Trip Planner:   USA  /  California  /  San Francisco  /  Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

4.7
#1 of 6,060 in Nature in United States
Must see · Island · National Park
Tour the infamous former maximum-security penitentiary on Alcatraz Island. Nicknamed The Rock, this small island in the San Francisco Bay is now a national park. After taking a ferry to the island, follow the audio guide, available in ten languages. You'll go through the inside of the old prison's facilities, which include a lighthouse, military fortifications, and cellblocks. Though long considered escape-proof, the prison suffered an irreparable blow to its reputation in 1962, when three inmates mysteriously disappeared using a makeshift raft. Explore the protected recreation area with a park ranger, who can enhance your visit with little-known information about the island's current inhabitants: the black-crested night herons and western gulls. Using our custom trip planner, San Francisco attractions like Alcatraz Island can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
Create an itinerary including Alcatraz Island
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Alcatraz Island

FROM $120 BOOK WITH VIATOR Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour
4.3
Duration: 6 hours
Tours from $120 »
FROM $125 BOOK WITH VIATOR Alcatraz Tour plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip
4.1
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $125 »
FROM $90 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
4.7
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tours from $90 »

Alcatraz Island reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
55,321 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By sudiez10
    This is a lot of bang for your bucks! We took the early bird trip, first ferry of the day, and it was worth it as it doesn´t get too crowded. You´re walking along on your own, with complementary...  more »
  • By 36jodyp
    Loved the history and tour of this place. It was pretty cold and windy the day we went but was worth it. Love the idea of being able to come back every 15  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Sifat Hasan
    Alcatraz Island, San fransisco, USA
  • By Far Crane
    Decent! I did not like the treatment by the cops there though, even if I did commit 42 war crimes. I still feel like the food service there was kinda awful, and would definitely not want to escape it again.
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to San Francisco

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge ©
Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Fisherman's Wharf ©
Pier / Boardwalk
Fisherman's Wharf
3.4
Duration: 2 hours
Golden Gate Park ©
Park
Golden Gate Park
4.6
Duration: 3h 30 min
Exploratorium ©
Science Museum
Exploratorium
4.6
Duration: 4 hours

Hidden gems in San Francisco

Ferry Building Marketplace ©
Shopping Mall
Ferry Building Marketplace
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Japanese Tea Garden ©
Garden
Japanese Tea Garden
4.1
Duration: 1h 30 min
Twin Peaks ©
Lookout
Twin Peaks
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
©
Beer Tasting / Tour
Beer Tastings & Tours
4.8
Duration: 4 hours

Side trips from San Francisco

©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Wine Tours & Tastings
Napa
4.6
Duration: 8 hours
©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Wine Tours & Tastings
Healdsburg
4.9
Duration: 8 hours
SIMRACEWAY PERFORMANCE DRIVING CENTER ©
Auto Race Track
SIMRACEWAY PERFORMANCE DRIVING CENTER
Sonoma
4.9
Duration: 6 hours
Muir Woods National Monument ©
Forest
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min

Kid-friendly things to do in San Francisco

California Academy of Sciences ©
Science Museum
California Academy of Sciences
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
Buy tickets from $37 »
Ghirardelli Square ©
Shopping Mall
Ghirardelli Square
3.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
Cable Car Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Cable Car Museum
4.6
Duration: 30 minutes
The Wave Organ ©
Monument
The Wave Organ
3.0
Duration: 2 hours

Parks in San Francisco

Crissy Field ©
Park
Crissy Field
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Marina Green
Park
Marina Green
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Washington Square ©
Park
Washington Square
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes
Corona Heights ©
Park
Corona Heights
5.0
Duration: 2 hours

Nearby attractions in San Francisco

Lombard Street ©
Scenic Walking Area
Lombard Street
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre ©
Theater
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Oracle Park ©
Arena / Stadium
Oracle Park
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Green Dream Tours ©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Green Dream Tours
4.8
Duration: 8 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Alcatraz Island by other users

8 days in California BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES San Francisco Yosemite National Park Los Angeles 2 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Ferry Building Marketplace Alcatraz Island Fisherman's Wharf 11 days in California & Pacific Northwest BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Santa Barbara Monterey San Francisco 23 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES San Francisco Yosemite National Park Las Vegas 8 days in California BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego 48 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Tampa Denver Badlands National Park