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Definitely not worth it. The island of birds, which it should be called, ia in shambles. A good majority chained off, in disarray, smells horrible because of the thousands of birds occupying the space, so unsanitary, it smells horribly, looks disgusting, and there's a massive emphasis on a museum about the natives who lived there for a few years, what about the prison, the military base?? They were there longer than when the native movement happened. Zero guided tours, only audio, too many people long lines and waits. Not worth the money.
Must visit when in SF! Tickets sell out quickly, so be certain to get tickets in advance. Hands down one of the best "museums" that I've been to. It's awesome that the cell doors are still functional on the island. My only regret was not getting tickets for an earlier tour in the day, so I had more time to explore Alcatraz!
Tickets are about...$45 per person. The island is bigger than we expected, but enjoyed it! The self-guided tour is interesting and walks you through the main prison (included with ticket price). The boats run every 30 minutes (food/drink is only available on the boats, FYI). The tour is about 30 minutes; exploring the island can be 2-3 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket.
Definitely a one and done experience when visiting San Francisco. I had a great time checking out the island with the self guided tour. 1-2 hours and you've already explored the whole island. Make sure you eat before going on the tour since the food on the ferry there is not good. During the winter season, make sure to bring a thick jacket!
We prebooked the Alcatraz tour before leaving home because we heard it could sell out. Our tour time was 12noon so we left the hotel about 1030am. We rode the MUNI bus to Fisherman's Wharf and got off at Pier 19. From there we met the nicest tour guide that directed us to either walk 20 mins to Pier 35 or catch the trolley. The historic trolley was coming to us in about 10 mins. We got on and got to pier 35 with tickets in hand. They were boarding the ferry around 1115am for an 1130 departure. We were early. The ferry took off at noon and it was a nice breezy day on the water. We got to Alcatraz and they let us know to check the departure times on the board. The ferry leaves on time. If you are one minute late, you are 29 mins early for the next one. We had to walk up three levels of ramps to get to the cell blocks in order to get the audio tour. I really enjoyed the audio tour. The sound was great and was narrated in great detail. As you went from cell to cell, the narrator instructed you on where to go and what to look for. Many interesting stories about the inmates, the procedures and even escape attempts. Very good history lesson. The tour was over after an hour and a half but you could continue to explore. We trekked back down the hill and caught the next ferry. They served food and drinks on the ferry if you wished to purchase. It's a short ride with plenty of seating inside and out. Definitely recommend.
Sometimes playing tourist in your home city is fun. My friend was in town and wanted to go to Alcatraz. We did the night tour because it was close to Halloween. The night tour added an extra layer of spooky. The infirmary was particularly creepy at night. The audio tour was as good as I remember maybe even better now that I'm a bit older and can appreciate a good interpretive program. I also used to be a Park Ranger and had to design tour programs for historic sites like Alcatraz. The audio tour is well done. They do a good job at creating an immersive experience. There's also an exhibit near where you return your head set about the modern prison system. This was also really well done. The exhibit explores the connection between slavery, race and incarceration in the US. Definitely worth checking out and a great place to wait for your friends who may have gotten lost during the audio tour ;) Alcatraz seems to get better every time I visit. Maybe I'll be back sooner than 10 years this time.
Can't miss destination on any trip to San Francisco. We did an early morning tour to try and avoid crowds, but that came with morning fog which made visibility difficult. That being said, the fog added ambiance to the experience and we didn't mind it. On the ferry ride back the fog had lifted so we still got great photos of the island!
A unique experience but there's cooler things to do in San Francisco, especially if your time is limited. I did this tour once as a kid but I had completely forgotten what it was like so I decided to do it again. I definitely remember it being cooler as a kid. But then again, I guess that's a lot of things. Overall it's a very educational experience and if you're into history you're gonna love it, but if you only have a day or two to see San Fran, China Town is definitely cooler than prison.
