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Alcatraz Island
Categories: Local Flavor Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Hotels & Travel Tours Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Tours [Edit]
Golden Gate National Recreation AreaFort Mason, B201
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 561-4900
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
Sedan 4 Passengers $50/hour; Extended SUV 6 Passengers $70/hour; Limousine8 Passengers $75/hour; Corporate VAN 13 Passengers $75/hour.
562 reviews for Alcatraz Island
Review Highlights
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"I could take pictures and go at my own pace." In 43 reviews -
"Great times, great views, great childhood memories." In 24 reviews -
"The ferry ride was a little crowded but comfortable." In 119 reviews
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561 reviews in English
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Review from Debbie B.
Campbell, CA
5/10/2012
So cool!!!!
If you have never been there before spend the 30 bucks to go!
I went for the first time this weekend and I have lived in CA my entire life. The historic items there are amazing to see and the real voices of the people who lived or worked there was icing in the cake to let you in on a bit of California history! Must go see! -
Review from Dave M.
5/9/2012
Set up:
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California. If you have never been, but have said you were or are going to go, you have go to go. To think that this is "just another historical" museum of sorts, is a waste of speech and time. This was one of the most interesting places I have been and I am so glad that I was able to see it first hand.
Pros:
-Amazing scenery on the way out to the Island, of the Bay and surrounding landscape
-Breathtaking views of the island from the ferry
-Unbelievable history combined with structural architecture and phenomenal plant and animal life makes this island an unbelievable destination for tourists and historical buffs alike.
-The self paced audio tour is extremely informative and boggles the mind with the vast information given.
-The cell displays and the condition of most of the property, upkeep, is stellar for the age of the buildings.
-There is no rushing you off the island. You can get their on the ferry for the time that your ticket was purchased for, but you are able to stay on the island all day if you desire to.
-The island boasts guided tours as well
-There are films regarding the history of the island in a "bunker" that you can see on the way in or on the way out that give you a little more about the history of the Island
-The Island boasts two gift shops
-The Island was in operation from the early 1800's until 1933 as a military prison and then in 1933 became the Alcatraz we know today. It closed its doors in 1969.
-Later that year, Alcatraz was taken over by the American Indians who occupied the land until 1972. They wanted improvements made to the property and instead, some of the buildings were destroyed by fire. Graffiti still haunts Alcatraz from that time period.
-There were a total of 14 escapes attempted by 36 men. 23 were caught, 6 were shot and 3 (the famous movie Escape from Alcatraz was about these 3) were never found, but are said to have perished in the cold and rough waters of the bay!
-You learn about the history of the Bird Man or Alcatraz and Al Capone.
-Tours are reasonable at $6.95 and up, depending how you acquire your tickets. You can get them from the official site or from a street vendor. You can take the tour on your own from Pier 33 or take the tour with other sites included for a bit more.
Ferry's run every 30 minutes to get you back to the pier.
Cons:
-It was very hard to find tickets and we had to extend our trip to get them.
-If you don't get your tickets online at their site, be very careful which street vendor you do get them from
-Eat prior to arriving on the island as there is no food or drink allowed on the island
bathroom facilities are limited on the island
-You will do a lot of walking and stair climbing so wear comfortable shoes
-You will see mice, spiders and other critters on the island, there is nothing you can do to escape them
-There are many places to acquire scraps and cuts and as crowded as it gets you can definitely lose your party or kids, so have a meeting place or time just in case.
-The ferry loads quickly and they pack you in like sardines so don't be late to the ferry whether you are heading over or coming back.
-Be sure to take sunscreen if you go in the summer and hand sanitizer.
-Prices at the gift shop are a bit high, but the items you acquire are priceless.
-Be sure to take additional camera cards or film as you will take many photos, we took over 1000.
Summary:
What an amazing experience! It left me speechless. Taking the tour of the Island definitely takes you back to what used to be and if you have a love affair with history, this is one you don't want to miss. I highly recommend this tour if you are visiting the area and again, please be sure that you purchase your tickets online prior to going on your trip, because if you wait you will not be able to get the cheaper tickets for the tour alone, you will have to pay the $75 to $80.00 for the complete City tour, the Duck tour and Alcatraz. We actually took a cable car from our hotel and then walked from Pier 39 to pier 33 (I would not recommend this with smaller kids or elderly family members as there is going to be a lot of walking on the island already and the walk from pier to pier is almost a mile) When we arrived back at Pier 33, we actually paid $10.00 for a bicycle Taxi to take us back to Pier 39. Definitely add this to your list of things to see and most of the items you find at the island can also be found at the Alcatraz gift shop on Pier 39, but not all so if you find something you like on the island, it is best just to buy it there. You will not be disappointed in this attraction. -
Review from Jake W.
