Planning a visit to Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's most popular visitor attractions and its tours frequently sell out a week or more in advance. Tickets are rarely available at the Box Office for same-day sailings.

During tours to "The Rock," the infamous former federal penitentiary.
The National Park Service presents ranger programs, a captioned orientation video with historical footage, and an award-winning audio tour of the prison Cellhouse with actual interviews of former guards and inmates. Available in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

It's a short cruise out to the former home of Al Capone and George "Machine Gun " Kelley.

The walk to the Cellhouse is steep on uneven pavement. SEAT, (Sustainable Easy Access Transport), is available for wheelchair users and visitors unable to walk the quarter mile, 12% grade hill.

It's well worth the effort, for Alcatraz features spectacular views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. From late September until mid-February, when bird-nesting season begins, you can hike along the Agave Trail to the water's edge and meander through a protected bird sanctuary. The length of tour is 2 to 3 hours.

Planning a visit to Alcatraz

Information provided by the National Park Service.

HOURS OF OPERATION
The hours of operation vary with the season - departures are available throughout the day beginning at 9:30 AM. The ferry runs about every thirty to forty minutes to and from Alcatraz. The island closes at 6:30 PM in the Summer, 4:30 PM in Fall, Winter and Spring.

ISLAND CLOSURES, TICKET AVAILABILITY, WEATHER
Alcatraz is closed only on Christmas and New Year's Day, or due to extreme weather. In Summer months and around holiday weekends Alcatraz sells out as early as a week in advance. See below for information on our two package Alcatraz tours. The weather on the island can be unpredictable and can change suddenly. Fog is common in the summer, rain in the winter.

ADVANCE TICKET SALES
Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended. We do not currently sell individual tickets.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Some sections of Alcatraz are unsafe to visit. Areas closed to the public are well marked by fences or barricades. Collecting of any sort is prohibited. Plant and animal life are protected by law - DO NOT feed birds on Alcatraz.

The distance from the dock to the cellhouse at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile; the elevation change is 130 feet, equivalent to a thirteen story climb. Visitors unable to make the climb up Alcatraz's steep road may take advantage of SEAT - Sustainable Easy Access Transport, an electric shuttle, which runs once an hour from the dock to the cellhouse, and once an hour from the cellhouse to the dock.

No food service is available on Alcatraz, however there is a picnic area located at the dock. Food, drinks and smoking are only allowed on the dock. An exception is bottled water, which is available in the bookstore on the dock on Alcatraz.

INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Outdoor interpretive walks are offered throughout the day by NPS rangers and volunteers highlighting a variety of topics including military history, famous inmates, escapes, natural history and the Indian occupation. Program titles and locations are posted on the dock and in the cellhouse.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Enjoy the history of Alcatraz at your own pace with this map and written guide. Pick up the Self Guide brochure in English, Spanish, Italian, Spanish, German or Japanese at the dock for $1.00 per copy. A companion brochure on escapes is available in the bookstore near the dock or in the cellhouse.

ORIENTATION VIDEO
Attend a 14-minute video presentation of the Island's 200 year history - an excellent introduction to Alcatraz. The theater is 50 yards up the road from the dock. For hearing impaired visitors, the video is captioned.

EXHIBITS
Several exhibits are located behind the theater, they present the various periods of Alcatraz's history, including the U.S. penitentiary (1934-1963), and the military history (1850-1933). A new award winning video (captioned) exhibit, "We Hold the Rock", presents the story of the occupation by Indians of All Tribes (1969-1971).

CELLHOUSE RECORDED TOUR
Join former Alcatraz inmates and correctional officers as they remember life on Alcatraz in this award winning 35-minute recorded tour. Pick up (rent) the tour inside the cellhouse. Available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and French. This is included with either other 2 Tours

BOOKSTORES
Memorabilia, film, videos, and books about the Island's rich history are available for sale at the bookstores near the dock and in the cellhouse.

ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
The National Park Service administers Alcatraz Island as a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). A variety of tours of the island are offered - for more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/

So come enjoy the West Coast's first and oldest operating lighthouse and enjoy the island's many natural features - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and breathtaking bay views. Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a jacket.

Information provided by the National Park Service.

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