf. Your private driver will redeem your Alcatraz trip voucher and get you the require official tickets to Alcatraz, and help you to check in on the next ferry to Alcatraz Island. Once you disembark on the island, your will be offered the Alcatraz’s award-winning self-guided audio tour included in your tour price so you can tour the Alcatraz Prison at your own pace and in your prefeed language in addition to English. .

After visiting Alcatraz, you will return to Pier 33 by ferry where you can explore San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf home to the city top hotels attractions, museums, and seafood restaurants

You may want to consider staying at a hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf or take the historic cable car to go back to your hotel in downtown San Francisco

Alcatraz evening tour versus Alcatraz day trip: Alcatraz evening trip is completely a different touring experience from Alcatraz day tour. Alcatraz night tour offers you a unique perspective of what Alcatraz former inmates have experienced after dark. Some visitors find Alcatraz night tour somehow creepy, while other travelers love it.

Alcatraz provides distinct and outstanding look and feel especially when you make an evening visit to this legendary Island. During your evening tour, you will embark on an eerie experience of this former federal prison, which gives the island a ghostly feel after dark, something you can never experience during the day tour. At night, some sections of Alcatraz are open for visitors, but they are not available during the day guided tour.

The Alcatraz night tour is a unique trip which provides extraordinary experience to the visitors. This trip includes special programs and numerous activities which are not provided during the day tour like roundtrip ferry transportation, a guided tour from Dock to the Cellhouse, the Cell-house Audio Tour, a live boat narration, a keepsake souvenir brochure and many programs or presentations offered only for the night tour visitors. The ferry trip to Alcatraz at night is an opportunity to enjoy the sunset changing lights over Alcatraz and San Francisco Bay, and the island is the prefect site to take in panoramic views of San Francisco skyline.

4. Please reach out to us via our live chat before you book Alcatraz night tour due to the  extreme challenge with Alcatraz night tour tickets availability.  Alcatraz National Park Service only offers this tour from Tuesday through Saturday for only a few visitors(like a lottery) , and that’s only available in the summer!

Tips and things to know when you visit Alcatraz Island

-No minors under the age of 18 can visit Alcatraz without the accompaniment of their parents or adults at all times.

-Alcatraz is steep and hilly Rock standing in the heart of San Francisco Bay. You will have to walk, uphill, downhill, upstairs and downstairs (no elevators available). The distance from Alcatraz ferry dock to the prison is about a quarter mile each way. However, for Alcatraz visitors and guests with disabilities may ride an electric shuttle that runs twice an hour from the dock to the Alcatraz prison building, and twice an hour from the main entrance of Alcatraz prison back to the only ferry dock of the Island. The ride is complimentary and boarding is only available on a first come, first served basis from the dock or the prison main entrance, but boarding is not available halfway way up or down.

-What to wear during excursion? You need to wear comfortable walking shoes with well-gripped soles and be prepared and dress in layers as the weather in Alcatraz and San Francisco is cool, often foggy and changes drastically in minutes.

Carrying food and beverage: There is no food service available at Alcatraz. Eating is strictly prohibited on dock area. You may enjoy a variety of snacks and foods on the ferries or simply have an early dinner before you embark on Alcatraz Island. -No food, luggage, coolers, oversized backpacks or packages are allowed on Alcatraz

Limited tickets available for visitors: Alcatraz tour tickets are sold out up to 10 weeks in advance during summers and holidays, but night tour tickers are extremity hard to get and get sold out as soon as they come out. If we recommend that you secure your Alcatraz tickets at your earliest.

Alcatraz night tour and tickets: Alcatraz Island evening self-guided tour is a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors, be sure to book your Alcatraz tickets weeks and even months in advance as they get sold out up to two months in advance.

Complimentary pick-up and drop-off

Trip itinerary.

Don’t worry about traffic, parking and sold out tickets and crowed, we take care of all that on your behalf. Your private driver will redeem your Alcatraz trip voucher and get you the require official tickets to Alcatraz and help you to check in on the next ferry to Alcatraz Island. Once you disembark on the island, your will be offered the Alcatraz’s award-winning self-guided audio tour included in your tour price so you can tour the Alcatraz Prison at your own pace and in your prefeed language in addition to English. .

Tour Prices

Private tour by suv.

Prices by Luxury SUV: This custom tour by SUV (luxury car) is totally private and the price is per person. Unfortunately, we don’t offer semi-private tours; all our trips are totally private. Important: Alcatraz night tour requires 70 business days advance booking

Book this Tour by SUV

Select date from calendar.

Select Number of guests

Private tour by minibus (van).

Prices by Luxury Van(minibus): This is a private city tour by large luxury van (like 15 seaters deluxe minibus) The price is per party (small group).This tour by large van is totally private and not available for public reservations or individual booking. Important: Alcatraz night tour requires 70 business days advance booking

Book this Tour by VAN/A 14-PASSENGER MINIBUS

What is included? All applicable taxes, complimentary hotel pick-up, 4-hour private guided tour by SUV, or luxury van based on your choice of vehicle and group size. Alcatraz ferry tickets and night tour entrance fees and Alcatraz cellhouse self-guided audio tour. We offer a complimentary pick-up at your hotel in San Francisco downtown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and surrounding areas or neighborhoods, but not outside of these areas, and drop-off at Alcatraz cruise terminal where we issue your Alcatraz official tickets

What is not included? Meals, overtime, entrance tickets to any optional site (s) or monument(s), driver’s gratuity tips (gratuities are recommended and customary in the USA at 15% - 20%), drop off at your hotel after Alcatraz tour.

Our guided tours are conducted in English, however, please ask us about tours in other languages for an additional fee and based on availability. Notes: For time considerations, we don’t drive across the Golden Gate Bridge or to Treasure Island on the half-day tour, but we do include it on our full-day San Francisco city tour.

Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy:  The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $56.30, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.

Notes & tips for travelers:

• The itinerary may change based on your time, road or weather conditions, pick-up location and preference. When it is rainy or foggy, we have to skip some areas /places for safety considerations or due to the lack of visibility.
• Please note that vehicles taking 7 passengers, or more are prohibited entry to many places in San Francisco, like Lombard Street, Alamo Square, Telegraph Hill, Marina, Sea Cliff, Hyde, and wherever a sign is posted in this regard. We therefore recommend our SUV tour option, which is without doubt the best way to travel to these sights.
• Smoking is not allowed in our vehicles. We are sorry, but our vehicles are not pet friendly and not equipped for passengers with disability or wheelchairs, thank you for understanding.
• Please note that many sites, attractions, landmarks and neighborhoods are restricted and prohibited to large vehicles and vans including places like Lombard Street, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Sea Cliff, Marina, Muir Beach and Overlook, Alamos Square (painted ladies), and all other areas restricted by law to van or bus tours.

Term & Refund Policy

General terms, declined transactions, other terms and information, additional terms & tips for visitors and hikers.

More Terms and Miscellaneous

Our Terms, Refund and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

-91% of the total amount will be refunded to your credit card if you cancel your trip at least 15 business days prior to the scheduled tour (or the date of the tour or service). The remaining 9% covers the required transaction fees; that’s 4.5 % per each transaction (booking is one transaction and refunding is a second transaction for which we get charged as well). (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled tour date or service. (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled date of the tour (weekends and holidays don’t count).

-0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 4 business days, or less, prior to the day of the scheduled tour or service. This includes no-shows. (weekends and holidays don’t count)

Please note that all refunds are subject to credit card and merchant’s fees imposed on us by credit cards companies and merchant banks or providers. The average amount of credit cards and merchant’s transactions fees may range between 3.9 % to 9.8% of the total amount of your purchase (transaction) based on the type of credit card you use when booking this tour, the credit card issuer, country and conversion fees we are subject per transaction. Many foreign countries apply additional origination and conversions fees.

Important: Please note that we reserve the date(s) you requested and booked on our website for you and we decline taking other tours for these date(s) to honor yours. We keep a tour guide and a luxury vehicle on hold and make all required reservations and arrangements for you and your party, so please don’t change the date or cancel at the last minute as we have other customers and tours to honor.

– Reservation and Confirmation: As soon as you book online, a merchant receipt is generated automatically and sent to you via email. We will also confirm your reservation by email and send you a tour voucher or email confirming your booking date, tour and pick-up time. This tour confirmation or voucher is only valid for the specific date(s) you reserved on our website, and only valid for the names listed on the booking. You can’t transfer the names or ask for a different date(s), as we have other tours to honor. You may not change the tour date within 15 days from the date of the scheduled tour you booked, and there will be no alternative days offered.

In an effort to honor all tours, we reserve the right to partner with other tour operators, freelancers, and/or our sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be stated on your tour voucher and the trip confirmation will be issued especially for you after we received your approved transaction.

-All tours are subject to availability as we may get several tour requests at the same time. Approved payment transactions do not guarantee your tour unless it has been confirmed via email.

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information in this regard, so  do not expect your reservation to be in place unless you received written confirmation.  Please contact us asap, but do not expect us to honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the names on the credit card, zip/postal code or billing address) compared to the bank information you provided on our website when placed your order. Sometimes, transactions are declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information or due one of the above factors.

All our tours are subject to availability even when the transactions are approved. We will get back to you as soon as possible and let you know if the required tour(s) and date(s) still available. Also, all our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation we will send you soon, once your transaction is approved.

We reserve the right to offer you suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unpredictable circumstances, unavailability and/or due to last minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdowns, unforeseen accidents or events, road, weather conditions and/or all other circumstances beyond our control. We do not guarantee to arrive to, or depart from, any point at a specific time for the same above considerations. However, we will do our very best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule accordingly.

Hot-Air Balloon Special Cancellation and Refund Policy: This is an 8-hour guided tour (door to door when leaving from San Francisco or 6 hours when leaving from Napa or Sonoma Valley).

Your balloon ride will be scheduled before sunrise depending on weather conditions. Your safety is our #1 priority. Some rides may launch from other sites like Yolo County or Pope Valley when Napa weather conditions don’t allow us to fly the balloon. Balloons will never fly when it rains or in winds higher than 12 mph.

Heads-up: The hot-air balloon pilots offer alternative launching sites when Napa Valley weather conditions don’t permit them to take off from the valley. This maximizes your chances to fly from other sites even when weather conditions are not ideal in Napa.

Non-refundable for No-Show or last-minute changes: Our office staff will notify you by 5 pm the day prior to your hot-air balloon tour (generally, we pick our customers between 4 and 5 am at your hotel in San Francisco or Napa). If we are unable to reach you before 5 pm the day prior to your balloon tour because you don’t respond to your email or cellphone, or because you decided not to return our calls, your driver will still show up at 4 am as scheduled. However, if you don’t wake up , this will be a no-show and therefore, the entire cost will be non-refundable as per our refund terms and cancellation policy.

The Refundable Portion of the balloon ride: If you decide to cancel the balloon ride portion of the tour, you must do so at least 72 hours in advance. The hot-air balloon ride is only refundable when the pilot cancels it the same day due to bad weather or for any other considerations. If you cancel the balloon reservation is 72 hours in advance; the tour guide will pick you up at 9 am instead of 4 am and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled.

The wine tour itself is not refundable regardless of weather conditions. However, if you wish to proceed and take your chance, your tour guide will pick you up as scheduled at 4 am. Please keep in mind that we have reserved this day just for you and turned down other reservations to honor your tour, we still get charged and pay all wages and business expenses. For that, only the hot-air balloon ride portion of this package is refundable IF YOU CANCEL IT BEFORE 5 PM THE DATE PRIOR TO YOUR TOUR . If so, you will receive a $190 refund per person, which will be credited back to you within 7 business days. If you book directly with Viator, please review their own terms and policy .

Again, no changes or modifications are accepted within 72 hours prior to your trip. We close our office at 5 pm and your driver goes as early as 7 pm to be able to wake up at 2 am and come over to the office to pick up the required vehicle and meet you at 4 am at your hotel.

We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions ,cancellation policy and terms. Please read these terms carefully so we avoid any misunderstanding or blame. Our drivers are humans and go to bed incredibly early to be able to show up at your hotel at 4 am. Please do not make any last-minute changes after 5 pm the day before your departure/tour. We will not even get your message until the next day!

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues: We apologize but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles unless it’s a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is the customers’ ability to get it in and out of the vehicles for liability issues. When kids, seniors, and wheelchairs are part of the tour, this will slow down the trip, and requires overtime. $179 will be charged to your credit card for each additional hour added to the tour after 12 hours by van, and $129 per hour when touring by SUV.

Pets:  Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

Smoking:  Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

Clothing:  Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures:  We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.

Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

Travel Agents:  Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.

Gratuity: 15 to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation, and your generosity because without gratuity tour guides can’t thrive in this expensive state of California, and without tour guides, we can’t run this business. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Muir Woods National Monument new regulations: Once in Muir Woods National Monument, you’ll find out that it has become less crowded and even very peaceful because Muir Woods has become the first national park to require reservations in advance with special commercial and parking permits. This extra cost and in addition to the complicated reservations process turn off manty visors and tour companies from visiting Muir Woods. No one can visit or access Muir Woods anymore without prior reservations and permits. But don’t worry, thanks to our private tours and small group custom trips, we will take care of all the required arrangements and offer you a worry-free tour package, we do reserve and pay for your parking and Muir Woods permits, however, your Muir Woods tickets are not included in the tour price and will be at your charge ($10 per person, but may go up again).

Please note that tour guides are not allowed to conduct guided tours to Alcatraz or Muir Woods. Your Alcatraz and Muir Woods are self-guided tours as stated on our website (an audio self-guided tour on your own for Alcatraz prison). Also, in order to keep the cost down, we therefore do not include a drop-off at your hotel after you visit Alcatraz, so you don’t pay overtime or have a driver waiting for you while visiting Alcatraz Island. The Fisherman’s Wharf hotels are walking distance from Alcatraz landing. Public transportation is very affordable and available everywhere.

Alcatraz tours and tickets and the use of our online calendar: The only online calendar available on our website is extremely hard to manage and update on daily basis. This calendar governs all our tours and available in over 10 different languages which multiplies the number of tour options by 10! When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, we cannot simply block the calendar for these particular date(s) because this will prevent all other clients from booking any of our tours in 10 different languages, this would put us all out of business! Alcatraz represents only 1% of our tours and it’s extremely impossible to block the calendar each time Alcatraz is sold out. For that reason, we have amended these terms and conditions on our website stating clearly unequivocally the following terms regarding Alcatraz tour and tickets:

-All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the transaction is approved. We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out, this is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

-We do require 8 business weeks in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and week-ends. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

-We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz is sold out, if you decline our offer, we simply and fully refund your transaction which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you as stated above under section “voided and refunded transactions” clause.

Common mistake some customers do: When Alcatraz tickets are sold out, customers rush desperately to book directly Alcatraz tour on our website without taking the time to review our terms and conditions in this regard, we are not to blame in this case as we made it extremely clear that we have no control over Alcatraz tickets when they are sold out, for that reason we do require at least 8 business weeks booking in advance!

The misconception about private tours: There a misconception about private tours. Yes, public large bus group tours are more cost-effective for the operator, than private tours. In essence, the input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide, one vehicle, same trip length whilst both companies assume the same business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 90% less profit than public group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small group (couples or families), whilst the pubic tour operators make 10 times more profits thanks to the volume(quantity)! We, on the other hand, focus on quality as we never share our private tours with other customers. Yet, although we provide a higher quality tour service, and incur even greater expenses in many cases, the profit margins are limited. This makes some of our private tours barely profitable due to the increasing cost and liability of conducting business in California.

– If you are subject to car or motion sickness, please consider asking your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this aspect and end up visiting only 50% of the tour as they suffer from this or altitude sickness and make an excessive number of stops along the way. Please consult your doctor and ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.

– Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel and travel light so you have more room in the vehicle.

– Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and hiking (Snow shoes in winter are recommended, and a swimsuit to enjoy the hotel’s swimming pool and hot tub).

– Bring sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).

– Warm layers for cooler weather and a raincoat for summer showers.

– Drink lots of water due to the high altitude and don’t hike alone, as we offer fully-guided tours.

– We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that may occur during this trip, in or out of Yosemite National Park. Please read our < href="/terms-conditions">terms and conditions for more information.

-Expect rugged terrain with narrow, steep, and very curvy hiking trails to the sequoias. Also, be prepared for a downhill hike and then back uphill to the parking lot. The trail is very steep right at the beginning on the way back up but mellows out as you get closer to the parking lot. It depends on the grove your driver will choose for you, but they all require hiking. The elevation at the trail head of both top groves is about 6,200 feet (1,860 meters). The most popular is the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, the distance is about 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours of hiking, and recommended for everybody who can hike including kids.

-California Gold Country: When Tioga Pass road (located between Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra where a major highway leads to Tahoe) is closed due to heavy snow that may start as early as October until about June or July, we will drive through the infamous, yet legendary, California Gold Country on day 2 and day 3 of your adventure.

-Please note that we may start in Lake Tahoe first, and then head to Yosemite National Park or vice versa. This will depend on the hotels’ availability, the season, the weather and road conditions. We do not work on commission, so you are welcome to book your own hotel, but if you don’t want to deal with these details, we can take care of that on your behalf when you choose the option ‘hotel included’ from our shopping cart.

Hotel Reservation: To keep costs down, we charge each guest only about $100 per night, for a three-star hotel in and around Yosemite Valley area, based on availability. However, if you have high expectations of the hotel accommodation, and wish to upgrade, we recommend that you choose your own hotel and book it directly with the required resort or hotel. The Majestic hotel (the former Awhanhee) is the only 4-star hotel in the Yosemite Valley where a suite may go from $600 to $1200 per night based on availability and the season. Please note that there are a very limited number of hotels in Yosemite, and they are often sold out 6 to 12 months in advance, so the sooner you book the better. However, we often manage to get a hotel reservation nearby Yosemite Valley, in one of the small resort or motel style hotels in the area, for reservations closer to the tour date.

Foreign Languages: Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher. Some foreign languages are subject to additional fees. For all foreign languages, you must book a Private Tour and not a semi-private tour to enjoy the tour in the required language (subject to availability). Additional fees may apply on any additional foreign languages. All semi-private tours are conducted in English and can be shared with other clients. Semi-private tours will no longer be available on our website. Please book your private tour asap as our tour bilingual tour guides are booked up months in advance.

Miscellaneous: Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

-All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel Inc are non-smoking according to state and federal laws.

-Golden Horizon Travel Inc reserves the right to hire independent tour guide/drivers, subcontractors and/or contractors to facilitate our tours, shuttle services and travel packages.

-In the event that we are unable to facilitate your tour due to weather and/or road conditions, we will attempt to reach each location, site and destination using alternative routes, but we are not liable nor responsible for these unforeseen weather/traffic conditions. No refunds will be available.

-All photos or videos taken by our staff of our customers or passengers, during the capacity of the tour, trip or transfer, may be included on our website. Customers hereby agree to the use of these photos and videos and under no circumstances can customers dispute.

-No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

-No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

-All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Golden Horizon Travel inc reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions.

-We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions: Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

Very Important!  Before you book Alcatraz nigh tour:

  Alcatraz night tour requires 70 business days advance booking

Modifications of these terms and conditions: Golden Horizon Travel Inc and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice. Learn more about our privacy policy and complete terms and conditions   

ALCATRAZ TOUR TESTIMONIALS

Alcatraz island & prison tour reviews, authentic testimonials.

San Francisco & Alcatraz - Great Experience

I have always wanted to go to Alcatraz Island with my wife, and we finally got to do it. I consulted the online reviews and decided to go with Golden Horizon Travel. We booked Yosemite 3-day tour , Silicon Valley and San Francisco tours through them; they exceed our expectations.

Alcatraz Island Tickets "The Rock"!

We took a tour with Golden Horizon as we got cancelled at last-minute by another company due to the lack of Alcatraz tickets, which we prepaid thru the interne, but, when we arrived at Fisherman's Wharf to embark the ferry, they had no reservations for us! Watch out when you book online and trust Golden Horizon reviews – they saved the day. You’ll not be disappointed.

Alcatraz prison evening tour.

We booked the Napa Valley and Alcatraz combo tour thru Golden Horizon tour, almost 2 months in advance, and we are so glad we did. It was so hard to find availability for Alcatraz night tour. Napa Valley is beautiful, and the wines are outstanding, but Alcatraz was our favorite experience.

Must See attraction while visiting San Fran!

Alcatraz and San Francisco combo tour is highly recommended. It’s super fun, informative and saves time. Great ride across the san Francisco bay, the ferry was crowded but it was cool. The walking tour with headphones is awesome and informative.

Alcatraz at night tour is spooky but awesome

Unfortunately, we were not able to get same day tickets to Alcatraz Island, but our tour guide managed to get us night tickets to Alcatraz prison the next day. We were so lucky and grateful - we even booked 2 more tours with this company – they are the best! Alcatraz at night is a must-see attraction for all visitors. The rangers’ talk and the audio-walking guided tour complete each other

Alcatraz , Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour

Muir Woods and Alcatraz now require advanced booking, which we didn’t know. I’m so glad we found this company, they accommodated our last-minute request, and provided us with tickets to muir woods and Alcatraz... Leo is an amazing tour guide.

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity

Alcatraz at night is a must-see activity while visiting San Francisco Bay Area. The now- abandoned maximum-security prison can be visited at night, and it’s much better than the day tour. Golden Horizon and Adam deserve 10 stars!

Alcatraz day trip from San Francisco

We recommend the San Francisco and Alcatraz tour package. We got to see the best places in the city and enjoyed a free afternoon walking tour at Alcatraz Island. The views of the city and the golden gate bridge from Alcatraz are spectacular.

Our Bucket List Overflowed

Our Bucket List Overflowed, a wonderful day in an amazing park with the perfect tour guide!

Katheryn Kennedy - London, UK

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite Wonderland

Breathtaking adventure in Yosemite wonderland , and a great private tour of San Francisco combined with Alcatraz. We found this company on Trip Advisor & we were not disappointed!

The Jamesons. Sydney, Australia

The best experience ever!

