Alcatraz - A Complete Visitor's Guide
- Helen
- Dec 7, 2018
- 6 min read
Updated: May 26, 2019
When you visit San Francisco, no matter what else you do or do not do during your stay, the Alcatraz experience must not be missed!
The island of Alcatraz, lying just 1.25 miles from the San Francisco shore line, with its varied and fascinating history will entertain and intrigue even the most discerning. Discover first hand how the island was used as America's most secure prison to notorious criminals during the last century.
If you are wishing to visit Alcatraz when you stay in San Francisco, there are some things you need to know as you plan your trip.
Therefore, here is a guide to all you need to know about visiting Alcatraz.
Why Visit Alcatraz?
A trip to Alcatraz really should not be missed. It is educational, fascinating, creepy, historical, entertaining and also beautiful all in equal measure!
The organised tours to Alcatraz are incredibly well executed and offer a fantastic visitor experience. Don't just take my word for it though... Alcatraz has been voted America's number one landmark by TripAdvisor in both 2015 and 2018.
History of Alcatraz
In order to set the scene a little more about the island of Alcatraz, let me provide a potted history...
- Alcatraz was initially inhabited by Native Americans thousands of years ago. It was in 1775 though that the first Europeans arrived in the bay of San Francisco and named the barren island Isla de Alcatraces (Isle of the Pelicans).
- In 1859 the island was used as a US West Coast fort and soon after a military prison (until 1933). It was these prisoners who built many of the buildings still seen on the island today.
- In 1934 the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over the island as a secure and seemingly 'escape proof' option for America's most notorious offenders.
Prisoners held on Alcatraz at this time included Al Capone, George Kelly and the 'birdman', 'Robert Stroud'.
- In the time that Alcatraz was used as a secure prison there were 14 escape attempts. Of the 36 men involved in these attempts, 5 remained unaccounted for but it is thought most likely they drowned and their bodies were not recovered.
Official word remains that no man successfully escaped Alcatraz.
- In 1963 Alcatraz prison was falling into disrepair and proving too expensive to keep running. The prison was abandoned at this time and the island left unoccupied.
- Between 1969 and 1971 American Indians managed to occupy the island, claiming native rights to it. Fires and vandalism destroyed some of the island buildings during this occupation.
- During 1972 Alcatraz became amalgamated with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and prepared to open to visitors.
When in October 1973 Alcatraz first opened to the public, the interest in the island was overwhelming and 50,000 people visited in the first year.
Today Alcatraz sees more than 1.4 million visitors a year!
How To Visit Alcatraz
ENSURE YOU BOOK THROUGH THE OFFICIAL OPERATOR!
To visit Alcatraz and gain access to the island and the full experience, you need to ensure your booking is through the official operators, as they are the only providers who will take you onto the island.
Booking directly with them and not a third party will also ensure the best price.
https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
Other tour operators will offer an 'Alcatraz experience' but they will not provide access to the island and only provide cruises with commentary past the island instead.
BOOK EARLY!
Also ensure when booking your official tickets that you book early.
During high season the tours to Alcatraz get very booked up and bookings several weeks in advance are frequently necessary.
Even during low season booking a week in advance is advised.
You need to book tickets for specific days and times to visit Alcatraz.
What Does A Ticket To Alcatraz Involve?
There are a few ticket options to visit Alcatraz but the most common is the day tour and I will concentrate on what is included within this:
- CRUISE TO THE ISLAND -
Every ticket includes a boat trip across from San Francisco to Alcatraz.
An opportunity to see the island up close and appreciate the full effect of the rough terrain and brick or concrete faced buildings.
Looking back towards San Francisco from the boat also offers great views of the SF skyline (weather permitting!).
- VIDEO PRESENTATION -Worth viewing in the initial visitors building as you disembark the ferry.
The video shows the full history of the island from its first occupation and through the centuries covering the varied use of Alcatraz, including of course the time it was used as a secure prison.
This history video is interesting and sets the scene for the rest of the Alcatraz experience you are about to enjoy!
- CELL-HOUSE AUDIO TOUR -
The main part of the trip for many...
This is a 45 minute audio tour of the main cell house that was once the most secure building in the States.
Excellent narration is offered, including stories from the days it was used as a prison that incorporates the voices and experiences of past prisoners, wardens and families of the prison staff who lived on the island.
The narration and history is entertaining and fascinating.
The cell-house is well preserved with many cells laid out to reflect how they would have been during the time of the prisoner's occupation.
Also included on the tour are the kitchens and dining room, the exercise yard and the private staff offices.
On the ground level you can walk up and down the cell corridors, each named by the prisoners, such names as 'Broadway', 'Times Square' and 'Seedy Street'.
The narration and exhibits also re-tell the escape attempts of some of the prisoners over the years which were quite ingenious!
- PRISON GARDENS -
If weather is permitting then the prison gardens are available to be seen.
These were kept when the island was used as a secure prison by the families of the prison staff and today volunteers work hard to keep the gardens preserved as they would have been at that time.
There is also abundant wildlife on the island that can be seen.
- GUIDED TOURS -
Varied guided tours are available each day (1-2 times a day) on the island by the island rangers and other staff.
These vary in time and content each day and you will need to check at the ferry terminal what the program is for the day you travel and if a tour fits your plans! If the times do work for you though, the guided tours during the day are free to enjoy.
OTHER TICKET OPTIONS:
NIGHT TOUR -
A great chance to see the island at night when the schedule is slightly different to a day visit. A night tour includes a guided tour from the dock to the Cellhouse, followed by the Cellhouse audio tour. Other special programs of night events are also offered.
The night tour is a great opportunity to experience the full and creepy effect of the island and Cellhouse by night.
The boat journey back to San Francisco also offers great views back to the city and night lit skyline!
BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR -
Also offered is a Behind the Scenes Tour. This is much more limited in number of places and more expensive but takes you further into the island to areas not usually seen, including an underground tunnel and jail as well as the old prison hospital.
What Else Do You Need To Know?
Allow at least three hours to experience the full Alcatraz tour - this includes ferry crossings (which take about 12 minutes each way).
Don't plan on lunch on Alcatraz - you can only eat and drink on the island at the dock area and only bottled water is sold on the island (they sell more refreshments on the boat and at Pier 33 where you board).
Departures to Alcatraz sail from Pier 33, a short distance from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Advice is to arrive approximately 20-30 minutes before your ticket time.
You can book tickets online (recommended) or at the ticket office at Pier 33.
Take layers of clothing! The island can be cold and damp even on a nice day.
FINALLY...
Do it!!
I would not hesitate in recommending a trip to Alcatraz to anyone.
The day I visited was pouring with rain and a cold and damp experience but I still would not have missed it!
** I have no affiliation with Alcatraz Cruises - I just think it is an awesome experience! **
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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