Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

About Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is a National Historic Landmark in San Francisco Bay where visitors explore the former federal penitentiary through self-guided tours. The award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour leads guests through historic buildings, exhibits, and gardens at their own pace. Day tours depart from Pier 33 and include round-trip ferry transportation to the island. Night tours operate after regular daytime visitors depart, offering smaller crowds and exclusive evening programming with guided introductions. A Behind the Scenes Tour takes groups of 30 or fewer to areas not otherwise open to the public, with guides sharing lesser-known stories about the island's history. Combination tours pair Alcatraz with Angel Island, featuring a guided tram tour of Angel Island's history and landscapes plus the Cellhouse Audio Tour on Alcatraz. For those preferring to stay on the water, a Bay Discovery Cruise offers 90-minute sightseeing trips with views of Alcatraz and iconic San Francisco waterfront landmarks, including passage under the Golden Gate Bridge when weather permits.