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Alcatraz Cruises
Category: Hotels & Travel Tours Tours [Edit]
Alcatraz LandingPier 33
San Francisco, CA 94111
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
(415) 981-7625
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 7 pm
242 reviews for Alcatraz Cruises
242 reviews in English
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Review from Lily K.
Sausalito, CA
5/18/2012 4 Check-ins Here
These guys are the OFFICIAL source of tickets to get onto Alcatraz for a visit. I sure am glad that they are so darn awesome!
Their plaza where you wait for the boat has been transformed to include the coolest looking big scale model of the island that shows what it looked like just before it closed.
Also, the boats are super nice and make you wish that the ride across the bay was more than 15 minutes. It's also neat to see their take on sustainability, one of the Alcatraz boats was actually converted into a hybrid. Way cool! -
Review from Mary R.
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
There's something fundamentally wrong about this tour, I kept thinking.
Before boarding you're forced to take a picture infront of a picture of Alcatraz, even though you can see the real Alcatraz by turning your head slightly to the right. What the heck? The photo is $22 upon your return, if you're so inclined.
Then you take a boat ride over to the island and that was my favorite part. Great views of the city. The ride is less than 15 minutes but there's a concession stand so that people don't have to panic about not being about to stuff their faces with nachos and hot dogs on the way over.
When we arrived a tourist guide was shouting random info at the arriving passengers, including this gem "Alcatraz is the world's most famous island". LOL really?! Australia anyone? Japan, Ireland, UK, Hawaii, New Zealand, Cuba.... Then he followed with "California has never been invaded." Um, what? Yes they were, by the Spanish...then later by the Americans! Why is no one else cringing at this man's asinine comments?!
I walked off with a frown to start the tour. You get a self guided audio tour device and mine broke about two thirds of the way through...but by then I didn't care. You're lead by the voices on the device "turn left, here is where the library was, turn right to see a cell". I felt dirty and sick about the Disneyland atmosphere of this tour - why are we celebrating human misery? Why are people posing inside prison cells with their kids and goofy grins on their faces? Why is there a gift shop with prison memorabilia? No joke, you can buy a tray that resembles the trays used to serve food to prisoners.
Al Capone's grand daughter or niece or someone was flogging her book in the gift shop.
Again I say, this whole thing felt so wrong. Should people be gawking and taking snapshots of a place so full of human suffering? It's not like we are touring something that no longer exists - current prisons are pretty much exactly the way Alcatraz is. Cells are the same size. It's cold, it's gloomy, it's sad. And yes, it housed prisoners, criminals - but I leave you with this. No rich man ever sat in a 4 by 6 cell waiting to die. -
Review from Brett N.
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Why 3 stars? Because it was a non-descript boat ride.
--- --- ---
Yep, it's a big boat ride.
Yep, it has a few (minimal) food and drink offerings, which are tempting, but you must consume all products before the short ride is over.
***Yep, buy your tickets at least a couple days in advance, they will sell out.
Yep, you can choose to stay under cover or head up top.
Yep, it's cold up top, but the views are nice.
Why do I keep saying yep?
The coolest thing on the ride back is that the seagulls seem to follow you. Maybe it was lucky coincidence, but I was completely fascinated watching them glide just above the boat, as if they were with us on the tour.
At any rate, it's about the event, not the vessel. If you are interested in seeing Alcatraz, the boat will not sway your opinion either way. When you are taking a cab home from the bar, you don't let the type of the vehicle be the difference maker...do you? If so, sorry bro.Listed in: The OTHER Bay Area
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Review from Sarah G.
North Park, San Diego, CA
5/7/2012
"You mean to tell me that the Rock has become a tourist attraction?!"
My favorite thing in San Fran! This was an absolute blast! I feel like we got more than our money's worth! Do not leave San Fran without experiencing this tour!
Took the earliest boat of the day (this is the only tour of the day that does a garden tour -- which we did not do). We lagged behind the masses entering the grounds (prob about 300 people were on the ferry) and took a bunch of pictures. Strolled to the audio tour -- prob takes about 30 min? Audio tour was very informative, without being boring or way over-informative.
