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Alcatraz Island
Historic and Protected Site, Island, and National Park
San Francisco
Has a stamp of approval from Travel + Leisure and SF Weekly
"Kudos to audio tour too, very nicely produced and easy to follow."(115 Tips)
"The night tours are hauntingly creepy and the absolute best"(28 Tips)
"The audio tour of the cell house is excellent."(21 Tips)
"Very good audio guide."(13 Tips)
420 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Rennie LeonDecember 29, 2010The Agave Trail on the city side of the island is a must if you are visiting in the fall or early winter! Walk it on your way back to the ferry for some great shots of the city and bridges.
Amy WhitneyNovember 9, 2016Book the first ferry well in advance. Get off the boat, leave the tour and head straight for the prison to get the best pic.
Nick FruendtJanuary 3, 2015Make sure to get the audio tour. This is one of the finest landmarks in America and you get great views of the bay
Angelos NMay 20, 2012The tour is well worth it. They did a great job with the electronic tourist guides. Go early to avoid lines, buy tickets prior to departure day to avoid lines.
Brad TotherowJune 25, 2013We did the night tour. It was fine. The crowds were apparently lesser than the day crowds. If that's the case, I would hate to take the tour during the day. Very cool, nevertheless.
Jennifer CarterMarch 26, 2016Really interesting to wonder around. Quite haunting. Highly recommend, plus you get a fun boat ride over!
Suja RamachandranAugust 29, 2012Good audio tour - worth the $28! Make sure to time your audio tour and the gift shop visit with enough time to catch a ferry without having to wait 35 minutes for the next one :)
Ashley CavillMarch 2, 2016It's a great place to go. Bring lunch because they dont sell food in there ,only in the ferry but like snacks.
Stephanie LMay 22, 2013A must-do if you are visiting the Bay Area. Take the audio tour and enjoy the views on a clear day. Be sure to book ahead.
Bori 206June 9, 2011Skip the 1st giftshop (better selection in the prison giftshop) & head straight for the audio-tour. Next take a #free guided tour & finally explore the island. You'll need four hours. Worth it!
Daniel StansellApril 24, 2017Reserve your tickets early - they go fast! The audio tour is spectacular, narrated by real guards and prisoners!
Andrea AndrewsMay 16, 2011A total blast. Very interesting and informative. The audio tour is an award winning guide that keeps the crowds moving and engaged. A must see for sure. I hear the night tour is even more thrillin Read more- We Travel And BlogJanuary 16, 2015We hate paying for tours, but this one is actually so worth it and the audio guide is key!
Patty HicksJuly 16, 2016Great place. Take the audio tour of the cell house. It's included in your ticket and gives lots of info.
Travel + LeisureJuly 30, 2012Take the eerie nighttime excursion: a narrated circuit around the island and guided tours to the main prison building (not to mention a few special programs only offered after dark).
Ken HallDecember 24, 2018If you can, take the Agave trail up to the top. The views are worth it if the day is clear
Amy RobinsonSeptember 6, 2014Go as early as you can to avoid huge crowds, get the audio tour then go round the trails. Beautiful island.
Milad CerkicJune 9, 2019Take too long to get there, not much to do or see, except the audio guided tour. And everyone is in a hurry to get back. Absolutely no need to ever go there again.
Hostelling InternationalJune 13, 2011Book Alcatraz in advance (online). We went there on the same day and it was sold out! We hadn't known that you have to book in advance (only very limited number of tickets sold on same day!)
Alix BloodworthJuly 8, 2012The headset tour is wonderful. Be sure to watch the movie first. Get tickets early because it sells out two weeks in advance. Concierge can help you get tickets.- E MarSeptember 17, 2014Come early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The audio tour is included and worth the 45 minutes!
Vitória SousaMay 3, 2013Take your time, do the audio tour! Very good! At spring the garden can not be explainable by words! Wonderful isn't enought...
