- San Francisco CityPASS + Alcatraz /
- Alcatraz City Cruises Day Tour
Alcatraz City Cruises Day Tour
An Experience to Remember
You can visit the one-time home to some of America’s most notorious criminals with Alcatraz City Cruises, the official ferry service and tour provider for Alcatraz Island. The federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to “The Rock,” where the presence of inmates like Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud contributed to the Island’s notoriety. Civil War-era buildings, cannons, and subterranean rooms give insight into the Island’s history as a harbor defense fort and a military prison in the 19th century, while visible reminders of the 20th century struggle for Native American civil rights remain in preserved graffiti from the “Indians of All Tribes” occupation.
San Francisco CityPASS + Alcatraz includes:
Highlights
01.
Explore the windswept island and learn about its layered history through outdoor interpretive signs and guided interpretive programs, a Discovery Guide island map, and the award-winning audio guide “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour.”
02.
Delve into the story of the influential 19-month occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans in the exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of that event.
03.
Discover interesting facts about the American criminal justice system in the new permanent exhibit “The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States.”
Visit Alcatraz City Cruises Day Tour with CityPASS®
CityPASS tickets offer a great way to see Alcatraz City Cruises Day Tour while saving you time and money.
Advice for Visitors
Tips
Best Time to Visit
You will generally encounter fewer crowds in winter; weekdays (especially mornings) tend to be less busy than weekends at any time of year.
You will encounter stairs, steep walkways and gravel paths while touring Alcatraz Island, so wear comfortable shoes with grippy soles. Sandals, high heels and open-toe shoes are not recommended. The approximately ¼ mile from the dock to the Cellhouse ascends 130 feet in elevation, equivalent to a 13-story building.
About half of the Alcatraz Island tour route is outside, so bring sunblock, sunglasses and a sun hat or other protective clothing and be prepared for rain, especially during winter and early spring.
You can spend as much time on the island as you would like, but plan at least 3 hours for the roundtrip ferry ride plus the Cellhouse Tour.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. Minors must be supervised while visiting Alcatraz Island, at the Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, and while on board Alcatraz City Cruises vessels.
Standard backpacks, measuring 16” x 20” maximum, are allowed on Alcatraz City Cruises vessels and while visiting Alcatraz Island. Picnic baskets, coolers, luggage, and oversized bags are not allowed. There is no storage space for these types of personal items at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.
Attraction Features
Amenities
Dining: There are no restaurants on Alcatraz Island; you can purchase a healthy snack on board any of the Alcatraz City Cruises vessels.
Gift Shop: The Parks Conservancy operates a small store on the island with educational and commemorative merchandise.
Accessibility
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is fully accessible with an “Accessibility Drop Off Zone” located at the entrance. Accessible bathrooms are found at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and on all Alcatraz City Cruises vessels. Visitors with mobility issues who are unable to make the climb up Alcatraz Island’s steep roads can take advantage of the S.E.A.T. tram, the accessible shuttle that runs between the Alcatraz Island dock and the Cellhouse. Get more information on accessibility.
Parking/Transportation
There are 15 commercial lots within a five-block radius of Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing with a total of more than 3,000 parking spaces. You can also use convenient public transportation. Get more information on parking/transportation.
Contact Information & Hours
- Alcatraz
- Pier 33 South, Suite 200
- San Francisco, CA 94133
- (415) 981-7625
- cityexperiences.com/san-francisco/city-cruises/alcatraz/
- Open daily
Hours vary seasonally; check the current departure schedule when planning your visit.
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All images courtesy of Alcatraz City Cruises