A wonderful tour package in Yosemite National Park and Alcatraz with Adam. This tour has totally exceeded expectations! The best experience ever!

Erin M. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Unforgettable & Fantastic!

Unforgettable & Fantastic! trust their reviews and believe what you read on Trip Advisor; they are consumed professionals.

Chris G., Dallas, Texas

Just Magnificent & Just Stunning!

5-stars to our tour guide Adam, he made this journey unforgettable. He is an expert photographer too!

M. Hachadourian. Greenwich Village, New York

Fun, informative & very professional

10 Stars! Fun, informative, flexible, indulgent, patient,& very professional guides in a warm & engaging manner.

Jarmila Sramkova. Prague, Czech Republic

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company

Believe every good thing you read about this tour company; you will not be disappointed!

Mike and Jane - Nashville

Treated like King & Queen!

Treated like King & Queen! OUTSTANDING and A MUST See!! Without any hesitation, 5 stars!

Loreena’s family Madrid, Spain

They are consummate professionals

They are consummate professionals who really care a lot for their customers' wellbeing and experience- a must do!

Rob & Marhta Baton Rouge

Unforgettable experience!

Impressive! Their Ability of organization, understanding , customizing , entertaining , educating - make them the best at what they do. What unforgettable experience with Buddy!

Natasha C Calgary, Canada

Outstanding bucket-list destinations!

Outstanding tour package to Yosemite ,Mammoth Lakes , Sequoia national park , Death Valley , San Francisco and Alcatraz with Adam and Jonathan . I've run out of superlatives to describe this unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience ...10 STARS + & Highly Recommended

Holly Millard- Holly Millard, IN

"Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizon!"

You won't be disappointed if you use Golden Horizon for all your tours! Top notch service!

Susan.S- McAllen, Texas

"Top-Notch VIP Service!"

A 6-star experience! Their tag line is to “exceed expectations” and they certainly delivered. From the moment of making a booking to the actual tours - Superb!

Superdin0-Singapore

A sight definitely worth seeing!

A Beautiful and quiet forest of redwoods

I highly recommend this Muir Woods and Marin County outdoor adventure with Golden Horizon Travel, even If you are in average physical shape. There are all kind of stops and easy hikes along offering 360 degrees breathtaking views.

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons

Stop reading reviews and book with Golden Horizons. .... we highly recommend this tour company, their tour guides are passionate, fun and very knowledgeable. San Francisco is amazing city and Muir Woods is so beautiful and enjoyable. Highly recommend

Outstanding tour guides & fun tours

My husband, daughters and my son , and I took a day tour of San Francisco, and second day adventure to Muir Woods and each with Adam to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach. Both trips exceed our expectations.

I highly recommend this tour company when Alcatraz tickets are sold out

We purchased the combo tour through Alcatraz Tours since the date was sold out for the solo Alcatraz Tour. Adding the city tour and Angel Island was a great trip by ferry as it took us around Alcatraz Island and Angel Island. Alcatraz island is so beautiful! I loved the Alcatraz audio tour as well. The guided tour is extremely interesting and provided an accurate picture of the story of Alcatraz prison and inmates. It was a good length of time and we got a great deal of information without becoming too long and boring. I highly recommend this tour company ‘Alcatraz Tours Inc.’ When Alcatraz tour and prison tickets are sold out, they have a reserve of Alcatraz tickets on hold purchased in advance. Their private guided city tour is a 5-star experience and worth every penny.

Saint Louis, Missouri

5 stars Travel Services: Tranquility in the hands of professionals.

Our travel agent in Veracruz Mexico booked the San Francisco tour package with hotel accommodation included. However, the online tour agency with which we originally booked our Alcatraz and Muir Woods package turned out to be a fraud, a fiasco, a company with little reliability, we were calling by phone and we have never been able to get through, they are locate overseas!

Two days before leaving our country, our Alcatraz tours were canceled at the last minute and there was no way to get tickets for Alcatraz or any of the destinations because they were sold out.

Fortunately, we found this local company Golden Horizon Travel: www.goldenhorizontravel.com and this was the only tour operator that could help us with our last minute reservations, they provided us with excellent customer service and always responded promptly in Spanish, and they even assigned us a Spanish tour guide: our both excursions were totally private and in Spanish, our tour guides were incredible, very professional, attentive and cordial and the best of all is that the agency also got us the tickets to visit Alcatraz Island and also for the Redwoods Muir Woods Park despite this last-minute booking.

We also took advantage and went to Sonoma Valley and Marín County with them. This Company offers best tours and many options to choose from for all travelers; they are very professional, and they go out of their way to offer to please their customers. All the other websites we found were resellers or fake or they were not even located in California, none of them bothered to answer our phone calls or emails, and neither did they offer guided tours in Spanish.

MY best advice for everyone, look for Local Operators and avoid websites and companies that are not in San Francisco! This Tour Operator is underrated and deserves more credit for their excellent customer service.

100% WORTH THE MONEY & HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Silvia Sampiery

We visited Alcatraz prison at night - it’s Spooky!

We traveled from San José, Costa Rica to San Francisco in California to visit Alcatraz Island and Yosemite National Park. Initially, we could not find a specialized tour guide in Spanish to take us to Yosemite park and to see the giant sequoias. But thank God we found this tour company. We were lucky as they also had tickets to Alcatraz Island at night, even though it was sold out everywhere else they managed to secure our booking for the nigh tour the same day. What a great surprise to discover that the booking agent of the company spoke fluently Spanish, she was very friendly and helpful. Not only did she get us a private tour of Yosemite in Spanish with a bilingual guide, but she also managed to get us Alcatraz tickets for the night tour at a last-minute. That was totally unexpected and super cool.

We cannot thank you enough for your excellent customer service and for making the extra effort to get book Alcatraz tickets for us despite this short notice. The night tour of Alcatraz is a bit “spooky”, but very interesting, the US park rangers accommodated us with only a small number of visitors, guided us through the prison and provided a lot of historical information about Alcatraz prison and famous prisoners like Al Capone, as well as the story about the escape from Alcatraz” El misterio de la fuga de Alcatraz”.

Lucia and Yolanda M. Vasquez

San Jose Costa Rica

I highly recommend this combination Alcatraz and city tour

We booked the combined tour of Alcatraz and San Francisco through Alcatraz Tours. The date we wanted to book to visit from Alcatraz Prison was sold out, but it's the only local travel agency that really helped us with our last-minute booking despite the odds. All the other websites that we tried are fake or are not even located in California! None even bothered to answer our telephone calls. I highly recommend this combo Alcatraz /city tour and this tour operator. Well worth It.

Phillipe-M.

Toulouse, France

Alcatraz night tour is a must-do but book your tickets WELL in advance!

We booked our Alcatraz night trip with Alcatraz tours in February, but we were not visiting San Francisco until late May. This was the right thing to do as all Alcatraz night tours got sold out in March! The ferry trip to Alcatraz island was quite nice and took us less than 20 minutes to reach Alcatraz island. We really enjoyed this night excursion of the prison. No, it was not creepy at all.

Dress appropriately/ bring layers - it gets cold and foggy out there.

Eartha-brghamsa

Northern Cape, South Africa

Alcatraz prison night tour is awesome

My wife and I booked our Alcatraz prison tickets online through this tour company, combined with a trip to Napa Valley wineries. We love beer, but we wanted to try some wines for a change. So, we tasted great deal of red and white wines in Napa wine country. Then, we drove back to San Francisco and got dropped off at Pier 33 to take the ferry to Alcatraz island.

Alcatraz night tour was on our bucket-list before we even travelled to California, we were so excited when they dropped us off at Alcatraz ferry lines. The night tour boat departed from the dock at 3:50pm. We enjoyed great views of the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge as we were sailing to Alcatraz island. Once at the island, US park rangers split visitors into groups and started the night guided tour at different times. If you have difficulty walking up hills, they have a tram you can ride both ways at no extra cost. The narration of the self-guided tour is really informative and exciting.

We highly recommend Alcatraz prison night tour to all travelers. The only thing I didn’t like is that many sections of Alcatraz island are closed to the public at night unlike the day tour. That’s why they only allow one group per night, I guess they want to they keep it under control.

Use this tour company, you won’t be disappointed.

Lee Sanders

Alcatraz night tour with our kids - absolutely excellent and worth every penny

We booked the night tour with Alcatraz Tours, and that was an excellent tour experience. Really well organized and informative. We learned a lot about Alcatraz prison on the night tour, and I can thoroughly recommend Alcatraz night tour even for families with kids. Wear comfortable flat walking shoes and extra layers as it gets chilly on the island, and I also recommend a flashlight and an extra charger for your smart phone. That’s was an excellent trip for the whole family and worth the money and time.

Our Night Tour of the Rock “Alcatraz”

My wife and I really enjoyed our night guided tour of Alcatraz prison with the local tour guide who was a volunteer. The ferry ride was quick and smooth offering nice views of the San Francisco skyline and bridges. US park rangers were very helpful, engaging and informative and the audio guided tour was a good experience.

Tampa Bay, FL

Wonderful night tour experience like a “fairy tale”.

Wonderful night tour experience with lots of history and interesting stories. Alcatraz prison is not like any other jail where inmates could escape from so easily. We realized how hard it must have been to get out of ‘The Rock’ and still wondering how those 3 guys escaped Alcatraz at night! It’s like a ‘fairy tale’, spooky but in a good way... the pace of the tour was just right and well done.

“Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour”

Our Muir Woods & Alcatraz combo tour was exactly what we needed as we only had one day in San Francisco before we traveled to Napa Valley for a wedding we were invited to. The tour is well worth the money that you spend. The big redwood trees in Muir Woods forest are impressive but the forest was a bit crowded as well as Alcatraz island. However, this combo tour must be on everyone’s bucket-list. Both places are very popular and worth the money. I would recommend starting the tour early to visit the redwoods and beat the bus tours and large crowds. This way you get to enjoy peace and quality time in Muir Woods before it gets too busy.

Alcatraz prison is a former maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island, but the island is much smaller than we through. The trip by ferry took us about 20 minutes from the Fisherman’s Wharf to the island. I recommend Alcatraz electric carts for those who can’t walk uphill. My grandmother couldn’t walk all the way up to the prison, but their electric cart was very convenient for her. We took more time in the prison and returned to the Fisherman’s Wharf in late afternoon. We also enjoyed the Fisherman’s Wharf souvenir shops, seafoods restaurants and got to see the seals there. I recommended in this tourist area after Alcatraz tour.

Molina-cpr@mex-df

Definitely a 5-star: Alcatraz and redwoods experience

Whether you live in San Francisco Bay Area or visiting San Francisco from the US or overseas, this day trip is a must-do for all ages and even for folks with mobility issues. Alcatraz island and prison are one of the most handicap accessible tours and places I've ever been on. Alcatraz guided tour is amazing. Yet, it can be a little confusing unless you follow the guided trail step by step.

The ferry ride to Alcatraz island offers beautiful views of San Francisco downtown, the islands in the bay like Angel island, Treasure island and bridges like the Golden Gate bridge. Be on time for the ferry departure or you get turned away as they only allow the exact time and departure stated on each ticket. Alcatraz tickets are so valuable and hard to find, we were lucky we got a last-minute cancellation from Alcatraz Tours, otherwise we would have missed out on the best attraction in California. Many visitors show up at last minute by the ferry terminal looking for tickets and willing to pay any price to get their hands-on tickets to Alcatraz, but these rare tickets and get sold out weeks and months in advance.

Definitely a 5-star experience for this Alcatraz and redwoods combo tour. Our tour guide drove us away from Muir Woods traffic jams to a small forest of redwoods in Marin County. We were the only one a roaming through these tall and towering redwoods. It was so nice to enjoy nature without putting up with traffic and a horde of people pushing and shoving like in Muir Woods. I’ve been there, and I honestly prefer these alternative groves of redwoods we went to visit in Marin county.

This tour company and tour guide are highly recommended.

Reviewed 2 years ago

Great way to see Alcatraz & San Francisco !!

We did not expect to see so much of the city in one day. Jon, our tour guide, was very friendly, informative and an accommodating guide. Thank you so much for a great day! This tour is highly recommended.

Reviewed yesterday

Mytraveltyme

Dr.Yin Chan:

Awesome Alcatraz island & Redwoods combo tour

This day trip to Alcatraz island is awesome regardless how foggy the bay area can be. We got to Pier 33 on time, and the tour guide took care of our Alcatraz tickets. We didn’t have to worry about parking or reservation, as he showed us around before we embarked on the ferry to Alcatraz prison.

There is a good self-guided audio tour of the cells and we could hear the guards and inmates’ voices in the background. It’s like living the experience and getting the feel of how this morbid and remote federal prison operated. Don’t forget to pick up the headphones as you enter the prison on top of the hill. My mom can’t walk so we hopped on the so called “SEAT” electric tram (Sustainable Easy Access Transport).

Alcatraz island is a national park - there are park rangers on hand who help visitors with all kinds of information. I recommend that you book this redwood and Alcatraz excursion in advance. We had a hard time to find ferry tickets to Alcatraz until we landed on this website www.alcatraztoursf.com. Their combo tour is worth the money and saved us the hassle and stress. The operator was very helpful, and their tour guide was knowledgeable and professional, yet very funny. He adjusted the tour to our kid’s mood and crankiness. Don’t go to Muir Woods forest. I heard terrible things about this overcrowded place. Let this tour company take you to this hidden forest of redwoods somewhere nearby San Francisco in Marin Count. I can’t remember the name of this redwood forest, but we were the only ones there when we got there, the trees are massive and impressive, plus the landscape is picturesque. Last, get inline early to Alcatraz ferry terminal so you can get the best seat in the house on the third floor!

Reviewed 11 months ago

Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour

Our Muir Woods and Alcatraz combo tour was exactly what we needed as we only had one day in San Fran. The tour was well organized, and we certainly got our money's worth ...

Muir woods national monument definitely worth a detour. This remote park of big redwoods is very beautiful and a fantastic option for families with young children. I recommend this combo tour of Alcatraz and redwoods. It is worth the money and saves a lot of hassle and worries, as both places require special permits and advanced reservations.

Montreal , Canada

ALCATRAZ IS ABOVE EXPECTATIONS

Despite Muir Woods traffic and large crowds, we enjoyed our trip. But we loved Alcatraz island even more. This is a must-see attraction when vising the Bay area. I recommend this tour company. The tour guide and this company are awesome, very reliable and responsive. We had a good experience and the tour with their tour guide was informative and fun.

Margie GAILLO

“Awesome bay cruise around Alcatraz Island”

This is a great alternative tour experience when Alcatraz tickets are sold out. We were disappointed as we didn’t manage to get Alcatraz tickets. Next time, we will anticipate and book Alcatraz tickets in advance. We were happy with this trip, as it combined our city private tour and the ferry cruise around Alcatraz island. We managed to get to see the city top attractions in a half-day tour, and that was the perfect way to do it. The cruise ship trip was over an hour, a trip that took us in the San Francisco bay, around Alcatraz Island, and under the Golden Gate Bridge. We had a trip the next day to Hearst Castle with this tour company, and it was our last day in California. We had a blast in Big Sur, and we enjoyed Hearst castle tour very much. It was a long day trip, but well worth it.

[email protected]

“Alcatraz Island is outstanding, but book your tickets in advance”

Alcatraz Island tour is outstanding, and the prison is a stunning place. This is my favorite attraction in San Francisco Bay Area. Book your Alcatraz ferry tickets in advance, as these valuable tickets get sold out weeks and months in advance, we booked our Alcatraz tickets two months in advance. Tour companies are obviously not allowed to sell Alcatraz tickets individually anymore, so we had to book Alcatraz prison tickets combined with a city tour. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was amazing and fun. We highly recommend this hassle-free combo tour. It’s fun, informative and exciting and worth every penny. I got to say, the energy and the impression you get when vising Alcatraz is something you need to experience for yourself.

Fran02558@Real

“The Beautiful Island of Alcatraz”

From the city tour to Alcatraz Island, we and our kids had an amazing adventure. It is a bit cold in San Francisco Bay in summer ironically. But were very interested in the criminology and forensic stories of Alcatraz and San Quintin prison like Charles Manson, the Zodiac, Fong “Little Pete” Ching, Zebra killers, Felix Mitchell, the Unabomber, Scott Peterson, and Clarence and John Anglin and Frank Morris and their famous ‘Escape from Alcatraz’. Wow! the feeling visitors get when stepping onto Alcatraz island from the ferry boat is quite eerie and a bit creepy, I know, but very exciting and interesting.

“Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance when visiting San Francisco”

Book your Alcatraz tickets months in advance before you travel to San Francisco. This is a must-see tourist attraction when visiting San Francisco and Northern California. A police officer from South Africa, who traveled with us on Alcatraz ferry, had a stop-over at SFO international airport. He joined us just to visit Alcatraz prison, and we had fun together. Dress in layers. Ironically summer is not warm in San Francisco Bay, as weather is cool and gets foggy in the Bay. The views of Alcatraz from San Francisco are spectacular. This combo tour is a must-do and it saved us time and money. Thank you, Mary. You are a great tour guided and very funny - our kids loved your jokes and stories about Alcatraz prison and San Francisco neighborhood.

jensen@realestate

“Alcatraz prison worth a visit and above expectation”

Alcatraz prison is just as portrayed in the Hollywood films about Frank Morris (a movie starring Clint Eastwood) about Alcatraz maximum-security prison. The cell as seen in the Clint Eastwood movie “Escape from Alcatraz” is still preserved. No trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting Alcatraz Island. It took me 2 tours to Alcatraz before I felt the strong atmosphere and energy you get after stepping off Alcatraz cruises ferry and onto the dock. This city tour combined with Alcatraz is an exceptional combo trip, I recommend for all visitors.

Angiesd87@marvisiat

“Alcatraz and San Francisco, the best worry-free tour package”

We were lucky to find availability for the Alcatraz tour. We booked this all-inclusive San Francisco guided tour combined with Alcatraz as a tour package. It was a worry-free reservation all included, and the perfect way to indulge in San Francisco if you have limited time. It was a convenient, affordable, and fulfilling combo trip of the city top attractions and a self-guided tour of Alcatraz prison. A must-do when visiting the City by the Bay, and worth every penny you spend. Our tour guide drove us up to the Alcatraz ferry terminal, redeemed our Alcatraz tour voucher and issues our ferry tickets. We had an extra 45 minutes before the ferry departure, so we had a quick snack at Alcatraz cafe at Pier 33, be prepared before you embark on Alcatraz ferry, no grocery or food service is available on Alcatraz!

[email protected]

“Alcatraz tour should be on everyone’s bucket list”

This is an incredible tourist attraction of San Francisco Bay area. If you plan on visiting San Francisco you got to add Alcatraz prison tour to your bucket-list, more than Muir Woods or Napa. Alcatraz Island history itself is a very interesting story, before it was ever used as a federal prison. How anyone could even escape from this remote Island and maximum-security prison? The audio headphone guided tour is informative, the stories and sounds of prison officers makes the guided tour so real and the story comes to live. I took amazing pictures to show my friends in Japan. This trip is wonderful and recommended even for solo travelers like myself.

Akiko87@tok-japan

“Great combo tour opportunity of Alcatraz prison”

This was our first visit to California and San Francisco. We did a city tour with this tour company and found out how hard it was to get Alcatraz ticket., Luckily, our tour guide Patricia, who was so professional and friendly, called the company and arranged last-minute tickets for us to visit Alcatraz Island. The experience lived up to our expectations and the reviews we had read about Alcatraz tours turned out to be so true. We recommend this combo tour to all families with kids like us, who have no time to scan through all these websites out there looking for ticket’s availability. This is a very serious and professional tour company, and they exceeded our expectations.

[email protected]

“San Francisco Alcatraz combo tour”

Book your Alcatraz tickets immediately when you plan your trip to San Fran. We had initially planned to book Alcatraz Island night tour, but it’s impossible to get due to limited availability. The day tour to Alcatraz was not bad at all. The fascinating story of Alcatraz prison is phenomenal, and the city tour completed this package trip. That’s was a good company to work with from the moment we booked on their website to the day of the trip. And their tour guides are fun and professional.

Dan025@vact025

“Top Notch 5-Star City Private Tour with Alcatraz Prison”

Don’t waste your time looking for Alcatraz tickets and availability. Book with this local tour company, and you will not be disappointed. We booked the full day San Francisco city tour by SUV. The city tour exceeded our expectations and our tour guide, Pat, certainly delivered. Superb service and highly recommended, you’ll be in good hands. We recommend the private city tour where you can stop anywhere you want and visit the monument or neighborhood of your choice were bus tours are restricted. We also recommend Alcatraz audio guide to explore this former jail. It’s fun and informative.

[email protected]

Fascinating combo tour of San Francisco and Alcatraz

Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance, this tour was so much better than I was expecting. You get a ferry ride from San Francisco Pier 33 to the Alcatraz island and then you get to visit Alcatraz former prison. It was rainy and foggy that day, but still well worth the trip. The trip was very well run, and we were welcomed in the dock by a ranger who let us know some key information and rules before visiting the prison. Don’t forget to grab something to eat before heading to Alcatraz, as there is no food service on the island. You can stay as long as you want on Alcatraz island, but don’t miss the last ferry. I think they have like one ferry every 30 minutes. Alcatraz had a reputation for being the toughest prison in the country. How did all these top criminals like Al Capone survive it? I recommend doing the audio guided tour twice, if you have time. It’s so informative, but too much information can be a bit overwhelming for first time visitors.

[email protected]

Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz prison?

Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz prison tour? Alcatraz Island is dim, cold, morbid, and crowded. We felt nothing, seen nothing, heard nothing that made it so appealing to our group, a bit overrated in our opinion. Why have criminals become victims and stars? They deserved to be incarcerated in Alcatraz prison! Some visitors were even asking for autographs from a former inmate of Alcatraz who was there that day, but this makes no sense to me. But I can understand some visitors who are interested in criminology. I’m giving a 4-star review not for Alcatraz tours but for the city experience with our tour guide Alan. He made our city tour very exciting and fun. He was very accommodating and attentive to our needs. He stopped the car half-way day down on Lombard street to take photographs of us in the middle of the street and took us to visit the fortune cookies in Chinatown. That was fun! I also recommend stopping at the ferry building, this is a great place for the foodies and wine lovers, and we had a great time there.

