Explore Alcatraz Ticket Options

  • Bay Discovery Cruise

    A National Park Tour – Join A Sightseeing Adventure On San Francisco Bay! This 60-minute sightseeing cruise is full of San Francisco icons, such as: The Golden Gate Bridge*, Alcatraz Island*, Angel Island, Sausalito, The Marin Headlands, Fort Point / Presidio, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 and San Francisco Skyline.
  • Alcatraz Day Tour

    Now is your chance to explore Alcatraz Island and visit the world-renowned Cellhouse without the usual crowds! Step back in time during the Alcatraz Island Day Tour and experience the legendary Island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious Federal penitentiaries in US history.
  • Alcatraz Night Tour

    Experience the many moods of Alcatraz Island with an evening visit. Enjoy the beauty of a sunset silhouetting the Golden Gate Bridge, experience a cell door demonstration, and hear compelling stories about the Island's history and residents. Evening talks by Island expert historians are offered on a variety of topics and change every night. The Alcatraz Night Tour is a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors per evening that includes special programs, tours and activities not offered during the day. Be sure to check out the visiting and permanent exhibits during your visit to Alcatraz Island.
  • Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour

    Discover areas not otherwise available to the public! Join a group of 30 people or fewer on a guided 4-5 hour adventure to explore off-limits areas and hear little-known-stories about the Island's fascinating past, then join the Alcatraz Night Tour (including Cellhouse Audio Tour) for a full evening's experience.
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Discover a Hidden Gem in San Francisco Bay: A Captivating Angel Island Tour

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Alcatraz History

1934 – 1963

Alcatraz and history go hand in hand

Once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to “The Rock”. The presence of infamous inmates, like Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud, helped to establish the Island’s notoriety. Yet, many people are unaware of the historical significance before and after it was one of the world’s most legendary prisons.

1969 – 1971

The 20th Century

Civil War-era buildings, cannons, and subterranean rooms give insight into the 19th century when the Island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military prison. As you dock at Alcatraz Island, visible reminders of the American Indian Occupation, which began in 1969 and ended in 1971, remains etched on “The Rock”, recognizing an important milestone in the American Indian rights movement.

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