Boats leave the island every 30 minutes to go back to the main land. There is a snack bar / gift shop on the pier before the boat, as well as a snack bar on the boat. No food or drinks allowed on the island.
Restrooms were surprisingly clean and well-maintained, water was not freezing!
I think weather is a hit or miss on the island. Was extremely foggy on the island Sun (when we went), but not on shore. Was clear as a bell Monday. Also was VERY windy on the island. Wish I had worn more layers! Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking and hills, some stairs -
Review from Cassandra B.
Peoria, AZ
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Worth the cost. I wished the lady giving the welcome speech when we first got there started with "Audio tour starts this way" as opposed to ending her 10-15min speech that way, but it was still a stop I am glad we made.
Take the audio tour but remember to leash family members that may wander off. At some point during the audio tour, take off the headphones and listen to how eerily silent it is even though the place is full of tourists.
We went on the last trip of the say, so we didn't have much extra time to explore. -
Review from Cheree C.
Princeton, MN
5/21/2012
Bought tickets online at home and printed them. Arrived there and no problems. The tour was great. The service was great. Everyone was nice and helpful.
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Review from Wendy P.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Two stars for not having a boat ride long enough to finish my coffee in! Geez, you'd think they could do at least a lap around the island or something.
Just kidding! Not about the short trip... don't buy coffee. You won't have time to finish it and you can't take it with you past the dock area (though you can bring a bottle of water with you), but totally about the two stars. Alcatraz is a tour everyone should take if in San Francisco. $26 for your cruise and an audio tour to walk you around the penitentiary. Buy your tickets before hand, preferably a week or so. If you miss the part of the orientation where they tell you when you get your audio tour recording thingy (like I did), it's at the top of four switchbacks, in the main building.
Bring a jacket, it's a little chilly out there in the middle of the bay. And most of all, take your time. Explore. Read all the things there are to read. Look out the windows. Image what it was all like back in the day. Then walk on back down and rejoin the rest of the world on the streets of sunny SFO.Listed in: Are you going to San…, Down by the bay
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Review from Alex S.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm on a boat. Don't you ever forget.
Sorry, being in a landlocked state, I get so few opportunities to say things like that. And it had to be said.
It took me four trips to San Francisco to actually play tourist and experience Alcatraz. I'll review the island separately, this is all about the boat.
It's a great boat at that, a quick ride from the shore to the island. With three decks (and covered inside space on two of them), it holds a ton of people. There are also terrible overpriced food (hot dogs, pretzels) and drinks (coffee, soda, etc) that you can buy if you'd like. You have to eat/drink them before getting off the boat though and since it's such a short ride, you better move fast.
(You can buy beer too, but only on the ride back. That amused me for some reason.)
There were a few annoying bits, like the mandatory tourist photo you had to take before getting on the boat, in front of a fake backdrop of Alcatraz ... even though the real Alcatraz could be seen by turning right. Ah well, the line management moved quickly and we still got on the boat easy enough.
Boats go about every half an hour. You have to take the one you're scheduled on down to the island but then you can take any one you'd like back.
Tickets cost $26 and include everything on the island. My advice to you: Buy them early! They do sell out day-of!
Happy cruising. -
Review from David H.
4/26/2012
A must do in San Francisco, buy tickets online as soon as you can. Tickets sell out frequently so buy in advance online and remember this is the only way to visit Alcatraz. The boat ride is maybe 20 mins but the island is cold and windy so bring a jacket even if it's sunny and 70 in SF. It's Alcatraz, you'd almost be disappointed if the weather was 75 and sunny.
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Review from Damien K.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2012
ADVICE FOR ALCATRAZ. 1, if you absolutely must do this place which btw big time sucks, make sure that you book your tickets in advance online. Please, showing up to SF and attempting to go, well, you will look stupid as it is sold out most of the year. God only knows why.