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Excellent touristy thing to do is San Francisco. Your pass comes with the audio tour which REALLY enhances your experience. There are a lot of interesting stories and you really get a feeling for what it was like when Alcatraz was operational.
There are stunning views of San Francisco both on the ferry ride to the island and as well once you're there. I once sat through a special presentation on Al Capone (I don't think they offer it every day) that was really great. Catch it if you can. -
Review from Yenna. L.
5/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Visiting the "The Rock" was a very cool experience. I would recommend the self-paced audio tour to anyone who has not experienced it before (especially if you're a history fan).
I walked in knowing very little about its history and walked out learning a lot.
Former prisoners narrate the tour, which really gives you a sense for what it must have been like to be a prisoner or guard during those times. You get a very eerie vibe the entire time you're there. Beats a haunted house during Halloween time any day.
My favorite was seeing the knife cabinet/shadowboard in the mess hall.
"A shadowboard was a peg-board in a locked cabinet used to store large kitchen utensils, meat cleavers, knives, and other food preparation utensils. Knives and cleavers were hung over silhouettes, making it possible for officers to see instantly whether the knife was in its proper place. It was important to keep very close control over such objects, as inmates could use them as weapons."
Scary!
Also thought it was interesting to learn that some of the prison guards raised their families/children on the island. Could you imagine growing up on a prison island?
Crazy!
Enjoyed the experience. -
Review from Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because there is a 4 day rule.
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Ahhh the 4 day rule. If you are a tourist visiting San Francisco, follow this unofficial law. As you are planning out your trip and trying to decide what is worth it and what is not, know this about Alcatraz Island - the tour is about 3 hours long from the time you depart until you arrive back at the dock. If you are only spending a couple of days in SF, I don't think Alcatraz is worth the visit - there are so many great things to do in the Bay Area that your precious 3 hours could be spent much more productively. On the other hand, If you have a few days in the Bay, it's probably worth your time to check out a cruise.
It's not necessarily a bad experience, but it's not incredibly thrilling to look at really old jail cells, in my opinion. Maybe I just don't appreciate the history enough, but I found the most thrilling part of the trip to be the views from the Island, which are similar to the ones you experience on the Golden Gate Bridge.
The audio tour does a pretty good job of showing you around. It's funny to take your headphones off for a second and notice the complete silence because everyone is listening to their tour so intently.Listed in: The OTHER Bay Area
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Review from Kelly W.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2012
too much walking involved, too touristy and honestly not that fun. It is gorgeous to go on a nice day to see the city, but kinda boring.
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Review from Candace L.
Los Angeles, CA
4/23/2012
Awesome tour! Adults $28, Kids $17 - order on-line http://www.alcatrazcru... and print at home. Line up 30 minutes prior to your Ferry departure at Pier 33.
My son has been wanting to visit Alcatraz for awhile now. I had been years ago and the last time my son was in San Fran the tickets were sold out (purchase on line ahead of time, last minute weekend tickets are hard to come by) so I promised him I'd bring him back for a visit.
He had a great time, he stood outside on the second level of the Ferry the entire ride to the island (12 minutes) and it was a chilly afternoon, on a warm day stand on the 1st level and you can get wet :)
The audio tour is very informative and super easy to follow. It's an eerie but totally cool place to explore. The open cells are really neat and probably the closest experience anyone ever wants to have to being in a federal prison cell.
If you are visiting San Fransisco you have to visit Alcatraz at least once in life, preferably on a warmer day :) You can spend several hours exploring here. For a more detailed and informative visit, continue to explore long after the audio tour ends. -
Review from David H.
4/26/2012
A must visit stop in SF. Bring a jacket since it will be cold and windy. The walk up the hill to the prison isn't as bad as they made it sound. Definitely do the audio tour. You learn a lot about the prison and all the things that happened in the prison. There are also a couple of small museums to check out before the main audio tour, including about the Indian occupation of Alcatraz in the late 60s.
