Will my national parks pass get me onto Alcatraz Island?
Your National Parks Pass will not get you onto Alcatraz Island, as there is no price to enter this historical site. The price of the ticket covers the ferry ride to and from the island.
What to bring to Alcatraz?
You always need to bring layers when you’re in San Francisco, especially if you’re on The Rock. Bringing a jacket with you is a must for any Alcatraz tour! It wouldn’t hurt to bring a beanie or scarf along too. You are going to a rock in the middle of a windswept bay, make sure you come prepared.
Which Alcatraz Tour is right for You?
Then the Alcatraz and Angel Island tour is a great option for those who want to add to their Alcatraz exploration. Angel Island is a gorgeous hidden gem of history and nature. The largest island in San Francisco bay, it was used as an immigration station during World War II.
How do you get Alcatraz tickets?
Local tour companies, like Dylan’s Tours, partner with Alcatraz City Cruises to offer Alcatraz Tickets as a part of a tour package. You can book Dylan’s Famous Tour with Alcatraz, which includes exploring the city, Sausalito, Muir Woods, and Alcatraz Island all in one day.
What can you take to Alcatraz?
No food service is available on Alcatraz, however there is a picnic area located at the dock. Food, drinks (including candy and gum) are only allowed on the dock. (An exception is bottled water, which is available in the bookstore on the dock on Alcatraz.)
Can I bring a water bottle to Alcatraz?
Picnicking and consuming food is not allowed at Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing, onboard our vessels, or on Alcatraz Island. Bottled water is allowed on all areas of the Island.
What do I need to know before going to Alcatraz?
15 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting AlcatrazYou'll need to book tickets in advance.Last minute tickets are available, but expensive!Remember to Bring Your ID.Bring layers – no matter the weather!The guards (and their families) lived on Alcatraz too!You can stay on the island for as long as you like.More items...•
Do they sell food on Alcatraz?
There is no food service on Alcatraz City Cruises vessels or on Alcatraz Island - only water. There are drinking fountains located by both restrooms - at the dock and near the lighthouse, and bottled water is available in the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy book stores on the island.
Can I bring food to Alcatraz Island?
Food and drinks (besides bottled water) are only allowed at the Alcatraz dock, but you can certainly bring them with you. You'll just have to store them in your bag while walking around Alcatraz Island.
Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon?
Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temperatures in the 60s.
Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz?
Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz? There are bathrooms on most of the ferries on the way over and back. There are also restrooms in two locations on the island. One is right near the ferry terminal.
What should I not miss at Alcatraz?
Gardens of Alcatraz. Recreation Yard. Rock pools and seabird colonies. Ruins of the Warden's House and Officers' Club.
Does Alcatraz have bathrooms?
Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz? There are bathrooms on most of the ferries on the way over and back. There are also restrooms in two locations on the island. One is right near the ferry terminal.
What time of day is best to visit Alcatraz?
Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temperatures in the 60s.
How long is the Alcatraz swim?
approximately 2-mileThe Alcatraz swim is an approximately 2-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. This swim is for relatively strong swimmers.
Does Alcatraz have metal detectors?
There were tool-resistant, case-hardened steel bars; metal detectors; and special lighting and alarm systems. Inmates usually moved from their cells to other parts of the prison without physical restraints.
How long can you stay on Alcatraz Island?
You can stay on Alcatraz Island as long as you like, but allow at 2.5 – 3 hours for cruising to the Island, exploring the Island and returning via ferry to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. It is recommended that you line up one half hour prior to your departure time. See our departure and return schedules.
How old do you have to be to go to Alcatraz?
Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit Alcatraz Island unless accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older. Minors must be supervised at all times while visiting Alcatraz Island, Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and while onboard Alcatraz Cruises vessels.
What are the flies on Alcatraz Island?
These flies are commonly referred to as Cormorant flies. They do not pose a health risk. The presence of these flies is an indicator of a healthy population of cormorants on the Island. In the last few years, the cormorant population on the Island was decimated by several natural events. This year, the population is rebounding, so the fly population has temporarily increased. These flies are a very important part of the Island ecosystem and are not caused by any adverse conditions on Alcatraz Island or on Alcatraz City Cruises vessels. We apologize for the annoyance these flies may cause and hope you will enjoy your visit to Alcatraz Island.