2. Hornblower is the ONLY place that does this. I don't think they even have deals with anyone, so please double check, because some of the bus tour packages that say they have alcatraz, actually only has a boat tour around the island itself.
you can book tickets if you absolutely must do this, for around 26 bucks at
http://www.alcatrazcru... -
Review from Jeremy W.
Kansas City, MO
5/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nothing special about the cruise but once your on the island its really neat to try and picture how it was when it was running. I wish NPS wasn't so damn concerned with the birds though. (They had several areas blocked off due to nesting areas). I thought going through the cell blocks was awesome but wanted to go to the 2nd and 3rd floors as well which were blocked off. The views from here were excellent though and the audio tour was nice. Looks a lot different then it does in the movies though. I would recommend it but not something I would do twice.
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Review from Liz O.
3/27/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Super cool tour!
First of all, this is a very popular tour and is often sold out. My husband and I went on a Thursday afternoon and it was sold out for the entire day. We decided to purchase tickets online for the Saturday evening tour -- so much better not having to wait in a long line to purchase tickets.
Anyway, we signed up for the 6:10 tour. It was a chilly, gloomy, rainy Saturday evening-- perfect for an Alcatraz tour. (it set the tone).... Since it was cold and raining, most folks decided to stay in the interior part of the boat. Oh no, not us. We wanted the full experience. We took pictures and enjoyed the San Francisco landscape scenery -- beautiful! Once we arrived to the island, the audio tour began. It was so cool being able to listen to some of the inmates narrate a portion of the tour. It was such an eerie feeling, listening to those voices while walking along the rusted cells. We walked around for a while and got to see the prisoner dining area and other interesting memorabilia.
It is a must see if you are in San Francisco. -
Review from Chris Y.
Despite their monopoly on the Alcatraz run, I was impressed that they ran such an efficient business. Seriously, when you are the only game in town, they could charge exorbitant amounts of money, or ferry us to the Rock in leaky freighters, and they'd still get business. Thankfully, it is not so.
They are very organized and efficient. It's not luxurious or service-oriented, but they get the job done. They do have a pre-cruise photo opportunity for your group, and it's printed and waiting for you upon your return ... for ~$22.
In these modern times, you can easily go online to buy and print your tickets in advance. I'd recommend at least a week in advance to make sure you get the time you want. I thought $26 wasn't *too* bad (not cheap, but could have been worse), but it sure adds up quickly when you have a whole family to pay for...
It's also a nice feature that the price of the ticket covers everything you need to visit and tour the prison... there's no separate admission fee for the island, the audio tour is included as well, and you don't have to book a separate return ferry (when you are ready to go, you just wait in line to get on the next ferry back to SF). -
Review from Jay H.
3/7/2012
First of all, you must do the night tour! Seeing the SF skyline across the bay at night on the trip back is worth the money alone, but the whole tour is fantastic!
Once we got to the island, it was still daylight. We got off of the boat and proceeded up a few steep inclines on our way to the prison. Once you enter into the shower area, you can opt for the audio tour and get your headsets. The tour is good, and gift shop is nice, all of the guides are helpful...but the thing that really got me was the prison itself. I love history, and just hearing the stories and knowing what went on in the very building that you are standing in is really awesome, especially when you go to the solitary area and step inside on of the cells.....the vibes that you feel are pretty nuts.
One tip! Ask the guard to point out Capone's cell. It's not on the audio tour, but they keep the door to his cell open...it's up on the second level, but they will be sure to point it out for you!
The tour lasts a couple of hours, and the view of SF at night on the way back is so awesome! Very romantic!
If you are visiting SF, this is something that you must do! (Book well in advance like everyone else says!) -
Review from Nancy F.
4/18/2012
I grew up in the Bay Area, and never did this tour till now, cruising in on the Sapphire Princess to do it no less. I went online and got my tickets weeks ahead after hearing it sells out often, which it did on our day there. Highly recommend doing that. Awesome ride over. The audio tour was really, really good. Hearing from original guards and inmates on the audio made it seem so real. They are good about getting you on and off the boat ride with ease. Bring an umbrella as with SF you never know when the rain may come in.
