Visit the infamous island prison with audio tour and SF Bay views!

Discover Alcatraz - America's most infamous prison on island in San Francisco Bay! Alcatraz tours ferry to "The Rock" exploring maximum-security prison (1934-1963) that held Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and "Birdman" Robert Stroud. Experience award-winning audio tour with former inmates and guards narrating, see tiny cells, visit solitary confinement, explore cellhouse, and learn about famous escape attempts (Frank Morris and Anglin brothers!). Tours include ferry, audio tour, island exploration, and stunning SF skyline views. Learn about Native American occupation (1969-1971), lighthouse, and military fort history. It's haunting and fascinating!
Discover our top picks for alcatraz tours in San Francisco

Experience visiting an unforgettable experience that combines history, mystery and incredible views. It is a bucket list San Francisco experience. Secure this experience because it often times sells out weeks in advance.You will also receive the free appetizer of the day at the iconic Mona Lisa Restaurant and Steps of Rome Trattoria with an entree purchase.

Explore Alcatraz Island like never before with this exclusive package that includes official admission and round-trip ferry tickets. Accompanied by a unique companion audio guide, your journey unfolds with captivating narratives about the island’s history, hidden gardens, and powerful stories of resistance. From the moment you board the ferry at Pier 33 to your return, enjoy immersive storytelling that enhances the official Cellhouse audio tour. This experience reveals insights often missed, providing a deeper understanding of transformation within this historic site. At checkout, you can select the Alcatraz Night Tour option, which includes evening ferry service, guided introductions by park rangers, and access to areas not open during the day. With fewer visitors and special programs, the night tour offers a more intimate and immersive experience of the island. Night option is not available Sundays and Mondays. This is a self-guided tour with an exclusive audio companion guide.

Combine a full day bike rental with tickets to Alcatraz and a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge. Start off with a guided bus tour over the bridge and to the Sausalito, where you can take in the stunning views of the San Francisco skyline . Then head out to Alcatraz on the ferry with your own prepaid ticket, buying in advance avoids sold out days or times, which are frequent. Tour the island with your included 3-hour audio tour, then head back to San Francisco where you can explore further on your own with a 24-hour bike rental. *See the Golden Gate bridge *Ticket and audio tour of Alcatraz is included *Avoid the disappointment of sold-out Alcatraz Tickets *Set your own pace to explore San Francisco by bike

Choose between a day tour or a special night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour includes a narrated cruise at sunset, cell door demonstrations, and talks from expert historians. Both tours include an audio guide available in multiple languages to delve into the prison's history and infamous escape attempts. Additionally, enjoy a narrated 1-hour cruise with views of landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, the Bay Bridge, and Pier 39 sea lions, all from the comfort of a boat with indoor and outdoor seating. The time you select will be your Alcatraz ferry departure. The Alcatraz ferry departs from Pier 33. You may take the Bay cruise on any day at any available departure time. These are 2 separate tours. Children 4 years and younger are free and do not need tickets. For the Alcatraz Night tour, If you plan to take both tours on the same day, you must take the Bay Cruise before your Alcatraz tour. The night tour is not available on Sundays and Mondays.

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—into one tour from San Francisco. Travel in a luxury small-group tour van across the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the scenery without the hassle of driving. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace. Choose between a day or night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour features a sunset cruise, cell door demonstrations, and expert talks. Both tours offer an award-winning audio guide in multiple languages, detailing the prison's dark history and escape attempts. The 8:30am option departs from 488 Post Street. Look for a black Mercedes sprinter van parked across the street. It will start with Muir Woods and Sausalito then go to Alcatraz. The 9:10am option departs from Pier 33. It will start with Alcatraz then go to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The 12:50pm option departs from Pier 33. It will start with Muir Woods and Sausalito then to Alcatraz at night.

Enjoy two Classic Same Day San Francisco experiences in one day — a visit inside Alcatraz Island and an additional same day sightseeing Golden Gate Bridge Boat Cruise. Guests are assigned an Alcatraz boat and on the SAME DAY a Golden Gate Bridge sightseeing boat. Guests will be allotted enough time to experience both attractions. Our tour is designed to be an easy package to experience two of the most popular attractions in one day. Relax as we pass along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, passing under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz! Learn the history of San Francisco Bay with open-air viewpoints and observe local marine life such as sea lions and more. Audio narration is provided. Guests will be assigned an Alcatraz time slot by us somewhere between 8:45am and 4pm. We will assign your time slots and guests do not pick their slot.