[email protected]

“Alcatraz and San Francisco, the best part of our trip to California”

Alcatraz Island is an incredible tourist attraction. We did the tour with our kids, and they loved it too. The audio tour was well done, we took tons of pictures, hanged out and enjoyed the views of the city from Alcatraz Island. The views are spectacular from Alcatraz island. Go to the officers’ garden side that overlooks the Golden Gate bridge but watch out for the old steps. They are very steep and have no guards. Army officers’ spouses who were stationed on the Island in the early 1900s, planted all kinds of vegetables there (The beauty on the beast).

We skipped some places while touring the city so we could take our kids to visit California Academy of Sciences located in the Golden Gate park. This museum is very underrated. They got a World-class Aquarium, planetarium, and natural history Museum. The guided tour inside and on the existing roof appeals to all ages, and it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it for families with young kids.

Biz-field@bratslva

Alcatraz prison tour is very interesting and enjoyable

This was a very interesting tour we took to Alcatraz Island. We had all heard of Alcatraz and had some sketchy knowledge of its history. However, they have done a really good job of telling the real, non-Hollywood, history of the island prison. This tour company is well organized – everything from the city guided tour to the lines waiting to get on the ferry, embarking and disembarking, and setting up the visitors with audio tour headsets. You have an assigned time to leave on the ferry, but the return to the mainland is at your leisure. The self-guiding audio tour was well done, and you can move at your own pace. This can help you avoid pockets of crowds. While there are parts of the island closed to the public, you pretty much have free reign to wander and explore the public areas at your own pace.

It is a bit of hike up the road to the entrance to the prison and beginning of the tour. There are also steps to maneuver once inside. This could be problematic for those with mobility issues. They do have a shuttle or tram that can take visitors up and back down. So, the tour can accommodate most visitors, even if some areas would not be accessible.

Definitely worth the visit. Consider booking this San Francisco and Alcatraz prison combo tour. It only takes a couple of hours after the city tour and is an interesting spot to visit. Thank you, Alcatraz Tours, and many thanks to our tour guide Victor. You guys are so passionate and knowledgeable. I am very glad we didn’t book with the other websites who sell tours all over the world. They have nothing local and so messy with no customer service.

We recommend your company and tour guides.

ClearwaterJen

Clearwater/

Tampa Bay Florida 350131

Alcatraz Island Tour: Well Worth The Time & Money!

I have been to San Francisco many times but never went to Alcatraz. This was a VERY IMPRESSIVE experience! Everyone should do it once. We booked Alcatraz and UC Berkeley Campus combo tour with our kids. It was a very well organized and worry-free combo tour, all included. Berkeley is a beautiful city and the University of California is an amazing place to visit... Alcatraz tour itself is a bucket-list destination which I can recommend to all visitors. Alcatraz prison audio self-guided tour really offers lots of detail about the prison, who was housed there and the overall history of Alcatraz ‘The Rock’. We actually met the author of a book who was once incarcerated at Alcatraz during the escape and breakout. Very, very interesting.

Need to get tickets well in advance! The hike up the hill is pretty steep, but if you take your time, anyone can do it. I Highly recommend this combo tour for families with kids!

[email protected]

Yeah, we did it! We made it to Alcatraz and escaped from the rock!

We can now check Alcatraz tour off our bucket-list :-) Yeah, we recommend this combo adventure of Alcatraz and city tour. We had nothing to worry about, we got picked up at our hotel, did the city private tour, and Alcatraz prison self-guided tour. Worth every penny.

Phoenix, Arizona

Great, humbling experience with awesome views of San Francisco from Alcatraz

This is a must do when visiting San Francisco Bay area. It begins with a custom city tour of San Francisco top sights and places all included...then followed by the ferry ride to the island, which offers exceptional views of the Bay, the Golden Gate, and the SFO skyline. Would advise you to line up early to board the ferry to get good seats. Once you reach the island, after a brief introduction, you are free to roam the island. My advice would be to go straight to the top for the audio tour, which is the best part of the experience. The tour is awesome, and you learn so much about the prison life. Once you are done with that, you can walk around to other places like the gardens and the industries. Be careful with the return ferry, as the lines are usually very long to get on. Enjoy the views while coming back as well.

Alcatraz tickets are often sold out weeks in advance. We were lucky that these guys accommodated us with our last-minute booking...this is a reliable local tour company and highly recommended.

Atlanta, Georgia,

Big Redwoods and an excellent horseback ride on the beach for our whole family!

Even though the wooded trails were a bit wet for us to ride due to the fog, the experience was amazing, and we all enjoyed it very much. The horses looked happy, well cared for, and these were some of the best-behaved horses we’ve ever interacted with. The staff was very friendly. It didn’t take us too long to reach a laid-back beach, so peaceful and beautiful.

After the horseback ride, our fun and very nice tour guide drove us to Santa Cruz where we had lunch in a restaurant located on the Wharf. We ordered a seafood platter which was fresh and yummy, and the views made it the perfect location for our family.

For me personally, the highlight of our trip was our tour of a beautiful forest of big redwood trees in Santa Cruz mountains. I’ve been to Muir Woods before, but this state park was less crowded than Muir Woods and the redwood trees are much bigger and older in Santa Cruz mountains.

On the way back to our hotel in San Francisco, the tour guide made a quick stop at Apple’s new headquarter in Silicon Valley. We visited the visitor center and the store (while our son was sneaking out to fly his drone over Apple’s new and amazing architecture “it looks like a spaceship from the sky”.)We highly recommend this outdoor adventure and this business.

Annapolis, MD

Alcatraz prison tickets combined with a city tour

My husband and I decided to book the combo tour of Alcatraz and city for our parents and in laws. We were a group of 7 persons, and our local tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. Booking a private SUV tour versus the public bus tour is the ideal way to see 4-times more sights and attractions than the bus tour option, and you get out as often as you want to visit places like Lombard street, the painted ladies, china beach, fort Miley, mission murals... we had lots of fun. San Francisco is a beautiful city and Alcatraz island prison tour is a must-see for everyone. This tour company was the only provider who had Alcatraz tickets available as all other tour companies we called were sold out. Alcatraz prison tickets are so hard to get, so watch out and ensure you do book them in advance. Also, be sure to eat before you get on Alcatraz ferry as there was no food available on Alcatraz island.

Bring extra layers and expect fog and wind in the middle of the San Francisco bay.

El Paso, Texas

Alcatraz Island day trip with our 4-year-old son.

We recently visited Alcatraz Island prison with our 4-year-old son. He was not bored and loved the ferry ride and was running inside and outside Alcatraz prison like we never seen him before. My husband is a police officer and he loved this tour. We recommend Alcatraz tour for all ages.

An awesome horseback ride on the beach and Alcatraz tour

We got desperate as we couldn’t get our hand on Alcatraz tickets. Alcatraz Island tour and ferry tickets were sold out when we tried to book them online (6 weeks in advance). We tried every tour company in San Fran, but no luck. Until we landed on www.alcatraztoursf.com and they made our day. We couldn’t believe it.

We had to book a combo tour to get our hand on Alcatraz prison tickets, so we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half- Moon Bay, and although it was a cool day it was worth it. The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is breathtaking.

This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town - it was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. She even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, and we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the Beach Chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning view of ocean and the beach. Highly recommend

Shsdh@pvltd

We got desperate as we couldn’t get our hands-on Alcatraz tickets. Alcatraz Island tour and ferry tickets were sold out when we tried to book them online (6 weeks in advance). We tried every tour company in San Fran, but no luck. Until we landed on alcatraztoursf, and they made our day. We couldn’t believe it.

We had to book a combo tour to get our hands-on Alcatraz prison tickets, we signed up for a horseback ride on the beach. It took place in Half-Moon Bay, and although it was a cool day, but it was worth it. The scenery along pacific coast highway is breathtaking.

This tour company is very reliable, and their tour guide Mary was amazing! We felt like we had a friend in town - it was more than a tour - a real and fun experience. She even drove us through the Golden Gate Park, we stopped for a snack and beer tasting at the beach chalet, an ocean front restaurant with stunning Views of ocean and the beach.

Highly recommend

Martin Navaro

San Francisco combo adventure - a worry-free tour package

We were lucky to find and book this all-inclusive San Francisco / Alcatraz tour package. It was a worry-free reservation and turned out to be the perfect way to indulge in San Francisco (we had little time on our hands...). This day trip to Alcatraz was a convenient, affordable, and fulfilling combo tour - a must-do when visiting the City by the Bay.

The private city tour covered quiet a lot of places we could have never managed to find on our own, and we stopped almost everywhere along the way... worth every penny we spent.

Alcatraz and Silicon Valley worry-free combo tour

We wanted to cover 2 iconic places during our stay at a VRBO near San Francisco. Alcatraz island and Stanford University were on our list, and we did just that. This Alcatraz prison and Silicon Valley was a short-day trip and was a very good fit for us and our tight schedule. Our sons get bored quickly with long day tours, but they were rather interested in both places. The guided tour we had at Stanford was totally private and we were transported in a golf cart as my husband is a Vet and was injured in Iraq. This was the ideal way to cover as much as possible of Stanford huge campus and without walking a lot . Both tours boosted our teens’ motivation and they started asking more question afterwards.

This combo package worth the money and highly recommended

Tour combo de Silicon Valley y Alcatraz

We visited Apple’s new campus, and the so-called Apple ‘spaceship’ architecture is amazing. The visitor center is well designed, and we had a guided tour with an Apple employee on site. We also visited google, Palo Alto and Stanford. I wish we had the whole day, but we had to head back to San Francisco to get there on time for our Alcatraz prison tour, which was the highlight of our day adventure.

Highly recommended

Martha Leon

Barcelona, Spain

Fantastic horseback ride near Muir Woods and Stinson Beach

We were picked up by Pat, a nice Irish lady and a wonderful tour guide. She drove us through Mill Valley where we stopped for breakfast before we visited Muir Woods - a peaceful small forest with big and towering redwood trees. The trail through Muir Woods is flat and easy, and there are paved paths for those wanting a casual stroll or more challenging trails. We did both trails along the creek, and our kids had no problem with the twisty paths and stairs although towering redwood trees.

After Muir Woods, we had a lunch break at Stinson Beach, which was a great place for a picnic lunch. We enjoyed the delicious fish tacos we ordered, everything was very fresh and sourced locally from Marin county. Near Stinson beach is Bolinas, where we and our kids went on horseback riding in the forest. I’m glad it was only an hour; we could not take more than that as this was our first horseback riding experience.

That was an unforgettable family adventure in Marin county.

Thank you, Pat, for the good memories.

10 stars!: Nature and tranquility at its best!

This half-day private tour to Muir Woods was the perfect way to spend the morning away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and without traveling too far. Muir Woods is definitely worth the trip. Never pass on the opportunity to visit Muir Woods national monument if you are ever in the San Francisco Bay area. The park is less crowded in the morning, and we were very lucky and enjoyed it before it got busy. All in all, a very quiet and wonderful experience.

Our tour guide made this trip even more enjoyable as she took us to have a snack at Stinson Beach. The road is scenic and offers breathtaking views along the coast.

Plan your visit to Muir Woods and book in advance - rangers are rude!

We found out the hard way that Muir Woods park service has started implementing a new and paid reservation system, in addition to the park entrance fees ($15 per person). We tried to park our rental car there, but the park ranger in front of the gate very rudely turned us away and told us to get out... and book online. The parking there is now for tour companies and commercial use only and requires special permits which sucks.

Anyway, since there is no cell phone service at Muir Woods, we had to drive back to Sausalito, and park our rental car there. We were glad to get hold of this tour company who accommodated us with such last-minute booking and picked us up in Sausalito.

We finally managed to visit Muir Woods in the late afternoon, and that was for the best. The forest was almost empty, and it was definitely more peaceful. I recommend this company and Adam, our very nice tour guide. He made us feel very comfortable and we forgot our bad experience earlier with the US park rangers.

Definitely, do plan your visit to Muir Woods and book in advance!

Amazing seaplane and Alcatraz island tour experience

What a fantastic air-tour experience in a seaplane we had in the San Francisco Bay area! The pilot is super cool, experienced and very friendly. This was a jaw-dropping experience as where flying over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, with a bird's-eye view of Alcatraz Island. Everything looks so different from the sky. We also enjoyed our tour of Alcatraz prison very much. This was a great trip and well put together tour package. We highly recommend this combo tour of Alcatraz and seaplane adventure to anyone. Absolutely worth every single penny.

Pensacola, Florida,

Best San Francisco Alcatraz combo tour

Book your tickets immediately! We had initially planned to book the night tour but it’s hard to get tickets for Alcatraz night tour. The day tour was not bad at all. Apart from the fascinating story of Alcatraz, the trip to the island is phenomenal and the city tour completed the package tour and it’s very interesting.

Alcatraz and San Francisco - the best part of our vacation in California

This is an incredible tourist attraction. We did the tour with our kids, and they loved it too. The audio tour was well done, we took tons of photos and enjoyed the views of the city from Alcatraz Island. The views from Alcatraz are spectacular.

Fascinating combo tour of San Francisco & Alcatraz

Definitely! pre-book your Alcatraz tickets well in advance. You can't go to San Francisco and not go to Alcatraz prison! A combination trip to Alcatraz and the city is a bonus and saves time. The tour was so much better than I was expecting. We hopped on Alcatraz ferry from San Francisco Pier 33, and once there, we were welcomed on the dock of Alcatraz island by a park ranger who let us know some key information and rules before visiting the prison. The prison is old and dingy, but it’s very interesting, and we loved the audio tour.

The Best Alcatraz Island Napa Valley wineries combo tour

What a fabulous way to spend the day in California wine country and Alcatraz island. The driver, Leo, was an expert tour guide with a fun and outgoing personality. He made us feel so comfortable from the first minute we met him the lobby of our hotel. The SUV is luxurious and clean and allowed us access to places not allowed to van tours or large vehicles. He even started the day by driving us through Lombard street - a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous flowers. We also made a stop at the Golden Gate bridge on the way to the Napa Valley.

This tour company has a distinguished relationship with excellent wineries in Napa Valley. We managed to visit 2 small wineries located off-the-beaten-path, that are not open to group and bus tours. We had a walking tour inside the cellars and cave, and we ended up with a food and wine paring experience. This is the best way to learn how wine is made and how to taste the wine and pair it with right food. This private tour is the best way to go. You get to avoid commercial wineries and bus tours if you are looking for quality time. It was not cheap but worth every penny.

When we got back to the San Francisco, we could barely see Alcatraz island due to dense fog which is obviously very common in the summer. The ferry ride to the island was fun and short. Alcatraz prison audio tour is a must and highly recommended. This was best tour and tour guide we ever had. He exceeded our expectations.

A family safari adventure combined with San Francisco and Alcatraz

We booked this 2-day tour package through Alcatraz Tours. On day one, we visited San Francisco and Alcatraz, and on day 2 we spend most of the day in Sonoma county where we visited a wild safari park.We got there around 10 am, and the safari tour guide walked us first around the main area by the entrance where exotic birds and wild the animals could be seen and approached. Some animals loved to pose for close-ups, especially the monkeys, giraffes and flamingos. After 45 minutes walking tour, we drove in a double decker safari style jeep. This was a great experience for our kids. We have never seen them so excited. The entire jeep tour was about 3 hours or so and we saw everything from monkeys, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, bob cats, flamingos, giraffes and even parrots. Our family loved this safari adventure, and this is a great getaway for family with kids and highly recommended. After the safari tour, we had lunch in Napa, and our passionate tour guide drove us to the Jelly Belly beans factory. This was the perfect way to end this day trip. Many thanks to our amazing tour guide, Buddy, he is the best!

An awesome Alcatraz & balloon experience - a bucket-list adventure.

From the beginning to the end, everyone we met was awesome - from our fun and wonderful tour guide, Mary to the hot-air balloon pilot himself (Jason). A top-notch tour company and pilot. They made us feel very safe and comfortable before the lift-off and when we landed. After the balloon ride, we had a delicious champagne breakfast with the pilot and his friendly crew and our tour guide. We also visited Opus One winery and then drove back to San Francisco to visit Alcatraz. We got there 30 minutes before the ferry departed to Alcatraz. We do recommend this combo adventure to everyone without any hesitation, even if you don’t like to wake up early. This was an awesome experience and a bucket-list adventure. This was by far the best travel experience we ever had!

An awesome bay cruise boat tour around Alcatraz Island.

This is great tour experience when Alcatraz tickets are sold. We were disappointed as we didn’t manage to get our hand on Alcatraz tickets. We were happy though with this combo trip as we got visit San Francisco’s famous landmarks and top places we wanted to see. Really liked the Bay cruise tour - it’s a great opportunity for photos of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. We got lucky with the weather, and we walked to Pier 39 to see the sea lions - a very cool place but it was crowded.

Alcatraz night tour is creepy, spooky but not scary

Went on the Alcatraz prison night tour to get a feel of the real atmosphere of Alcatraz prison at night. It was okay but not so unique as many stated in reviews. I personally prefer the day tour. Alcatraz night tour is creepy, spooky. Well, but not so scary if you have kids.

Debe visitar Alcatraz combinado con un recorrido por la ciudad para conocer los mejores sitios de la ciudad.!

Mi esposo y yo decidimos reservar el combo Alcatraz y el recorrido por la ciudad para nuestra familia, éramos un grupo de 7 personas, nuestro guía fue increíble y muy conocedor de la ciudad. Reservar un tour en SUV nos permitió pasar por todos los lugares para tomar fotos sin tener que caminar, nos divertimos mucho. San Francisco es una ciudad hermosa y debes visitar la isla de Alcatraz de todas maneras.

Recorrido en Alcatraz mucho más de lo esperado

Prisión de Alcatraz es como se ve en las películas de Hollywood , todo viaje a San Francisco debe incluir no solamente la calle de Lombard y el puente de Golden Gate m también vale la pena recorrer cada vecindario de la ciudad, hay tanto que ver y conocer en San Francisco que necesitas varios días para poder verla toda, pero si no dispones de mucho tiempo al menos el tour de la ciudad de 1 día es suficiente, al otro dia puedes combinar Alcatraz con un paseo por redwoods.

Alcatraz debe estar en la lista de Lugares a visitar de todo el mundo

Esta es una increíble atracción turística de San Francisco, solo una empresa tiene la autorización para llevar turistas a Alcatraz, tuvimos la suerte de haber conseguido los tickets, era fin de semana y había mucha gente haciendo cola para conseguir tickets, pero sin éxito. Todo estaba agotado para las próximas 3 semanas. Nuestra agencia reservó el tour de la ciudad con Alcatraz todo incluido, y nosotros no tuvimos que preocuparnos de nada.

Roberto Samane

Nine days: San Francisco, Alcatraz, California Monterey, Hearst Castle , and Yosemite tour package

We waited 2 weeks to review to be sure we weren't still dreaming. It was that great a time with Golden Horizon, starting with a full day in San Francisco with Mary, a native of The City, so we really experienced S.F. Then with Adam for 3 days to Monterey and Carmel, including somehow a front-row seat next to the 18th green during a PGA event a Pebble Beach without passes. He taught us to be great actors! A dream picture op for this golf fan. Then Leo took us to the coast beyond Big Sur, including a tour of Hearst Castle, then for 3 plus days in Yosemite and across the Sierras and back to S.F. All this during a stretch rare in CA of perfect weather when "Carl" never showed up. (They name the fog "Carl"). These folks couldn't have been more knowledgeable or considerate, especially getting us to every place we gave them on a considerable agenda before we even met them on day one. We saw and did far more than we expected, and they went well beyond the schedule hours every day. If this reads over-the-top, it's because our experience was way over-the-top. They certainly exceeded our expectations, just as they said they would, and we are so glad we traveled with Golden Horizon.

Richard & Karen WILD

Logansport , IN

San Francisco and Alcatraz

Our private tour with Mary was EXCELLENT and FUN!!! Mary drove us around in San Francisco and told us about history and contemporary "fun knowing". She is grown up in SF and had great knowledge. Before the trip, our kids complained that 4 hours were too long, but when the tour was over they thought the 4 hours went too fast.

It was a perfect start to our SF stay that covered the entire SF and we learned a lot and we had fun. . My partner did not have a ticket to Alcatraz but Mary managed with the impossible to find a ticket in the ferry zone, which we appreciated a lot !! Going on a tour with Mary was optimal! Comfortable car, only we in the car, very personal. Since Mary knew Sweden and Finland meant that we clicked fine from the very firts moment!!

marilouises2018

Pasadena CA

All day private tour of San Francisco and afternoon Alcatraz tour

Alcatraz was fascinating and Golden Horizon was able to accommodate us with tickets on short notice due to a cancellation. Our full day private driving tour of San Francisco with Tom was totally delightful. Not only was Tom, our guide, fully informed about the nuances of the city history but a terrific conversationalist providing a very relaxed and pleasant day. AND, he dropped us at a local Dim Sum café for an excellent and very reasonable lunch. We would recommend the entire experience as a 5-star excellent time.

Cedar Park, Texas

San Francisco and Alcatraz Tour Private SUV Tour with Mary

We had a blast on this tour and Mary was a terrific tour guide! We got to see nearly everything we wanted to see in San Francisco in one day - without having to plan a route or drive amongst the locals. Mary is a San Francisco native and is extremely knowledgeable about the city and its history. Having the tour guide handle the Alcatraz tickets is another nice perk that will make your visit to San Francisco that more stress-free. Be sure to let her know if you like "Star Wars" - she will have an awesome, unlisted stop waiting for you!