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Review from Wendy Y.
Los Angeles, CA
4/22/2012 2 photos
Worth doing at least once in your life if you have time and are in the SF area. My friend and I booked our tickets in advance online and it was $28/person. The cruise ride took all of 15 minutes. The island has so much to look at and price for the cruise includes an audio tour. Great place for a date, day trip for friends, or family outing. I would totally do this again if a friend or family member wanted to do some touristy site-seeing thing next time we're in SF.
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Review from Thomas V.
Manhattan, NY
4/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I took the Alcatraz/ Angel Island tour which luckily was on a nice but chilly day. The ride to each island was surprisingly smooth...a little rough on the way back with a choppier water ride. The staff was nice and professional. The tours were both very good and well worth the $50-60 price. Eat well before you leave as there isn't alot to choose from along the way. Bringing a bottle of water and a snack is recommended.
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Review from Corinne S.
Hoboken, NJ
5/13/2012
Great tour. I highly recommend! So cool to see/ hear all of the historical info on the audio cell block tour. So glad we took the time to do this.
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Review from Jordan M.
Canton, IL
4/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Alcatraz was good to boat was a little rocking back and fourth.
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Review from Andrew M.
3/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have lived in the bay area my whole life and never made it to the rock. I wish I had done it sooner because the tour was pretty incredible. Tons of great information and history. I just wish the weather had been better so it would have been more enjoyable (But I can not blame the company for that)
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Review from Jennifer K.
Hacienda Heights, CA
1/1/2012
When I was looking to book alcatraz tickets, I came across many companies online who sold tickets for more than what these guys wanted to charge. I was a little apprehensive at first, thinking there must be some sort of a catch? Needless to say, I was happy to see all the positive reviews the Alcatraz Cruises company has received over the years on yelp.
Our tour yesterday went well without any incident! But yes, you do need to book the tickets in advance :) I highly recommend this company if you want to visit Alcatraz! -
Review from Vince E.
12/20/2011
Ever since 1996, when Nick Cage saved SF from biological warfare waged by terroriests on the Rock, I've always tried to pay a visit to the notorious little island.
This cruise/tour did not dissapoint. For $26, your ticket includes, the boat ride over, the jail house audio tour, and any other featured tours or story tellings they have planned on the island that day. When we visited, a ranger retold the life and death of Al Capone while another ranger demonstrated the openning and closing of the cell doors, and we were briefly locked in an isolation chamber.
We lucked out, we went on one of the sunniest days in December, so if not for the tour, visiting the island will yield some of the best views of the city and walks though lush, beautiful gardens. -
Review from Spartevan V.
San Diego, CA
1/23/2012
I thought this tour was impeccably done.
Yes - there are mandatory photos (but - mandatory only if you're a monkey. In other words, you can always politely opt out, like my friend did. As for me, I'm delusional and like to pretend I'm a celebrity, so I gladly mugged for a photo solo. AND? I didn't pay for it but liked knowing I had the option should I truly be a celebrity and the photo came out flawless.. C'est la banana)
I liked the fact that you could leave at various times from the island, the video tour highlighted history of the island itself, while the audio tour seemed to focus more on the prisoner/guard experience and tell the tale of the riots and of the only successful (or was it?) escape. I can't imagine having nearly as interesting an experience without the narration on the audio tour. While we were there, (I'm not sure if this is standard), but the former youngest guard from Alcatraz was in the gift shop signing copies of his book.
I learned a lot from this tour that I'm not sure is necessarily common knowledge, but I never claimed not to be a total monkey :) All in all, a really enriching experience and money wisely spent. -
Review from Anthony R.
Las Vegas, NV
3/31/2012
If you really have to know about it we got really lucky. We started off the night just like everyone else. Standing in line waiting to board the boat. Yes, we got stuck having to take our picture in front of the Alcatraz backdrop.... Clearly we weren't even thinking of buying the picture when we got back. Having done Alcatraz myself a couple times i was excited to do the night tour with my GF.
