(415) 705-5555
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
San Francisco,
CA
94123
37.8256
-122.4216
Hours:
Mon-Wed 9:30am-2:15pm
Thu-Sun 9:30am-2:15pm, 4:20pm-9:30pm (evening tour hours)
Alcatraz Island
What People Are Saying About Alcatraz Island
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Background – Perhaps the most famous former jail in the world, "The Rock" draws thousands of visitors every year to its echoing corridors. Alcatraz--home of the maximum-security prison from which Clint Eastwood once fictionally escaped, where Robert Stroud became a "Birdman" and Al Capone lost his mind--was also the site of a famous two-year occupation by American Indians. The place has long been rumored to be haunted. – – Facts – The official ferry provider, Alcatraz Cruises, has boats departing from Pier 41 up to 16 times a day. Boats leave daily at 9:30am and…
One of the best SF tours
by kimbolicious
Great informative, interesting tour of history! The ferry ride there was so fun, I recommend sitting on the top deck (even though its freezing, its so worth it!) Go during the "night" tours, they are the most informative and complete tours. I love the audio tour with the actual inmate voices. Is a bit pricey, but who cares? It's really worth it!
- Pros: all sorts of public transit can take you here, when you get off theres still hundreds of things to do!
- Cons: parking....but dont drive thats dumb...take the cable car and walk!
Fascinating piece of San Fran history
by sharopooks
Going to Alcatraz is a fabulous tour through a chapter of San Fran history, as well as the history of correctional facilities in the US. The evening tour (we went in late afternoon and experienced sunset there) will lend a creepier feeling and some excellent sunset photo ops. Audio and guided tour was very interesting and informative. If you're a fan of cable tv prison documentaries like I am, you'll see that Alcatraz is a much smaller size than today's facilities, making it a more manageable size to tour. Arguably our favorite part were the unguided exhibits in the "theater" (which is near the bottom) - very fascinating stuff on Alacatraz and the penitentiary system, we stumbled upon this on our way back to the boat w/ only 10 mins left so be sure to leave time for this if you like that kinda stuff. It's a bird sanctuary so beware if you lean over the stone ledge to see the door to the original prison there (I learned that the hard way!).
the first place required to see when you are there in S.F
by rsfl459
when you get off the boat you feel like your standing in history and your allowed to walk for a moment but hten the park ranger will tell you that if you stay you 'll sleep here until the morning. the person that was there when i went was Darwin Coon who was an inmate in this famous place. they take you on a tour with a cassette player and t makes you walk around the whole cell boxes that are there . the person narrating it will give you information and talk about the escapes that occurred. one famous escape happened with three inmates that put fake face on the bed and did there escape. they were the first to escape the Rock as they call it . if you ever go the place is amazing and you will marvel at the person who was there and how they had to spend there days.
when you see the inmates you'll be shocked at the story that they'll tell you . well you better reserve you tickets because they sell out really quick.
- Pros: i give it a 10 from 1 being the worse to 10 being awsome!!!
- Cons: it is depression but historical
The Details on Alcatraz Island
Know Before You Go:
Legend has it that some prisoners still occupy the island. Listen and you may hear their footsteps and cell doors opening throughout the corridors.
Save Money:
Discounted tickets are available for children (5-11) and seniors (62 and over) during the day, and juniors (12-17) at night. Call for detailed pricing information.
The Extras:
A creepier, evening version of the tour is offered Thursday through Sunday. Special programs, led by official guides, take you through areas of the site that are off limits during the day.






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