Bring the camera if you want to take pictures of the excellent views of the city from the rock.
This isn't a lame "tourist trap", this is a must visit stop in SF. -
Review from Alek Z.
4/25/2012
It's so spooky, yet so cool.
I haven't actually made it onto the island yet, but my family and I did take a cruise around it. Even from offshore, it looked imposing. As the tour guide gave us its history, I tried to imagine those three guys who escaped back in the '60s, imagining them swimming all the way across the bay. It's definitely one of those awe-inspiring places.
One word of advice, if you take a cruise out here, even in the middle of the summer, bring a jacket. SF is a misleading city. Even though it's in California and your first thought might be that it's nice and sunny, it actually gets kinda chilly because it's located so far north. And the Bay is *very* windy.
But other than that, I definitely recommend getting a cruise out here, especially if you can actually get onto the island. -
Review from Aurora O.
Lake Worth, FL
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
A top tourist sight!! A must see!! FYI: you might want to bring your own earphones unless you want to share germs!!
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Review from Tommy B.
San Jose, CA
4/22/2012
What is there to say about THE place that everyone knows they must visit in San Francisco? I'm sure my bombastic self can find something to spew into the ears of the unwitting.
Alcatraz will entertain you no matter what you enjoy. Whether you're a history buff or a movie lover this place is not your typical nationally recognized tourist hangout. The jailhouse audio tour is cool for when you want to listen. I especially enjoyed the little tidbits about the personalities of some of the infamous tenants. They even had a Korean language version for the wifey! double woot!
It's usually chilly, remember to bring a jacket. A boat usually leaves every half hour, so you can leave after you've gotten your fill.
Of course, Alcatraz Island is a must see location on any trip to San Francisco. -
Review from Kwoky L.
4/12/2012
When one mentions Alcatraz, you can't help but to think about that rocky island that's a stone's throw away from the mainland. You can clearly see it but from afar, it didn't really look interesting at all. True, it's full of history but I asked myself if paying close to $30 for a boat ride to Alcatraz was even worth it, especially when I could care less about checking out the place where America's toughest criminals served their sentences.
I did it anyways and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. Firstly, the view of the city of San Francisco from Alcatraz Island was phenomenal. Even if you don't like history, the views were quite worth it. But the best part was the self guided tour. We walked around the jail while listening to the commentaries through the headphones. I visited certain cells where actual prisoners got killed, the shower room, the dining area, the kitchen, the library etc. As I walked, I could feel like I was reliving history. I felt I was in the moment when those historical events occurred. It was simply quite powerful.
We ended our visit with a stroll around the island which was well manicured with flowers and vegetation. So was it worth it? Yep, very much so if you haven't been here before. Tickets could have been cheaper but it was definitely a great half day away from the city. -
Review from Denise H.
3/30/2012
I have ALWAYS hated history, to a fault. When you sit my butt in a chair and put a book in front of me and tell me that I have to answer questions about Socrates, Freud, Hitler...etc etc, I am not going to give you 100%, however....
When you take me to places like Alcatraz, The Winchester mansion, The Queen Mary... now we are talking history I can really get into.
My parents took me to San Francisco when I was 16 and no matter how hard I begged, pleaded, cried, screamed (okay, I was spoiled) They would not take my sister's and I to Alcatraz. I got the lousy t-shirt. (Thanks)
So, in November 2011, Buzz and I rented a Fiat 500 and drove from Seattle to Tijuana and back and we had Alcatraz on our bucket list.
Getting tickets to go to Alcatraz is like trying to get a ride in the limo with the president so we had to stay over an additional day. (oh bummer.... an additional day in San Fran.... aw)
SO we got up early, caught a cable car and hit the pier. Loaded on the ferry and had NO IDEA what we were in for. The history, the mystery, the flowers, gardens, animals...the VIEW!!
We found out that the prison had closed in 1969 and then was taken over by the American Indians in a protest from the Americana's taking their land! There are spray painted signs that hint of their occupation for 2 years.
There are rumored ghosts, talks of escapes (BTW one of my favorite movies for years is Escape From Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood)
We walked for what seemed like miles. I had a hummingbird posed for me, we saw cells where a prisoner wrote and wrote his whole time there and they wall papered the walls with his writings. The guided audio tour is amazingly informative and fun.