The NPS has a contract that is exclusive with the ferry that shuttles to the Island (read: monopoly). You are actually paying mostly for the ferry when you pay the 45ish dollars. I would guess about 30 goes to the company and 15 goes to the NPS. I would think that if there were various shuttles NPS could release that monopoly and allow the market to compete and lower that price for the consumer. Pro Tips: If you have any difficulty walking request assistance with mobility and ride up and down. The long walk up to the prison is challenging for an older person or a much younger person. Once you arrive you are given an audio tour and it is pretty dated. I think it should offer a more modern perspective that has a linear walking route so you are not jumping back and forth. Also, there needs to be a section marked on the road for people to walk when the tram is moving about. Additionally, If you want to tour the lighthouse and the power plant and other sections of Alcatraz that helped run the prison arrive for an early tour because those areas close before 3:00pm or tour those areas first. Finally, stay to the back of the ferry if you are up top because the water will splash everywhere and bring warm pants and a coat (not jacket) as the temperature drops and the sun does not seem to penetrate past the bay. The chill will leave you feeling sorry for the inmates who lived on the island with nothing more than simple state issued attire and a sheet. Suggestions: I wish the tour included what life was like for a prisoner and there had been more signs with information instead of being so dependent on the audio tour. I would have loved to learn about gardening on the island and the rose garden as well as movies made on the island.
I've always heard how great this tour is and I agree! Since I had traveled to San Francisco in a slower tourist season, I was able to reserve this tour the day before via viator.com As instructed... to arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour boards at Pier 33. The check in process was very painless as long as you have your ticket either printed or on your phone. Boarding of the ferry is very organized. The ferry takes about 30 minutes to get to Alcatraz Island. After docking, we were met by a National Park Tour since this is a national park. He had informed us about the history of the island .... from being a prison to the Indian Occupation. We have the option for an audio tour or by buying a tour guide & map for $1. The tour is a lot of walking.... some on uneven payment. I was able to view many of the buildings. Plan to spend at least couple of hours on the island. Once I was finished with the tour, I just headed back to the dock for the next ferry back to the main dock. I would highly recommend this tour!!
So first off we went for the night tour. This tour left at 4pm and came back at 6:40pm. This is April. The sun sets at 7:45pm so not sure what about this says night tour! Save your time. Go on the day tours because then you can leave on any boat back. They run every half hour. If you do the night one you are stuck there for almost 3 hours. Which is about 1 hour longer than you need to be there. Also the audio on the boat didn't work so you couldn't hear the backstory on your ride there. Now the positives. It's a cool tour. They are efficient and everything runs smoothly. It's a self guided audio tour and they give you devices to use. Dress warm because it's cold and it's windy! Cool to see everything and be there so worth a one time trip.
Reasonably priced and well orchestrated tour of Alcatraz. Ten minute ride to and from Alcatraz starting at Pier 33. When you arrive on the island immediately head up the hill to the beginning of the audio tour of cell block A and other features. Use the pause button on the audio device to keep the audio in sync with how fast or slow you move through the tour. I really enjoyed the audio tour. You can move through at your own pace. The boat ride out and back was smooth. If you enjoy history, you'll find this fun. read more
6 days ago
6 months ago
Finally checked Alcatraz Island off the list One of those places you learn about in history class and watch in documentaries... and now I can actually say I've been there. Walking through it in real life just hits different. Took my 14-year-old son with me, and let's just say... he was a little traumatized . He kept saying how eerie it felt the entire time--and honestly, I get it. There's a certain heaviness you can't ignore once you step inside. Definitely an experience I won't forget. If you're into history, this is one place that will stay with you long after you leave. read more
4 months ago
Definitely not worth it. The island of birds, which it should be called, ia in shambles. A good majority chained off, in disarray, smells horrible because of the thousands of birds occupying the space, so unsanitary, it smells horribly, looks disgusting, and there's a massive emphasis on a museum about the natives who lived there for a few years, what about the prison, the military base?? They were there longer than when the native movement happened. Zero guided tours, only audio, too many people long lines and waits. Not worth the money. read more
