ALCATRAZ TOURS — Local services in San Francisco

Nestled in the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island has long intrigued visitors with its storied past. The Behind the Scenes Night Tour offers an exclusive glimpse into the hidden corners of this iconic former prison. Here’s why it’s an experience worth every moment:

Guided Exploration: Imagine stepping beyond the ordinary tourist path. With a group of 30 or fewer, you’ll embark on a 4-5 hour guided adventure led by knowledgeable experts. These guides unveil off-limits areas—the very spots where notorious inmates once roamed. You’ll hear tales of daring escapes, prison life, and the island’s eerie history.

Off-Limits Areas: The tour takes you to places rarely seen by the public. Explore the hospital wing, where medical secrets and inmate stories intertwine. Stand in the solitary confinement cells, feeling the weight of isolation. These spaces hold echoes of desperation and resilience.

Special Programs: As twilight settles, the island transforms. The Behind the Scenes Night Tour includes special live presentations—intimate glimpses into Alcatraz’s past. Listen to riveting accounts of escape attempts, riots, and the daily struggles faced by both inmates and guards. These programs change, ensuring a fresh experience each time.

Cellhouse After Dark: As darkness envelops Alcatraz, you’ll join the regular Alcatraz Night Tour. Wander through the cellhouse, guided by an audio tour that brings the stories to life. Imagine the clank of cell doors, the whispers of desperate men, and the haunting echoes of history. It’s a visceral connection to the past.

Breathtaking Views: Alcatraz at night offers a different kind of beauty. The city lights twinkle across the bay, framing the island’s rugged silhouette. From the parade ground, gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge—a sentinel guarding the entrance to the Pacific. It’s a view that lingers in your memory.

Practical Tips: Timed Entry: Arrive at least half an hour before your ticket time. Security checks and boarding take time. Prioritize Ranger Programs: Attend any ranger-led presentations—they add depth to your experience. Embrace the Night: Alcatraz reveals its soul after dark. Let the shadows guide you. In summary, the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Night Tour transcends mere sightseeing. It immerses you in the layers of history, leaving an indelible mark. Don’t miss this chance to step into the shadows and hear Alcatraz’s whispered confessions.

Remember, Alcatraz isn’t just a place; it’s a chapter in the human story—one that continues to captivate...

Took my 12yo daughter on Alcatraz tour during our Spring break San Fran trip. City Experiences is who we bought our tickets through. Cost $100 for 2 tickets plus pre-purchased 2 hot dogs, chips, and water so we had lunch squared away once on the vessel. Tour was great on a sunny day! Views of the bay en route and Golden Gate Bridge were spectacular. Alcatraz is a special place. Once off the dock, prepare for a quick orientation by the park staff, then walking up steep paved path for 2 switchbacks until reaching the cell house entrance. You enter the cell house and go into the showers room and then get your audio headset to listen to the audio tour which we both really enjoyed. Even my 12yo daughter commented how good it was. Shocker!! They tell storiea in their own words with background noise and sound effects to really drive home the experience for you. It was wild to see Al Capone'a real life cell and also walk into the "hole" cells where unruly inmates were put in total isolation. We learned there is a William Baker who was an inmate there who still comes every Thursday 9am for q few hours to sign his book and tell stories in the gift shop. We were there on a Thursday but this particular Thurs was a different guest, Jolene I believe her name is, who was a chikd of an associate warden on the island. She wrote 4 books qbout Alcatrqz and was there signing copies. We bought one about profiles of the inmates there. She shared pages of photo albums of her time there as a child and what it was like living on the island while her father worked as Associate Warden. Fascinating! I loved that they had actual people there at the gift shop. Would have loved to meet William Baker though. They showed us how they ooen the cell doors mechanically, and the views from the east side of the island were so spectacular on a sunny day. Definitely wander about the entire island. Go in the morning with ample time and ask tons of questions. Don't go in a hurry. Eat lunch AFTER once back on the vessel with your pre-purchased meal. Take water onto the island as it gets strenuous. The nesting seabirds in late March sitting by the hundreds on the cliffs overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance was so amazing to watch. The guide told ua that it was the perfect time.of year to be here because in a week, seagulls will have taken over the island and it woukd be unpleasant. So we...

My first (and likely last) visit to Alcatraz Island, after missing the boat (literally) on a few previous visits to San Francisco. This time my wife & our friend & I took the roundtrip cruise and the self-guided walking tour of what's left of the Alcatraz facilities. Our tour vessel to the Island was the Alcatraz City Tours' Islander (their fastest boat) and we returned on the larger but slightly slower Alcatraz Clipper. Both had very professional but cordial crews and the cruises across San Francisco Bay were smooth on a partly sunny June day. On-board facilities are basic on both ships but the afloat time is short.

On arrival to the Island, visitors as a group are encouraged to listen to an approx. 5 minute introduction to the layout & history of Alcatraz (I'd definitely recommend it for first-timers - our Nat'l Park Service member was very enthusiastic & informative); then you are dismissed to explore on your own (Island maps available).

The Island complex of buildings (some still intact, others just structural ruins) covered a smaller footprint than I expected, but it takes some time & energy to climb the hillsides via paved roads (especially getting to the top of the Island where the Lighthouse and the Cellhouse & its Recreation Yard are perched). There are also some beautiful garden areas spread around the Island, which were first established by U.S. military personnel stationed there in the 1860s. We spent most of our tour inside the Cellhouse, where I took advantage of the free audio tour for more historical insight (don't pause the recording or the narration will never catch up to your current point in the tour). The other fascinating area we explored was the historical displays describing & interpreting the Alcatraz Island occupation protests in the 1960s & early 1970s by Native Americans. This was an important piece of U.S. history that I had never heard of before this visit.

Once we finished our tour, we went back to the dock level & stood in the queue for the next return vessel. Our impressions of the visit were overall positive, though the stories & current conditions of the Cellhouse were reminders that Alcatraz Island is a neglected & underappreciated part of...