Alcatraz: A Must See

Tickets are available 90 days in advance through the Alcatraz City Cruises site, the official partner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Alcatraz Landing is at Pier 33, about a 15 minute walk from the Zoe.

Once the Alcatraz City Cruises site is sold out, you can only get the Alcatraz tickets in a package with another tour. The package with the most value is a combo with Big Bus. Contact me to secure these tickets for you. Because these tickets are in high demand, the package tickets are for final sale - no exchanges, refunds or returns.

While the self-guided Alcatraz tour is well-marked and impactful, the audio elevates the experience with haunting sounds and stories based on interviews of the formerly incarcerated and the guards.

Alcatraz Landing is at Pier 33, about a 15-minute walk from the Zoe. Your ticket will have a specific departure time, and the ferry does not wait for you. Once you are on the island, you can take as long as you like (for the Day Tour) — figure a good 2.5 - 3 hours.

Alcatraz is on a big rock surrounded by the frigid waters of the Bay. It’s usually windy, and even if the sky is clear when you board the ferry, the fog can creep in before you return. You will need a warm coat, even (especially?) in the summer.

There are ADA accommodations for accessibility. The National Park Service provides all the details.