How long is the Alcatraz tour?
Due to social distancing requirements in the Cellhouse, there may be a lengthy wait for the Cellhouse Audio Tour. Please plan on a 3-hour Alcatraz Island tour experience, including roundtrip boat time.
How far is the cellhouse from Alcatraz?
The roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep. The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is approximately 1/4 mile (.4km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters), the equivalent of walking up a 13-story building.
Where to wear face covering on Alcatraz cruise?
SafeCruise by Alcatraz Cruises. All visitors must wear a proper face covering while in the boarding queue at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and while aboard Alcatraz City Cruises’ ferries. Buy In Advance. Advance purchase is highly recommended because of the limited number of visitors allowed on the Island each day.
Can you bring a backpack to Alcatraz?
Bags larger than a standard backpack, 16” x 20”, are not allowed on Alcatraz Island. Visitors with luggage or oversized packages and bags will be unable to board Alcatraz Cruises vessels or visit Alcatraz Island and will receive refunds. There are no exceptions to this regulation.
How to dress for Alcatraz?
The best advice is always to dress in layers. Wear rain gear during wet winter months. (Rain gear is available for purchase at the bookstores.)
What is the ferry service for Alcatraz?
The most important thing to know when planning a trip to Alcatraz is that all access to the island is through a private ferry company under contract with the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises LLC.
Is there parking at Alcatraz?
Note that there is no parking available at Alcatraz Landing. On-street parking in the Fisherman's Wharf area can be hard to find, and nearly every space has a parking meter. Most meters are time limited and unlikely to allow enough time for an Alcatraz visit.
Is tram available for mobility?
A tram is available for those with mobility...
Is Alcatraz accessible?
Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 in San Francisco is fully accessible. There is limited accessible parking at Pier 33, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals need to show their permanent or temporary disabled placard at the entry of Pier 33 to utilize the accessible parking spaces.
How to visit Alcatraz?
There is only one way to visit Alcatraz that is through a ferry operated by Alcatraz Cruises. However, you can tickets through a 3rd party if and when Alcatraz Cruises sells out. All ferries leave from Pier 33 at Fisherman’s wharf. View our Alcatraz Tours.
How many acres are there in Alcatraz?
Alcatraz Island is in San Francisco Bay, about 1.25 miles off the shore of San Francisco. The island is about 225 acres of jagged, rocky terrain, and is surrounded by choppy, icy-cold waters that made the penitentiary next to impossible to escape.
What time does Alcatraz open?
Hours of Alcatraz vary depending on the season and the tour you choose, but the general hours are from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. If you book a night tour, your tour will last until closer to 9 pm.
Where is the ferry to Alcatraz?
You’ll find the ferry to Alcatraz Island at Pier 33. AKA Alcatraz Landing. If you’re on an Alcatraz tour and need to pick up tickets, you’ll want to arrive at least 30 minutes early. This will give you time to pick up your Alcatraz Island tickets, use the restroom (it’s not very fun using a bathroom in choppy bay waters), ...
When is Alcatraz night tour?
This tour is even harder to reserve than the day tour, as it only runs twice per day between March and November and 1 once per day during the winter months.
Does Dylan's Alcatraz Day Tour have tours?
Did you know that there are different types of Alcatraz Island tours to consider? While Dylan’s only offers tickets to the Alcatraz Day Tour, there are a few other tour options that you should know about.
Is Alcatraz ferry a scam?
Do not trust third parties selling Alcatraz ferry tickets without a confirmed partnership with Alcatraz City Cruises! These are a scam, and you’ll end up monumentally disappointed. A good rule of thumb is to ignore any third-party company that isn’t selling Alcatraz tickets as a part of a tour package. This goes against the agreed-upon rules for tour companies selling Alcatraz tickets, so you know it’s shady at the very least!