We stayed as long as we could before heading back to San Fran and we talked about it all night. It was so much fun. We got a few souvenirs and took over 1000 photos... I can upload them all...LOL
I give it only 4 stars because part of it was under construction or renovation and what bothered me about that was there was no indication that this was happening until you got there. I think any place, a business, zoo, attraction, has an obligation to let you know that there are renovations or issues prior to your trip as to assist you in deciding if you want to visit or not. Since we were not informed, unfortunately I had to take a star. Also, the crew was somewhat curt and we didn't know if that was for show or for real and the people in the gift shop were not too kind.
I give it 4 stars for history, mystery, fun, gardens, nature, view, intrigue, passion (in a historical sense) and just plain awesomeness!!
It is amazing that it isn't such a long drive from Seattle and to know that I can go back anytime I want and just explore, sit and soak in the bay air, and revisit the audio portion of the tour, in case I missed anything.
You have to go.. have to.... I got a shirt that says "Property of Alcatraz Swim Team" and a hat! Buzz got a hat, a cup, soap, and a few other items. We had a BLAST!!! -
Review from Priscilla V.
Sacramento, CA
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was my second time to Alcatraz. It's a definite must see. The audio tour was pretty short, but its pretty cool to hear the history behind Alcatraz.
The first time I went with a couple of friends and this most recent time I went with a group of 25 friends. Both were great. -
Review from Alex S.
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
For my lucky number 700 review, I'm doing it prison style.
Alcatraz Island is fascinating. A former prison on an Island that housed some of the worst criminals in the country turned National Park (complete with park rangers). How can you not be interested in that.
Alcatraz is actually free, but it costs about $26 for the boat ride over. Once you get off the boat, there's a long climb up to the top of the prison where you get your audio headset and begin your tour.
The audio tour was great. It was narrated by former prisoners and guards and really took you through the whole place room by room, talking about daily life, recreation, fights and escape attempts.
You can also pause and play the tour at your own pace, so if you want to, say, get a photo with you behind bars in one of the open cells, go right ahead.
The whole tour takes about an hour. Then you can walk the island, seeing some of the other exhibits they have (like one on Native Americans who had the island as their own after the prison shut down). It's fun just to explore the place, but a lot of the areas are off-limits and gated off, so no full tours of the island.
There are night tours too but they only happen during the week so we didn't get to experience it.
Still, a really great thing to see while in San Francisco. I'm glad I got to visit and then leave, it looked no fun to have to stay on Alcatraz. -
Review from Rowena T.
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Go on a sunny day, it's pretty awesome!
I would definitely book weeks in advance because tickets sell fast. We wanted to do a night tour, but they were all sold out. We were staying in the city so we took a cable car up to Fisherman's Wharf then caught a cab to the pier for the ferry.
They sell snacks and drinks on the ferry incase you get a but hungry. The views from the pier to the island was also something to see. Great views of the bay. Arriving at Alcatraz was also a sight to see, it reminds me of the movies like entering a haunted island...not to mention Alcatraz was creepy in the daytime, I'm not sure I would have been brave enough during a night tour! I love that you can do the audio tour at your own pace and entering the cells was a crazy experience! A must must do when visiting SF. It's so crazy to think that some of the most dangerous,famous criminals lived there. -
Review from Glenn S.
Bellevue, WA
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Was alright. I was expecting more. The view is out of this world. I feel that they should have kept it up better. The place thing to see isthe cell and agaithe view from the island. Teinmates had a vacation view.
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Review from Marcus K.
San Rafael, CA
Definitely plan ahead to see this place. It has an old fortress, guided ranger walks, bird colonies (don't look up for tooo long), site of occupy Alcatraz (the Indian Occupation), first active lighthouse on the West Coast, oh and of course a former prison. And....best view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset. But what do I know, I'm just there almost every day.
Listed in: The Places I Go Play
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Review from Chris Y.
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a "gotta do it once" SF experience. See the world's most famous prison, get to cruise the San Francisco Bay, and get some fantastic views of the city!
It's part of our National Park system, so that's cool. You get a free audio tour included with the price of the ferry ticket; it was definitely a good guide for walking around the prison.
However, make sure that you go at your own pace.... you definitely need to pause the audio tour several times just to head outside for the views. The audio tour is great, but doesn't take you to see *everything*...
Gotta buy tickets for the ferry from Alcatraz Cruises for $26/each. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). I recommend buying online about a week in advance to make sure you get your ideal departure time.
