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Alcatraz Island

Historic and Protected Site, Island, and National Park

San Francisco

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Alcatraz Island

9.4^/10

3,049

ratings

On the list: #BabysFirstTime: SF Edition
Ranked #6 for historic and protected sites in 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)
"Get tickets in advance, get there early, get the audio tour"(31 Tips)
"Very good audio guide."(13 Tips)

419 Tips and reviews

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Wilson Favre-DelerueApril 19, 2016
A must-do for any San Francisco visit, Alcatraz remains a fascinating place with a rich history. The audio tour is well worth the time and offers magnificent city views from one of its terraces.
Hugo ReevesJune 25, 2015
An awesome spot to go visit, it only takes a couple of hours. The audio tour is amazing if you are on a short time schedule and want to learn as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.
Upvoted Jan 18
Beernie HarrisonFebruary 13, 2013
Go to both the night & the day trips if you can. My wife & I loved it. They have a very well produced audio tour for most of the inside. Well worth it. Say hi to Adam when you are there. Hi Adam. De
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Elena MarchenkoJanuary 9, 2018
A must visit tour! Very well organized, audio guide easy to follow and exciting to listen, picturesque view on the city. Island itself unique and beautiful! Don't forget to buy some souvenirs there 😉
Jeff S.March 6, 2018
Alcatraz has been used as a Civil War fort & a Federal prison. Today, the National Park Service runs it as a tourist attraction. You’ll learn about American history & views of SF & the bay are amazing
Daphne GoonOctober 21, 2018
A must see attraction when you r at SF. History of the infamous prison. The audio tour was fantastic. But quite confusing sometimes on the direction where to head as you need to backtrack too.
Gsus S.S.May 27, 2019
Excellent. It’s really a small space in general terms, but the audio-guided tour made us spend two hours with no complain. Cool souvenirs too and better organized than other attractions in USA.
Roma Flores CastrejónJanuary 18, 2017
Took the night tour, completely worth the price of $42.50. Eerie and sad, the feeling stays with you. The audio tour is great and the workshop classes offered by the guides are really interesting.
Begum TekinAugust 10, 2014
Book your tickets online im advance, it sells out. Fantastic view of SF from the island. Take the audio tour!
المهره الصعبه ماهي لأي خيالSeptember 9, 2016
Historical site of the isolated island for dangerous prisoners. It was known that it is one way journey. We still don't know if someone managed to escape!
Liz 🦎September 9, 2015
Book your tickets at least a month in advance! They have 50 tickets on the day of for the first boat at 8:45am. Get there by at least 6am to get in line (they start selling at 7:30am).
Nitzan BJune 2, 2017
This is just an amazing historical site. The audio tour is really good and the view of SanFran it the cherry on top
NASAJanuary 11, 2011
Now that you have seen what Alcatraz looks like from the inside, click the link to see what it looks like from 220 miles above Earth aboard the International Space Station using an 800mm camera lens. Read more
posidoniaDecember 25, 2014
The audiotour is a must! Reliving history through a vivid narration and excellent audio effects! Plan to go when weather is NOT good! The atmosphere is awesome!
César BlueAugust 4, 2015
Use the audio guide, is the best way to know what happen inside this amazing bulding. This guide is included in the tour. The souvenir store is full of nice and funny things.
TobiasJune 14, 2019
A very interesting historical place, which you must absolutely have seen! Early Bird is really advisable and you should take lots of time on the audio tour.
Fodor's TravelAugust 21, 2015
Take time to savor a multitude of views: the island itself on your ferry ride, the Golden Gate Bridge from the recreation yard, and the city skyline from the paths surrounding the Cell House.
Christine LJuly 19, 2017
Book weeks/months in advance. Otherwise, check the website frequently for tickets that free up from cancellations, etc. (Refresh the page at tix office opening time, midday, and end of business day.)
Justin McClintickNovember 17, 2013
Plan accordingly as this tour can take up most of the day. Really historic experience! Great views from the boat ride over so bring a camera!
Catriona HunterJune 30, 2016
Fascinating place. A ferry btw 10&11am, gives plenty of time without being rushed. Take time to walk around outside and see the gardens. The ferry and the island can be cold so bring a sweater.
Ahmad QousiSeptember 12, 2012
