Alcatraz Island

Tickets, Ferry & Visitor Guide to San Francisco's Famous Island Prison

⏱ 2.5-3 hours total👤 All ages$$

Alcatraz Island sits in San Francisco Bay about a mile and a half offshore, and for nearly three decades — from 1934 to 1963 — it held the federal prison system's most difficult inmates in a maximum-security penitentiary surrounded by cold, churning water. Before that it was a military fort and prison; after it closed, it was occupied by Native American activists from 1969 to 1971, a pivotal moment in the movement, and today it's part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The heart of a visit is the award-winning cellhouse audio tour, "Doors of Alcatraz," narrated by former correctional officers and inmates. Walking the cell block with their voices in your ears — the routines, the escape attempts, the famous prisoners like Al Capone and Robert "Birdman" Stroud, the daring 1962 escape that was never solved — is one of the most affecting historical experiences in the country. Beyond the cellhouse, the island has gardens, ruins, wildlife, and sweeping views back at the San Francisco skyline and out to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Access is by official ferry only, from the San Francisco waterfront, with a roughly 15-minute crossing each way; plan for around 2.5 to 3 hours total. The island is hilly, so wear good shoes and bring layers — it's often windy and cold out on the water. Demand is intense: tickets routinely sell out days or weeks ahead, so book as early as you can. Night tours, with a smaller group and a more atmospheric program, are especially memorable. This experience is booked directly through our own ticketing site.