It can be very cold and windy, even in the middle of the summer, so be prepared! -
Review from Maria R.
Hayward, CA
3/18/2012
Best Experience of a lifetime! Surprised my bf today on our 4yr anniversary and took him here today and we had a wonderful time. Can't believe we live in the bay and just visited today. Would defiantly come back and try the night tour.
I suggest book the early tours to avoid the super long crowds, wear comfortable thick clothing because it gets super cold on the island, wear comfortable shoes because be prepared to do a lot of walking, Don't worry because the boat will come back every half hour to bring ya back to SF and mainly, take your time because it's one heck of an experience to experience! -
Review from Lily J.
Suffolk, MA
4/27/2012
Once I knew I was going to San Francisco, there was one place I knew I had to visit - Alcatraz. Having seen so many movies about the place and heard all the stories, I was always fascinated by the place. And those stories really seem to hold true. It really is a dreary place. Even though its not far off the mainland, I could hardly see it through the fog and the boat ride was a cold and windy adventure in itself (make sure you take a warm jacket!).
The great thing is you can take your own time and look around and see everything you want to at your own pace - Al Capone's cell, Robert Stroud, The Birdman's Cell, the hole and the rec yard, where the higher up you sat, the more important you were.
Probably the best thing I did was buy Alvin Karpis' autobiography from the gift shop. I read it afterwards and it was much more authentic and told a lot more stories I had never even heard about. Facinating. -
Review from Dominique F.
Arlington, VA
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been hearing a lot about Alcatraz, but I never knew what to expect when I am there. Let me get this out though: I absolutely loved it!
I went on a sunny March day and it was the perfect weather; you hop on a boat, reach the island and enjoy walking around with a self guided audio tour which is really enjoyable.
Plus the San Francisco skyline in the background is pretty awesome!
Definitely definitely recommended.
FYI: Ticket was around $26. and book in advance!!Listed in: If you're going to Saaaan…
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Review from Jacqueline K.
Alameda, CA
3/17/2012
I visited Alcatraz Island with my family around 5 or 6 years ago and when I first went I didn't know what to expect. Long story short, I enjoyed the trip very much.
The audio tour was interesting, it described the background of the prison and some of the prisoners that lived there, while looking at all of the cells inside. After the tour, you can look around the area and go anywhere you want on the island. I would highly reccommend visiting this island and taking the tour.
Oh and one more thing: bring a jacket. When I went it was during the winter or early spring (I can't remember) but it was very cold and windy and unless if you want freeze, bring one with.
Other than that, the view is spectacular and unforgettable. I might be going back again next month when my cousins come out and I'm very excited to see it again. -
Review from Luda M.
Rockville, MD
3/31/2012
Not everyone enjoys history, but this place is not just history, it is like a fun crime show come to life.
The audio tour is great, I mean great! I would watch this over some football. Yeah, I said, over football. Not over the 49ers, but for sure over the Raiders.
Anyhow, the place is large, it has a ton of fun photo opportunities and its fun to see SF from THE ROCK. and yes I said that like Sean Connery -
Review from Kurt C.
Centralia, WA
3/10/2012
We didn't quite know what to expect on this trip, but were very pleasantly surprised with Alcatraz. The audio tour is a MUST DO. We learned so incredibly much about the history of the island; the only bad part is the sheer number of other people you are constantly running into because they are not paying attention to where they are going, just walking where the voice in their headphones says to go.
We couldn't actually walk all the way around the island. I don't know if that is normal or just a side effect of all of the construction work that was happening.
Overall, this is a definite must do if you are in San Fran. We didn't have time on our first trip so we made a special return to the bay just for this. (and to ride a trolley car, but you 'gotta do what you 'gotta do.)
For the cheapos out there (like us) park at North Beach for free and enjoy the scenic 3 mile walk to the pier. This is not for the lazy!Listed in: San Francisco Surprise
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Review from Andrea c.
4/5/2012
i have been to sf many times, but had never done an alcatraz tour until my last visit. my fiancee is a gigantic history buff and so for his first visit to the bay, we made this a priority. i'm SO glad i went.
first of all, the audio tour is freaking amazing. it's free w/the price of your ferry ticket, so you might as well take a listen. the worst that can happen is that you learn something, right?
alcatraz is a place where you can spend an afternoon and it's absolutely worth it. stepping onto the island is like stepping back into time/into a ghost town. the stories are unbelievable and just seeing the island itself is an experience. i have to say, though, i could not brave getting into the solitary confinement cells. too creepy! definitely a must do/see at least once in sf.Listed in: the bay area and back down...
