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How to Visit Alcatraz Island in 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Jessica Nemire Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Alcatraz Island is almost synonymous with San Francisco. Due to the island’s immense popularity, it can be hard to plan your visit. Never fear! That’s what we are here for. Here’s how to visit Alcatraz Island, plus all you need to know about tickets, hours, and more!

Pro Tip:  It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our  San Francisco Guide  for more planning resources, our best San Francisco tours  for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in San Fran .

Alcatraz Island Hours, Tickets, Tours, And Facts: What We’ll Cover

Alcatraz Island housed the most infamous prison in the United States: the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Since shutting down in 1963 and sending its prisoners elsewhere, both the prison and the island have become one of the most popular tour destinations in San Francisco.

It’s also in the middle of the scenic San Francisco Bay, making it even more of an iconic place to visit to get some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. You can learn more about the history of Alcatraz Island here !

• Hours and info
• Tickets and pricing
• Transportation and parking
• What to see and do
• Alcatraz tours
• Facts and history of Alcatraz

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if San Francisco tours are worth it .

How to Visit Alcatraz Island: Hours and Info

Hours:  Monday – Sunday, from 10 am until 9 pm.

Alcatraz Island is closed on the following days:

• Thanksgiving (4th Thursday of November)
• December 25

There are also various portions of the island that are closed off at certain times of the year to allow the island’s resident sea birds to nest. Alcatraz Island has been known to have special events, such as art exhibits, although there have not been any such events since 2019. If they resume events again, their events page can be found here . Currently, the island is hosting community building days to restore the the gardens on the island.

Tickets and Pricing for Alcatraz Island

Since Alcatraz Island is, you know, an island, it’s only accessible via a ticketed ferry. Due to the popularity of Alcatraz, we strongly recommend booking your tickets to Alcatraz Island at least a few weeks ahead of time! Especially during the summer and other high tourist times during the year, Alcatraz tickets can sell out even months ahead of your tour date!

Every ferry ride to Alcatraz Island departs from Pier 33 near Fisherman’s Wharf. The ferry ride from Pier 33 to the island typically takes around 15 minutes. Make sure you arrive at least 45 minutes before the ferry is scheduled to leave. There’s a lot to explore and views to take in from the island, so we recommend spending at least three hours there.

You can purchase your tickets online or in person at Pier 33, which is where the ferry departs. If buying directly from Alcatraz Island, they offer a day tour, a night tour, and also a behind-the-scenes tour. The prices listed below are for the daytime tour, as that is the most common option.

Admission:  $41 for adults, $25 for children (5-11 years), $41 for juniors (12-17 years), $38 for seniors (62+ years) Family Pricing: $119.60 total for 2 adults + 2 children 5-11years

Address:  31 San Francisco Pier 33 – Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA

Pro Tip:  Skip the line by booking your ticket online ahead of time or getting more out of your visit by joining our San Francisco in a day tour ! The tour includes a full access ticket to Alcatraz Penitentiary and Island, as well as a 4-hour guided tour of San Francisco in an open-sided van. The tour also stops by the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and includes pickup at your hotel!

Not ready to book a tour? Read more in our San Francisco Guide .

How To Get to Alcatraz Island

Please note that there is no parking available at Pier 33 (or the island) as you plan how to visit Alcatraz Island. The ferry landing dock at Pier 33 is about a 7-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from Pier 39, otherwise known as Fisherman’s Wharf.

Like most of San Francisco, parking is almost impossible to find at Pier 39. For this reason, finding another way to Alcatraz Island is advised. That’s a big part of the reason why we recommend booking our San Francisco in a day tour that includes Alcatraz. All logistics and tickets are included so you can enjoy your day without stress.

Here are a few transportation options to get to your Alcatraz ferry departure at Pier 33:

• Car/Rideshare Services

The exact timing of your journey to Pier 33 to pick up the ferry for Alcatraz Island depends on which hotel you are staying at, of course. Since most of our picks for the best hotels in San Francisco are near the Embarcadero waterfront , we calculated the times from there. We also calculated some times from Union Square, as that is another popular area to stay in San Francisco.