1 year ago
Must visit when in SF! Tickets sell out quickly, so be certain to get tickets in advance. Hands down one of the best "museums" that I've been to. It's awesome that the cell doors are still functional on the island. My only regret was not getting tickets for an earlier tour in the day, so I had more time to explore Alcatraz! read more
2 years ago
Tickets are about...$45 per person. The island is bigger than we expected, but enjoyed it! The self-guided tour is interesting and walks you through the main prison (included with ticket price). The boats run every 30 minutes (food/drink is only available on the boats, FYI). The tour is about 30 minutes; exploring the island can be 2-3 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket. read more
Definitely a one and done experience when visiting San Francisco. I had a great time checking out the island with the self guided tour. 1-2 hours and you've already explored the whole island. Make sure you eat before going on the tour since the food on the ferry there is not good. During the winter season, make sure to bring a thick jacket! read more
We prebooked the Alcatraz tour before leaving home because we heard it could sell out. Our tour time was 12noon so we left the hotel about 1030am. We rode the MUNI bus to Fisherman's Wharf and got off at Pier 19. From there we met the nicest tour guide that directed us to either walk 20 mins to Pier 35 or catch the trolley. The historic trolley was coming to us in about 10 mins. We got on and got to pier 35 with tickets in hand. They were boarding the ferry around 1115am for an 1130 departure. We were early. The ferry took off at noon and it was a nice breezy day on the water. We got to Alcatraz and they let us know to check the departure times on the board. The ferry leaves on time. If you are one minute late, you are 29 mins early for the next one. We had to walk up three levels of ramps to get to the cell blocks in order to get the audio tour. I really enjoyed the audio tour. The sound was great and was narrated in great detail. As you went from cell to cell, the narrator instructed you on where to go and what to look for. Many interesting stories about the inmates, the procedures and even escape attempts. Very good history lesson. The tour was over after an hour and a half but you could continue to explore. We trekked back down the hill and caught the next ferry. They served food and drinks on the ferry if you wished to purchase. It's a short ride with plenty of seating inside and out. Definitely recommend. read more
3 months ago
Sometimes playing tourist in your home city is fun. My friend was in town and wanted to go to Alcatraz. We did the night tour because it was close to Halloween. The night tour added an extra layer of spooky. The infirmary was particularly creepy at night. The audio tour was as good as I remember maybe even better now that I'm a bit older and can appreciate a good interpretive program. I also used to be a Park Ranger and had to design tour programs for historic sites like Alcatraz. The audio tour is well done. They do a good job at creating an immersive experience. There's also an exhibit near where you return your head set about the modern prison system. This was also really well done. The exhibit explores the connection between slavery, race and incarceration in the US. Definitely worth checking out and a great place to wait for your friends who may have gotten lost during the audio tour ;) Alcatraz seems to get better every time I visit. Maybe I'll be back sooner than 10 years this time. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
Can't miss destination on any trip to San Francisco. We did an early morning tour to try and avoid crowds, but that came with morning fog which made visibility difficult. That being said, the fog added ambiance to the experience and we didn't mind it. On the ferry ride back the fog had lifted so we still got great photos of the island! read more
A unique experience but there's cooler things to do in San Francisco, especially if your time is limited. I did this tour once as a kid but I had completely forgotten what it was like so I decided to do it again. I definitely remember it being cooler as a kid. But then again, I guess that's a lot of things. Overall it's a very educational experience and if you're into history you're gonna love it, but if you only have a day or two to see San Fran, China Town is definitely cooler than prison. read more
1 year ago