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Review from Jordan M.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012
Alcatraz island, a beautiful island ruined. Its historic, sure, but how did a jail, no longer functioning get the best real estate in the bay? Every couple years a new idea regarding how to use the island for something positive comes up and is immediately shot down. I would be for almost any of these ideas. I think tourists should be more creative and find better things to idolize than a rotting prison, and site of the movie, the rock. Follow sean connery's lead and get over this hulking menacing gloomy structure that sits on a beautiful island held sacred by native americans. Fascinating that our culture glorifies this place, enamored with the concept of a prison that is impossible to escape from or is it that a few supposedly did? I've got a suggestion for you if you love prison culture, watch oz. That should do it.
jm -
Review from Nicole W.
Went for a 2nd time with visiting family. Still fun. Great guided tour. Makes watching the tv show even better.
They say arrive an hour early. not necessary. that's just so you will buy their bad food and souviners.
Best place to park is near Kearney/Francisco st. - indoor/$10 all day -
Review from Matthew H.
San Francisco, CA
2/24/2012
This is a great activity for any SF weekend! Went with my partner and parents, boarded at 11, traveled 10 mins via boat and BAM we are at a federal prison!
Girl, those hills will WERQ you out! But it's all worth it. Love the fact that the guided audio tour is included in your ticket. It's better when the place is silent and people are actually interested in learning about Alcatraz. From the video to the vegetation to the STUNNING view, this is a wonderful touristy activity!
Make sure to at least check this out once!
Souvenir photo is a bit expensive, but hey - it's touristy! -
Review from Reggie A.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2012
Let me get my only complaint out of the way. Alcatraz is a bird sanctuary so the day i went it was hot and VERY smelly.
Now that we got that out of the way on with the fun! We all grew up hearing about Alcatraz and my fondest memory is Phil Hartman from So i Married an Axe Murderer! Classic!
It's a fun little boat ride from Fisherman's warf. Once you enter the islad you instantly feel so far away from the city. Even though it is one of the best views. It makes you think of the people that have tried to swim to shore. NOT fun!
I suggest getting the audio tour. It really enhances the experience. Take your time and enjoy all the ins and out of the prison. There is so much to see if you just take a minute to look up and down instead of following the line like a bunch of Lemmings!
I haven't done the night tour but hear it is an even better experience...... -
Review from David C.
Flushing, NY
2/22/2012
I came here for the day tour as the night tour wasnt available, but i didnt regret it.
With the audio tour, it was a great perspective of the prison and how it all went down. Basically 2-3 incidents but mostly boring. It was fascinating walking around the prison, looking into the different cells and short bios of some of the prisoners and guards. After the audio tour, you can roam around however you like, just dont miss the last boat!
The Island itself was nice, great views all around it. That walk uphill was tremendous so if you're out of shape like me, you will be out of breath by the time you get to the top so bring those walking/running sneakers.
Buy the tickets from the official site, for 26 bucks each. Ive seen some for $36 so dont be confused. But get there early cuz the ship leaves right on time for the island. -
Review from TJ P.
San Diego, CA
2/19/2012
So you have relatives coming from out of town, and they want to go to Alcatraz.
That's why you're going, right? I mean really. Locals don't go here on their own... any more than people who live in San Antonio visit the Alamo.
Well, you're in luck. Because as far as mandatory touristy stuff goes, this is actually a decent half a day.
Try to get there on a clear day. LOLOLOLOLOLOOLOLLO!!!!LO!L!O!LO!!111l!!1
Ahem... cough... cough... Don't know what came over me. But yes, a clear day is preferable. Bring your camera. Not because you plan to spend hours pouring over your vacation to Alcatraz pics, but because it's a great place to practice your photography. Everything is here. Landscapes. Dilapidated buildings. Unusual flowers. Views of the city from across the bay. Views of the bridges. And of course, the opportunity to take pictures of your friends locked in a jail cell. So bring your camera. And a jacket. -
Review from Willow B.