Beautiful view from the front yard of the cellhouse on the top of the island, every 5 minutes the view changes due to the fog that might block the view of San Francisco.
JoshJanuary 22, 2017
A SF staple. A must visit if you haven't been. Book in advance to make sure you get the time and day you want to go.
Elisabeth LongshoreOctober 16, 2016
The audio tour is included in your visit. Also, take the "hiking trail" up to the prison. Stairs make the climb easier.
Lydia BerkennouJanuary 26, 2015
Take the tour audio guide with you. It's a must as it makes the tour even more incredible and exciting!
Rachel ClarkOctober 31, 2015
Take the night tour. Pretty spooky, with the bonus that you might get to wander around the infirmary (and the Birdman's cell).
Caroline BlackSeptember 28, 2016
Get the first or second boat out and skip the welcome when you get off the cruiser and head straight to the cell house to beat the crowds for the audio tour.
Suja RamachandranAugust 29, 2012
Good 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 :)
Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
A MUST SEE when you visit San Francisco, but make sure to buy tickets at least 2 months in advance. They can sell out really quickly.
ᴡ NikeOctober 20, 2012
Frank Morris, Clarence Anglin, John Anglin. Escape from Alkatras in 1962. REWARD for capture in $1.000.000, offered in 1993 the Red & White Fleet company, still remains unclaimed.
Marcia Baroni SmithSeptember 24, 2014
Great experience! The rangers give you a warm welcome speech with interesting info on the prison. Kudos to audio tour too, very nicely produced and easy to follow.
Gyozo NagyMarch 24, 2016
Audio tour is perfect and this is a world famous building. You just cannot skip. Tickets are sold at least for the next two weeks. Go online;)
Melik BayoudiaDecember 12, 2013
You have to take the audio tour. It is amazingly thrilling to walk through the cellblock and listen to the stories. And the Merchandising is also really good #awesome
Christie HeikkinenMarch 3, 2013
Go in the morning before it gets too busy, and leave whenever you're ready. It's a great spot for photos of the city as well. They have a self-guided audio tour of the prison inside.
Jennifer CarterMarch 26, 2016
Really interesting to wonder around. Quite haunting. Highly recommend, plus you get a fun boat ride over!
Drew MatthewsJuly 20, 2015
If you have a kid get the junior ranger booklet from the gift shop for $1 then complete it and get sworn in as a junior ranger. Includes a really nice badge!
Social News NetworkDecember 4, 2013
Take the ferry to this historical island. What used to be an inescapable prison, an immigration station, and a place of unrest for thousands of Native Americans has become a history buff's paradise.
MhmtaliMay 31, 2013
Robert Stroud, "The Birdman of Alcatraz" spent 17 years in cell #42. Segregated from the prisoners, he turned to birds for company. He was the inspiration for the 1962 movie starring Burt Lancaster.
Gabriel CarmoSeptember 12, 2014
Worth every second. The audio tour is increadible. Gives every detail of the important events! One of the best things to do in San Francisco.
Travel + LeisureJuly 30, 2012
Take 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).
PettranSeptember 19, 2015
Super interesting historic site. Take the audio tour and allow at least three hours on the island.
Eleanor RigbyJuly 10, 2017
One of the most typical places to visit. Hurry up to get your tickets, the tickets sold out faster!
Marc HoppersNovember 25, 2014
If you're a history buff, do the audio tour, listen to all the Ranger and docent talks, and hike the island.
Giselle BaldoJanuary 4, 2019
Buy yr tickets online 3 months first if you have just a specific or a couple days available to stay in the city!
Becky HendersonOctober 21, 2013
Awesome tour! Make sure to wear good shoes it's a 13 story hike up to the main cell block. A lot of people brought kids under ten which I thought was a little crazy.
Bori 206June 9, 2011
Skip 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!
Stephanie LMay 22, 2013
A 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.
Tina WarviNovember 13, 2011
Do the nighttime tour! You can take an early eve ferry & catch the last one of the night to make the most of your time. Bring your camera & be prepared to feel chills...not just because of the cold!
Ulf HillstedtMay 12, 2013
Not only a must when visiting San Fransisco. It is actually interesting and gives you nice views of the town, the Golden Gate. Do not miss the use the headphones.
lino brescia™March 25, 2017
Give yourself two hours. Make sure to book in advance. Guided tour is helpful.
Erik HomFebruary 12, 2012
Many 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

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