Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, built to hold the prisoners other prisons could not. Al Capone served time here, and in 1962 three men escaped through air vents they had widened with sharpened spoons, and were never found. Later, from 1969 to 1971, Native American activists occupied the island, and their slogans are still painted on the water tower. Today the island is part of a national park.
Booking
Only one company runs ferries to the island, from Pier 33 on the Embarcadero. Tickets sell out, often weeks ahead in summer and on holidays, so book as soon as your dates are fixed and buy only from the official site. Resellers and "combo" tours that do not land on the island are not the same thing.
The cellhouse audio tour
The audio tour is included and is excellent: former guards and inmates narrate as you walk the cell blocks, the dining hall and the recreation yard. Allow at least an hour for it. Rangers also give short talks on the island; check the board by the dock when you land.
Day or night?
The night tour is smaller and quieter, includes a few programs not offered by day, and gives you the city lights on the way back. The day tour has more ferry times and better views of the gardens the inmates and guards' families planted. Either works; the night tour books out first.
Practical notes
- The path from the dock to the cellhouse climbs the equivalent of a thirteen-story building. A tram runs for visitors who need it.
- There is no food on the island beyond water and small snacks. Eat before you go.
- Layers matter: the bay crossing is cold even on warm days.
Pier 33 is a short walk from Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, so it is easy to build a waterfront half day around your ferry time.
A short history
Before it was a federal prison, Alcatraz was a fortress and then a military prison, guarding the entrance to the bay from the 1850s. The island also held the first lighthouse on the West Coast. The federal penitentiary opened in 1934 as a maximum-security prison for inmates considered too dangerous or escape-prone for other prisons. It was expensive to run, since everything, including fresh water, had to be brought by boat, and the buildings were decaying in the salt air. It closed in 1963.
Fourteen escape attempts were made over its 29 years. Most of the men were caught or died in the cold water; the five never found are presumed drowned, though the 1962 escape has inspired books, films and endless speculation. In 1969, a group calling itself Indians of All Tribes occupied the island for nineteen months, a protest that changed federal policy towards Native Americans.
What to see on the island
- The cellhouse, with its four cell blocks, including the dark isolation cells of D Block.
- The dining hall, with the menu from the last day of operation still on the board.
- The recreation yard, with its high walls and a glimpse of the city across the water, often described as the cruelest part of the sentence.
- The gardens, restored by volunteers, at their best in spring.
- The parade ground and the lighthouse, and colonies of seabirds that nest on the island, some areas closed in nesting season.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book?
In summer and on holidays, several weeks. In winter, a week or two is often enough. Night tours sell out first.
Can I visit with small children?
Yes. The audio tour has moments that frighten some younger children, and the climb is long, but most families manage well. Strollers are allowed.
How long should I spend on the island?
Most visitors spend two to three hours, plus the ferry crossing each way. You can take any return ferry.
Is it worth it?
For most visitors, yes. It is one of the most rewarding visits in the city, and the views of San Francisco from the water are a bonus. Fit it into your plan with San Francisco in three days.