San Diego, CA
5/5/2012
"Something everyone should do once" My recommendation if you're on a time crunch? Check the ferry departure time before going into the audio tour. We were leaving to drive to LA that day so we wanted to get out as soon as we finished the tour, and we missed the ferry departure by a minute. We had to wait another 35 minutes before the next one came, and we were on the Early Bird tour (the first of the morning). There are 5 hills to walk up for you to get to the main jail cells so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It is what you make it, so you can stay as long as you want, or you can finish it within an hour. You have control over your audio tour to fast forward or rewind. I let mine go on while my friend fast forward through, and we were done in less than an hour. We did visit all the areas, and it was a beautiful sunny day. We recommend everyone going at least once. It has so much history, and the tour is very informative. When you are there, imagine yourself living in the tiny 5' x 9' x 7' cell while hearing people laughing from San Fran and Oakland. Brings a whole new outlook on that crime doesn't pay :P
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Review from Jennifer A.
San Diego, CA
1/24/2012
I recommend the night tour (but bundle up, the ferry ride across the bay is freezing). Sets the ambiance and you get additional information talks that you normally have to pay for, for free! Yay!
I love the individual audio tour narrated by the guards and former prisoners. Really informative and makes you feel like you're taken back in time. -
Review from dilly m.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2012
Finally re-visited the island this past summer when my cousins came to town. So glad i went...the place is amazing, listing to the stories...true american history.
Liked the tour so much that i went back in September as part of a volunteer group to clean up one of the garden areas. Very rewarding experience. -
Review from Far East M.
Paterson, NJ
4/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
One fo the best touristy thing to do. I highly recommend taking the the audio tour at night. As always, it can be cold so bring a jacket.
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Review from Tracie F.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are traveling to San Fran you need to make this one of your stops. Fabulously rich in history and culture. It is crazy to think that an island this small could have a culture of its own but indeed it does and you will learn all about it on this fantastic little tour.
The island is well kept but they still maintain the genuine disrepair that makes this island so historically correct. They are very ADA compliant and offer assistance for all of those that may need it. I really liked the fact that they did not isolate those with special needs and allowed them to be part of the tour albeit they were transported by shuttle while the rest of the group walked.
We went on the night tour (see the alcatraz night tour review) and it was awesome. There were about 300 of us on the tour but somehow it still felt intimate and personal. The guides were very nice and everyone quite knowledgeable. It was cold so make sure you bundle up!
Don't miss this little treasure in the bay!!!! -
Review from Tiffany W.
Union City, CA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Go early and catch one of the many free guided tours throughout the day-- this gives an INSTANT added value to your somewhat pricey ticket and gives you info that you will not get on the audio tour!
We took a guided tour called "Slammers and Strongholds" that gave a great in-depth history about Alcatraz as an army Stronghold and ended with the tour guide opening and slamming the doors of the prison cells! What a treat to hear the slamming of those cell doors! Fascinating and special to get to hear a human being who is passionate about history share their insider knowledge.
They have recently added an exhibition devoted to the Red Power Movement. Props.
Must-see touristy spot! -
Review from Nikki D.
Las Vegas, NV
4/28/2012
To say I was excited to go there would be an understatement! I love history and had done a ton of research on Alcatraz. I went early enough to where I could take my time and just take everything in. The audio tour was awesome and I did pause it a couple times in order to just take it in a bit more. I took a lot of pictures and it definitely exceeded my expectations! I went into the open cell and the open solitary confinement cell. SO awesome! I'm definitely going back!
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Review from Jaysen B.
San Jose, CA
1/9/2012
Let me start by saying i'm by no means a fan of history, and that I've been on this Island way too many times.
But, its a Unique Experience and still ends up being cool and interesting every time anyways.
The audio tour is cool. It keeps you awake and interested on your walk around the Island.
Just remember your jacket and layer up because, more often than not, its FREEZING and windy. But what else would you expect, its an Island in the San Francisco Bay!
I come here every other summer with exchange students i host, and they get a kick out of it every time. We've never had a kid not love it. So if your a tourist, or even a native, you should visit there at least once just to say you have.
The only downside to the park is the damn sea gulls! They're EVERYWHERE!
Don't look up, or you'll get crapped on on your face, and don't breath to heavy or else you might choke on one of the many thousands of feathers blowing around at all times.
I know they are protected because its a state park and all but.... really come on. I think there's enough of these birds that they don't need to have complete control over the entire island.
Oh well, What can ya do?
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