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Alcatraz

Discover the chilling history of this onetime home to some of America's most dangerous criminals.

Alcatraz: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Francisco: Alcatraz Visit & Bay Cruise

1. San Francisco: Alcatraz Visit & Bay Cruise

You will explore INSIDE the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island with America’s most ruthless criminals, including Al Capone. The ferry will leave on time at the specific time you booked. You have to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time at Pier 33. Walk, bike, take public transportation, or drive (as a last resort as it can be challenging to find parking), with easy access from anywhere around the Bay! On the island follow the Cellhouse audio tour “Doing Time” 45 minutes available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Also included is an amazing 1 hour SF Bay Cruise. Sail past the famous PIER 39 sea lions and along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, revealing the city’s fascinating skyline.You have the flexibility to go on your cruise on any day at any available departure. You will receive the schedule. Those are 2 separates tours. Free for 4 years old and younger no need tickets.

SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour

2. SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour

See the best of San Francisco with this combined hop-on-hop-off ticket and Alcatraz Island visit. Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful commentary from a live guide. Tour the famous prison that has played a role in jailhouse folklore and the historic evolution of the West Coast. Learn more about the 14 unsuccessful escape attempts by over 30 prisoners and their fates. Your Premium Big Bus hop-on-hop-off pass is a great way to see the sights of San Francisco. Listen to commentary by live English-speaking guides, or enjoy pre-recorded audio commentary in 10 languages. Your 2-day ticket includes a full day of unlimited hop-on-hop-off and a 1-hour panoramic night tour. Explore one of San Francisco's most fascinating neighborhoods on a fun and informative walking tour of Chinatown. The tours are offered daily, and you can ask an agent for locations and time schedules. Also included are a bonus 1-hour bike rental (with the purchase of a 1-hour rental) and Players Arcade Drink and Game Tokens. Hop-on, hop-off tour stops include: Stop 1: Corner of Jefferson & Mason StreetStop 2: Holiday Inn Northpoint b/w Jones & ColumbusStop 3: Washington Square - Columbus & Union StreetsStop 4: Embarcadero Center - Corner Clay & Battery StreetsStop 5: Ferry Building - Market St b/w Stuart & Spear StreetsStop 6: Union Square South - Geary St across from Macy’sStop 7: Hilton Hotel - Corner Mason & Ellis StreetsStop 8: Civic Center - Fulton St b/w Larkin & Hyde StreetsStop 9: Alamo Square - Corner Fell & Pierce StreetsStop 10: Haight Ashbury - Haight & Shrader StreetsStop 11: Golden Gate Park - Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate ParkStop 12: Golden Gate Bridge- North Vista PointStop 13: Palace of Fine Arts - Richardson & Francisco StreetStop 14: Marina Neighborhood - Lombard & Fillmore StreetsStop 15: Lombard Street Corridor - Lombard & Gough StreetsStop 16: Union Square North - Post & Powell StreetsStop 17: Chinatown Gate - Grant and Bush StreetsStop 18: Portsmouth Square - Kearny & Clay StreetsStop 19: Pier 35 Cruise Terminal - The EmbarcaderoStop 20: Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf (then return to Stop 1)

San Francisco: Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket

3. San Francisco: Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket

See the best of San Francisco on an English speaking walking tour and learn the history behind each turn from your guide. Take in the views of the skyline on your ferry to Alcatraz before exploring this notorious prison. Meet your guide at the north end of Fisherman's Wharf and start your experience by taking in the amazing views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. Hear how San Francisco transformed from a sleepy village to a booming port city when gold fever swept the nation in 1849. Learn about the life of the Italian chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli at the famous former chocolate factory in Ghirardelli Square. Stroll along the fog-lined waterfront and drool over the numerous stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. Walk a portion of the historic Barbary Coast trail while your guide tells you about its colorful past. You and your group will then make your way to Pier 39 and admire historic ships in the harbor. Witness the colony of sea lions that have taken over many of its docks. Continue along the Embarcadero Promenade and learn about its evolution from a traditional maritime port to a modern urban waterfront filled with trendy restaurants and amusement piers. The walking tour concludes at Pier 33, where you will present your photo ID to receive your Alcatraz tickets. Board your ferry and enjoy a self-guided tour of Alcatraz upon the island.  Learn about the history of the cell house and its former residents with an award-winning audio tour available in multiple languages. You can expect to be done with the whole experience in the late afternoon.