Huntsville, Alabama

Muir Woods/SF Alcatraz

The wife and I took two private tours the first was San Francisco/Alcatraz and the second was Muir Woods/Sausalito. Our tour guide Jon had a wealth of knowledge of the history of San Francisco as well as Muir Woods and Alcatraz. Our whole experience was awesome! we were allowed to make the changes we wanted to, which was great it gave us more time in Muir Woods as well as the other places that we wanted to see. It was a wonderful surprise when Jon took us to a couple of places that were not on the itinerary. I would highly recommend any of the tours we took as well as any others Golden Horizon has to offer as I'm sure they are just as wonderful. I know that if we are ever back in the area, we will certainty use this service again. Thank you for the great experience.

Evans, Colorado

Our trip to San Francisco

I booked the 1/2 day San Francisco tour including tickets to Alcatraz. That morning, Mary met my husband and I in the lobby of our hotel. She was already waiting for us when we came out of the elevator a little early! Picked us up in a spotlessly clean black suburban. We toured the city in style, so thankful Mary is a great driver because I would have hated for my husband to have to maneuver through that madness! By the time the tour was over we had learned so much history we would have never learned on our own. Mary is a local, and her stories really added to the tour. Before she left us at the ferry to Alcatraz she gave us our tickets along with a wealth of information to help us finish our trip successfully. We missed her and talked about her for the rest of our trip!

Alcatraz prison and Redwoods tour with Pat , she deserves an "A"+

Alcatraz prison and Redwoods tour with Pat , she deserves an "A"+ muir woods was crowded but still a nice place to visit. We only had a day in SF, and made a good use of our short stay in sfo. Alcatraz prison was the highlight of our a trip, morbid but very interesting to see and learn about its famous inmates like Al Capone...

joelsabourin

Quebec City, Canada

Mary was wonderful

Took a city tour of San Francisco which ended with a trip to Alcatraz. Mary was a wonderful guide, picked us up promptly at our hotel in a clean, comfortable Explorer. Saw much of San Francisco that we would not have been able to see without a car and got much background information. The tour is not cheap, but one is well cared for. Worth it.

Winter Haven

Alcatraz island prison was on our bucket before we travelled to san Francisco

Alcatraz island prison was on our bucket list before we even traveled to California, we wanted to go there so badly, and we did, we are so glad we took the time to visit Alcatraz island. Alcatraz prison may seem morbid and awkward because of all the sad and morbid stories of solitary confinement we all heard and read here or there, but more you learn about it from the audio guided tour, more get inserted in the story of Alcatraz solitary confinements, the infamous escape from Alcatraz, and learn the story of the prison and about the inmates from the officers own perspective. I highly recommend the combination Alcatraz island and San Francisco city tour, you don’t have to worry about how to get Alcatraz tickets and how to get there, these guys are very professionals and made our trip very enjoyable.

andymartinsons

Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Alcatraz night tour – tickets, prices, ferry timings, what to expect

The Alcatraz night tour is a unique activity limited to just a few hundred tourists per evening and includes special activities and presentations not offered during the day.

Alcatraz Island night tour is one of the fascinating things to do in San Francisco.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Alcatraz Night Tour.

• Top Night Tickets

# Alcatraz Night Tour with SF Bay Cruise # Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz Night Tour

Table of contents

Alcatraz night tour tickets, what to expect on a night tour, where do night tours start from, alcatraz night tour timings, how long does the alcatraz night tour take, night tour vs day tour, what to wear for night tour, alcatraz night tour reviews.

Since the night tour of Alcatraz is a limited-edition activity, there is enormous demand, and the tickets sell out soon.

During the peak summer months of April to September, night tours get booked several weeks (if not months) in advance.

As a result, only combo tours such as this are available. For instance, this ticket includes nightly access to Alcatraz and a Bay Cruise any day later.

This night tour to the prison off the city of San Francisco starts at three times – 5.55 pm, 6.30 pm, and 7.05 pm.

Once on the island, expert historians host nightly talks covering various topics.

This night tour includes a special “around the island” route, an experience not offered during daytime tours of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz night tour ticket price

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$159 Youth ticket (5 to 11 years): US$149 Child ticket (up to 4 years): Free entry

If you are trying for an Alcatraz night tour ticket at the last minute, rest assured it will be difficult. Check out how to buy Alcatraz Island tickets at the last minute .

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The night tour starts with a scenic ferry ride against the glittering San Francisco skyline.

Wander through the penitentiary walls under the haunting glow of lamplight, where former inmates’ tales take on an eerie layer of intrigue.

The award-winning audio tour, narrated by those who lived it, echoes through the dimly lit cells, sharing secrets of escape attempts and the penitentiary’s storied past.

What the night tours include

Your Alcatraz night tour includes the round-trip ferry ride to and from the Island.

Before you land on the island, you enjoy a guided tour around Alcatraz Island.

The onboard narration points out the hidden spots used for attempted prison escapes and prison structures unreachable by foot.

Once the ferry docks, a Ranger will lead you up a steep 400 meters (1312 feet) uphill walk.

The walk up to the Cellhouse includes many stops to explore the history from pre-Civil War, Military cannon, family life on the Island, etc.

You will also stop for breathtaking views of San Francisco city and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Once you reach the Cellhouse, you explore it at your own pace using the Alcatraz audio tour.

The Award-winning audio presentation ‘Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour’ helps you learn about the Cell House, the inmates, the living conditions, the escape attempts, and the riots.

Once the audio tour is over, you can explore the optional programs and exhibits at the Alcatraz Cell House.

As a bonus, you see the Bay Area all lit up in its glory during your return.

Some visitors who have been to Alcatraz Island during the day and at night found the night tour a bit spooky.

The nocturnal guided tour of Alcatraz is open to a limited set of tourists every day.

You must hurry if you want to book your seat on the nighttime ferry.

Both day and night tours to Alcatraz Island start from Pier 33, also known as Alcatraz Landing.  Get Directions

It is just 400 meters (a quarter of a mile) from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Alcatraz Landing has a ticket booth, waiting area, and finally, the boarding area from where you get on the cruise boats.

During the peak months of March to October, Alcatraz Island night tours sail out at 5.55 pm, 6.30 pm, and 7.05 pm, and from November to March, the ferry departs at 3.50 pm and 4.45 pm. 

Visitors can book night tours from Thursday to Monday during the summer months and during the winter months from Tuesday to Saturday.

Most visitors spend three hours on the Alcatraz night tour.

Since only two ferries leave the island after the night tours are over, you can’t cut short the time.

Most of the days, the first ferry that leaves Alcatraz island after dark reaches capacity.

Tour duration in summer

During the summer months, the Alcatraz cruises designated for the night tour depart Pier 33 at 5.55 pm and 6.30 pm.

The return trips start from Alcatraz island at 8.40 pm and 9.25 pm.

If you start from the earliest cruise departing at 5.55 pm and return by the last cruise departing the island at 9.25 pm, your Alcatraz tour will be over in three and a half hours.

And if you depart at 6.30 pm by the second available cruise, the maximum duration of your Alcatraz night tour will be three hours.

Tour duration in winter

During winter, only one cruise makes the trip to  Alcatraz island , taking tourists on their night tour.

It departs at 3.50 pm from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and reaches the island at 4.05 pm. The same cruise then returns to the mainland at 6.40 pm.

In short, a night tour of Alcatraz in winter also lasts three hours.

Occasionally, there may be a second cruise, depending on demand.

There are four significant differences between the Alcatraz day tours and after-dark tours – the night tour is costlier, exclusive, scarier, and offers better views on the horizon.

Cost of the tour

One of the significant differences is in the cost of the night tour ticket. An adult’s night tour ticket costs $7 more than the day tour tickets.

The higher price tag is because of the limited availability and access to special programs.

Exclusivity of the tour

The night tour is more exclusive than the day tour because of the lesser number of tickets.

For instance, during the summer months, 14-15 ferries start from Alcatraz Landing to take the tourists on day tours.

In sharp contrast, only two ferries depart for Alcatraz Island carrying the night tour ticket holders.

The creepiness factor

The creepiness factor of Alcatraz multiplies manifold at night.

The fact that there is a lesser number of people touring with you makes it scarier.

The human guides who take you through the Alcatraz night tour capitalize on the ‘darkness’ factor.

They give special presentations, such as making all the steel doors close together as they would when Alcatraz was a real prison.

The loud sound of these doors closing is disturbing and stays with you even after returning from the tour.

Exceptional views

During the summer months, the Alcatraz night tour starts at Alcatraz Landing Pier 33 at 5:55 pm or 6:30 pm.

In the winter months, there is only one ferry at 3.50 pm.

Since you are on Alcatraz Island during sunset, you see exceptional views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco city when the sun goes down.

During the return ferry, visitors get to see the glittering San Francisco skyline.

Since you will be walking on all kinds of roads – gravel, mud, paved – and climbing stairways, it is better to wear comfortable and covered walking shoes during your night visit to Alcatraz.

Sandals, high heels, open-toe shoes, etc., are a strict no-no.

The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change at short notice, so it is better to dress up in layers and bring along a light jacket or sweater.

If you are visiting during winter and early spring, be prepared for rain.

According to TripAdvisor, Alcatraz Island is the number one landmark in San Francisco.

It is rated 4.5, with some very positive reviews.

The Alcatraz Night tour has also got some great reviews. Here are two such reviews –

Night tour – a little chilly but lots of fun

We did the night tour during the summer and it was amazing. We sailed into the fog and arrived on the island, and after about an hour or so, the fog had dissipated, leaving some amazing views of the city. – Maxsimmo

Night tour was stunning!

Simply amazing! The audio tour was awesome, esp. listening to former wardens and prisoners caught my heart. Recommend the night tour so u can watch the sunset. The best viewpoint is from the entrance to the courtyard. It is completely worth the money and is highly recommended. DominikaSVK

Sources # Alcatrazislandtickets.com # Cityexperiences.com # Inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com # Parksconservancy.org The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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This article was researched & written by

Shobha Mahapatra

She loves traveling in groups - of friends and relatives. The destination doesn't matter much as long she has her fun group around. She loves to try the local cuisine and clothes and also builds friendships wherever she goes. Favorite Cities: Istanbul, Hanoi, Cape Town, Singapore

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Alcatraz Resale. Night Tour Packages:

1. choose a tour combo first 2. enter quantity & date 3. if available, book it.

These Packages Sell Out Fast.

Alcatraz Night Tour + Wharf Walk

Alcatraz Night Tour + Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Night Tour + 1 Day Big Bus Essential

Alcatraz Night Tour + Muir Woods & Sausalito

Alcatraz Night Tour + Napa & Sonoma Wine Country

Our Alcatraz Tour packages always include guaranteed official Alcatraz City Cruises round trip ferry ticket from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco – to go on the island and inside the infamous prison – with the award winning cell house audio tour. Remember, Alcatraz City Cruises (formerly Alcatraz Cruises) is the Official Concessionaire and the only transportation provider for trips to Alcatraz Island. To get on the Island, you must have an Alcatraz City Cruises ticket. DiscoverTown Tours is an Authorized Reseller of Alcatraz City Cruises. Once on the island, a National Park Service Ranger Orientation and other options are included. Return departures for the Night Tour are roughly 3 hours after your start. Check out the history video produced by Discovery Channel in the old civil war era buildings close to the dock. Peruse the two bookstores, walk the perimeter trail, or discover the story of the American Indian occupation. You can even go out in the prison recreation yard and put yourself back in time, imagining gangsters and criminals in the damp wet fog. And be sure to soak up the San Francisco Bay views – like the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Skyline, Angel Island, and more. DiscoverTown Tours resells the Alcatraz Night Tour Ticket in combination with other tours. Simply choose from the above options to make a tour package. From inside each package page, you’ll be able to choose your Alcatraz departure date. Other tours can be done on different days – before or after Alcatraz – or on the same day as your Alcatraz tour if time permits. But do not miss your departure to Alcatraz!

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DiscoverTown Tours is an internet-based tour reseller. Upon purchase, you will receive a voucher including instructions for ticket pickup and taking tours.

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Alcatraz Night Tour: Our Visit to The Rock with Alcatraz Cruises

Last updated: May 19, 2019 - Written by Jessica Norah 32 Comments

After over 3 years of living in the San Francisco Bay area, we finally made it to Alcatraz Island last week and did the Alcatraz Night Tour and explored the famous prison. While primarily known and visited because of the 29 years it served as the home for the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the tiny island has a rich and varied history.

Long ignored by native people, the island would in turn serve as a strategic place for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, a federal maximum-security prison, the site of a 19-month occupation of Native American protesters, and finally a national recreation area and top tourist destination in San Francisco.

Ironically, while for many years people would have done almost anything to get off and escape from Alcatraz, Hollywood celebrities now come here to shoot films and paying tourists line up in droves to come over and take photos in empty penitentiary cells. We were two of those travelers and were very excited to come finally have the opportunity to visit the former prison and explore Alcatraz Island.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on Visiting Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco. It is accessible by boat from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 in San Francisco. Pier 33 is at the foot of Bay Street on the Embarcadero. The boating area is a short 6-minute walk from the popular Pier 39 or a 10-minute walk from The Exploratorium at Pier 15.

Getting there?

Public transit : Taking public transportation is the best way to get here. The closest line is the MUNI F Line streetcars that stop right across from Pier 33. You can also take public transportation to Pier 39 and then take a short walk to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. Click here for more information on San Francisco public transportation options.

By Car : There are several paid parking garages available within walking distance. The nearest parking garage is 1 block away at 80 Francisco Street. There is limited accessible parking at Pier 33, available on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals with disability placards.

Tour times?

Tours run daily (except major holidays) throughout the year several times a day. Day and evening tours to Alcatraz are approximately 2.5 hours in length. Please check the Alcatraz Cruises  official website for the latest schedule as the tour times change seasonally.

The regular day tours are currently (as of May 2019) $39.90 for adults and youth (age 12 – 61), $24.40 for children (age 5-11), $37.65 for seniors (age 62+), and free for children age 4 or younger.

Night tours are $47.30 for adults, $46.25 for youth (age 12-17), $28.00 for children (5-11), $44.00 for seniors (62+), and free for children age 4 or younger.

The seasonal Alcatraz Island and Angel Island combination tour is 5.5 hours long and costs $78.65 for adults and youth (age 12 – 61), $52.40 for children (age 5-11), $76.40 for seniors, and free for children age 4 and younger.

Special family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children are also available, but need to be purchased in advance by phone.

The Alcatraz Day Island Tour can be included as a combo pass with the San Francisco City Pass or the 3 or 5-day Go San Francisco Card . But you have to follow specific directions at purchase to be able to use it for Alcatraz. The combo passes can be purchased at the Alcatraz Cruises Ticketbooth, located at Pier 33 in San Francisco, or by phone at (415) 981-7625.

Booking Reservations?

If you plan to visit Alcatraz Island during your visit to San Francisco, you should make reservations in advance as tickets can sell out several weeks in advance. While you may get lucky with same day or next day reservations in the less crowded winter months (January through March), it is always good to book in advance.

**Please use caution when purchasing tickets as Alcatraz Cruises is the only commercial boat service authorized by the National Park Service to carry passengers to and from the island. Several other companies in San Francisco offer narrated cruises around Alcatraz Island; however, only Alcatraz Cruises has permission to actually land on the island.**

On-line: The easiest and quickest way is to book directly through the Alcatraz Cruises website. Purchased tickets can be conveniently printed at home or picked up in-person.

In-Person: You can purchase tickets in person by visiting Alcatraz Landing ticket office at Pier 33, The Embarcadero.

By Telephone: Phone reservations can be made by calling the Alcatraz Cruises ticketing center at 415-981-7625.

San Francisco CityPass: If you plan to purchase the  San Francisco CityPASS  you will have the option to book a Alcatraz Island day tour (subject to reservations and availability). However, you must purchase and reserve the tour in a specific way. See the instructions here .

San Francisco Go Card:  If you plan to purchase a 3 or 5 day Go San Francisco Card directly from Alcatraz Cruises, you may visit Alcatraz Island (subject to reservations and availability). The Go San Francisco Card including an Alcatraz Tour may ONLY be purchased through Alcatraz Cruises directly. The Alcatraz Tour is only available on 3-day and 5-day cards.

Can I eat on the Island?

There is no food service available on the island and only water is available. Eating, drinking, and smoking is only allowed at the dock level. Public bathrooms are available.

Can I stay overnight at Alcatraz?

Generally no. There is an evening tour of Alcatraz, but you are not permitted to stay overnight. However, each year several hundred people are allowed to stay overnight at Alcatraz after having applied for a permit and been granted one.

Given the high demand and limited resources, currently only non-profit organization groups are eligible to apply for permits. You can find out more information here .

Day tour versus Alcatraz night tour?

There are pros and cons of taking a Alcatraz Night Tour over a Day Tour. Some pros for taking a night tour are there are fewer people, you get great views as the sun is setting, you get a free brochure, and there is extra programming available in the evening that is not available during the day. It is also perhaps easier to appreciate the isolated and eerie nature of the prison in the dark than during the day.

While the night tour has a lot of benefits over the day tour, I do wish we had had more time to explore other parts of the island. We would have liked to see more of the museum displays, seen more of the buildings, and hiked some of the short trails to see more of the plants and gardens on the island. Part of the issue is a lack of time as coming over for the evening tour you must leave when the last boat leaves, but the other issue is that some areas are closed during the evening that are open during the day.

The other factor to take into consideration when deciding is that the night tour is more expensive than the day tour.

Where can I find out more information?

You can visit the National Park Service  official website on Alcatraz Island for tons of information regarding planning your visit, accessibility, history of the island, educational materials, how to request permits for events or overnights, and other information.

As noted earlier, to check the boat schedule, make reservations, or book tickets you can visit Alcatraz Cruises . While the island is maintained by the National Park Service, Alcatraz Cruises is the official and only boat service authorized to carry passengers back and forth to Alcatraz Island.

 Our Experience doing the Alcatraz Night Tour

Ethan and I had been wanting to visit Alcatraz since we first moved to San Francisco over 3 years ago. We came very close to going in October while my family was in town for a visit. We had all purchased a San Francisco CityPass and scheduled an Alcatraz day tour with Alcatraz Cruises.

Unfortunately, the U.S. government decided to shut down during their stay so we had to settle for a Bay cruise instead. While lovely, we were all disappointed by not being able to visit this infamous prison, especially since my father actually works for a federal prison. We were however given complimentary photos at the end of our Bay cruise despite not having visited Alcatraz.

Several months later, however, Alcatraz Cruises provided us complimentary tickets as travel writers to finally do this tour. We chose the night tour as we went with a large group of Ethan’s friends and co-workers. We took public transportation, taking the MUNI F Line street car to the stop (Embarcadero &  Bay Street stop) across from Pier 33.

The Alcatraz Landing area is well marked and hard to miss. We collected our tickets and met up with our group before getting into the line. They begin allowing people onto the boat about 10 minutes prior to departure and the line moves somewhat slowly as they take pictures of each person or group before they board (photos are available for purchase after the tour).

Once aboard, we chose to go to one of the upper decks and sit to check out the views. After safety instructions, a narrated history of Alcatraz Island is provided as the boat cruises around the island. It was a great time for some pictures of the island and a good way to get oriented to the island’s layout prior to our visit.

It was a pleasant 15-20 minute ride and there are snacks and drinks available for purchase in the bottom part of the boat.

Once docked, we all got off and stood near the dock to listen to one of the park rangers give some instructions and go over the evening’s programming options. We were also given souvenir brochures that provide some information on the Island and a helpful map (normally $1.00 on day tour), which are particularly useful if you plan to explore parts of the island outside the dock area and Cellhouse.

We then slowly made our way up the winding path of the hill with a few short stops as the ranger provided us with information about the buildings along the way.  The path is paved but is 1/4 mile long and uphill, so it may be particularly difficult for those with mobility issues or small children. A free electric shuttle helps escort anyone who is not able to make the climb.

As we passed the ruins of the old social hall and Officers’ Club, one of the more interesting pieces of information to us was about the guards and their families that lived on the island. A number of the officers’ families lived here with children taking a ferry to San Francisco each day to attend school. Many of the children report this as having been an idyllic place to grow up and few families even bothered to lock their doors, having almost no contact with any of the prisoners.

After making our way up the hill, we were finally standing in front of one of the entrances to the prison. You stand in line as people make there way inside and are each given an audioguide which contains the Cellhouse Audio tour “Doing Time”, which is available in a number of languages.

The tour was not guided by any rangers, but the audioguide makes for a very clear and structured tour and helps point out things as you walk along. It is also nice that you can pause the narration at any point. The audioguide contains the voices and stories of several prison guards and several former inmates at Alcatraz which adds richness to the narration.

The cell blocks are interesting to see up close and a few are open so you can walk inside. They are very small with nowhere to sit except on the cot or these little metal seats/shelves bolted to the wall. Most prisoners spent the vast majority of their time in their cells and you can get a brief sense of what it must have been like to sit in these tiny little cells for such long periods of time.

As you walk around you’ll hear the history of the prison, tales about the most famous inmates, the daily routine of prison life, attempted escapes, and the 1946 bloody Battle of Alcatraz. We both learned a lot of interesting information about the prison and discovered that some of the information we knew from films was inaccurate (e.g., famous inmate Robert Stroud known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz” was never allowed to keep any birds at Alcatraz).

After vising the solitary confinement cells, library, guards’ rooms, and warden’s office, you’ll walk outside. This is a great place to pause the narration and take some pictures of San Francisco and the Bay. We were lucky to have a particularly clear day with minimal fog.

After coming back indoors, you’ll return to the Cellblock for some more information and eventually end the tour in the Dining Room. The Dining Room is a dangerous place in a prison given the number of prisoners and potential weapons available (dishes, silverware, trays, etc.). After the narration ends, you can then return your audioguide and head to other parts of the island for further exploration. There are staff and a program guide here that can tell you what other tours and videos are available.

During our visit, the hospital (stairway is located near the entrance to the dining room) was open so we headed upstairs before leaving the Cellhouse. Everyone in our group was a health care worker of some type so this was particularly interesting. You can see the operating room, X-ray room, room for hydrotherapy, and cells for those prisoners housed in the hospital. Many of the items are not original but are from the same period. All medical care for prisoners was provided here, from surgery to dental care, so that prisoners would never need to leave the island.