By Trolley:

We don’t mean the cable cars when we say trolley. Although it looks similar to a cable car, the F Market & Wharves trolley is a MUNI bus that runs from Castro St. Station to Fisherman’s Wharf. Standing for San Francisco Municipal Railway,” the MUNI system is San Francisco’s bus and underground train system.

From the Embarcadero, it takes around 8 minutes to get from the trolley stop to Pier 33. From Union Square, it takes around 24 minutes. A ride on the F trolley costs $3. You can pay by cash with exact change, or on the MuniMobile app. For more information about transportation in San Francisco, check out our helpful article about getting around San Francisco !

If you’re staying by the Embarcadero, the F trolley is your only public transportation option to get to Pier 33. If you are staying by Union Square, you can take the 8 MUNI bus. It takes around 24 minutes, and costs $3.

By Car/Uber:

It takes 10 minutes to drive from Union Square to Pier 33 and around 5 minutes or less to drive from Embarcadero. Since parking is next to impossible near the piers, if you need to drive, we suggest taking Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. With all 3 options, the one-way fare for a standard car fitting 3-4 passengers is likely between $10 and $12.

It takes less than 10 minutes to bike from both Union Square and the Embarcadero area to Pier 33. There are bike rentals all over the city, including handy electric bikes. Bay Wheels, an e-bike sharing program managed by Lyft, offers bike rentals through the Lyft app. For single rides, you will be charged an unlock fee of $3 and charged 30 cents a minute. So, a 10-minute bike ride would about cost $6. Despite being a difficult area to park in, there are frequently a lot of cars and traffic in this area, so watch out for cars if you are biking!

If you are staying near Union Square or the Embarcadero, it might be easiest to simply walk to Pier 33 to catch the ferry if you and everyone in your group is up for a walk. Walking from the Embarcadero Area will take around 15-20 minutes, depending on which hotel you are staying in, and walking from Union Square will take around 30 minutes.

What to See and Do on the Island

Throughout your exploration of the buildings left standing on Alcatraz, you’ll find hundreds of photographs and memorabilia from the time of its use. Some areas are off limits to tourists as they are unstable from neglect. The walkways are also quite steep in some areas, so wear sturdy shoes!

• The cellhouse and infamous escape room
• The gardens
• The courtyard or playground
• View of the bay and the city

Alcatraz Island Tours

A trip to Alcatraz Island is only possible by purchasing a ferry ticket to the island. The National Park Service has jurisdiction over the island, so you’ll find park guides available to help you explore the island. It’s a mostly self-guided tour, but there are also several tour options available throughout the day.

The most popular tour option is the Alcatraz day tour, but there are also night tours, behind-the-scenes tours, and combination tours with Angel Island and Alcatraz Island.

Since it’s extremely difficult to get tickets during peak tourist months, booking a combination tour with a local guide is a popular option. Most tourists prefer booking both Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge to see both of the top San Francisco attractions in one day.

Facts and History of Alcatraz

To get you excited about your trip to Alcatraz, here are some interesting facts about the history of Alcatraz from authors and eyewitnesses mentioned in our other article here .

• Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed prisoners during the Civil War.
• The army left Alcatraz in 1934, but it was only empty for a few weeks before the Bureau of Prisons put the most dangerous criminals here.
• Most of the criminals at Alcatraz had committed violent crimes or tried to escape their previous prisons.
• Famous Alcatraz inmates included Al Capone (for tax evasion) and “Machine Gun” Kelly (not the singer) convicted of kidnapping.
• Although the prison took up most of the island, there were also barracks, apartments, and a recreation hall, and at least 60 families with children lived there full time.
• The families who lived there called it  “the poor man’s Hawaii.”
• In 1972, the island became a part of the National Park Service, and it has been home to beautiful gardens since 2003.
• Currently, many species of animals call the island home, such as salamanders and cormorants.
• It’s referred to as “The Rock” because it is made up of mostly rock, and dirt was hauled in to make it livable.
• So far, it has appeared in 10 movies and TV shows, including the 2010 movies The Book of Eli and the 2006 movie X-Men: The Last Stand .