The Night tour differs in the fact that on the boat ride their, you actually go around the entire island on the boat and they give you some pretty good information on the buildings you won't be able to check out while on the island. A fresh breath from just taking the boat directly to the dock.
Once on the dock we were greeted by guide for the first 20 minutes or so. While we walked up the hill he stopped two times to give us two escape stories(not the most famous). they were unique and he told them well. Once at the top we were first in line to get the audio tour. We liked this, it kept us ahead of the crowd that followed us. The audio tour was the same as the daytime one. I have heard that tour 2 times, so I didn't pay too much attention to it. My GF loved it though. Very informative with very interesting tidbits of information. The one thing that was a bit disappointing was that the Rec Yard and the West Road were both off limits on the night tour. They close them off because they have no lighting out there, It gets really dark out there (as we would soon find out)
We made our way outside, the sun had set, and we were looking at the view of SF from Alcatraz. What a sight. this is where we met Nick. He was a park ranger that was doing some overtime on the island due to the filming of a new show called the Great Escape. He was speaking with an Alcatraz Employee. The worker and I had made eye contact, she thought i had a question. After i said sorry, no question, Nick asked if I wanted to take a walk on the west road. I said, "Of course!" We waited for my GF and we started down the road. about 25 seconds we stopped and started talking about the island and some of the history. I explained my disappointment to him about the rec yard. after some dialogue he asked us if we wanted to see something even better then the Rec Yard. Of course we did... what kind of question is that!!!
Nick said he was going to take us to the Dungeons. I had heard of this area before just by reading about. I had no idea it was even accessible but we were actually going to go see it. Anyways, we went through the main Prison and over to a gate. Unlocked the gate. Inside, there was another section of prison cells that were completely un restored. Nick gave us some hard hats to wear while we went down. We walked down a vary narrow and steep staircase down into what was now called the dungeons. We didnt go to far inside because apparently this is where they were filming that show. But, We did see some old cells that were used before the fedral prison opened. There were no beds, just concrete all around. Some old Native American Graffiti. There was even a cell at the end where prisoners had carved their prison number into the walls. As we were heading back up, Nick gave us a demo of how dark it was. It was the darkest dark i have ever been in. Could not see the hand in front of my face.
Back upstairs, they had opened the hospital up for about 30 minutes. Nick had told us to go check that out, and if you ask a worker nice enough they might be able to take you on the west road and to the rec yard. The hospital was so creepy. It looked like something you would see on a horror movie. We asked a worker(forgot her name) if she could take us. she said sure. so we got to go see the Rec Yard and the Westroad at night. I sort of felt bad because everytime i could see people looking at us, maybe a little upset. But oh well, it was so much fun. A completely different tour than i have ever gotten.
I'm sure that when i go back with my son, my tour won't be the same. But you never know! -
Review from Sally C.
1/3/2012
It was a cool eye-opening experience. The audio tour made the entire trip very worth it! Officers and inmates narrate their time in the penitentiary and lead you through the whole building through accounts of their stories and experiences: "now walk to your left and find cell 402, this is where [insert incident] happened"
I really liked how they had the background noises like inmates talking and shackles clanking during the narrations, as if you were actually there when they had served time. I also liked how they had everything for you to experience from being able to close yourself in a solidarity cell to being able to sit on the benches they eat in the dining halls. Made past events seem very real. Make sure to pause your audio if it's going too fast, and to pause it once in a while to take in the environment! During one of the parts, they lead you outside to some amazing views of the city (given its not foggy), so I paused my audio for 10 min and sat there for some time.
The only downside is that this tour is CROWDED!! You're trying to look at a cell, but there's 10 people in front of it...trying to get through the doors but 20 people are doing that as well...in a way, it ruined the experience a little. -
Review from Maria C.
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Definitely a MUST if you're in SF! Make reservations!!!
The week we went it was SUPER HOT and all the tourists were out and about on a weekday. There was a 2-day wait, but luckily we had reservations.
The boat ride was about 15 mins and the only gripe I had were all the flies. It was disgusting!!! You see people swatting flies left and right.
With that exception, this famous attraction is so full of history. You are welcomed by the staff and you see a short video. You then make your way to pick up the audio tour and your off.
Very educational and worth the trip. You also get amazing pics of the mainland when you're on the island. We lucked out since it was clear and sunny the day we went. -
Review from Jenny C.
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I usually skip the touristy stuff, wherever I go. but alcatraz is a must-see for sure! make sure to get the audio tour (free) but also make sure to walk around the rest of the island. each exhibit offers different information from the next. the walking tour is brief but is one of the only chances for live Q&A. Our guide told me that Clint Eastwood's "Escape From Alcatraz" is the most historically correct film about the prison. Watch it and do some online research before you go!
ive had friends whine that "alcatraz is so depressing, i didnt like it". well, yeah its depressing! it was a high security prison!
its pretty cold on the island so make sure you wear layers. bring a camera, and some extra time to devote to other exhibits besides the audio tour. the earlier you go, the less crowded it is.
the $26 dollars you pay supports the national parks, sooo worth it!
BIKES::: lock up down the street at a parking sign. no bikes on the island tho! -
Review from Jason B.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2012
I've done a lot of these types of tourist trap ventures, all around the world. As such things go, the Alcatraz cruise was above average.
Knowledgeable and courteous staff, relatively clean facilities.
You won't come to San Francisco and not see Alcatraz, but you aren't made to feel like you're being hustled along.
Worth it. -
Review from TJ P.
San Diego, CA
12/23/2011
If you want to visit The Rock (or if you have to because you have out of town guests that insist you show them all the things they expect to see in San Francisco rather than anything the locals actually like), this is your ticket.
In fact, this is the only way to get to the island, despite the fact that a hundred different tour outfits try to convince you they sell tickets.
Your fare (currently $26) gets you a roundtrip on the boat, a short welcome speech at the dock, the standard jailhouse audio tour, and access to whatever happens to be going on at The Rock that day. If you plan to go on a weekend, I strongly recommend getting your tickets well in advance. A week or more in advance is best if you want a mid-day trip.
It also gives you the rare opportunity to pay $22 for two 5 by 7 pictures of yourself standing in front of a backdrop!!!!! How awesome is that!!!! Yeah... wasn't all that awesome for me either.
Bring your camera. Dress in layers. Expect to be there 2 hours if you aren't a shutterbug. Expect closer to 3.5 or 4 hours if you're there on a clear day and like taking pictures. -
Review from Tony T.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2012
I had gone up north not too long ago for a little break from work and life at home. I just needed to recharge my batteries and a change of scenery without spending too much money. I can't recall ever going to Alcatraz, maybe as a kid, but just vague memories. I started watching the new show "Alcatraz" so I figured it would be a good way to get out of the city and see the place up close as I watch the show.
Tours book up quickly because it's a huge tourist attraction in San Francisco so I recommend booking in advance. The earlier you go, the less crowded it will be so that is nice. We went at 10:00, came to Pier 33 around 9:15. I recommend printing your tickets too just to facilitate the process.
As with all tourist attractions, you proceed to get your picture taken and purchase it at the end of the tour. No biggie. It's a quick ride over to the island where you are greeted by one of the employees telling you instructions and stories as you get off of the boat. On the day that I went, there was an old officer there who had written a book and was selling it, so cool bit of history if you're interested.
We proceeded to the theater for a short (~10 minute) movie about the history of Alcatraz. I liked it because it helped to just expand on what little I knew of the place. We then walked up the hill, past the apartments/barracks and into the showers where you are issued your headphones for an audio tour. There you are guided through Alcatraz, hearing stories about Al Capone and escape attempts from actual people who worked or were inmates there. Plenty of opportunities to explore and take photos. There are also awesome views of the bridges and of San Francisco to which you can stop to take pictures. At one point, I wanted a good photo of the Golden Gate Bridge to which an annoying couple took like 20 photos of the same view, ranging from sunglasses on/off, coat on/off. They were SO annoying! There were groups of people waiting! So selfish. There are other people around! One photo is enough for your Facebook profile dorks! I took all of 20 seconds to take my two photos.
The tour total takes about 2-2.5 hours. You board back on the boat and go back to the Pier. Afterwards I wandered around Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed the area. A nice way to spend the day in San Francisco! Lots of fun! -
Review from Erica e.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was a FANTASTIC way to spend a Saturday morning!!!
I'm from the Bay Area and the last time I went to Alcatraz was as a child many years ago, so this was a nice treat.
Let me first of all say that your experience will be greatly improved if you go on a day that is clear, which is somewhat difficult to predict, but it will make all the difference.
TIPS:
-Book in advance online and print your tickets so you don't have to wait in the will call line
-Arrive before 10am to get all day parking in a close lot for $10. The one we parked in was right next door and made it really easy. (plus, then after the tour you can walk to Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 or the Ferry Building for lunch)
-Wear good shoes for walking; it's a 13 story, 1/4 mile hike up to the main building.
-When you are in the Rec Yard, outside, go out the steel door by the baseball field, and then down the stairs. This is HANDS DOWN THE BEST VIEW OF SF EVER. You can see EVERYTHING!!!
-Do the audio tour, but skip the intro video.
It was really the best value that you can get in the city- $26 for a boat ride, killer views and 2 hours of entertainment/exercise- awesome!!!!! -
Review from Lindsey B.
Las Vegas, NV
11/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
*BOOK IN ADVANCE!!!*
Definitely something you should do while visiting San Francisco. I booked our tickets on a Tuesday, when we planned on going on a Saturday. I bought our tickets directly from the website.
Make sure to arrive 30 minutes before your trip, otherwise they give away your tickets! We walked from Union Square to Pier 33 and it took about 25 minutes (haling ass!)
Bring a jacket or layers because it does get chilly on the boat to and from Alcatraz.
It's a very well organized operation.
- Get on the boat
- Get to the island
- Hear an intro about Alcatraz
- Walk into the building and you can watch a video or take a look in some rooms
- Walk up 13 stories to the top of Alcatraz for the audio tour (THIS IS A MUST DO!!)
- Go through the tour and listen and learn about Alcatraz
- Go through the gift shop
- Walk back down
- Get on the boat
- Back to San Francisco
Allow yourself 2.5 hours to get done and time your departure from the island.
I would say that it's a one-time, must do.
Once you're done, you are in Fisherman's Wharf for some good food and a good time! -
Review from Deep S.
So I've lived in the bay area my whole life and been to SF about a hundred time but I have never visited the Pier or Alcatraz. So finally with the labor day weekend upon me, we purchased tickets and decided to finally check it out. It is located at Pier 33 and the boat takes you into Alcatraz Island the trip to the Island is about 10 mins, on you get the choice to leave the Island whenever you want as the boat comes by every 30-45 mins. The boat is 3 levels as you can bring food on and they also have food on the cruise itself. It gets really good on the ride so make sure you bring yr jacket, but enough small tall let's breakdown the best parts of the Alcatraz Criuse:
- Picture taken with Alcatraz backdrop which you can buy for $22
- Hot Chocolate on the Cruise
- Food: Hot Dog and Nachos are really good
- View from the deck, 3rd floor is all outdoors
- Maps given as you aboard the cruise
- Maps when you get on the Island
- Visit the cell blocks and cells, including the hole
- Visit the Yardhouse and Morgue
- Audio Tour was Great
- Self Paced
- Great Scenery for pictures
- Clean Bathrooms
- Decent Prices at Souvenir Shops -
Review from Regina L.