After returning our audioguides, we had a few options regarding what to do next which included Cellhouse cell demonstrations (this is where you can actually experience getting locked in a cell), a talk titled something like  “Murder and Obsessions”, and a talk related to the Native American occupation.

We chose to do the talk on “Murder and Obsessions” where a guide related the tale about the relationship between two prisoners that led to one murdering the other. It was interesting but definitely not appropriate for children with themes of murder, violence, and sexuality. Finally, we finished our tour with watching a short 17-minute video “Alcatraz: Stories from the Rock” before it was time to board the boat back to the dock for our pleasant 15 minute cruise back to Pier 33.

Whether you choose to do a day tour of night tour of Alcatraz, here are our top 5 reasons you should consider including Alcatraz in your San Francisco trip itinerary:

• Learn the history of the island
• Experience the infamous prison up close and personal
• Capture some great views of the Bay and San Francisco
• Appreciate the flora and fauna of the island
• Enjoy the short Bay cruise and the fact you have the privilege to escape from this isolated island.

Have you done the Alcatraz Night Tour or a day tour to Alcatraz? As always, we’d love to hear any questions, thoughts, or tips you may have.

**Disclaimer: As travel writers, we were provided free tickets from Alcatraz Cruises to review the cruise and tour; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We did not receive any financial compensation for the writing of this post, do not work for Alcatraz Cruises, and receive no commission for any sales of these tours.**

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Hannah Renton Post author

October 8, 2015 at 3:19 am

This looks like so much fun! If I ever get round to visiting San Francisco, I will definitely try and get tickets for Alcatraz! Great Post!

travelcats Post author

October 12, 2015 at 3:01 am

Hi Hannah, yes Alcatraz is one of my favorite tourist attractions to recommend to visitors in San Francisco. The audioguide is really good and having to take a boat ride over makes it a fuller experience I think. Tickets can sell out, especially in the summer months, so do plan ahead if you are in SF.

Postcards from Rachel Post author

March 12, 2014 at 12:01 pm

We did a tour during the day but I’d love to go back at night. I bet it’s so creepy!

Great photos!

March 12, 2014 at 7:37 pm

Thanks Rachel, I think the day and evening tours are both totally worth it! I think Alcatraz is one of those places you could definitely re-visit.

Meredith Post author

March 11, 2014 at 2:48 pm

Sounds like this tour is definitely worth going on the “must-do” list for San Fran! I always found it kind of amusing that they managed to turn one of the most notoriously difficult prisons to escape into a tourist destination. That said, I’m totally on board for checking it out – hopefully sooner than later! It’s great to know some of the pros and cons to day versus evening – always helpful when trying to plan out an itinerary 🙂

March 12, 2014 at 3:16 am

Yes, I definitely think it is a great place to add to your SF itinerary!

Karen Peterson Post author

March 11, 2014 at 12:22 pm

I’ve been to San Francisco so many times and I have never once been to Alcatraz. Looks like such an amazing place to see!

March 12, 2014 at 3:12 am

It is amazing to me how many people living in the Bay area have not been to Alcatraz (or really lots of famous sites). I think when you live close to a place or visit often you take things for granted until you leave. I know I was like that in OH and NM.

Ashlee Post author

March 10, 2014 at 11:30 am

Holy crap! This is on my bucket list. And that picture of San Francisco from the island is INCREDIBLE. My number one goal in life is to travel so I’m definitely subscribing to your blog! : )

March 11, 2014 at 11:51 am

Yes, the views of San Francisco are fantastic from the island on a clear day. You can also get some good ones of the Golden Gate Bridge from the boat if you have a good zoom on your camera. We’d love to have you as a new reader, you can subscribe to the blog by email for post updates on the sidebar!

Nicki Lewis Post author

March 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

Great pictures. I have always wanted to go see Alcatraz. Maybe will have to make the trip. Will keep your tips in mind

I am having a link up on Thursday, and would love you to stop by to join in

March 11, 2014 at 11:48 am

Thanks, and sure I’ll try to stop by on Thursday!

Meghan Post author

March 10, 2014 at 9:08 am

I’ve only ever been one one of those boats that goes around the island, but never ashore. What a chilling experience, especially at night! Will definitely have to do the tour.

It was really fun to actually be able to walk around the island go inside the old prison. I would definitely recommend it!

AwesomelyOZ Post author

March 10, 2014 at 7:17 am

That’s so cool – regardless, they had quite a view from that island! That “hospital’ looks trippy and I’m not sure on the quality of care those inmates probably received. Either way what a great experience to have visited that spot! 😀 Have a great one Jessica! -Iva

March 11, 2014 at 11:47 am

Thanks Iva for stopping by. Supposedly the medical care (and food) was pretty good for the time, but who really knows!

Michelle Post author

June 28, 2019 at 5:36 am

Hi we are visiting this September and really want to do the night tour but my mum has limited mobility. Do you know if the SEAT bus runs for the night tours? Thank you

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 29, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi Michelle,

I believe that the SEAT tram should be running for the evening tours to Alcatraz. I had another reader ask this and it was running for her evening tour. I would of course double check to make sure it is scheduled to be running on the date you want to visit (I’d give them a call or send them an email), but we have heard from a reader a couple months ago that it was running for the night tours. You can find out more here: https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/accessibility/seat-transportation/

Enjoy your visit to Alcatraz!

Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

March 10, 2014 at 6:43 am

I really enjoyed my tour when we went. I thought it was well organized, and very interesting. The whole idea of Alcatraz just stirs the imagination. I frankly didn’t even know there was a night tour, but I imagine being out there when it is dark would really help you identify with the anxiety of being incarcerated there. I always recommend people go when visiting SF.

March 11, 2014 at 11:29 am

Yes, the night tours are really interesting and have a bit of extra programming, but don’t have the advantages of being able to see as much of the nature on the island as the day tours. I definitely agree that this is a great must-see place for visitors who are spending more than a few days in SF.

Sammy Dorn Post author

March 10, 2014 at 6:02 am

This is a place I would be really interested to visit. You wrote a really great review. I find old prisons such great places to see. There is one in Australia called the ‘Old Dubbo Jail’ and I have memories of walking into the complete darkness of an isolation cell as a kid and running straight back out to my mum!

March 11, 2014 at 11:28 am

Hi Sammy, that prison sounds like a great place to check out whenever we get to Australia! That is a fun childhood memory:)

Erica Post author

March 10, 2014 at 3:06 am

Looks so interesting… and kind of creepy or eerie too!

March 11, 2014 at 11:27 am

It was a very interesting tour, and I think it has that appeal for some people of being a bit morbid and creepy:)

Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:36 am

When we visited San Fran last summer we tried to go to Alcatraz. Of course I hadn’t even thought of booking tickets early, big mistake they were sold out until the next spring!

March 11, 2014 at 11:25 am

Oh wow, yes, the Winter (Jan. – March) is the best time to try to get last minute reservations, but the tours (especially night tours) sell out weeks in advance normally. Hopefully you will get to visit on your next visit to SF!

Anja Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:10 am

What a great article! I visited Alcatraz 8 years ago during the day and really enjoyed it for all the reasons you mention in your post. Hats of for the detailed, informative and structured way you give information about this site!

March 11, 2014 at 11:24 am

Thanks Anja and I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Alcatraz as well.

Johlet Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:07 am

Woah I got some freaky goosebumps while watching your photos! I loved the Alcatraz series, too bad it only lasted for 1 Season. 🙁 I would love to one day visit Alcatraz!

March 11, 2014 at 11:23 am

Some people find it really creepy at night. I would actually love to do an overnight here:)

Louisa Post author

March 9, 2014 at 11:46 pm

I would find this tour fascinating! Great review Jessica. You covered what I wanted to know.

March 10, 2014 at 12:41 am

Thanks Louisa, yes the tour is really interesting and informative! A few people in our group had already been a few times before so I think it is one of those places you can revisit every few years and learn something new.

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• Alcatraz Night Tour

By  Karen

Updated December 27, 2023.

The Alcatraz Night Tour

The night tour has been voted the best tour of Alcatraz, and it books up even faster than the day tour.

So, how much better is the night tour, and should you make an effort to get night tour tickets? 

The Night Tour vs. the Day Tour. What's the difference?

In many ways, the night tour is pretty similar to the day tour. But as the sun starts to go down, and the crowds thin out, it takes on a magical quality not present during the daytime.

I'd been out to the Rock many times, but seeing it at night had a very different feel; the prison was eerier and the island more charming somehow.

Plus, it was cool getting to see areas not open during the day and hearing stories about the prison and its inmates from the park rangers.

Included in the night tour:

• Transportation out to Alcatraz on the ferry.
• A narrated tour as the ferry circles the island.
• A guided tour up to the cell block.
• Audio self-guided tour inside the prison.
• Extra programs like guided tours of areas not accessible to the day tours. 

Visitors are also able to explore areas outside the prison, including the Civil War buildings, gardens and the area around the lighthouse and ruins of the warden's house.

There is an interesting film about the history of Alcatraz, shown in the theater on the dock, which you can watch before or after the tours.

How the Night Tour works:

Getting to alcatraz....

The night tour ferries leave from Alcatraz Landing on Pier 33. In summer , there are two sailings out to the Rock (Tuesday through Saturday) at 5:55 and 6:30 pm, and in winter (starting Nov), only one sailing (Tuesday through Saturday) at 3:50 pm (two over the Christmas holidays).

Normally, the ride out to the island takes about 15 minutes, but on the night tour, the captain sails around Alcatraz before docking on the island. 

On the trip out, there's a live narration about the history of Alcatraz and what's available on the island, but I have to say it was pretty hard to hear it over the noise of the engines.

It's fun seeing all sides of Alcatraz, which you don't see on the day tour. 

On the island...

When the boat arrives on Alcatraz, the passengers are divided into three groups so that the entrance to the cell block is staggered.  The first group is assigned a guide, who gives a brief intro talk, then leads them up the hill. 

On the way up, the guide gives a presentation about the island and what to expect on the evening's tour. Then the first group enters the cell block and gets their audio gadget and headset to do the self-guided exploration of the prison.

Same process for the second and third groups, so they don't all arrive at prison at the same time.

The tram is also available on the night tours for visitors with difficulty walking up the steep hill. They run about every 30 minutes, and meet the ferries at the dock.

The Audio Tour of the Prison

When you enter the cell block at the top of the hill, you'll find yourself in the prisoners' shower room, where the audio tour gadgets and headsets are handed out.

You can choose from English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin and Korean.

When you get your audio device, you are directed to a sign near the entrance to the cell block which says Tour Starts Here  and told to turn on the recording.

The whole audio tour lasts 45 minutes.

The gadget is delightfully simple: red and green buttons. It's either going or not going. Beautiful!

You can pause it any time, and rewind or fast forward. You don't have to put in a number for a location like in many museums.

The audio narration tells you where to go and plays recordings of actual prisoners and guards from Alcatraz telling their stories. 

You'll hear the sound effects of the shoot-outs, clanging doors, etc. Very well done.

Tips for avoiding the crowds...

One  advantage of the night tour is that only two boats go out to the island during the evening (and only one in winter), whereas 15 (!) boats go out during the day, and numbers can build up as the day goes on, since visitors can take any boat back.

But all the day tour folks have to leave the island before the night tours start going out.

Even so, I found the crowds pretty intense, because the corridors are not that wide, and everyone in the group is trying to see the same cell at the same time.

One solution: (which I didn't think of until later)... be one of the last ones off the boat to be in the third group.

Then once you get into the cell block for the audio tour, hang back and let the group start ahead of you.  Start your audio tour after most of the group has moved on.

Otherwise, you may find yourself waiting for a turn to see each place on the tour and trying to peer over people's heads.

Another idea : head outside when you first get to the cell block, explore the island, then come back inside after 7:30 pm (summer schedule) when the visitors on both boats will have finished their audio tours.

Here's what the corridors look like later in the evening (after 7:30 or so) when most people are outside.

It's really cool to wander through the prison when there's hardly anyone around. You can go into the open cells and explore on your own; it's a bit haunting and you can get a better feel of the prison atmosphere.

Special programs

The night tour gives you a choice of extra guided tours to areas not normally available during the day.

It used to include the hospital, but they're doing repairs on it at the moment, so you'll see other areas like the second floor cells and A Block which is usually closed off.

On one of our night tours, there was a guided tour of areas associated with Machine Gun Kelly. 

There are also extra lectures on various topics. For our first night tour, there was a talk on the lives of the guards and families, and another one on a notorious kidnapper sent to Alcatraz.

Tidbit: kidnappers of rich tycoons were looking at $250,000 in ransom money, quite a haul in the 1930's. 

On our second night tour, a ranger gave a talk on the 1930's gangsters' method of robbing banks vs. the modern pattern (the gangsters were more organized, and more violent, and a number of them ended up in Alcatraz), and another ranger gave a talk on escape attempts.

The guide announces the times for these tours during the trip up to the cell block, and they are also posted in the building, near the prison entrance and in the bookstore/gift shop in the prison building.

Exploring outside the prison.

When you finish the audio tour inside the cell block, you can head outside to the area where the Alcatraz lighthouse sits.

From there, you can see the ruins of the warden's house and can follow the paths down to other areas of the island.

Other things to see: buildings from the Civil War era, gardens, and nesting areas for birds.

If it's a clear night, the views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge are spectacular as the sun goes down. 

Note:   There's been a fair amount of construction going on at Alcatraz for the past couple of years to repair the damage done by decades of salty air, but it's winding down now. 

Consequently, certain areas may not be accessible on the night tour, depending where repairs are being done at the time. But most of the areas normally open on the tour are available now, including the prisoners' exercise yard. 

The Birds on Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a major nesting site for large numbers of sea gulls, snowy egrets, cormorants and other sea birds. It's not so obvious during the day, but as the sun goes down, the resident birds come in for the night and the numbers are impressive.

The squawking of the gulls and flapping of all the wings makes you realize just how many are living on the island.

The birds are building nests and laying eggs in April and May, and the chicks are born in June. There's a good map that shows their nesting areas on this  Park Service publication .

Very few birds lived on Alcatraz while it was a prison (the Bird Man didn't keep any birds while he was here; that happened in Leavenworth).

The cormorants spend their whole lives out on the open ocean and only come to land during the spring to nest and raise their chicks.

The Bird Man of Alcatraz didn't raise his birds on Alcatraz. He did that at another prison prior to his time on Alcatraz.

This article contains affiliate links and I get a small commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information on the site. Thank you!

Tickets for the night tour

Alcatraz night tour tickets can be purchased 3 ways:

• Online from City Experiences, the official company that has the tour concession from the Park Service, at cityexperiences.com
• By phone at 415 981-7625.
• At the ticket booth on Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing (9 am-6:30 pm).

Current night tour prices:

• Adults: $56.30
• Ages 12-17: $55.10
• Kids (5-11): 33.00
• Seniors (62+): $52.25
• Under 5: free

Night tour departure times:

As the length of daylight changes during the year, the departure times change as well. The night tours run 5 evenings a week , year-round.

Most of the year,  t he night tour runs Tuesday through Saturday, with two sailings each night; departures are at 5:55 and 6:30 pm.

In winter , the tours leave once a day at 3:50 pm (with two sailings over the Christmas and New Years holidays).

The return times  also vary with the seasons; they're posted at Pier 33 and on the dock on Alcatraz. You can return on any of the boats. But check the notices for the current departure times.

Holiday schedule. There are two sailings a night from Dec 16-Jan 7. 3:50 and 4:45 pm, last boat returning at 7:40 pm.

Getting night tour tickets

It can be a challenge. Alcatraz night tour tickets are the toughest to get because there are a lot fewer of them.

By mid May, they are usually sold out two months in advance, often almost three months, and aren't included in most of the combination tours. But now there are a few packages that include the night tour! See night tour combos below for a list.

Winter is easier; you can probably snag some night tour tickets just a few days away (as of late December 2023, they are available one week out).

Insider tip: the night tour is included in the Behind the Scenes tour, so if the night tour tickets are sold out, check for Behind the Scenes tickets. They tend to be scarce as well, but you might get lucky. 

More info on the Behind the Scenes tour.

Night tour tickets sold out?

There are ways to get  night tour tickets even if they're sold out for the day you want.  

Here are three ways to score tickets for sold out days:

• Check for canceled tickets  on sold-out days on the official website, cityexperiences.com. And keep checking. You might get lucky!
• Check the combination tours (see below) for tickets. Now there are combo tours that include the night tour.
• Night Tour standby tickets . You can still get same-day tickets for the night tour and there's  a good chance of getting on the boat.  See standby tickets  for more details.

Night Combo Tours

Another option:  do the night tour together with another activity, in a combination package.

This is one of the ways of getting those hard-to-get night tour tickets when they're sold out.

Until 2018, it wasn't possible to find a combination deal that included the Alcatraz night tour, but now there are a smallish number of them.

They disappeared during Covid, and are just starting to return.

Two night tour combos are now available (December 2023):  

Alcatraz Night Tour combos:

Alcatraz Night Tour & SF Bay Cruise.

  Go on the Alcatraz Night Tour and do a boat tour of the bay.

Sail around San Francisco Bay, out under the Golden Gate Bridge, and along the waterfront, with a great view of the city skyline.

See Alcatraz Night Tour & SF Bay Cruise  for info and booking.

Alcatraz Night Tour & HOHO City Bus Tour.

Alcatraz by night, plus a ticket to ride the Hop On Hop Off bus to a long list of San Francisco attractions. 

See  Alcatraz Night Tour & HOHO Bus Tour  for info and booking.

Otherwise, you can book a Day Tour by itself or a Day Tour combined with other San Francisco attractions, like the popular Alcatraz/Muir Woods/Sausalito Tour , or the Alcatraz/Bay Cruise Tour .

See Alcatraz day tour combos for a list.

Is Alcatraz haunted?  There aren't any ghost tours on Alcatraz, but there are plenty of ghost stories about it!

Check out the  spooky encounters  some visitors and staff have reported.

Heading home

There are currently two return boat to get back to the city after the night tour, but don't miss the last one!

Return times vary by season. In summer, the return boats leave at 8:40  and 9:25 pm, but the winter departure is at 6:40 pm, so be sure to check the signs for the current times.

They blow a warning horn and do a search of the island each night before the last boat leaves to make sure there aren't any overnight visitors!

We went out in summer on the 5:55 pm ferry and found 2.5 hours was plenty to see and do everything, so we took the 8:40 pm boat back.

It was pretty dark by that time, but Alcatraz is well lit at night, so finding our way back down to the dock was easy.

In mid-summer, you'll have to take the last boat back to see the city lights.

It was so pretty out on the island with the lights of the city sparkling in the distance.

Alcatraz seemed more intimate and magical after dark; not at all scary, but very welcoming and friendly. Almost like being on a private island. Highly recommended!

For information on the other  Alcatraz tours available, see Alcatraz prison tours .

For more tips for visiting the island,   including where to catch the ferry, transportation and parking, see  visiting Alcatraz .

Is Alcatraz sold out , for both the day and night tours?

See my suggestions on getting the tickets .

The Dinner Cruise

If you want to experience the city lights at night from the bay, City Experiences has a fun dinner/dance cruise .

We had a great time on it. See my dinner cruise page for info and photos for my experience

Check rates and availability to book it.

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Alcatraz Tours: Day, Night, and Behind the Scenes – Which is the Best Way to Visit The Rock?

Alcatraz Island is known worldwide for its infamous federal prison that formerly housed some of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century. It’s lesser known for the national park unit that now protects, preserves, and shares these stories, and so many others.

That’s right: Alcatraz Island is a national park unit. It became a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, opened to tours in 1973, and it is one of the most unique national parks you can visit.

Haunted by the ghosts of its dark past, Alcatraz Island lures millions of people to its rocky shore every year hoping to get a glimpse of what life was like for notable criminals like Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson and more inside their cramped and secluded cells.

There are three main Alcatraz tours offered to explore Alcatraz Island: the Day Tour, the Night Tour, and the Behind the Scenes Tour. Each tour offers different experiences, along with some similarities, and raises one main question: which is the best?

We’re going to break down all three and give you all the inside information so you can decide which is right for you and/or your group for your trip to the Rock.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, view my privacy policy .

Table of Contents

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Overview

California is teeming with national parks , and a cluster of them are located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Established in 1972 to bring parks to the people of urban settings, Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects numerous diverse ecosystems in and around the city of San Francisco.

It is the third most visited park unit in the country, regularly seeing more than 12,000,000 visitors annually, and for good reason! Sprawling more than 80,000 acres of land, featuring beautiful beaches and captivating coastlines, gorgeous groves of Coastal Redwoods, magnificent military history in old fort structures, and so much beyond, this park is an urban oasis that has something for everyone who recreates here.

There are several individual sites inside of this park, including Alcatraz Island, the Presidio, and more.

The Bay Area features other national park sites outside of Golden Gate as well, like San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument , John Muir National Historic Site, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, and Point Reyes National Seashore .

Overflowing with opportunities for exploration, education, and adventure, the most highly trafficked of these park sites is Alcatraz Island.   

When to Visit Alcatraz Island

Most people would expect summer to be the ideal time to visit any national park, Alcatraz Island included, but it’s vital to know the weather in San Francisco often does what few would expect.

Here’s a sample of what you might expect during the seasons in San Francisco.

While the temperatures never normally go below freezing, winter in San Francisco often see’s a lot of precipitation and gloomy overcast skies. More than 75% of the Bay Area’s annual rainfall occurs in winter.

Despite the higher rain chances, San Francisco has a very stable climate, and winter can actually be a pleasant time to visit.

The main perk is that the city and its attractions will be much quieter as winter is not peak travel season, and it may be the easiest time to score tickets for Alcatraz.

The early stages of spring have a chance to see some rainy days, but winter eases its grip on the region as spring blooms and bursts into life.

The historic gardens in particular really shine in the springtime, and you’ll be able to beat the onset of the massive summer crowds that are sure to follow.

Summer in San Francisco usually brings the cooler times of the year. While pleasant temperatures/days can and do appear, there is often an overcast of fog and blustery winds.