San Francisco: Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz Guided Tour

4. San Francisco: Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz Guided Tour

Spend a day with a San Francisco local as you embark on a small group tour to area highlights. Enjoy a unique blend of nature and history as you stroll through ancient redwoods, see Sausalito, and board a ferry to Alcatraz. Choose your route option to visit Muir Woods or Alcatraz first. Begin your tour when you meet your guide in San Francisco. Depart for your chosen first destination, Muir Woods National Monument Park or Alcatraz. If you've chosen Muir Woods, admire the breathtaking majesty and fresh air of the ancient redwood forest.  Continue your day as you drive to the seaside community of Sausalito. Admire the Mediterranean flair and the large assortment of houseboats. Then, travel on a ferry to reach Alcatraz Island and enter the prison. While you explore, listen to the award-winning Cellhouse audio tour. If you've chosen to visit Alcatraz first, board a ferry to visit the famous island prison. Wander the halls with your audio guide and explore the island, then depart to visit the Muir Woods National Monument Park and the colorful city of Sausalito.

San Francisco: Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

5. San Francisco: Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

Hop on board a boat and cruise around Alcatraz Island and other sights of San Francisco Bay on this round trip journey. Benefit from a straight-to-the-gate access ticket and informative commentary as you go. Cruise San Francisco Bay and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge on a 90-minute narrated tour by boat around Alcatraz Island. Skip the box office line and go straight to the gate with your ticket. See Alcatraz island from the water while listening to accounts of the chilling escape attempts and the notorious criminals that called Alcatraz prison home. Enjoy a cruise with food and drink available to purchase onboard. Cruise full circle around Alcatraz Island, allowing you to view every angle of this mysterious island, which housed famous inmates such as Al Capone, Billy Cook the Killer, and Clyde Johnson, whose escape attempt is legendary. Gain a clear picture of what life in this maximum-security prison was like when it was the most feared institution in the American penal system.

San Francisco: Luxury Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay

6. San Francisco: Luxury Brunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay

Choose between a buffet brunch or plated dinner during this luxury cruise on San Francisco Bay. Enjoy on-board entertainment as you pass by the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and other sights. Choose from the following two options: Champagne Brunch CruiseFeast on a decadent brunch with this good-morning getaway featuring free-flowing mimosas and sparkling wine. Sit back and munch on a buffet stocked with classic breakfast dishes, lunch entrees, and desserts. Experience live music and views of San Francisco Bay’s renowned sights as you unwind after a hectic week or celebrate a special event. Luxury Dinner CruiseEmbark on a date night with a delicious, dynamic twist. Marvel at the sun setting as the city lights twinkle from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate. Then, feast on a 3-course sit-down meal, including appetizers, salad, a choice of entrée, and dessert, with live music playing in the background. Sample Brunch Menu:Early Risers• Breakfast pastries - assorted muffins and Danishes• Scrambled eggs - American cheddar cheese• Breakfast meats - applewood smoked bacon, pork sausage links• Breakfast potatoes - caramelized onions, red and green bell peppers• French toast - whipped cream, maple syrup Late Risers• Kale quinoa salad - quinoa, roasted red pepper, spinach, lemon oregano vinaigrette• Green goddess pasta salad - sweet peas, white beans, scallions• Caesar salad - romaine lettuce, aged Reggiano parmesan cheese, herb croutons, traditional Caesar dressing• Oven-roasted flounder - spicy tomato and white bean ragu• Kid's station - chicken tenders and French fries• Hand-carved strip loin - signature spice rub, horseradish crème, au jus (broth)• Hand-carved oven-roasted turkey - cranberry sauce• Pasta al forno - alfredo sauce, panko parmesan crust• Scottish smoked salmon display - cream cheese, shaved red onions, Roma tomatoes, capers Dessert• Signature dessert station - cakes, brownies, seasonal fruit Sample Dinner Menu:Starter (choice of one)• Watermelon and baby arugula salad - feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette• Signature seafood chowder - clams, flounder, potatoes, cream Main Course (choice of one)• Root vegetable fricassee - butternut squash, cauliflower, zucchini, grape tomatoes, gremolata, cauliflower coconut cream sauce• Broiled salmon filet with roasted tomato vinaigrette - lemon orzo, farm-fresh seasonal vegetables• Oven-roasted chicken breast with rosemary and thyme - roasted new red potato salad with scallions, haricot verts, creamy mushroom sauce• Braised beef short ribs with Fresno pepper demi-glace - garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots, broccoli Dessert• Signature chocolate cake - creme Anglaise, raspberry coulis, candied pecans• Mixed fruit with strawberries - Madagascar vanilla and orange cream• New York style cheesecake - lemon mascarpone cream, blueberry compote

