Alcatraz Island

Such a fun day excursion at Alcatraz! We immersed ourselves in its fascinating past and spectacular scenery.

We only paid for the ferry service, so we could explore the island at our own pace. The self-guided audio tour provided a vivid glimpse into prison life; It's already included in the price of the ferry ticket, so might as well! Volunteers around the island also shared fun facts and demos. 

Buy tickets in advance. Ferry rides are just 15 minutes long (one-way) with amazing views of Alcatraz, SF skyline, the Marin Headlands, bridges, and the Pacific Ocean! Plan on staying for at least 3 hours. Wear comfy shoes for those long walks - Your feet will thank you later!

Things I would want to know before I visit:

The smell - Due to efforts to restore the island to its original existence, there is a large population of birds on the island and the smell is overpowering.

The uphill walking - from the ferry, it's a bit of an uphill walk to the beginning of the audio tour.

No food or drink (not really) - I think they sold water. But there is not cafe, coffee, sandwiches, or snacks of any sort.

The audio tour - This is pretty great. Lots of great information at your own speed. It does mean that you sort of get into a sort of pattern with people that are just moving through the building. I found myself wishing there was more displays to read and maybe even a guide to talk through certain scenes. I would have had lots of questions.

The temperature - It's colder than you expect, even in the middle of summer and potentially frigid if the wind is blowing. Bring layers. Or a jacket, gloves, and ski hat.

I'm not disappointed I went, but I don't think I'd go again.

First time visiting Alcatraz Island and it was cool. Alcatraz Island is one of those must see attractions if you're visiting San Fran.

Purchase the tickets for the tour at Pier 33. The ferry has multiple times going to the island throughout the day. You can either go for a day or night tour.

Once arriving on the island, there is a staff member to give you some history and directions. The self guided audio tour is in many different languages. I would say it takes up to a hour to go through the tour.

The views from the ferry are great as you have a panoramic view of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges.

Even though I was born and raised in the Bay Area, it was only my first time visiting Alcatraz in December. I'm not sure why my sister got to go on a field trip here in elementary school, but my class didn't. Anywho, I had a cousin visiting from Canada, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for both of us to experience it for the first time.

I booked tickets in advance, and it's about $45 per person which includes the round-trip ferry boat ride and a self-guided tour of Alcatraz. The island is a lot more elevated than I imagined. It was a good hike going up to the prison. They provide you with an audio tour of the premises.

It's pretty cool to think that Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly used to be incarcerated here. The prison had a funky stench to it. There was even a morgue you can view from the outside.

The whole tour took us a little under 2.5 hours (including the ferry boat ride). It happened to be raining when we went. The ferry boat is covered downstairs, but you might want to bring an umbrella for the tour, since there are a few buildings to visit.

My second trip to Alcatraz and I learned even more on this visit to the National Parks-run attraction. My last trip was 13 years ago and it was a great experience too with just the basic audio tour. Make sure you have good walking shoes (LOTS of walking) and layers (it gets pretty windy and cold).

This time, my visit in late December, I was lucky enough to arrive on Alcatraz Island just before the start of the last volunteer-run tour! The volunteer who called herself "Mother Constance" was dressed in full period costume and walked us around the lower level of the island and explained to us the civil war history -- before the island was a world-famous prison and just a military fortress. She was so funny and educational! The group of 20-30 people was wrapt in her storytelling. Unfortunately she spoke without help of any technology - so it would be hard to hear her sometimes behind the crowd or over the high winds. But she was really great! She later shared that all volunteers are very rare now, and so the tours are not scheduled regularly. So if you see one -- jump in!

Further to that group tour, Mother Constances led a smaller group afterwards for an extended tour behind-the-scenes! Our group of 8 got to go behind locked areas and learn/see even more. It was amazing and such a treat!

After that terrific human-led tour, the audio tour seemed a bit less engaging. Haha! But it was still great. I had forgotten some of the stories after 13 years... and this time, I took a longer walk through the Recreational Yard because it was a sunny day.

At the end of the tour, the cell block had a new exhibit space that shares about the country's current prison systems. That was such a smart way to bring people back to the present and to think critically about the system.

This complete experience was well worth the ticket price!

Alcatraz has an interesting history, and it's nice to see the National Parks have maintained it well. The prison housed many infamous residents such as Machine Gun Kelly, and Al Capone!

To go to Alcatraz Island, you'll need to take a ferry from Pier #33. The ferry ticket includes entrance to Alcatraz island. Tickets were about $46 per person. The ferry ride took about 20 minutes each way. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes.

You have the option to go on the audio tour (complimentary), which lasts about an hour or so! The audio tour has been translated into many languages! Additionally, we went on a free walking tour with one of the National Park rangers. She was able to provide further historical insight to the island.

Alcatraz has a lot of history, and is definitely a must visit if you are visiting San Francisco!

this tour was amazing
I have been wanting to see this for a very long time I finally went with my best friend, and it was great seeing so much history was amazing. Breathtaking views. it was a 3 hour tour well worth the $60

I went to Alcatraz Island this week and it was so cool! The boat ride there was amazing! You could also see the amazing view of Alcatraz on the boat ride there. The boat was a little bumpy towards Alcatraz, but was definitely worth it! (I easily get sea sick). There was so much to do on the island. I saw where the inmates lived, visited the islands jail play area. (Where the inmates played basketball and could hang out). I really enjoyed walking around the island, it was a lot of walking(which is good for you). The only thing that was a bummer was a couple parts of the island were closed! I wish I could have seen them.

This was ok???? I guess???

My friend picked it and to be honest, the escape room we did in Vegas was more fun than the entire trip here. I guess it's one of those things I can check off a bucket list? It just wasn't very fun. We did the most expensive tour package so we did the regular tour and then the audio tour.

Nothing interested me here. And a few of us asked if the place was haunted and the tour guide kinda acted like we were stupid for asking. I mean that's the fun part of exploring old places like this, right? But none of the tours were spooky. Idk if they do something around Halloween that's spooky.

One of the top and most sought out attractions in San Francisco is Alcatraz Island. This island is a federal penitentiary you must visit. Alcatraz is so popular that it is visited by over a million people in a year. It once held in its cells the notorious Al Scarface Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly.

Prior to your visit, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets online on the official website. You can purchase your tickets 90 days out.

There is a bag restriction. I believe only small bags are permitted. Everyone has to pass through security check point prior to boarding the boat. Seating on the boat is not reserved.

When you arrive on the island, checkout an audio tour. The audio tour is self guided and available in other languages.

The weather was beautiful out during my visit.