Locals tend to refer to the summer months as “no sky July” and “Fogust.” It’s common to see a chilly, breezy, overcast morning, with a clearing in the early afternoon, and fog returning by early evening.

Aside from the temperatures, summer on Alcatraz Island is also the fly season. Thousands of pesky flies inhabit the island, attracted to the Brandt’s Cormorants colonies.

These flies are completely harmless, though they tend to be extremely annoying, and many visitors find this to be an unpleasant surprise, but the bottom line is the flies are unavoidable.

If you’re looking for great views from the island, a lack of bugs, and less crowded times, summer may not be the peak time of the year to visit Alcatraz Island.

This is also when tickets tend to be booked up months in advance, so if you are planning to visit in the summer, book as early as you possibly can.

It may seem odd, but Autumn is what most consider to be San Francisco’s true summer season. This is due to an abundance of warmer days and sunnier skies.

Autumn is also the end of the fly season, meaning a much more enjoyable experience in the city, and on Alcatraz Island.

Autumn just may be the best season to visit Alcatraz Island for the warmer temperatures, clearer skies, and dispersing of the summer crowds.

No matter when you visit, you’ll want to keep a jacket with you. You never know when the chill of the Pacific Ocean air will creep in.  

A Brief Timeline of Alcatraz Island History

A majority of the people who come to Alcatraz from around the world tend to have only one thing on their agenda when visiting “The Rock,” and that’s to tour the Alcatraz Cell House.

Yet, when these visitors arrive on the island every day, most are stunned to see Alcatraz has far more layers of history than just an old cell house. 

In the year 1775, ​​Spanish naval officer and explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala became the first man to document the rocky island in San Francisco Bay.

He dubbed a neighboring island, “La Isla de Los Alcatraces” after observing the immense seabird population dominating the craggy isle, but the name was later applied to what we now know as Alcatraz Island, which also is home to large colonies of seabirds.

Decades later, in 1846, the United States purchased Alcatraz Island for $5,000. 

A Civil War Fort

Little known fact: Alcatraz Island did not begin as a prison, but rather as a stronghold created during the American Civil War as a defensive strategy.

You read that correctly: Alcatraz Island began as a Civil War fort, designed to protect the Bay as the Gold Rush ran its course.

The original fortification was designed with bunkers, tunnels, 111 canons, a fort on the summit, and several cells throughout the island to discipline disorderly army recruits, but the original intent was never to become a prison.

As the Civil War ended, and advancing war technology outran the fort’s capabilities, the future of the island seemed uncertain, until the commanding officers realized Alcatraz had great potential as an actual prison.

The island’s citadel was torn down by its then-current military prisoners, who then built the iconic Alcatraz Cell House atop its remaining dry moat and basement.

This was when the brutal military prison era of Alcatraz began, and the legends and lore of the mysterious and horrifying prison on Alcatraz Island were born.

This military prison operated until the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over in 1933. 

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

Beginning the era the island is most known for, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934. The reign of the federal prison saw some of the most dangerous criminals locked up behind its walls.

Seeking the stories of those men and the conditions in which they lived is what attracts most visitors to the island today.

The federal prison years of Alcatraz Island lasted for a mere 29 years, before rising costs and other factors finally shut the prison down for good, and its remaining prisoners were sent to other institutions to continue their sentences. 

It was over six years after the federal prison closed when Alcatraz Island reclaimed the world’s attention, but as a sanctuary rather than a penitentiary.

Indigenous Occupation of Alcatraz

On November 20th, 1969, a group of Native American activists calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes claimed the island for all American Indians in a fight for Native American sovereignty.

Their protest and plight reached all corners of the world, drawing support for the Red Power Movement and fueling their fight for over 19 months.

When the occupation dwindled and came to an end on June 11th, 1971, the world wondered, What would come next for Alcatraz Island?

National Park Service

And what came next was the birth of a new national park attraction. Alcatraz Island was added to Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972 and opened to tours in 1973. 

Today, visitors come in search of answers to questions about this mysterious place, then discover this place truly is so much more than just a notorious old prison.

It takes advance planning to get to what’s been called “the most infamous island in the world.” Step one of your trip to The Rock is securing tickets to the island.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sticker

Tips for booking alcatraz tour tickets.

Book With the Correct Company

First, you want to make sure you’re buying tickets from a legitimate source. Alcatraz Island is federal land, and those allowed to dock on its shores are strictly supervised.

Simply put, no random person is allowed to drive a boat up to the island, and not every Bay cruise company has permission to come.

PRO TIP : There are several different vendors that will promise you “the Alcatraz experience,” but be wary; there is only one concessionaire company authorized to sell real Alcatraz tickets and to bring visitors to Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz City Cruises.

Whether you’re trying to book a Day Tour, Night Tour, or Behind the Scenes Tour, you need to purchase your tickets online from Alcatraz City Cruises . You can also call (415) 981-7625 to make your reservation.

If you purchase tickets from another source claiming to be “Alcatraz Island Tickets,” you are risking buying tickets that will not actually get you to Alcatraz Island, but possibly just a boat ride around it.

Some third-party sellers will actually buy and resell tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises, but for a hiked-up price. There’s usually no way to know if the risk you’re taking will actually pay off and get you on any of the Alcatraz tours.

We know it’s tempting to try to outsource because it’s common to see Alcatraz tickets “sold out” on the City Cruises website, but just be aware you may not make it to the island.

Check Current Conditions

Check the island schedule before you book. Generally, it is open daily from about 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

It’s also a good idea to check Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s current conditions and the weather .

Fees and Park Passes

For National Park Pass holders, your annual pass is not a ticket for Alcatraz Island. You will need to purchase tickets from the authorized concessionaire to bring you to Alcatraz.

Why is there no discount? There is actually no park entrance fee to visit Alcatraz Island. You are paying for the boat ride over and the audio tour. Your annual pass does not grant you a discount for these non-entry fee purchases.

Reserve Tickets as Early as Possible

Here’s the best and most important tip for securing Alcatraz tickets : BOOK EARLY!

Tours are often sold out weeks or months in advance. Especially during the busy summer season, tickets tend to be sold out several months ahead of time.

If you’re trying to book last minute, your best chances will always be on weekdays or in slower travel seasons like winter.

Are Alcatraz walk-up tickets available? Are there ever last-minute tickets?

The short answer is maybe. There are times when hopeful visitors are able to buy walk-up Alcatraz tickets from the ticket booth on Pier 33.

This is not a guarantee, though, and more often than not, people are turned away. If you’re planning to gamble on the chance of being a walkup, prepare to be disappointed. 

Lastly, if you check Alcatraz City Cruise’s website early enough, and plenty of tickets seem to be available on your preferred date, don’t hesitate! Buy them at that moment. There is a strong chance they will sell out.

Don’t risk missing out on your chance to tour Alcatraz Island. Buy them as early as you can.

Comparing the Different Alcatraz Tours

Each of the three Alcatraz tour experiences can be vastly different, with some similarities. Knowing the details of what each offer will help you choose which tour is right for what you want to get out of your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Every Alcatraz Tour Includes: 

• A round-trip ferry ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island
• Access to the award-winning Alcatraz Cell House Audio Tour (available in 11 different languages)
• Optional, free park ranger/docent-led programs and/or walking tours
• Entry into other island exhibits, like the award-winning “The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States” Cell House exhibit
• Free access to use S.E.A.T, the accessibility tram that can take anyone with mobility needs or health conditions to the top of the island should they need it
• The option to participate in the Jr. Ranger Program and earn an Alcatraz Jr. Ranger badge

Alcatraz Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour Rates :

Adults : $42.50

Children (ages 5-11): $25.80

Juniors (ages 12-17) $42.15

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $39.80

Family Pack (2 adults and 2 children): $123.10

The most common and easily accessible of the Alcatraz tours is the Day Tour, and while this may seem unexciting compared to the Night Tour and the Behind the Scenes Tour, this particular adventure offers nothing short of incredible opportunities on Alcatraz Island. 

During the daylight hours, Alcatraz Island gives off an entirely different impression from what one may think. The true beauty of the island is in full sight during the daytime. This includes the chance to explore and truly appreciate the colorful flowers and diverse plants of the historic gardens.

You’ll also see the breathtaking views of the City of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay, plus the chance to observe nesting seabirds all across the island. 

Once you arrive at Alcatraz and step off the ferry, you’ll be greeted by a park ranger who will give a mandatory orientation to the island and will tell you all of the things you can experience on your day there, like what exhibits are open, which programs are happening and when, etc.

Some days, programs may not be offered on the island due to low staffing or other reasons, so there is never a true guarantee for walking tours or programs on the Day Tour. If you see a park ranger, know they’re happy to answer any question you may have about the island and its history.

From there, you get to decide how you want to organize your time on the island. More sections of the island are open to the public throughout the day as opposed to the Night Tour and/or the Behind the Scenes Tour.

If you want to go straight up to the cell house for your audio tour, you can. If you want to take some time and explore different parts of the island, you can do that as well. 

Alcatraz Island has so much to offer during the day, and visitors spend an average of 2-4 hours on the island. You can make your trip last as long as you want.

Return ferries will run throughout the day, and you’re free to choose any boat at whatever time you wish to return. 

Certain sections of the island are only open during the day, and these places are inaccessible to those who go on the Night or Behind the Scenes tours, like the North Road and upper level/exhibits inside the New Industries Building (the workshop where the prisoners of the island were sent to work labor jobs).

As of September 2022, the exhibits inside include one that educates about prison labor while the other commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz (installed in 2019), though these exhibits are subject to change. 

The two best features of the Day Tour are that these tickets are the cheapest option to visit Alcatraz, and they provide you the most freedom to explore more of the island on your own and at your own pace.

Book official Alcatraz Day Tour tickets

Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour Rates : 

Adults : $52.70

Children (ages 5-11): $31.00

Juniors (ages 12-17) $51.55

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $49.00

When the sun starts to set, a creeping feeling of the mystique of Alcatraz Island and its dark past comes to life. The cell blocks barely illuminated by a darkening sky give visitors the true sense of the desolate feelings of Alcatraz prisoners who were trapped behind the bars.

The Alcatraz Night Tour offers its guests a firsthand look at the gloomy cell house at dusk and dark. 

When you make it onto Alcatraz Island for the Night Tour, the boat you’re on will be divided into large groups (usually up to 100 people), and you’ll exit the boat with whichever group you find yourself in.

Your group will be greeted by a guide (either a park ranger or expert tour guide), and they’ll guide you up the hill to the infamous cell house telling you stories along the way.

You cannot leave the group and go on your own; you must stay with your group until you get all the way to the top of the hill.

Once your group makes it to the main prison entrance, your guide will depart and leave you to take the Cell House Audio Tour. 

After the groups finish the audio tour, the real fun of the Night Tour begins. Unlike the Day Tour, when you may or may not have ranger/docent-led programs throughout the day to choose from, the Alcatraz Night Tour is chock full of different talks and walks you can attend.

Visitors have the option to check out various topics, like daring escape attempt stories, history talks, and everything in between.

Don’t forget to take some time and explore the West Road of the island to try to catch the sun setting over the Golden Gate Bridge!

You do have the option to traverse down the hill on your own when you’ve had your fill of adventures, but there are also guided treks down if you’re looking for more stories to hear along the way.

If you go on your own, keep in mind you’re in for a straight shot back to the dock area, as sections and paths on the island open during the Day Tour remain closed at night for safety reasons. 

When you look at the Day Tour compared to the Night Tour, the key difference is the freedom to explore more of the island vs. having more interpretation of the island and its stories from an expert guide. While programs like this can be available during the Day Tour, you are guaranteed them at night.

You’ll also have the chance to see Alcatraz Island settle down as the sunlight fades and the darkness takes hold of the infamous and spooky island.

Book official Alcatraz Night Tour tickets

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour Rates : 

Adults : $97.70

Juniors (ages 12-17) $93.55

  Seniors (ages 62 and up): $91.00

The hardest Alcatraz Island tour to obtain is, without a doubt, the Behind the Scenes Tour, and it’s for good reason, too.

These tickets may be the most expensive of any tour option, but you’ll also get the most bang for your buck.

The Behind the Scenes Tour allows you to not only experience the lesser seen parts of Alcatraz Island but to really dive in-depth into the stories of this place through the experience of an expert guide in a small, intimate group. 

Limited to a group size of 30 or less, your tour will start right as you step off the Alcatraz ferry and are greeted by your guide. Your guide will either be a park ranger or an expert tour guide.

From there, you’ll be brought to several exclusive areas of the island, like the last remaining communication tunnel, the lower level of the industries building, the prison chapel, a gun gallery overlooking the cell blocks, the A-Block of the prison, the citadel (often called the “dungeons”) and the prison hospital (some of these areas, like the hospital or the A-Block, may open during the Night Tour, but there is never a guarantee).

The exclusive access you get to these secluded areas as well as the unforgettable stories you’ll hear from your guide are just the beginning of this tour. 

After you’ve visited all these exclusive areas, you will have the option to leave on an earlier departure ferry or stay on the island for longer.

If you need to get back to San Francisco for other reservations or you’ve just had enough, that early departure ferry is a nice option.

Should you choose to stay, you’ll also get to experience all the features of the Night Tour.

This makes for a longer time (an additional two hours at least) spent on Alcatraz Island, but it is absolutely worth it to experience the most of what you can get out of your Alcatraz Island tour tickets. 

You’ll get to do the famous Cell House Audio Tour and get involved in other programs given throughout the Night Tour as well. 

All-in-all, the Behind the Scenes Tour can be a hefty time commitment and a pricey ticket endeavor, but it’s undoubtedly the best way to experience the private and closed-off sections of Alcatraz Island that very few people get to see.  

Book official Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour tickets

The Verdict: Which is the Best Alcatraz Tour?

Every tour of Alcatraz Island offers something exciting, and no matter which you choose, you’ve made a good choice.

It can be hard to say which Alcatraz Tour is truly the best, as they all offer something special and exciting for anyone who’s able to secure tickets, and it really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. 

If we had to pick one overall, we’d say the best tour you can take on Alcatraz Island is the Behind the Scenes Tour. This not only allows you to get a firsthand experience viewing areas that are not open to the general public, but you’ll also get to partake in the full Night Tour experience as well (audio tour included).

It gives you the most of Alcatraz and the most guidance on the island, and it’s an experience well worth the price of admission.

It is important to remember the Behind the Scenes Tour, because of its limited space, is often sold out months in advance. Walk-up tickets are never available for this private tour of the island.

If you’re hoping to snag a spot on an upcoming date, start trying to book as early as you can for your best chance to go. 

If you don’t manage to book a spot on the Behind the Scenes Tour, remember the Alcatraz Day Tours and Night Tours are also incredible ways to visit an incredible island.

The Day Tour offers you the most openness and freedom to explore the island, and the Night Tour will offer you the most stellar stories and guidance into The Rock’s past. 

Pin Our Guide to Alcatraz Island Tours

Alcatraz Island is a fascinating and haunting place in our national park system. The stories and legends about this place are sure to make any visit to the island unforgettable.

A little time spent planning your trip in advance can mean the difference between seeing the island from afar, or actually stepping ashore and getting to dive head first into an endlessly fascinating place. 

Have more questions about visiting Alcatraz Island, Alcatraz tours, its history, or more? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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Visiting Alcatraz: How to do it right and get the most from your trip

By: Author Ginny Vail

Posted on Published: 13 Feb 2024  - Last updated: 27 Feb 2024

Visiting Alcatraz is one of the top things to do in San Francisco. The tour includes the Alcatraz Ferry to the island, the infamous prison audio tour, and more.

The island has so much to offer, it’s little wonder that visiting Alcatraz is a top San Francisco attraction . The infamous former federal penitentiary is on an island in San Francisco Bay, so the tour includes a short ferry ride with great views of the bay and city skyline. It also includes an excellent audio tour of the Alcatraz prison cellhouse, exhibits, and talks and tours led by National Park staff.

Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is operated by the National Park Service. In normal times, more than 1.7 million people visit Alcatraz each year.

When planning your visit to San Francisco, you can find more great sights in our San Francisco Itinerary article.

Here’s what’s in this article:

• About visiting Alcatraz
• Getting  tickets to Alcatraz
• Ticket types: Day Tour , Behind the Scenes Tour , Night Tour
• Getting to Alcatraz Landing (at Pier 33) to catch the ferry
• Ferry to Alcatraz Island
• About the cellhouse audio tour
• Brief mention of the great escape , famous inmates , and ghosts

Best time to go

• Bits of history
• Good things to know about an Alcatraz visit

About Visiting Alcatraz

A National Park Ranger meets each arriving ferry to welcome visitors to the island and to provide a brief orientation and review the day’s program schedule. In addition to the great cellhouse tour, there are permanent and temporary exhibits, ranger led walks and talks, a trail to take, gardens to see, and lots of interpretive signs around the island.

Although Alcatraz is open every day except for three major holidays, getting to and from the island depends on the ferry schedule, and it varies. Tickets are timed and coincide with a ferry going to the island. Once on the island, you can stay as long as you wish, just check the ferry schedule posted on the dock, and make sure you don’t miss the last boat back to Pier 33.

Days and hours open: Alcatraz is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the year except for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Time needed to visit: Allow about 3 hours for the ferry ride and Cellhouse Audio tour. Allow more if you also take the Behind the Scenes and/or Night Tour. Location: The tour begins (and ends) at Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.

Tickets to Alcatraz

Purchase your tickets early because they often sell out days in advance. This is especially true during the summer months and holidays. The tickets are timed and dated.

Buy tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises . It’s the only concessioner authorized by the National Park Service . The price of the ticket is specifically for the ferry and the cellhouse audio tour. The National Park Service does not have an entry fee for the island.

There are three types of Alcatraz tickets and they all include the ferry to/from the island and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. The Behind the Scenes Tour and Night Tour are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday. Here are more details about each of the three ticket types:

What you get:  Access to all open parts of the island, the theatre, and exhibits and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed:  Most people spend about 3-hours (including the ferry), but you can spend all day if you wish, just don’t miss the last ferry back. Currently Offered: Daily

Behind the Scenes Tour

What you get:  This is a small group guided tour through parts of the island not normally open to visitors. It includes some underground locations that were created by the Fort Alcatraz military in the 1800s. The Behind the Scenes ticket also includes the night tour and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed: My recent Behind the Scenes Tour took 2.5 hours just for the tour. We boarded the 2:45p ferry from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and joined our guide on the Alcatraz dock at 3p. We finished the tour at 5:30p. If you also take the included Night Tour, allow 5 hours, and if you take the included Cell Block Audio Tour too, make it 6 hours. That should cover all tours and the ferry in both directions. Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

A bit more about the Behind the Scenes Tour:

We walked from the dock up to the cell house and along the way stopped at several locations while our guide (Jim) shared historical details and stories about the locations and people. Jim has worked on the island for several years and had a lot of interesting stories to share.

Part way up the hill, we went through an underground tunnel that was built by the military on Fort Alcatraz and used to move munitions to gun placements. Alcatraz Island became Fort Alcatraz in the 1850s as part of the Triangle of Defense guarding San Francisco Bay.

At the top of the hill, we entered the cell block and went down a flight of stairs to an old underground jail. This was the Fort Alcatraz jail and was used for conscientious objectors and other men who would not follow orders. This area is now called the dungeon and the conditions were appalling: no bed, no bedding, no toilet, and not much food.

Alcatraz Night Tour

What you get:  A guided (Ranger or educator led) tour from the dock to the Cellhouse, and after the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour, a guided tour back to the dock. Time needed:  3-hours, including the ferry Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

I’ve not taken the Night Tour, but I can certainly appreciate why it’s so popular. In addition to the Cell House Audio Tour and a variety of short talks and demonstrations, the Night Tour has these advantages:

• you get a more complete view of the entire island because the ferry circles Alcatraz Island before docking.
• you get an unobstructed view of the city skyline and might see the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
• the night tours are limited to a few hundred people, so the island is much less crowded.

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and Alcatraz Island

When you book your ticket(s), you select a specific date and time, and that’s the date and time your ferry leaves Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and heads to Alcatraz Island. Here are three options for getting to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 and a map with locations pinned:

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)

• Public Transit:  Take a historic F-Market & Wharves Streetcar. It stops on the Embarcadero at Bay Street, nearly in front of Pier 33. It’s my favorite way to get there.
• Walking:  If you’re in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, it’s an easy walk. It’s only about 1,700-feet (524 m) from Pier 39 to Pier 33.
• Parking near Pier 33: The Waterfront Plaza Parking Garage is the closest, and it’s open daily. It’s located at 80 Francisco Street. Check the Parkopedia website for times, prices, and reservations.

Alcatraz Landing and Island Map

Click the map image below to go to the expandable, interactive Google Map with pins for Alcatraz Landing, Alcatraz Island and other nearby sights and places of interest. The pins have brief descriptions.

Alcatraz Ferries

The ferry takes about 15-minutes to get from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) to Alcatraz Island. Once on the island, you can get back to Pier 33 on any ferry departing the island. Check the schedule posted at the dock, so you don’t miss the last ferry of the day.

Ferry tips: On my most recent visit, the last Day Tour ferry left Alcatraz at 4:25pm. For the Night Tour, there is one ferry to and from the island.

Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour

Tip: It’s a ¼ mile (0.4 km) uphill walk from the boat dock to the cellhouse. Visitors with limited mobility are welcome to take the free Tram up and down the hill.

The excellent 30-minute audio tour guides you through the cellhouse and features former prisoners and guards telling their stories. It’s called  Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour . The audio tour is available in these 10 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Download the National Park Service App

You can have more information about Alcatraz literally at your fingertips, if you Download the National Park Service App onto your smartphone. Search the app for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and then select Alcatraz Island from the list of GGNRA locations. You’ll find descriptions and location information for 14 sights on the island.

Alcatraz Famous Inmates

Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Among the 1,545 men sent there, a few were famous: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen.

Alcatraz Escape Attempts

There were several attempted escapes but only one that may have been successful. In 1962, three men, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers tunneled out of their cells and slipped into the bay in a makeshift raft. They were never seen again, and their bodies were never found.