The NPS has a contract that is exclusive with the ferry that shuttles to the Island (read: monopoly). You are actually paying mostly for the ferry when you pay the 45ish dollars. I would guess about 30 goes to the company and 15 goes to the NPS. I would think that if there were various shuttles NPS could release that monopoly and allow the market to compete and lower that price for the consumer. Pro Tips: If you have any difficulty walking request assistance with mobility and ride up and down. The long walk up to the prison is challenging for an older person or a much younger person. Once you arrive you are given an audio tour and it is pretty dated. I think it should offer a more modern perspective that has a linear walking route so you are not jumping back and forth. Also, there needs to be a section marked on the road for people to walk when the tram is moving about. Additionally, If you want to tour the lighthouse and the power plant and other sections of Alcatraz that helped run the prison arrive for an early tour because those areas close before 3:00pm or tour those areas first. Finally, stay to the back of the ferry if you are up top because the water will splash everywhere and bring warm pants and a coat (not jacket) as the temperature drops and the sun does not seem to penetrate past the bay. The chill will leave you feeling sorry for the inmates who lived on the island with nothing more than simple state issued attire and a sheet. Suggestions: I wish the tour included what life was like for a prisoner and there had been more signs with information instead of being so dependent on the audio tour. I would have loved to learn about gardening on the island and the rose garden as well as movies made on the island. read more
1 year ago
I've always heard how great this tour is and I agree! Since I had traveled to San Francisco in a slower tourist season, I was able to reserve this tour the day before via viator.com As instructed... to arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour boards at Pier 33. The check in process was very painless as long as you have your ticket either printed or on your phone. Boarding of the ferry is very organized. The ferry takes about 30 minutes to get to Alcatraz Island. After docking, we were met by a National Park Tour since this is a national park. He had informed us about the history of the island .... from being a prison to the Indian Occupation. We have the option for an audio tour or by buying a tour guide & map for $1. The tour is a lot of walking.... some on uneven payment. I was able to view many of the buildings. Plan to spend at least couple of hours on the island. Once I was finished with the tour, I just headed back to the dock for the next ferry back to the main dock. I would highly recommend this tour!! read more
5 years ago
So first off we went for the night tour. This tour left at 4pm and came back at 6:40pm. This is April. The sun sets at 7:45pm so not sure what about this says night tour! Save your time. Go on the day tours because then you can leave on any boat back. They run every half hour. If you do the night one you are stuck there for almost 3 hours. Which is about 1 hour longer than you need to be there. Also the audio on the boat didn't work so you couldn't hear the backstory on your ride there. Now the positives. It's a cool tour. They are efficient and everything runs smoothly. It's a self guided audio tour and they give you devices to use. Dress warm because it's cold and it's windy! Cool to see everything and be there so worth a one time trip. read more
1 year ago
This was a great tour and very interesting. Quick 15 minute ferry ride and you are at the rock. The guided tour was our favorite part. The gift shop was fun to visit too. Beautiful views and educational. read more
3 years ago
!!!MUST GO IF VISITING SAN FRAN!!! I REALLY enjoyed Alcatraz.The staff were super helpful and nice to guide us through the jail. They were really organized and guided people to the boat with no trouble. I really enjoyed seeing the old cell rooms where you can see prisoners items to keep them busy. I suggest going into every cell you can go in because there are little signs telling about prison life and what they did to keep busy. If you can go check out the garden. Note: the garden is only open till 3pm. The only thing to be aware of is there's A LOT of seagulls and birds swarming around. So if your scared just keep watch and don't look down because there are A LOT!!! There's also a huge family of flies on the boat on the window in the back of the boat that will land on you if you sit next to them. Overall loved the experience and would definitely come back to try the night tours and basement tour (which you have to pay extra and book out easily). read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
I got my ticket from https://www.alcatrazislandtickets.com beware there are scammer sites out there but be sure to use the official one. I got my ticket the day before and was lucky that spots were still open, typically the tickets are booked weeks and months in advance. There is a parking lot across the street from Pier 33, and there is plenty of parking nearby. On-street parking in the Fisherman's Wharf area can be difficult to find, and nearly every space has a meter with a two-hour limit, which is not enough time for Alcatraz visits. There are numerous commercial lots within five blocks of the Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. I was able to find open street parking l. I cannot stress this enough allow ample time to find parking. It can get crowded. The board ride is ~10 min to the island, and it's a self-guided tour. There are plenty of things to explore while on the island. Overall, it was very informative and loved the experien read more
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Victor B.