Discover the best of San Francisco and beyond on our most popular and top-rated tour, crafted to ensure you can fully relax and enjoy your vacation. With a friendly, local guide leading the way, you’ll explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods, hear fascinating stories, and stop for stunning photos. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods, where you’ll walk among some of the world’s tallest coastal redwoods. Afterward, savor a scenic lunch in the charming town of Sausalito, with time to explore quaint shops and take in breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. We handle all the logistics, including securing your parking reservations for Muir Woods, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Want even more? Add an Alcatraz experience to your day at check-out, and we’ll take care of those reservations, too! From start to finish, this tour delivers a seamless, stress-free way to experience the beauty, history, and culture of San Francisco and its surrounding gems.

Get a comprehensive look at San Francisco and learn a bit of city history along the way. This 4-hours sightseeing tour travels by smaller bus/van through multiple neighborhoods, many with outstanding views. Your guide sheds light on Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, and more. Also, you don't need to waste your time in line to buy tickets to one of the most frequently visited attractions in San Francisco- Alcatraz Island and the federal prison there. After doing the city tour, our driver/guide will bring you to Pier 33, Alcatraz landing. ALCATRAZ TICKETS BOOKED AT THE LAST MINUTE ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

Get to know San Francisco’s most iconic waterfront destination. You’ll start with breathtaking views of the bay and then head off to explore the rest of Fisherman’s Wharf. This includes the Embarcadero Promenade, historic ships, the sea lions of Pier 39, and food stalls selling specialties like crab sandwiches and sourdough bread. Our tour also takes you along a portion of the fabled Barbary Coast trail and inside the 1930s Musée Mécanique with its vintage oddities. Afterward, your guide will walk you to your cruise departing for Alcatraz. Board with your included ticket and enjoy the views on the ride over. Once there, you can tour the prison with the audio guide, admire the gardens and seabirds, and visit the many exhibits. Return at your leisure. If you’ve selected one or both of our upgrades, there’s more waterfront fun in store. See it all from 150 feet up on the SkyStar Wheel or cruise the bay to views of the Golden Gate Bridge and more.

This is a unique tour package to visit both the Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge! For the Alcatraz tour, you will first take a short ferry ride from Pier 33 to the Alcatraz Island, where you can walk around the Island freely at your own pace and follow a 45-minutes award-winning audio tour in multiple languages of the Alcatraz Prison Cellhouse. You can hop on to any returning ferry when you are finish touring the Alcatraz Island. For the San Francisco Bay Cruise Tour, it will start near Pier 39 where just a short walk from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. During this 60-minute Bay Cruise Tour, you will tour around the Alcatraz Island and under the famous Golden Gate Bridge, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of San Francisco and its bay! Tips: You can do the Bay Cruise Tour before the Alcatraz Tour, or on a different date! There are multiple departures daily and your Bay Cruise voucher is valid for any date, any departure time.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with our Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on our Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

To make your stay complete in San Francisco, this package includes two essential activities in a single pack. A visit of the most famous prison in the world, discovering its history and walking into the footsteps of Al Capone. Don’t miss the 45-minute audio tour that will immerse you in the atmosphere of the federal penitentiary which brought together the most dangerous criminals of the time. You can then enjoy a one-hour boat cruise in San Francisco Bay which will offer you an exceptional view of the city and its hills, but also other sightseeings such as going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Please note, free for children 4 years old and younger and don't need to have a ticket.

Alcatraz Island remains one of San Francisco's greatest landmarks — and now you can experience its chilling allure for yourself. Packaged with the half day tour to the giant redwood trees at Muir Woods and charming Sausalito, this Alcatraz combo is a perfect day to see the famous National Monuments around San Francisco.

Experience this unforgettable, fully guided combo tour of San Francisco and Alcatraz. Our 4-hour morning city tour offers a fully narrated sightseeing adventure through iconic neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown and North Beach, with stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End, and Twin Peaks. In the afternoon, enjoy an official tour of the infamous Alcatraz Island prison. Alcatraz tickets are 100% refundable with at least 5 days’ notice prior to departure. The Extranomical-run portion of any Alcatraz package may be rescheduled (subject to availability) or refunded up to 24 hours before the tour date.