On the cell block tour, you’ll learn how Morris and the Anglin Brothers dug their tunnels and fooled the guards into believing they were asleep in their cells. Stay tuned for more: recent facial-recognition technology may have solved the case.

In the 1979 film,  Escape from Alcatraz , Clint Eastwood plays Frank Morris.

Is Alcatraz Haunted; Are There Ghosts?

There are reports of people hearing crying or moaning coming from the empty cells. It’s also claimed that a prisoner in Cell 14D died after screaming that he was being killed by a ghost. Some visitors have also claimed they felt extreme coldness after visiting Cell 14D. So, maybe there are ghosts on Alcatraz, or maybe it’s just the cold wind blowing through the cellhouse.

Weather-wise, mid-September through mid-November is best. The summer fog (nature’s air conditioner) doesn’t roll in as often and the winter rains haven’t yet started. The rest of the year, the weather is mixed: there are often gorgeous, sunny days in winter and spring, and summer days can quickly turn chilly if the fog rolls in. Dressing in layers is always a good idea in San Francisco.

Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon? Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temperatures in the 60s.

Gardens on The Rock

Alcatraz is nicknamed  The Rock  for good reason: it’s a 225-acre rock. But beginning with the residents of Fort Alcatraz, people brought soil to the island and planted gardens. Now there are gardens scattered all over the island. Military families, and later prisoners and prison staff planted and tended them; now they are tended by volunteers.

Take the Agave Trail between the dock and the Parade Ground to see the Agave Garden and great views of the Island and bay.

Bits of Alcatraz History

• 1775: While mapping San Francisco Bay, Spanish explorers, observe a small rocky island occupied by a colony of brown pelicans; they name the island Alcatraces (strange birds). Overtime, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. You’ll likely see flocks of pelicans flying by during your visit, and they are strange looking birds.
• 1850: The island became Fort Alcatraz as part of the Triangle of Defense to guard San Francisco Bay. First it was a military fortification and later became a military prison.
• 1854: California’s first lighthouse was built on Alcatraz.
• 1934–1963: Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal penitentiary.
• 1969: Native Americans took over and occupied the island from late 1969 to mid 1971.
• 1972: Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which included Alcatraz.

Native American Occupation

Notice the red graffiti above the bookstore by the dock and also on the water tower. These are remnants of the Native American occupation of the island from late 1969 to mid 1971. The Indians hoped to build a university and cultural center on the island, but they were never able to raise enough money to do so.

More Things to Know About Visiting Alcatraz

• Do wear sturdy walking shoes. Walking surfaces are uneven.
• Do bring a jacket or sweatshirt. When the fog rolls in through the Golden Gate, it heads straight for Alcatraz.
• Don’t bring more stuff than you can carry. There are no lockers or storage facilities.
• Please don’t eat anywhere on the island except in the picnic area by the dock. You can bring your own food or buy snacks in the bookstore/gift shop.
• Wheelchairs are not available for loan or rent at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.

Who would have imagined that a 19 th  century fort and an old prison would become such a popular place to visit? Perhaps it’s the combination of a rugged small island with an interesting history, and the ferry boat ride on San Francisco Bay. It’s a great way to spend half a day, and I hope you enjoy it.

For more ideas about things to do and see in San Francisco, visit these articles:

• Seven Unique San Francisco Neighborhoods to Visit
• 12 Best Parks and Gardens in San Francisco
• 15 Best Museums in San Francisco

About the Author

Ginny Vail is a travel writer who loves travel planning, sightseeing, photography, and videography. She’s visited all 50 states and traveled around the world. Her articles focus on discovering places to go, sights to see, and details about when and how to visit them.

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Alcatraz Tours Review: Is The Day Or Night Tour Worth It?

By: Author Mark and Kristen Morgan

Posted on Published: September 2, 2020  - Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Travel Planning Blog

Alcatraz Island has a story so intriguing that it draws in over 1.5 million visitors each year. But are the Alcatraz day and night tours worth your valuable time and money ?

In short, the answer is yes. But you are not here for the short answer.

San Francisco is not a cheap place to visit and with limited time to explore, you need to know exactly how to spend your time and money wisely.

Not only have we been to San Francisco multiple times, but we have personally visited Alcatraz for both a day and night tour on separate occasions.

You can consider us experts when it comes to helping determine which of the Alcatraz tours is for you.

Let’s dive deeper into what you can expect and why the tours of Alcatraz are worth putting a dent in your San Francisco travel itinerary.

Alcatraz Island Fact File

City : San Francisco

State : California

Nickname : The Rock

Prison Opened : August 11th, 1934

Prison Closed : March 21st, 1963

Annual Visitors : 1.5 million tourists

Prisoner Capacity : 336 (never reached max capacity

Famous Prisoners : Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Robert Stroud, Whitey Bulger, The Anglin Brothers

History Of Alcatraz

Much like the air of mystery that surrounds the entire Island of Alcatraz, the history of the San Francisco Bay and the buildings of Alcatraz make for a dramatic story.

Fort, military prison, maximum security federal penitentiary and freedom all play a role in the colorful narrative of the eerie, forbidding and isolated island a mile offshore in the center of the San Francisco Bay.

Grab a comfy seat and a bit of popcorn because this one is going to a doozy. But our guide is loaded with photos and we hope to inspire you to visit this interesting part of US history someday.

The Founding Of Alcatraz Island

Juan Manuel de Ayala was the first man to sail into San Francisco Bay and lay eyes upon what is now Alcatraz Island.

When the Spanish explorer mapped the bay in 1775, he named the tiny island Alcatraces. At this time, this word meant ‘Gannet’ in relation to the North Atlantic seabird.

But over time, the original name Alcatraces was anglicized to Alcatraz. There has been debate about the exact meaning of Alcatraz, but this term typically refers to a ‘pelican’ or ‘strange bird.’

This term seemed to fit as Brown Pelicans are extremely common in the San Francisco Bay area.

The name Alcatraz feels slightly less sinister now you know it means Pelican, right?! You can ignore this fact if you want the name to retain its mystique.

Use As A Military Fort

Following the Gold Rush and booming of San Francisco in the 1850’s, the US military built a fortress at the top of Alcatraz to protect the bay from naval invasion.

On June 1st, 1854, the Alcatraz Light became the first lighthouse built on the West Coast of America. By the late 1850’s, Alcatraz had received its first military prisoners.

No shots were ever fired from the enormous cannon at Alcatraz fortress and its requirements as a defensive installation become obsolete.

The US army demolished Alcatraz fortress in 1909 and military prisoners at the time built what would become ‘the Rock.’

Punishment To Fit The Crime

Following rampant crime in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Alcatraz was the perfect symbol for the Department of Justice to show its citizens they were taking crime seriously.

The prison was categorized as maximum security as well as minimum privilege and opened in 1933.

Alcatraz would be the new home for those who were incapable of reform or who had gained culture repute.

Native American Occupation

Alcatraz prison was finally closed on March 21st, 1963 after almost 30 years of operation. Its closure had nothing to do with escape attempts (which we will get into later) and everything to do with finances.

It simply just wasn’t cost effective to maintain the prison any longer. Following the closure of Alcatraz prison, the island was left deserted and abandoned for 6 years.

In 1969, a group of Indigenous activists known as ‘the Indians of All Tribes’ occupied Alcatraz and raised awareness of the troubles they faced.

Support for Natives grew throughout their 19 month stronghold on Alcatraz until they lost control and buildings were burned down. Federal Marshalls intervened and removed all people from Alcatraz in 1971.

Alcatraz Museum And Tours

In 1973, Alcatraz was opened to the general public as a museum under the National Park Service and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

You can visit the official Alcatraz NPS website for more information.

Alcatraz remains one of the most popular park service sites and receives over 1 million visitors each year.

Travel Tip : If you collect the National Park Passport Stamps , be sure to pick up your stamp on Alcatraz island. There are two stamps to collect, one for the Alcatraz Island Lighthouse and one for the Golden Gate Recreation Area .

How To Get To Alcatraz From Pier 33

There is only one way you can reach Alcatraz Island as a tourist and that is from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing.

Google Maps Location for Pier 33 .

Pier 33 is located halfway around San Francisco’s Embarcadero, between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building.

Alcatraz Cruises owns sole rights to ferry crossings from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island under contract with the National Park Service.

It’s not worth looking into chartering a private boat to access the island because you won’t be able to enter the museum.

Pier 33 is also equipped with an accessibility drop off zone for those with special needs.

Alcatraz Tour Parking

If you are planning on driving your own vehicle with the aim of parking nearby, be warned there is no parking available directly at Alcatraz Landing.

You may be lucky to find on-street parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, but it can be extremely difficult to find. Every parking space also has a parking meter which won’t give you enough time for your Alcatraz tour.

Another option is a commercial parking lot. There are 15 commercial lots with 3,000 parking spaces within a 5 block radius of Pier 33.

The closest commercial parking lot is 80 Francisco at Kearny about one block away across the Embarcadero from Alcatraz Landing.

However, the best way to get to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is by foot or using public transport. The historic San Francisco streetcars of the MUNI F Line run right past Alcatraz Landing.

Planning to visit more of California? Don’t miss our popular guide featuring 23 stops along the legendary Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to San Diego .

4 Types Of Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz is open for tours every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s day.

When you purchase an Alcatraz tour ticket, the time on the ticket will correspond to your Alcatraz Ferry.

Each Alcatraz Ferry departs for the day from Pier 33 daily about every 30 to 60 minutes beginning at 8:45am for the Early Bird Tour. Keep in mind times will vary depending on the time of year.

There are 4 different types of tours available at Alcatraz Island. Each tour will have a varying cost, access and privileges.

You can choose between the following 4 Alcatraz tours:

• Alcatraz Day Tour (Early Bird included)
• Behind The Scenes Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour

• Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour (currently unavailable)

Next, we will briefly discuss the Alcatraz Ferry schedule followed by a description of each Alcatraz tour.

The last sections of this guide will then walk you through exactly what to expect on both a day and night tour to Alcatraz. We hope to point out the major differences between these Alcatraz tours.

Ferry Schedule For Alcatraz Tours

The Alcatraz ferry is run on a winter and summer schedule. The early bird tour always begins at 8:45am no matter the season, but the summer season will have more ferry crossings later in the day when the daylight is longer.

Alcatraz Summer Ferry schedule

This summer ferry runs from mid-March to mid-October.

• Early Bird Tour : 8:45am (considered a day tour)
• Day Tour : 9:10am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:10pm, 2:40pm, 3:20pm and 3:50pm
• Behind The Scenes Tour : 4:20pm and 4:50pm
• Night Tour : 5:55pm and 6:30pm (Tues to Sat)

Alcatraz Winter Ferry Schedule

The winter schedule for the Alcatraz Ferry is very similar just with modified service. The winter ferry runs from mid-October to Mid-March.

• Day Tour : 9:10am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:05pm, 1:35pm
• Behind The Scenes Tour : 2:10pm and 2:40pm
• Night Tour : 3:50pm (Tues to Sat)

You can also check the Alcatraz Ferry Departure schedule on the City Cruises official website.

Alcatraz Day Tour

The Alcatraz day tour is a 2.5 hour long tour option which gives you the chance to freely explore Alcatraz Island on your own. A round trip ferry service to Alcatraz Island is included in the ticket.

As you investigate Alcatraz, rangers are stationed throughout the island to help assist visitors and answer questions.

There are many interpretive signs and exhibits scattered around the island to keep your interest. You can also attend the cellhouse audio tour or a themed special program to learn more about Alcatraz.

The Alcatraz day tour includes:

• Doing Time: The Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour 
• Admission to the Alcatraz cellhouse and permanent exhibit ‘The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States’
• Entrance to outdoor spaces such as Eagle Plaza, the Recreation Yard, the Sallyport, and the Rose Garden
• Entrance to the New Industries Building highlighting influential Occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes
• Close up views of the exteriors of the Cellhouse, Building 64, Warden’s House, Water Tower, Officer’s Club and Model Industries Building

Day tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $42 for adults and $25 for children (5-11).

During the Alcatraz Night Tour, you get a little more bang for your buck. But the night tour is only available Tuesday to Saturdays.

Similar to the day tour, a round trip ferry service to Alcatraz Island is included in the ticket. However, you will enjoy a narration on the ferry as the boat takes a special route around Alcatraz Island.

At the dock, you are greeted by a park ranger or docent for a personalized guided tour straight from the dock to the cellhouse. During this guided tour, you will learn about the history of Alcatraz and the people who have lived there.

After the guided tour, you can choose to attend the cellhouse audio tour, explore the additional special exhibits or explore the island on your own.

The Alcatraz night tour includes:

• Doing Time: The Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour
• Optional full length programs and exhibits
• Docent guided tours and talks
• Ability to watch the sunset from Alcatraz Island

Night tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $53 for adults and $31 for children (5-11).

Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour

The behind the Scenes Tour of Alcatraz is a unique opportunity and limited to a maximum of only 30 people.

This 1.5 to 2.0 hour small group tour is led by a National Park Service Ranger or expert historical educator.

The behind The Scenes tour is a great way to capture unusual photos and explore many areas that are off limits to the general public as you hear stories about Alcatraz.

After the tour you will also have the chance to explore the island further.

The Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tours includes:

• Optional programs and exhibits throughout the island
• West side views from Alcatraz Island facing San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

As a Behind the Scenes Tour guest, you have the two options after your tour. You can extend your time on Alcatraz Island by joining the night tour or you can return to San Francisco on any departing vessel from Alcatraz.

Please note if you choose to stay for the night tour, you will be on Alcatraz Island for about 5 hours. There is food available on the Alcatraz ferry, but not on the island. You will need to plan accordingly.

Behind The Scenes tour tickets for Alcatraz begin at $98 for adults and $94 for children (5-11).

Alcatraz And Angel Island Tour

This 5.5 hour tour offers a round trip ferry to Alcatraz and Angel Island as well as an audio guided tour and an Angel Island Tram tour.

Unfortunately, this the Alcatraz and Angel island Tour is currently unavailable due to health and safety reasons.

Alcatraz Island Tickets

City Experiences are the official provider of Alcatraz Island Tour tickets. The best way to book Alcatraz tickets is directly with City Experiences on the official website.

However, a combination tour is an extremely popular option if you want to see everything San Francisco has to offer. Each tour we mention is an authorized seller of Alcatraz Cruises through City Experiences.

Here are several top rated San Francisco tour options which include an Alcatraz Tour:

• Alcatraz Ticket + 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Night Tour – Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful commentary from a live guide.
• Small Group Tour: Alcatraz, San Francisco and Muir Woods with Lunch in Sausalito – See everything in one day… the main sights in San Francisco, a lunch break in Sausalito, a walk around Muir Woods and the Official Alcatraz tour in the afternoon.
•  Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Walking tour to top attractions including Ghirardelli, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 followed by Alcatraz.
• Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Express Visit – Combine visits to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge into one day.
• Golden Gate Bike Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Explore San Francisco by bike and visit Alcatraz for two tours over the course of two days.
• San Francisco City Tour and Alcatraz Ticket – Climb aboard an air conditioned coach for a 4-hour guided tour of San Francisco then board a ferry and sail to Alcatraz Island.
• Alcatraz Island and SF Madame Tussauds – This two in one pass includes ferry transport to Alcatraz Island and access to the island itself as well as admission to the world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Walkthrough Of Alcatraz Island Day Tour

We don’t want to give too much of the Alcatraz day tour away so instead of going into great detail, we will simply give you an idea about what you can expect. You can then determine if this is the tour for you.

We took the Alcatraz day tour in the fall of 2019 and while the tour has slightly changed with one way systems after the pandemic, the day tour experience has remained the same.

Welcome to the Rock!

Upon arrival to Alcatraz Island, you will disembark and find a crowd amassed outside of Building 64.

Also known as Residential Apartments, this 3 story ex-military barracks and prison officer accommodation was the first building to be built on Alcatraz.

Next, a guide or park ranger will explain important information for your visit before you can explore freely. Be sure to listen so you can find out which special programs are available for the day.

You also want to take note of the boat schedules at the dock or in the cellhouse. You need to know when to be back at the dock to catch the return ferry.

Pick a reasonable time to break away from this group otherwise you will be in a very long line for an audio tour headset once you reach the old shower room.

Travel Tip : After you hear about the special programs for the day, beeline it for the cellhouse audio tour so you can spend the rest of your time exploring the island (you will see plenty of signs directing you where to go).

The Alcatraz Prison Tour Begins

Walk up and around the slaloming walkway as you head straight to the main prison entrance. There should be a sign outside stating the start of the cellhouse audio tour.

This will be your first real taste for the prison of Alcatraz. As you cast your eyes on the rusting grey-blue metal doors, you will immediately feel your insides crawl and shudder.

Once inside, make your way to the long narrow and very open shower room. Imagine taking a shower with some of the most hardened and creepy criminals in the history of the United States.

“Hey Mr. Scarface, could you please pass me the soap?”

Line up here until you reach the front to pick up your audio headset which is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin.

This is where your Alcatraz tour will officially begin. But if you are interested in any of the special programs taking place, you will need to consider your timing.

The cellhouse audio tour runs on a one way system and you should have time to finish this audio tour before any of the special programs take place.

But if you have any questions about timing, feel free to ask the rangers how you should schedule your time. The rangers and guides are incredibly helpful.

We attended two special programs during our Alcatraz day tour:

• Sounds of the slammer
• Escape attempts

Personally, we enjoyed the special programs more than the audio tour because the guides telling the stories were extremely animated. There was also a small Q&A section at the end for any questions you many have.

Sounds Of The Slammer Special Program

The Sound of the Slammer special program discussed a typical cell in Alcatraz along with the different prion blocks.

Alcatraz housed four main cell blocks (A,B, C and D) each with three tiers of cells. Some cells in Alcatraz measured no more than 9ft by 5ft wide.

Imagine a bed, toilet and sink inside those tiny dimensions. This certainly doesn’t leave a lot of room for maneuvering.

Cell blocks B and C were the longest rows and contained the most cells. In between cell blocks, each corridor was a given a famous street name such as Broadway, Michigan and Park Avenue.

Cell block D is where misbehaving prisoners were sent. If they had a particularly serious offence, they would find themselves in one of the six segregation cell units, also known as ‘the Hole.’

Each hardened steel cell door was operated by a series of levers and mechanisms located at the end of that particular row of cells.

Individual or multiple cells (not necessarily next to each other) could be opened at the same time using this mechanism at the end of each row.

This was innovative technology at the time, replacing the traditional lock and key method.

We enjoyed the Sounds of the Slammer because this program discussed the opening and closing of cell doors. But it also included a practical demonstration plus stories from during and after the operation of Alcatraz prison.

Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to open the cell door using bed sheets and a wheel to lasso the level like Sean Connery in the Rock !

Escape Attempts Special Program

Alcatraz was officially dubbed the ‘inescapable island’ but there were a series of attempts.

Did anyone make it our successfully? Well, that still reamins a mystery.

Are you a romantic who wants to believe that someone managed to escape, despite the fact they were in prison for committing a serious and heinous crime?

Or are you a firm believer of facts, logic and physics that suggest no one made it out alive?

The escape attempts special program takes place in the dining hall next to the cell house. If this talk is on during your visit, do not miss it.

This special program was the highlight of our Alcatraz day tour thanks to some fantastic storytelling by the park ranger who led the program.

As you can see, the room was packed full of tourists utterly engrossed in a wide semicircle.

In a nutshell, there were 14 escape attempts made by a total of 36 inmates throughout Alcatraz prison history. Some of the stories are sad while other stories are downright hilarious and full of ingenuity.

We will not divulge any more information here so you can hear all about these crazy stories for yourself when you visit.

Or if you can’t wait, you can read more about each escape attempt here in detail.

Views From Alcatraz Island

For the rest of our Alcatraz day tour, we spent our time exploring the island on our own.

Sections of this tour include walking around external areas, such as Alcatraz Lighthouse. You can also explore the recreation yard and parade ground after the audio tour has finished.

But remember you are in the center of San Francisco Bay, which means you have 360 degree views around the entire Bay Area.

Depending on the time of day and positioning of the sun, you can snap photographs of Oakland Bridge, San Francisco city and of course, the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.

But don’t expect Alcatraz to be one of the better views of the Golden Gate Bridge, instead you will need to head one of these 5 best photography locations .

Further Reading : Is the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Los Angeles worth it?

Walkthrough Of Alcatraz Island Night Tour

We returned to San Francisco in October 2022 to take the Alcatraz night tour. We loved the day tour so much we just had to experience Alcatraz at night as well.

After experiencing the Alcatraz night tour ourselves, we can confirm the night tour is a slightly different experience compared to the day tour. But just like everything, each tour had its perks.

We took the Alcatraz night tour on October 11th which falls during the seasonal change schedule (Oct 11th to Nov 5th).

This time of year is the best of both worlds because we had the chance to explore areas usually closed at night due to increased lighting from daylight savings time.

A Better Ferry Experience

The first thing we instantly noticed about the Alcatraz night tour was the impressive narration on the ferry as we sailed to Alcatraz Island.

During the entire trip, we learned about the history of San Francisco and Alcatraz. Without giving much away, this narrative is certainly worth a listen.

On a side note, we were starving when we arrived to Pier 33 for our night tour because we had been relentlessly exploring San Francisco. So we tried the snack bar on the Alcatraz ferry.

To be honest, our hot dogs were pretty good and fairly priced considering we were on a tour.

We were also able to fill up our reusable water bottle on the ferry so be sure to bring one and fill up if needed. Water on the ferry is not cheap, yikes.

The ferry had many snacks available and while the line was quite long, it moved quickly.

Already a great start to our Alcatraz night tour!

Circling Alcatraz Island

Another highlight of the night tour, before we even docked on the island, was the route the ferry took after leaving Pier 33.

We completed a full circle around Alcatraz Island which is not done on the day tour. The narration on the ferry also explained additional parts of the island we had not previously learned about.

This is where you will look for sea caves near Alcatraz Island which may be have been important in one prisoners escape.

Look closely at the buoys in the water because you may get a glimpse of a sea lion sunning himself.