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I learned a lot on this tour and am happy I finally came to see what it's all about. I recommend a good walking shoe because I wore the wrong shoes and my feet were killing by the end. I also recommend going early when it's less busy and bringing alcohol wipes to wipe off the headsets they give out. read more
I had an amazing time on my Alcatraz tour! Most of the tour was given through audio devices that they hand out once you get in the building. This was nice since you could pause/play the audio and go at your own pace. It was also really cool to hear the voices of former prisoners and a former correctional officer. There was plenty to see and some stories to read about particular areas of the prison. You get a great view of the entire island by going around on the ship first and then by walking up to the prison with a tour guide and group. There is a tram if you have mobility issues to bring you up to the prison. It's quite a walk to get up there! Overall, I had a great time and learned a lot about what it was like for prisoners back in the day. I highly recommend whether or not you already know the history. Some tips: 1. Definitely book in advance if you're planning on doing a tour since they sell out fast. 2. We had the impression that we would be doing a night and paid extra for it hoping for a spookier experience. However, we made the mistake of not checking what time the sun went down...and the entire tour was in broad daylight. So, don't pay more for a night tour unless you're going at the right time of year! 3. Bring a sweater for the ride there and back, and don't be surprised if you get splashed while standing at the front of the boat on a windy day. read more
3 years ago
Amazing experience!! We did the behind the scenes! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and took us behind the scenes exclusively which made the experience a special one. Audio portion was pretty cool. Just being there in person was unreal knowing the history behind this notorious prison that made history will forever be a memorable experience we will never forget. The gift shop is awesome too! read more
5 years ago
I took the "Behind the Scenes" tour and it was above and beyond what I was expecting! Our guide, Steve, has been a guide there for almost 15 years and was a wealth of knowledge on all things Alcatraz. He wasn't kidding when he said we could ask him anything! We had access to areas of the island that others that the regular tours did not, which was also very cool! If you have the time and are willing to spend a little extra money, this experience (especially with Steve) is truly worth it! *Also, make sure to bring cash so that you can tip your guides at the end. For all the work they do, they deserve it! read more
3 years ago
I've been wanting to come for quiet some time. The ferri ride was pretty quick. The audio tour was great. I'm so glad I came it was great experience. Definitely worth my day trip to SF. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
If this location is not on your bucket list, you should add it. This was the high light of our San Francisco trip. I SUGGEST BOOKING AHEAD OF TIME, we were there on a Thursday and they didn't have any openings till Monday. It's a popular tourist spot. I really enjoy doing the tour on our own, we took our time and enjoy the island. The only downside to this is you start off walking up a hill and there are no snack shop they have a small store, but they sell books and waters and other trinkets. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Overall this was a great way to experience Alcatraz. From the moment we got on the boat, to the moment we returned from the island, it was fun and educational. The tour boat itself that shuttles passengers to the island is solar powered, which is pleasant to know it's operating with less of a carbon footprint. On the way to the island, there's amazing indescribable views all around the San Francisco bay area. When you get to the island, it's great that you can venture around the island at your own pace. At first it was a little strange to be offered hand held devices for the self tour, but after getting into the tour, it actually was convenient to be able to explore at our own pace. The tour was very informative and interesting when learning more about the island's history. Before the tour, I didn't realize there was more tied to the island other than the history of the prison. If you're into history and exploring landmarks, this is an excellent place to visit. The costs were reasonable and the staff were very helpful. If there were ever any questions, there's always someone nearby to help. This is a great experience for families and friends. When we arrived, we got a creepy feeling from the island. It was somewhat spooky and unsettling to be on the island, as it should be. Exploring the prison sells and different parts of the prison, it gave a feeling that's worth discovering on your own volition. Definitely recommend experiencing this tour. read more
3 years ago
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Victor B.
Hello,…
3 years ago
The walking guided tour with Amy was optional but well worth our time. She was very informative, personable and got to see and hear some different information from the audio tour. Thanks Amy read more
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