Brett BertolinoJanuary 31, 2014Still need a ticket? Buy your CityPASS here and get a ticket to Alcatraz, unlimited pass for the Muni & cable cars, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay & more! It's a good deal.
Eduardo GodinhoSeptember 7, 2015One of the bests tours I already did! Went twice and loved the tour! Must do in San Fran
Allison KaminskiSeptember 5, 2015Go on the night tour & book months ahead. Sick views of the city. Remember it's always freezing on the island.
NéstorJune 11, 2015Be sure to take a coat and winter clothes with you. Even in summer. SF is very cold and Alcatraz is even colder!
Erik HomFebruary 12, 2012Many movies filmed here featuring this former penetentiary: The Rock, Escape from Alcatraz, View to a Kill, Birdman of Alcatraz, Murder in the First, and Book of Eli
Amy YounghansMarch 27, 2013We happened to visit on the 50th Anniversary of the closing of Alcatraz. Such an incredible experience! The night tour is the best!
Sibely N. K.May 8, 2012Amazing! The audio tour constantly tells you what to look for and where to walk... Definitely one of the best audio tours I've done.
Chris OSeptember 16, 2014It was good to have said we have done it, but I wasn't blown away. The walking audio tour provides lots of history but results in frequent bunching of crowds.
Sandra KallmeyerNovember 6, 2014The audio tour is fantastic! Choose the English version to hear original voices of former inmates.
Clarence LeungFebruary 8, 2015When it's raining, ponchos are sold at the gift shop at the dock and the bookstore on the island itself, $5.00 and $2.50 respectively.
Moe ShehataFebruary 26, 2016It's great to be able to experience a place like that, especially when it hasn't changed at all. This island held some of the most notorious criminals.
Vance NgSeptember 27, 2013Highly recommend staying in cell 2. Tight space, but comes with a bonus pillow. Great for long-term stays
CamillaApril 20, 2016Do the night trip! It's absolutely the best and scariest.. You won't regret taking the later tour, trust me :D
NUCRO BLACKNovember 28, 2012take a tour to alcatraz and see the cell of al capone,u can take tickets from pıers close to fishermans wharf @embarcedero;)and take the wonderful view of SF
Jeremy KrantzAugust 13, 2014Don't skip the audio tour, you'll regret it. It's very well designed, fun and informative as well as interactive.
Mhairi SinclairAugust 13, 2015Do the audio tour, it has sound effects like the cell doors opening and closing. Makes you really feel like you are experiencing Alcatraz prison life
Michael ClarkAugust 10, 2013The night tour is awesome. Includes audio tour and awesome skyline views at sunset. Extra areas are also a possibility.- Allison KaminskiSeptember 5, 2015Go on the night tour! book months ahead. Sick views of the city. Remember it's always freezing on the island.
JonSeptember 20, 2018Great walk around the island and learn the history of Alcatraz but be ready to face flies and sea gulls droppings
Darcy CheeriosAugust 4, 2013A must see if your in San Fransisco. Try and put your mind in a place to appreciate it back when it was a functioning prison.- Hostelling InternationalJune 13, 2011Cliched maybe, but the Island is in itself a very interesting part of San Fransisco's history. The audio tour gives you an unnerving glimpse into life on the island for both prisoners and guards.
- Jared ZimmermanNovember 6, 2012The Rock! No one escapes, especially if you miss the last ferry back. If you want to see Alcatraz you gotta buy your tickets really early.
Dee ScaranoJuly 25, 2012Definitely worth it. Make sure you book at least 3 days ahead, especially in peak season. No tickets are sold on the day.
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Alcatraz Island
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (San Francisco Bay)
San Francisco, CA 94123
United States
San Francisco, CA 94123
United States
Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary, and the 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes which saved the tribes.
Likely open (See when people check in)
People tend to check in during these times:
- Today
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Sun
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Mon
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Tue
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Wed
- 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Thu–Fri
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
(415) 561-4900
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Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
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