Audio Tour And Special Programs

There was only one boat on the island during our entire night tour which was a welcome relief from the large crowds you can experience during the day tour.

The boat was divided into two groups with the first group heading one way on the island and the other group heading another way on the island. Each group had about 100 people.

Our tour guide met us right by the dock and we had a short intro to the island with stops in multiple locations. This small guided tour took about 20 minutes and we ended at the entrance of the cell house audio tour.

Similar to the day tour, we picked up our audio guide headsets in the shower room and listened to the familiar voices once again.

When we ended our audio tour and handed in our headsets, we were met by a docent who was was about to give a special program in just a few minutes.

Perfect timing, we stayed for the special program and chatted with the park ranger. We won’t be disclosing the special programs on the Alcatraz night tour so you can be completely surprised.

The best advice we can give you is to speak with the rangers and tour guides because they always know the ins and outs of the island.

Following our own advice, the ranger we spoke to gave us some great advice about how to maximize our time on Alcatraz island. However, this won’t pertain to every night because programs and experiences are constantly changing.

As long as you attend the cellhouse audio tour, one or two special programs and spend a little time exploring in your own, you have done extremely well. Anything else will be a bonus!

Bonus Hospital Entrance

In between the two special programs we chose to attend, we learned the old Alcatraz hospital was to be opened at 5:30pm which is an area we had never seen.

So we hot footed it to the hospital just in time to see the the rememntats of the Alcatraz operating room, exam rooms, pharmacy and sick wards.

As former scientists , we enjoyed seeing how the hospital operated. This experience alone was certainly worth our visit.

More Time To Explore

Another great part about the night tour is you have a little more time to explore the island compared to the day tour. So even after our audio tour, two special programs and the hospital visit, we still had time to visit a few other areas.

Many of the same outdoor sections were open, but it was interesting to see the buildings on Alcatraz light up as the sun started to set on the horizon. The colors in the sky were just starting to become bright pink and orange.

At this point, we started to watch our time a bit more closely because we certainly didn’t want to be spending the night on the island if we missed the ferry.

Sunset On Alcatraz

Our ferry was scheduled to leave the dock as the sun was setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge. This night tour was the perfect ending to a day in San Francisco.

After we both had boarded the ferry back to Pier 33, we asked one another if the Alcatraz night tour has been worth it.

What do you think we said?!

Are The Alcatraz Day And Night Tours Worth Your Time And Money?

Yes, both the Alcatraz day and night tours are worth your time and money.

Personally, we have to say we were genuinely surprised by how good the Alcatraz day and night tours are put together. We had high expectations but they were easily surpassed.

We would recommend the Alcatraz night tour over the Alcatraz day tour for 5 reasons:

• Onboard ferry narration
• Ferry circles around entire Alcatraz island
• Smaller tour sizes make for an intimate experience
• Ability to see San Francisco bay as the sun sets from Alcatraz Island
• Chance to explore bonus areas often closed to general public

But if you can only fit one Alcatraz tour into your schedule, the day tour is still a great option.

While the prices of the Alcatraz tours appear to be a little on the steep side, we think the price point is fair considering everything you get.

Be sure to attend at least one of the special programs on the day you visit to make the most of your Alcatraz experience.

Famous Inmates At Alcatraz

Last but not least, we have to mention the famous inmates once held in this prison.

Many inmates at Alcatraz were relative unknown as were sent to the ‘supermax prison of the 30s’ because they were escape threats or committed serious offences at other prisons.

However, some inmates were of higher renown and gained a reputation through popular culture in years to follow their time on the Rock.

Here are some of the most famous Alcatraz inmates:

• Al Capone – Gained notoriety as the modern day Robin Hood while making millions in bootlegging illegal alcohol. Nicknamed ‘Scarface’, Capone let the Chicago mob outfit during prohibition but was jailed on tax evasion offenses after being named public enemy #1.
• Robert Stroud – Nicknamed ‘the Birdman’, Stroud only became famous when a movie called Birdman of Alcatraz was made. But he never actually kept any birds at Alcatraz, he kept 300 birds in his cell at Leavenworth, Kansas. A dangerous murderer, Stroud was in jail from 19 years of age until his death in 1963.
• George Kelly – A model inmate at Alcatraz, ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly was only transferred to the Rock after half joking with guards at Leavenworth that he would escape in time for Christmas. His joke was taken all too seriously. Kelly was imprisoned for kidnap and is believed to have only turned to crime because his wife pushed him into it.
• Alvin Karpis – In prison for conspiracy to kidnap, ‘Creepy’ Karpis was a near genius IQ member of the Barker-Karpis Gang along with fellow inmate ‘Doc’ Barker. They would rob banks, gunning down anyone who stood in their way. Karpis spent 26 years on Alcatraz, more than any other prisoner.

Alcatraz In Popular Culture

Before visiting Alcatraz, you might want to watch some of these old movies to get in the mood:

• Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
• Point Blank (1967)
• The Enforcer (1976)
• Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
• The Rock (1996) – Our personal favorite!
• The Book of Eli (2010)

Even the Harry Potter Franchise created by JK Rowling features Azkaban prison which can only be based on one place…

Alcatraz Island Photos

We took hundreds of photos on Alcatraz Island during our day and night tour.

This next section is nothing but photos from Alcatraz Island to further peak your interesting about this fascinating area.

What Is It Like To Visit Alcatraz Today?

Alcatraz has changed several times over the years, from fort to military prison and from maximum security federal penitentiary to tourist attraction.

Now, Alcatraz is run by the National Park Service and the Island hosts hundreds of visitors every day who are curious about its colorful history.

If you’re wondering what it is like to visit Alcatraz now, there’s only one way to find out!

Can I Go To Alcatraz Without A Tour?

It is extremely difficult to go to Alcatraz without a tour. While Alcatraz id open to public tours, the docks at Alcatraz are only available to one ferry line, Alcatraz Cruises run by City Experiences.

The only way the public can visit Alcatraz is by purchasing a tour ticket and taking on of the official ferries to the island.

Alcatraz FAQ’s

Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about Alcatraz Island and tours.

Contrary to popular belief, Alcatraz prison was shut down due to financial reasons. Millions of gallons of fresh water had to be shipped to Alcatraz weekly and eventually the government decided it would be cheaper to just build a new prison!

The water around Alcatraz Island has an average temperature of around 54°F (12°C) with little variation that would prove challenging for escapes. However, avid open water swimmers do swim across the bag regularly.

Yes, there have been several escape attempts from Alcatraz. You should book an Alcatraz tour to hear the details of these very escapes.

Yes, there are sharks around Alcatraz but usually only Leopard sharks. Man eating Great Whites are frequently found nearby in the Pacific Ocean and rarely venture into the SF bay. That being said, there is footage of Great Whites close to Alcatraz. Would you swim the channel?

If you booked a day or night tour, you should plan on 3 hours for your total visit to Alcatraz.

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We hope this review for both the Alcatraz Day and Alcatraz Night Tour helps you plan your time in San Francisco!

Please let us know if you have any question about the Alcatraz Tours or San Francisco in the comments below.

Happy Planning ,

Mark and Kristen

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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

Share this article!

Tuesday 11th of April 2023

Thank you so much for this post! I didn't realize the website I almost bought tickets on was not the official tour company, so I saved money and was able to book the behind the scenes tour that the website I was looking at said wasn't available!

Mark and Kristen Morgan

Monday 17th of April 2023

You're very welcome, Elizabeth. We hope you have a fantastic trip to San Francisco and enjoy the Alcatraz tour!

Sunday 7th of November 2021

Alcatraz is easily one of our favorite San Fran attractions. We've been 2x. I'm always blown away by the walking tour. Absolutely love the step by step information. I always highly recommend visiting Alcatraz.

Monday 8th of November 2021

Yes we thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Alcatraz and would do it again. Highly recommend for first time visitors to SF!

Graham Bedford

Thursday 3rd of September 2020

Alcatraz seems like a great place to visit, so much history in one place. It must of been a harsh place to serve time but also to work, not your average commute.

Mark & Kristen Morgan

You're right, not a typical commute! We were worried the Alcatraz tour wouldn't hold up to our expectations but it did with room to spare. Definitely recommend it if you get a chance to visit San Francisco.

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Alcatraz Tours

Escaping to Alcatraz ? Enjoy the trip. And make sure to check out the Parks Conservancy's award-winning "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour." The audio tour is included with the purchase of an Alcatraz tour ticket. Get your Alcatraz tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises here  or call (415) 981-ROCK (7625). 

Also try our unique Alcatraz Night Tours  and Behind the Scenes Tours . You’ll get access to hidden areas of the island on small tours led by NPS rangers and historical experts from the Parks Conservancy. No two tours are ever the same, perfect for a birthday or other special occasion. Get tickets today from Alcatraz City Cruises  and find more info about how you can Escape to Alcatraz !

To purchase Alcatraz tour tickets and for tour schedule information, call (415) 981-7625 or visit Alcatraz Cruises .

Be sure to buy tickets several days in advance (up to several weeks in summer), as tours sell out quickly. Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes, bring your camera, and get ready to have an exciting and memorable visit to The Rock!

Guided tours are offered each day by park rangers and other staff. You’ll learn about:

• The island’s natural history
• San Francisco Bay
• Civilian life of correctional officers
• Escape attempts
• Restored historical gardens

Alcatraz Tour Features

Fresh-air ferry ride Speed across the bay through the wind and salt spray as the ferry takes you from Pier 33 to one of the most infamous island prisons of all time. The make-believe home of Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz, the prison housed many a bad guy in its heyday.

Walk-in prison experience Step behind bars into the depths of a maximum-security cell house. See where prisoners ate, slept, exercised, or did time in the isolation of the “Treatment Unit,” or worse still, in the complete darkness of the “Hole.” Learn how some of the convicts made their escapes.

Sound and light Take advantage of the audiovisual aids to learn some history: the cell house audio tour features voices and stories of actual inmates and guards, and a video exhibit explains the birth of the Native American Red Power movement at Alcatraz.

Special Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz Historic Gardens Tours Join a garden docent for a walk through the restored historic gardens and learn about the softer side of the Rock. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock every Friday and Sunday at 9:30 am. On Wednesdays from 11 am–2 pm, have your questions answered by a gardener at the Officer’s Row overlook and enjoy a personal tour of these gardens.

Alcatraz Night Tour You can also experience the island at night on the Alcatraz Night Tour , a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors each evening. Called the “best tour of the Bay Area” by the San Francisco Chronicle, it includes special programs, tours, and activities offered only to the island’s night visitors.

The Alcatraz Night Tour operates year-round, Thursday-Monday evenings. The evening includes roundtrip ferry transportation, a live boat narration, a guided tour from Dock to Cellhouse, the Cellhouse Audio Tour, a keepsake souvenir brochure, recreation use fee, and a variety of special programs and presentations offered only at night. To purchase tickets visit Alcatraz Cruises or call (415) 981-7625.

Proceeds from the Alcatraz Night Tour support preservation and restoration projects on Alcatraz and throughout the Golden Gate National Parks. For general (non-ticket) Night Tour information, please call (415) 561-4926.

Become an Alcatraz Night Tour volunteer —Volunteers with the Alcatraz Night Tour work in one of America’s most famous sites. Activities include welcoming and orienting arriving visitors, showing them some lesser known areas of the island as well as performing resource protection duties. If you would like to join our team as a VIP, please call the NPS volunteer hotline at (415) 561-4755, the Night Tour directly at (415) 561-4927.

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Alcatraz Night Tour vs Alcatraz Day Tour

There are a few key differences between the alcatraz night tour and the alcatraz day tour, read more below to find out which one is more your style.

The Alcatraz night tour is a unique way to see Alcatraz. While it only runs certain times of the year, it can be worth the wait.

Looking for tickets? Book your Alcatraz tours here!

• History of Alcatraz
• Alcatraz Day Tour
• Alcatraz Night Tour

A quick history of Alcatraz

In 1962, three men left behind dummy heads in their bunks and used makeshift rafts made from old raincoats to make their escape into the icy San Francisco Bay.

Less than a year later, due to deteriorating buildings and high costs of maintaining a maximum security prison on an island, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closed its final cell door.

Alcatraz Island didn’t open up to the public until almost 10 years later in 1972.

We wouldn’t even be able to visit this former Civil War Era fortress turned federal prison if it hadn’t been for a bold 19 month occupation of the island by Indian American students at San Francisco State University (Go, Gators!), led by activist and student Richard Oakes.

If you look closely, you’ll find historic graffiti that has been preserved from the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz.

Our personal favorite piece of graffiti is at the entrance to Administration Building (the Alcatraz audio tour takes you through this entry). Look for the eagle above the door, it’s perched on a shield with the American flag and looked between the stripes where you will find the word “FREE”.

All of this history can be explored on both the San Francisco Alcatraz Night Tour and Alcatraz Day Tour.

But what’s the main difference between the Alcatraz Night Tour vs the Alcatraz Day Tour?

Let’s break it down to make your tour choice a lot easier!

Alcatraz day tour

When does the Alcatraz day tour run?

The Alcatraz day tour runs every day, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Departure times vary depending on the season, but always begin around 9am.

How do you get tickets?

How much does the alcatraz day tour cost.

Alcatraz Day Tour Tickets : 

Prices of Alcatraz Day Tour tickets vary from about $25 – $41 depending on age. For the most updated ticket pricing, check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website.

How long is the Alcatraz tour?

There’s no official Alcatraz tour length – you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Or at least until the last ferry leaves!

Most people explore the island for about two hours before heading onto a ferry back to the city. The official Alcatraz City Cruises website recommends three hours to cruise the island.

You can return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing with any ferry that goes to San Francisco. Make sure to arrive at least one-half hour prior to the departure time.  

What is included in the Alcatraz day tour?

• Ferry ride to Alcatraz
• Narrated tour while on the ferry
• Guided tour
• Self guided tour of the cell block

Tickets to Alcatraz during the day include a ferry ride to Alcatraz and one back to San Francisco, as well as an audio tour of the cell house. This audio tour was the first tour they had, so it’s unlike any others they offer.

The Alcatraz audio tour was produced by a local interactive non-profit theatre company after interviewing former inmates, guards who watched over the infamous Birdman of Alcatraz and children who grew up on the island in the shadow of the San Francisco prison.

Many of the voices you’ll hear have since passed away. Some of the voices you might recognize in the gift shop. Guest authors can often be found signing books and answering questions in the gift shop.

Also, there are various ranger-led tours throughout the day, but the schedules of the tours are posted per day. This means you can’t check it before you go to Alcatraz so be sure to check for extra tours led by rangers and historic interpreters as soon as you’re on the dock of Alcatraz!

Where can you buy day tour tickets for Alcatraz?

You can buy Alcatraz tickets through Alcatraz City Cruises; this is the only official ferry operator to Alcatraz. If they sell out you can buy tickets via third parties, like Dylan’s. We offer tickets to Alcatraz which are included in our 1 day Alcatraz Experience tour . During this tour, we explore San Francisco, Muir Woods and Alcatraz , perfect for those with only one day to see everything in the city.

View all of our  Alcatraz tours here!

Alcatraz night tour

When does the night tour run?

The Alcatraz Night Tour usually has two sailings per day Tuesday – Sunday between March and November. Check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website for the most accurate departure information.

How much does the Alcatraz night tour cost?

Alcatraz Night Tickets : 

Prices of Alcatraz Night Tour tickets vary from about $28 – $48 depending on age. For the most updated ticket pricing, check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website.

How long is the Alcatraz night tour?

The Alcatraz Night Tour is about two and a half hours.

There are only two ferries that leave the island on the night tour so you can’t leave early.

Make sure to check the schedule on the Alcatraz City Cruises website and arrive at least one-half hour prior to the departure time. The first ferry that leaves the island usually reaches capacity so keep that in mind.

What is included in the Alcatraz night tour?

Your night tour of Alcatraz begins with a guided tour around Alcatraz Island, with the day tour it’s just a ride straight to the island so this is a big plus!

Your guide will point out hidden spots used for attempted escapes and prison structures that are unreachable by foot.

Once you arrive at the island a ranger-led walks you up the hill to the cell house while highlighting the history of the island. You can tour the cell house at your own pace while listening to the audio presentation.

The difference with the day tour is that you are able to see parts of the prison that are normally closed off.

There will also be behind-the-scenes tours, cell door demos, and other bonus walking tours. All of these extras make the night tour more of an ‘Alcatraz Behind the Scenes tour’ than the day tour option.  

Where can you buy Alcatraz night tour tickets?

You can purchase tickets for the Night tour directly through Alcatraz City Cruises.

Unfortunately, no third-party operators can sell Alcatraz tickets for the night tour.

Tickets to Alcatraz are notorious for selling out quick and the Alcatraz night tour is no exception, so book early if you have your heart set on seeing Alcatraz at night!

*Note: Because Alcatraz Island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreational, there isn’t an official Alcatraz ghost tour or Alcatraz haunted tour, but we’re still hoping one of these years they’ll make it happen for a themed Alcatraz Halloween Tour. We’ll let you know if that ever happens!

——————-

We’re sure that whether you choose the Alcatraz day or night tour, you’re going to have a great time on this historical island. Just make sure to book your Alcatraz tour today or ASAP to make sure you get to see the island during your time in San Francisco.  

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Alcatraz Trips – Visit The Rock

If you’re going to San Francisco, why not take one of our Alcatraz tours to learn about the city’s landscape? If you’re a history buff or a true crime fan, see the past come to life on an Alcatraz guided tour.

Embark on a fifteen-minute ferry ride to Alcatraz from San Francisco’s Embarcadero. You’ll have amazing views of the classic San Francisco skyline, including Angel Island and the famous orange arches of the Golden Gate Bridge.

When you reach Alcatraz Island’s shore, all visitors view an orientation video and can embark on ranger-led and docent tours. There is also a multi-language audio tour available on all Alcatraz guided tours called “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”, which paints a vivid scene with interviews from former inmates and employees. Once you’re through with the sights, simply catch a ferry back to land. They run every 30-40 minutes, so there’s no chance you’ll be trapped here!

If you’re brave enough, join us on our Alcatraz Night Tour & San Francisco Bay Tour to encounter ‘The Rock’ by moonlight. The night shift gives visitors exclusive access to parts of the former jail not open to the public by day. This atmospheric Alcatraz trip is like no other.

Incredible Adventures also offers multi-day tours to extend our Alcatraz excursions with highlights from the surrounding areas. Fancy yourself a tech whizz? Try our Silicon Valley Tech Tour + Alcatraz Tour to visit the world’s tech capital and visit global giants Google, Facebook, and Apple, after you’ve done time.

Perhaps you’d prefer to sample the region’s delicious grapes on an idyllic wine tour? Immerse yourself in the sunny vineyards and wine caves on our Alcatraz Island Tour and Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Tour .

If you’re keen to head to The Rock on your San Francisco vacation, let us help you plan your visit! Get in touch to find out more about our Alcatraz trips.

About Our Alcatraz Excursions

Alcatraz was initially documented by Juan Manuel de Ayala, a Spanish naval officer and explorer, in 1775 when California was under Spanish rule. He called the island, “La Isla de Los Alcatraces,” or “The Island of the Pelicans,” due to the birds that roosted on its rocky crags. The name was later shortened to Alcatraz.

The island is just 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, which made it a useful military asset. Alcatraz was bought by the United States government from its private owner in the 1850s after the Mexican-American War. United States Army Corps of Engineers began fortifying the island until Fort Alcatraz was completed in 1958, a perfect place to position coastal protection.

Although it functioned as a military arsenal and holding place for military prisoners during the American Civil War, Alcatraz is most famous for its time as a Federal Prison from 1934-1963.

Designed to house prisoners that caused continuous disruption in other federal prisons, The Rock housed famous criminals including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.

While there are urban legends aplenty about Alcatraz escapes, it is believed that no inmate ever successfully left The Rock without permission.

After closing as a federal prison in 1963, the island was occupied by Native American activists from 1969 to 1971. They protested federal policies that denied land rights to Native tribes, which sparked similar protests across the country. The protestors were forcibly removed by the government and the Native land rights battle continues to this day. The island’s cultural exhibits recognize the native people’s former occupation and highlight their political cause.

In 1968, Alcatraz was declared a National Historic Landmark, shortly after, the island became a recreation area in 1972 under the protection and management of the National Parks System.

Now, more than one million people visit Alcatraz Island annually to learn about its rich history.

Outside of its socio-political history, Alcatraz is also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States. Its natural features include rock pools and a seabird colony comprised mostly of western gulls, cormorants, and egrets. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that inhabits this otherwise isolated island!

If you’re keen to step foot into American history, book your Alcatraz tour tickets today! Your visit to The Rock will be unforgettable.

All Alcatraz Tours

Alcatraz Night Tour + Silicon Valley Tour

Aquarium and Alcatraz Night Tour + Yosemite Day Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods and Sonoma Wine Country

Alcatraz Day Tour + Silicon Valley Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour with Ferry

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Yosemite Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour and Aquarium + Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Country

Sausalito kayak private group tour.

San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour & Alcatraz Night Tour

2-Day San Francisco City Tour & Alcatraz Tour

San Francisco Bay Cruise & Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz day tour & san francisco bay sunset cruise.

Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour

Muir woods & sausalito, aquarium visit, and alcatraz night tour, what our customers say, looking for a last minute deal, call us for the latest information, don’t miss a thing.

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• Alcatraz Day Tour
• Alcatraz Night Tour
• Bay Discovery Cruise
• Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour
• Book Your Tour Now!
• About Alcatraz
• Park Programs
• Alcatraz History
• Alcatraz Ferry Schedule
• Before You Visit
• Accessibility & Parking

• Plan Your Visit

Departure Times: Dock Level AM: 9:15, 9:40, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 PM: 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:35, 2:05, 2:30, 3:00, 3:35, 4:30

Departure Times: Cellhouse Level AM: 9:50, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 11:40 PM: 12:10, 12:40, 1:10, 1:45, 2:20, 2:50, 3:25, 3:50, 6:25

• Only available to persons with a health condition or physical disability that limits mobility around the island

Hours & schedule vary from season to season.

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, and December 25th.

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