San Francisco: Bay Cruise & Wine Country Tour with Tastings

7. San Francisco: Bay Cruise & Wine Country Tour with Tastings

Set off on a half-day excursion to California's wine country in the morning and enjoy a scenic bay cruise around San Francisco Bay in the afternoon. Benefit from the convenience of a full-day combo tour. Start your day heading North to enjoy a scenic drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Next, we drive through the beautiful seaside town of Sausalito, the Mediterranean-like village harbored across the San Francisco Bay and famous for its sweeping views on our way to Wine Country. As the vine-covered hillsides come into view, visit 2 popular wineries for wine tastings and an exclusive estate tour at 2 favorite local winery venues. At each winery, enjoy up to 3-5 tastings of their signature blends. Experience the inner workings of the wineries and their family history in Napa & Sonoma Valley, as an expert wine host walks you through the fermentation process, barrel aging, bottling, and of course tastings of some award-winning varietals Next, stop for a quick break at Fisherman's Wharf to enjoy some of the outdoor crab stations and get the chance to buy clam chowder in San Francisco's famous sourdough bowl. Finish your day with a 1.5-hour cruise at sunset sailing under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in one spectacular cruise along San Francisco's entire urban skyline. Along the way, explore San Francisco's stunning landmarks like Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, Ferry Building, Transamerica Pyramid, Palace of Fine Arts, and many more. Learn about this city's unique natural history, architecture, and Native American culture through our audio tour. Other interesting aspects of the multilingual audio tour include details about the building of both bridges, the geology of San Francisco Bay, and the architectural techniques developed to protect San Francisco from earthquakes. Cruising under both of San Francisco's incredible bridges surely will be the highlight of your journey.

From Sausalito: San Francisco and Alcatraz Helicopter Tour

8. From Sausalito: San Francisco and Alcatraz Helicopter Tour

See the California coast along San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge on a helicopter tour with a live guide and pilot. Take off and land in Sausalito to see famous landmarks from another angle, including the Alcatraz prison. Enjoy a 20-minute flight over the splendor of the land and waters along the North Pacific. Take off from the bayside village of Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Next, fly along the shoreline of the quaint bayside village of Sausalito, then right over the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. Continue to soar over Crissy Field, downtown San Francisco, and Oracle Park – home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Fly over the infamous island prison of Alcatraz. Finally, your flight will be completed with a pass by the historic Angel Island, and back for a smooth landing at the heliport next to Sausalito’s Richardson Bay.

San Francisco: Bay Sailing Tour with Drinks

9. San Francisco: Bay Sailing Tour with Drinks

Embark on a relaxing cruise along the San Francisco Bay and enhance your sightseeing experience with two complimentary drinks. Take in views of the San Francisco skyline and important landmarks, including the Golden Gate bridge. Be welcomed by your captain and first mate and make yourself comfortable on the Privateer, a double-masted sailboat. Motor out of the dock towards the bay and watch the sails rise above you. Be served two complimentary drinks of your choice from a selection of beer, wine, soft drinks, or water. Pass Alcatraz and Angel Island and see the Bay Bridge. Glide past the city of Sausalito before cruising parallel to the the Golden Gate Bridge for some great photo opportunities. Feel free to ask the crew any questions about the landmarks. Finally, be returned to the departure point.

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

10. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

Get lots of choices for sightseeing in San Fransisco in one go — access to the hop-on hop-off city tour route with English commentary, a special night tour, a ferry ride with tickets to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour of the notorious prison. Benefit from audio guides available in a variety of languages at Alcatraz Island. With open double-decker buses and an English guide on each one, you can see just about everything and learn just as much. Get to all the most famous spots in the city. Pick out the ones that interest you as 48 hours is enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. The Official City Loop highlights include: • The Palace of Fine Arts• North Vista Point where you can take photos of Golden Gate Bridge• Golden Gate Park where you can enjoy the Japanese Tea Gardens• Haight-Ashbury district• San Francisco Downtown, Chinatown• The Civic Center• The Embarcadero• Fisherman’s Wharf• Barbary Coast• The Financial District and the Ferry Building Take the Night Tour to cover many of the attractions from the other routes, but with a whole new perspective. It is not hop-on hop-off and departs from Fisherman’s Wharf in the evening all year round with additional departures during the summer months.

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To enter Alcatraz, you need to have a ticket or be part of a guided tour.

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What people are saying about Alcatraz

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 7,753 reviews

Fantastic tour 4hours covering all the must see San Francisco highlights. Eric the guide/driver is extremely knowledgeable and will even help cover other sights you wish. Lunch is a great spot for quality food.. your dropped off at Alcatraz Dock to end tour a great day out..well worth the cost we couldn't find anything else that matched this tour.

Easy to navigate. The big bus stop made collection super simple. The audio tour at Alcatraz is really well put together, booking in advance is a must. Recommend packing extra layers for the night tour if you plan to sit on top of the bus, the wind chill is next level. Overall a great experience - highly recommend.

Excellent service and value for money . There is an english audio on loudspeakers which helped to understand the history of the bay . If you book on line go straight to queue line . Excellent information from Getyour guide .

The tourist guy was amazing and very informative,friendly and just has excellent communication and customer service skills.we truly enjoyed ourselves.

Easy to book. The guide was called Robert and he was very good.