See the bay your way when you make your own Alcatraz combo. Start your day by choosing one adventure from our preselected Fisherman's Wharf activity. Certain days have access to attractions such as zoos, museums, aquariums, transportation tours, and family fun adventures. End your day with a visit to Alcatraz Island. Go inside the prison and experience the audio tour on your personal cell phone. Enjoy the island as long as you would like and return on any boat. Your Alcatraz time slot will be assigned by us and guests do not have to do the Wharf attraction if they just want the Alcatraz portion. Some guests will experience reverse order: Start at Alcatraz/end at Wharf attraction.
Held Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly - legendary criminals!
Former inmates and guards narrate - incredibly immersive!
Best city and Golden Gate views from island!
Learn about famous escapes - did they survive?
Classic daytime visit with audio tour.
Evening visit - spookier and less crowded!
Extended tour with restricted area access.
Combine Alcatraz with bay cruise.
Total: 2-3 hours (15-min ferry + 2 hours on island). Night tours: 2.5 hours.
Self-paced audio with former inmates/guards narrating - chilling and fascinating!
See 5x9 ft cells where prisoners lived - claustrophobic reality!
Learn about 1962 escape - did they survive? Mystery remains!
Stunning SF skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, bay - ironic beauty for prisoners!
Military fort, federal prison, Native American occupation - complex history!
Book 2-3 months ahead - Alcatraz sells out fast (especially summer!).
Night tours less crowded, spookier atmosphere - worth it if available.
Wear layers - island windy and cold even if SF warm!
Audio tour takes 45-60 min - don't rush, it's excellent.
Ferry from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing - arrive 30 min early.
Behind-the-Scenes tour ($92) shows hospital, underground - book WAY ahead!
Budget 2-3 hours total including ferry time.
Bring jacket and comfortable shoes - lots of walking on island!
A: Day tour: $41 adults, $39 seniors, $25 kids (includes ferry + audio tour). Night tour: $47 adults. Behind-the-Scenes: $92. Tickets sell out weeks/months ahead - book early! Alcatraz Cruises only official operator.
A: YES! Book 2-3 months ahead, especially summer! Tickets sell out fast. Night tours book even faster. Day-of tickets rare. Book online at alcatrazcruises.com (official). Don't wait - it's SF's most popular attraction!
A: Absolutely! Award-winning audio tour, fascinating history, stunning views, unique experience. Must-do SF attraction. Even if not into history, it's compelling. Budget 2-3 hours. Book ahead! Consistently rated top SF activity.
A: 2-3 hours total: 15-min ferry each way + 2 hours on island. Audio tour 45-60 min (self-paced). Can explore island longer. Night tours 2.5 hours. Plan half-day including transport to Pier 33.
A: 1962: Frank Morris and Anglin brothers escaped using spoons, dummy heads! Never found - presumed drowned but mystery remains. Movie "Escape from Alcatraz" tells story. 36 escape attempts, officially none successful. Audio tour covers famous escapes - fascinating!
A: Federal prison (main attraction), cellhouse with audio tour, exercise yard, cafeteria, solitary confinement, lighthouse, gardens, Native American graffiti from 1969 occupation, tide pools. Allow 2-3 hours to see everything. More than just prison!
A: Not scary but sobering. Tiny cells show harsh reality. Audio tour has some eerie moments (solitary confinement). Night tours spookier! Not horror show - historical education. Family-friendly during day. Fascinating more than frightening!
A: September-October: Clear weather, fewer crowds. Early morning tours: Less crowded. Night tours: Unique atmosphere. Avoid peak summer (sold out, foggier). Book whenever available - demand high year-round. Weather matters less (mostly indoors).
Iconic Golden Gate Bridge and bay views
Historic Alcatraz Island and prison tours
Charming cable cars and historic transportation
Diverse neighborhoods and authentic cuisine
World-class museums and cultural institutions
Perfect blend of history and innovation
San Francisco enjoys a Mediterranean climate with cool, foggy summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 50°F (10°C) in winter to 70°F (21°C) in summer.
September to November offers the best weather with warm temperatures, clear skies, and perfect conditions for sightseeing.
June to August brings peak tourist season with foggy weather, larger crowds, and higher prices.
December to May offers lower prices and fewer crowds, though with cooler weather and occasional rain.
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Cruise under Golden Gate, around Alcatraz, and see SF skyline from water!
Ride historic cable cars up SF's steep hills - moving landmarks!
Taste sourdough, Dungeness crab, dim sum, and diverse SF cuisine!
Walk, bike, or cruise under the world's most iconic bridge!
Explore diverse districts: Mission, Haight-Ashbury, Castro, and more!
Excellent public transportation with cable cars, buses, and BART. Walking is perfect for exploring neighborhoods, and ride-sharing services are widely available.
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