Granada Hills, Los Angeles, CA
One of the most amazing experiences of my life! For $26 bucks, totally worth every penny. Make sure to plan way in advanced and bring walking shoes and water because you will be walking a lot if you really want to take in the island! Bring a camera w fully charged batteries because the views and picture ops are endless. Only thing to complain about was my not staying later! Be sure to take the audio tour it exceeded my expectations by far. I never really realized how much history this place has it really touched me.. If you're a sap like me, expect to cry a little, don't forget you are in a prison.. I would never pass up an opportunity to coming here again. The best first trip I've ever taken!
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Review from Travis S.
San Jose, CA
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
For the amount of time i was on the ferry, it was just fine. I guess to get the the island there really isnt a lot of choices available. still it's not like i felt the boat was going to sink or anything.
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Review from Garrett T.
San Jose, CA
10/10/2011
If you want to go to Alcatraz and take a tour... DO NOT go to anywhere else but http://AlcatrazCruises... ... Why you ask? because this is the ONLY place to book tickets to Alcatraz. DO NOT BELIEVE ANY OTHER WEBSITE! http://Alcatraztrips.com, http://Alcatraztours.com, http://Alcatraztickets... are ALL SCAMS! They take your money, buy you tickets THROUGH http://alcatrazcruises... then charge you a processing fee! Tickets to alcatras are 26 dollars a piece but every website EXCEPT http://alcatrazcruises... will charge you 36 or more. Where does that extra money go? why into their pockets for a fee for "booking the tickets" for you. You can simply co to http://alcatrazcruises... or call them yourself and save yourself the money. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
http://ALCATRAZCRUISES... is the only place to go as this is where all the other places go for you. Now i can't speak about those other sites regarding other San Francisco tours but for Alcatraz tours... Just skip the middle man and save yourself 10 bucks per person :) -
Review from Keycee D.
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I recommend to buy tickets early to the Alcatraz. When I went, our tickets came with our 48 hour sight seeing tour.
Alcatraz was pretty interesting tour, very eerie at times. It was crazy - listening to the audio describe the weather was exactly how the weather was when we did the tour.
If you're ever in SF, I recommend to have the Alcatraz Tour on your things to do list. -
Review from Carlos U.
Anaheim, CA
11/28/2011
Okay once you get passed the 14 story steep walking climb to the jail house...lol You are going to have a great time! Well...even through the climb there is still things to see along the way so take your time and stop at each building and soaking up the history. Once you get to the jail house you will get an audio tour headset and you will be guided through the jail house. My favorite part was going into the hole and standing there with my eyes shut as one of the ex inmates talks about his experience in complete darkness. Got the creeps after a couple of minutes and ran out lol Kind of got freaked out that the door would close on me lol
The audio tour is awesome with voices of real inmates and guards, plus sound effects so you really feel like you are in the jail house while its still in use. This tour is a must when visiting San Francisco. -
Review from TRACY R.
2/8/2012
Glad I got to finally experience Alcatraz Island! The boat ride from the Pier to the island was great and short. Staff was friendly. We had our picture taken before getting on the boat and someone held my purse since I refused to put my Marc Jacob's on the floor. LOL. You could buy food on the first level of the boat. They don't serve alcohol before the tour, only after. I totally get why!! It was hike to get to the prison. I felt bad for the older and less fit people. They were heaving as they walked. The audio tour was interesting, especially since the new show Alcatraz just came out. I'll probably be back once (if I ever) have children for the educational experience.
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Review from Naomi H.
San Antonio, TX
8/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I almost went to San Francisco and did not do Alcatraz. I am so glad a diner at my restaurant told me to get tickets when I did. Definitely book online. We were able to find all day parking for $10 at City Park at 80 Francisco St.
Do the audio tour. Make sure to bring a jacket. We had to buy my husband a jacket, because he thought he could handle the wind. He could not.
I loved hearing the Rangers talk about the island that dismiss the rumors. The grounds are clean and you can tell they maintain what is left. The ride to the island itself is beautiful and you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown. It makes me want to pack my bags and move to this beautiful bay city,
