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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

3,050

ratings

On the list: #BabysFirstTime: SF Edition
Ranked #6 for historic and protected sites in San Francisco
The experts at Travel + Leisure and SF Weekly recommend this place
"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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Catriona HunterJanuary 17, 2013
The audio guide of the cell block is great, but moves quite quickly so it is worth pausing the guide now and again to read the information boards, admire the views etc.
Alex JegtnesSeptember 12, 2016
Make sure you do the evening tour if you can, there are more arranged activities after you finish the wonderful audio tour than during the day.
Amy WhitneyNovember 9, 2016
Book the first ferry well in advance. Get off the boat, leave the tour and head straight for the prison to get the best pic.
Brett BertolinoJanuary 31, 2014
Still 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.
Jc MartinezApril 28, 2012
Ve a la zona de las duchas, ahi te ofrecen una guia con audifonos muy util, en espanol es impresionante/go to showers area, they will offer a very useful guide with headphones,in Spanish is impressive
Nicola MackenzieDecember 12, 2013
Audio tour is fantastic! Make sure you get the right tour most just go round the island there's only one that stops on it from pier 33
Nick FruendtJanuary 3, 2015
Make sure to get the audio tour. This is one of the finest landmarks in America and you get great views of the bay
NUCRO BLACKNovember 28, 2012
take 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
Steven MansillaDecember 9, 2015
Amazing place with many historians, saw and listen the history about the people that work or was in this prison is something that you can't lose.
Daniel StansellApril 24, 2017
Reserve your tickets early - they go fast! The audio tour is spectacular, narrated by real guards and prisoners!
Brittany SherrillMarch 18, 2013
The night tours are the best part. Make sure you go into one of the isolation cells and close your eyes. The audio tour is better than usual.
Rennie LeonDecember 29, 2010
The 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.
We Travel And BlogJanuary 16, 2015
We hate paying for tours, but this one is actually so worth it and the audio guide is key!
SF WeeklyMay 25, 2011
SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST TRIATHALONSummer race: competitors jump boat (1.5-mile swim), 18-mi bike ride on the Great Highway, ending at Marina Green w/an 8-mile run.... Read more
Eduardo GodinhoSeptember 7, 2015
One of the bests tours I already did! Went twice and loved the tour! Must do in San Fran
Moe ShehataFebruary 26, 2016
It'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.
JonSeptember 20, 2018
Great walk around the island and learn the history of Alcatraz but be ready to face flies and sea gulls droppings
Cory O'BrienJanuary 20, 2012
You'll have to pay for the privilege, but it's worth the trip to imagine what it must have been like to spend life on 'the rock'. Plus, you can't beat the view of the city!
Hostelling InternationalJune 13, 2011
Cliched 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.
Bren PearsonDecember 4, 2015
Night tour definitely recommended! Not sure how much extra you get but even just for the view of San Francisco is amazing at night.
Laila HassaballaJune 11, 2018
Incredible, leave enough time to wander and enjoy the audio tour.
Alix BloodworthJuly 8, 2012
The 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.
Ashley CavillMarch 2, 2016
It's a great place to go. Bring lunch because they dont sell food in there ,only in the ferry but like snacks.
Sean MahoneyMay 2, 2017
Fantastic experience! Nearly everything I hoped it would be. I want to go back as soon as the renovations are finished.
Allison KaminskiSeptember 5, 2015
Go on the night tour!!! You have to book months ahead. Sick views of the city. Remember it's always freezing on the island
Jeremy KrantzAugust 13, 2014
Don't skip the audio tour, you'll regret it. It's very well designed, fun and informative as well as interactive.
Patty HicksJuly 16, 2016
Great place. Take the audio tour of the cell house. It's included in your ticket and gives lots of info.
Allison KaminskiSeptember 5, 2015
Go on the night tour!!! You have to book months ahead. Sick views of the city. Remember it's always freezing on the island.
Brad TotherowJune 25, 2013
We 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.
Allison KaminskiSeptember 5, 2015
Go on the night tour! You have to book months ahead. Sick views of the city. Remember it's always freezing on the island.
Michael ClarkAugust 10, 2013
The night tour is awesome. Includes audio tour and awesome skyline views at sunset. Extra areas are also a possibility.
Angelos NMay 20, 2012
The 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.
Mhairi SinclairAugust 13, 2015
Do 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
Sibely N. K.May 8, 2012
Amazing! The audio tour constantly tells you what to look for and where to walk... Definitely one of the best audio tours I've done.
Clarence LeungFebruary 8, 2015
When 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.
Nicholas HermanMarch 19, 2016
get the first boat, walk past the first guide on the island to stay ahead of the crowds, do the audio tour
CamillaApril 20, 2016
Do the night trip! It's absolutely the best and scariest.. You won't regret taking the later tour, trust me :D
المهره الصعبه ماهي لأي خيالSeptember 9, 2016
Lovely view from the island ❤️
Darcy CheeriosAugust 4, 2013
A 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.
Vance NgSeptember 27, 2013
Highly recommend staying in cell 2. Tight space, but comes with a bonus pillow. Great for long-term stays
Lilian VilchisAugust 1, 2019
Everything is wonderful I. This place!! Magnificent structure according with the history path
Milad CerkicJune 9, 2019
Take 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.
HISTORYMarch 30, 2010
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.
BlakeAugust 15, 2016
You can pack a lunch and eat it on the island as long as you eat on the dock
Ken HallDecember 24, 2018
If you can, take the Agave trail up to the top. The views are worth it if the day is clear
Westfield San Francisco CentreJuly 10, 2012
Take a trip back in time and see San Francisco’s colorful history come to life. Visit Westfield San Francisco Centre on 865 Market Street to watch our free light spectacular under the dome!
E MarSeptember 17, 2014
Come early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The audio tour is included and worth the 45 minutes!
Andrea AndrewsMay 16, 2011
A 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
Amy RobinsonSeptember 6, 2014
Go as early as you can to avoid huge crowds, get the audio tour then go round the trails. Beautiful island.
Ana MontesMay 16, 2014
So much more than a penitentiary. .it was home to workers and their kids and is now a bird sanctuary..worth thr trip !

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