Alcatraz Island — Attraction in San Francisco

Obviously, when in San Francisco, visiting Alcatraz Island is something on most everyone's must to do list - and with good reason! It's amazing!

Firstly, I booked with Alcatraz City Cruises, which maintains they are the official concessioner to the National Park Service. And they offer three different tours - "Day Tour", "Night Tour", and the "Behind the Scenes Tour" - I went on the "Night Tour" and it was exceptional! One of the best things about it was to see the sunset over the Golden Gate bridge from the island, simply beautiful and a one-of-a-kind experience.

Now be aware, that the tour is a somewhat physically demanding experience, on foot, but they do make every possible concession to accomidate mobility, they have ramps and even a tram that will take you up the steep incline road up to the prison. And there is also an elevator inside the prison as well, but there are stairs here and there too. Some really steep, specifically in the prision recreation area.

A person in a wheelchair might be in for a tough time, as you would have to go up and down a boat ramp, not to mention the steep road to the prison.

Once inside the prison, you are given a handheld device in a plastic pouch that is held to your ear that gives an audio tour that details every aspect of the prison as told from an ex-inmates point of view. It was highly informative and a very singular private tour experience, as despite everyone having one, you could only hear your own device. They also have sign language interpreters (with advance notice).

The tour was really exciting, and you are fully immersed by the surroundings with the tour giving exacting details about prison life as well as the attempted escapes and successful escapes by the three men as depicted in the film "Escape From Alcatraz" with Clint Eastwood. The cells also have the mock ups of prison life with bedding, magazines, board games, and painted pictures.

On some tours you are allowed to go upstairs, where hydrotherapy was performed on some of the inmates as well as the prison hospital. Overall, any area that is open, it seems you are allowed to look around and photograph.

And the guards are very friendly, accessible, as well as really knowledgeable about all aspects of the prison. There is even a point in the tour where you are allowed to experience being put in "The Hole" a cell inside a dark room for really bad prisoners, that is a very sensory deprivational punishment. Although, it lasts only a minute, it's hard to imagine being in there for any lengthy amount of time. Pfhwew!

Lastly, there is a bit of history about the island, prior to its use as a prison, as it was originally set up as a military fortification. Then later occupied by Native American protesters in the late 1960s. There is also a bookstore/giftshop, a tiny film watching area and a modern area display with information about prison effectiveness in society versus rehabilatation.

A must, must, must see if you are ever in San Francisco, and that sunset! An opportunity not...

Great place to learn about the "layers of history". I'm putting pictures of where we parked because parking here is ridiculous. We paid 25 dollars for where we parked but it was worth it because it gave us the whole day and we were staying out late. It also has charging stations for electric vehicles and was very close to where we ate dinner, at Fog City. We felt pretty secure and safe about where we parked. We parked on Lombard and Samson. I put pictures of where we parked so you can find it. We did the guided tour and I would highly recommend it. Buying tickets in advance is crucial here so you can reserve a spot. We did it in February where it was pretty cloudy and somewhat rainy. But that just means there were fewer people. So that was a great trade off for me and my wife. We did the tour at 215, which means we were there at the dock for the 240pm boat. We did not wait in a line and could learn from some of the history points around the dock. We then boarded the boat and got to the island to have our guided tour. I did not put too many pictures because there was a lot to see, and bring able to experience is different than looking through pictures. But I put some in there to spark some curiosity. We were also able to do the audio which was great for kids and teenagers. The guided tour is long (about 2 hours) and then staying later may be hard for small kids but teenagers can easily do it. I hope this helps! Our tour guide was excellent, and fun to learn from. Because we did the later tour, we were able to see the parts of Alcatraz that only opened up after dark. The hospital wing, the "clanger", and the military side of Alcatraz. I believe there were more parts as well. So it was worth doing the later guided tour so we could see those parts of Alcatraz. We took the 620 PM boat back to the island which was the second to last boat. It did start raining pretty well so bring an umbrella or a poncho! That was well worth our time and money. Then for dinner we got off the boat and walked about 4 blocks to Fog City for dinner. Great place to eat, but it would help if you got reservations. You can easily put Fog City into Google maps and it will pull it...

Visiting Alcatraz Island in San Francisco is an absolute must-do for anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable experience. I wholeheartedly give it a five-star rating as it exceeded my expectations and proved to be worth every penny.

From the moment you step onto the ferry and catch sight of the iconic island, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. The journey across the sparkling waters of the bay sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Once on the island, you’re immediately immersed in the intriguing history and legends surrounding the infamous Alcatraz prison. The audio tour, included in the ticket price, is exceptional. It guides you through the prison’s corridors, cells, and communal spaces, offering a riveting glimpse into the daily lives of the inmates and the unique challenges they faced.

The voices of former prisoners and guards sharing their personal stories bring the history to life, adding a layer of authenticity and emotion to the experience. Walking in their footsteps and witnessing the conditions they endured creates a profound sense of empathy and understanding.

The views from the island are simply breathtaking. As you explore the various areas and lookout points, you’re treated to panoramic vistas of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an awe-inspiring reminder of the beauty that surrounds this historically significant site.

What makes the visit even more remarkable is the commitment to preservation and education. The National Park Service does an excellent job of maintaining the integrity of the island and sharing its rich history with visitors of all ages. The exhibits and displays are informative, engaging, and thoughtfully curated.

In conclusion, a visit to Alcatraz Island is an absolute must when in San Francisco. It’s an enthralling experience that combines history, captivating storytelling, and breathtaking scenery. The value for money is undeniable, and the memories created will last a lifetime. Prepare to be captivated by the allure and mystique...