Where To Stay in San Francisco

Make the most of your visit to San Francisco by choosing to stay in the best neighborhoods for seeing all this iconic city has to offer. You’ll love our hotel recommendations.

About Jessica Nemire

Jessica Nemire has been writing about about travel since 2011. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2016 with a BA in journalism. She loves the ocean, Mission District burritos, and amazing sunsets.

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Alcatraz Island and the Alcatraz Tour

Alcatraz Tour Fascinates Visitors to Alcatraz Island

Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

It's a former federal prison on a rocky island in the middle of the bay, steeped in legend and a popular tourist stop.

Spanish Explorer Manuel de Ayala named this barren rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans). The island called Alcatraz has been used as a Civil War fort, a Federal prison and a symbol of Native American plight. Today, the National Park Service runs Alcatraz Island as a tourist attraction.

Things to Do on Alcatraz

You can get a look at what you'll see on the Alcatraz tour by visiting the Alcatraz slideshow.

The National Park Service schedules activities to help you learn about Alcatraz Island, including lectures and special tours. The schedule board at the ferry landing gives the times. The only guided tour is the audio tour, but you can also pick up a self-guided tour book near the boat dock.

Barracks from Alcatraz Island's stint as a military base, the cell house, lighthouse, and a few others remain. Many of the Alcatraz Island prison buildings are gone. Some burned during the American Indian Alcatraz occupation in the 1960s. The guard's residences, deteriorated beyond repair, were torn down in the 1970s. 

If the hospital area is open during your visit, don't miss it. It's a fascinating look at medical care during the prison's heyday.

To see two San Francisco Bay islands in one day, take the Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour which will also take you to Angel Island .

Alcatraz Island Tickets

The only way to tour Alcatraz is with the company called Alcatraz Cruises, leaving from San Francisco. Other bay cruise companies can take you by, but can't stop.  Find all the details and buy tickets at the Alcatraz Cruises website . Anyone else selling an Alcatraz Island tour is re-selling tickets and may charge a processing fee.

Alcatraz tour tickets sell out fast. The official brochures say tickets sell out as early as a week in advance in the summer and on holiday weekends. When checked on a July Friday, they were sold out until the following Tuesday. 

Tickets not used by hotels are released to the Alcatraz ticket booth just before it opens. Be first in line you may get a same-day tour ticket. Your hotel's concierge or front desk may have tickets. Or consider taking the Alcatraz and Angel Island tour, which doesn't fill up as fast.

The boat ride to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes each way from San Francisco. Your tour can last as long as you like (or until the last boat leaves).

The Day Tour is the most popular. It includes round-trip transportation to the island and the audio tour.

The Night Tour includes extra activities — and is slightly more expensive. Taking it allows more time to visit other sights that close earlier, maximizing your sightseeing time. The only downside is that a few areas that are open during the day close after dark.

Get Ready to Visit Alcatraz

Most visitors spend at least a few hours on Alcatraz. Snacks and water are essential to keep everyone from getting "hangry" or thirsty.

If you don't know much about Alcatraz, stop to see the 17-minute introductory video before you go up the hill. You can also read up on these interesting facts about Alcatraz before you go and  explore the fascinating history of the Alcatraz lighthouse .

Watch the Clint Eastwood movie "Escape from Alcatraz" for a glimpse of how the prison operated during its busiest period.

Tips for Visiting Alcatraz

Pick up an audio tour and use it. You'll get a lot more out of what you're seeing. Pay attention to the audio directions. Otherwise, you could end up gabbing away with your friends and not able to figure out where you should be going. If that happens, ask a ranger or tour guide for help.

If you miss your boat, don't despair. The ticket office can direct you to the standby line for the next one.

To see Alcatraz, you'll walk — a lot. It's easy enough if you're in reasonably good shape. They offer a tram to get you up the hill, but you still have to walk after you get there. 

The boats are quiet, clean and smooth riding. The trip is short. But if you need a Dramamine just to sit on the dock and watch a boat bobbing up and down, take your favorite remedy. 

Those white spots all over the island aren't paint. