Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island which includes a skyscraper, landscape views and island views

Search stays

For three decades, desperate inmates dreamed of escaping this notorious prison today’s fortunate visitors can come and go as they please!

The ghosts of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis still stalk the abandoned corridors of one of the world’s bleakest and toughest prisons. But since the maximum security facility closed in 1963, Alcatraz Island has been welcoming “guests” of a different kind. This rocky outcrop in San Francisco Bay is now a National Park, with thousands of people every year making the short ferry ride across the channel that separated the most notorious criminals of their day from the bright lights of the city.Alcatraz’s fortress-like walls and isolated location were considered impregnable. Between 1934 and 1963 it was the last resort for especially dangerous and disruptive prisoners, many in solitary confinement awaiting the death penalty or serving out life sentences for murder and violent robbery. Some attempted escape, only to be recaptured or, in a few cases, shot by marksmen or swept away by the treacherous currents of the bay. It was claimed that no prisoner ever succeeded in getting away from Alcatraz alive, although the fate of the three who made a daring bid for freedom in 1962 on a life raft made from prison-issue raincoats remains unknown to this day.Tours of “the Rock”, as it’s commonly known, take in the grim cell blocks and walled exercise yard of the former penitentiary. Join a tour group or plan your own route with the help of an audio guide, included in the ferry round trip. Visitors are at liberty to explore the rest of the island, which also boasts the first lighthouse on the American West Coast, with origins dating from 1854, and enjoy views of the mainland uninterrupted by prison bars.Ferries depart from Pier 33 at the Embarcadero and the crossing takes around 15 minutes. It’s easy to lose track of time wandering around this atmospheric place contemplating its strange history and admiring the flora and fauna that have made the Rock their home, so remember to check the departure of the last ferry back to the mainland, usually around 4.25 p.m. The ferries get particularly busy in summer at the peak of the tourist season, so it’s worth buying your tickets in advance to beat the queues.

Reviews of Alcatraz Island

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
193
" "5 - Excellent 78.13765182186235%
4 - Good
50
" "4 - Good 20.242914979757085%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 1.214574898785425%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.4048582995951417%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
12 Aug 2019

Going to Alcatraz was one of the highlights of our trip, however you need to book as when we visited mid July they were booked until August.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Jul 2019

Remember to book way in advance we did but so plenty of folks being turned away who tried to buy tickets on the day

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Jul 2019

A must visit if you're in San Francisco we went on the early bird trip at 8.45am to avoid the crowds because it does get incredibly busy throughout the day

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Jun 2019

Make sure you book in advance otherwise you may be disappointed as tour tickets sell out fast.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Jun 2019

A great experience. Full of history audio tour of cell blocks first class. A must see if you go to San Francisco.

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
1300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
4 out of 5
555 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
4 out of 5
250 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
425 North Point, San Francisco, CA
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Argonaut Hotel
Argonaut Hotel
4.5 out of 5
495 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA
Argonaut Hotel
Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
2700 JONES STREET, San Francisco, CA
Kimpton Alton Hotel - Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
550 N Point St, San Francisco, CA
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.