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Trip Planner: USA / California / San Francisco / Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

4.7

#1 of 6,146 in Nature in United States

Must see · Island · Historic Site

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Tour the infamous former maximum-security penitentiary on Alcatraz Island. Nicknamed The Rock, this small island in the San Francisco Bay is now a national park. After taking a ferry to the island, follow the audio guide, available in ten languages. You'll go through the inside of the old prison's facilities, which include a lighthouse, military fortifications, and cellblocks. Though long considered escape-proof, the prison suffered an irreparable blow to its reputation in 1962, when three inmates mysteriously disappeared using a makeshift raft. Explore the protected recreation area with a park ranger, who can enhance your visit with little-known information about the island's current inhabitants: the black-crested night herons and western gulls. Using our custom trip planner, San Francisco attractions like Alcatraz Island can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.

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Tours to Alcatraz Island

FROM $150 BOOK WITH VIATOR Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

4.3

Duration: 6 hours

Tours from $150 ›

FROM $80 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

4.8

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Tours from $80 ›

FROM $38 BOOK WITH VIATOR Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

4.7

Duration: 1 hour

Tours from $38 ›

FROM $159 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip

4.1

Duration: 7 hours

Tours from $159 ›

FROM $129 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Tour: San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito with OPTIONAL Alcatraz Small Group Tour: San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito with OPTIONAL Alcatraz

4.9

Duration: 9 hours

Tours from $129 ›

FROM $159 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

4.6

Duration: 7 to 8 hours

Tours from $159 ›

FROM $123 BOOK WITH VIATOR Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo

4.2

Duration: 3 hours

Tours from $123 ›

FROM $139 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

4.0

Duration: 2 to 4 hours

Tours from $139 ›

FROM $36 BOOK WITH VIATOR Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Cruise Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Cruise

4.3

Duration: 1 hour

Tours from $36 ›

FROM $98 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz Inside with Fisherman's Wharf Lunch Credit Alcatraz Inside with Fisherman's Wharf Lunch Credit

3.7

Duration: 3 to 5 hours

Tours from $98 ›

FROM $139 BOOK WITH VIATOR Official Alcatraz Tour + 2 Hour City Bucket List Excursion Official Alcatraz Tour + 2 Hour City Bucket List Excursion

4.9

Duration: 5 hours

Tours from $139 ›

FROM $80 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz and Madame Tussauds San Francisco Alcatraz and Madame Tussauds San Francisco

4.4

Duration: 4 hours

Tours from $80 ›

Alcatraz Island reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating

55,905 reviews

Google

4.7

By Robynwhitehead

Being able to walk around at own time and pace to enjoy Plenty of signs with great i formation Easily accessible

Being able to walk around at own time and pace to enjoy Plenty of signs with great i formation Easily accessible more »
By Deaf_Leopard

Many suprises. Alot of the iconic tourist attractions are often lacking in qulity of information and overall package besides the structrue, building and so on. Alcatraz was bit smaller than i...

Many suprises. Alot of the iconic tourist attractions are often lacking in qulity of information and overall package besides the structrue, building and so on. Alcatraz was bit smaller than i... more »

See more on TripAdvisor ›

Google

By Veve Bubble

What an experience! Boat trip was fast. When I arrived on a Island it looks big and high, with a long hills to go up, guess what? It was fast, walking worthy to enjoy the view and and the prison, building around where the prison staff did live. There are a train to take you on a top. I didn't use guide, reading description was enough, and very instructive. We can go inside the cell and take a Pic, fun not fun, we can realize how small it is. Don't miss the Native American museum dedicated to protest and demands about the Island after prison was closed, end of prison on a top. Full of pictures, items, history, I learnt a lot. Walk down is fast. Ferry is fast back.

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By David K

Seems cliche to visit, but definitely worth the visit. Self guided tour of the infamous prison is really nice. Amazing views of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, and Bay Bridge. Estimate about 2-3 hours to spend there, but definitely definitely worth the visit!

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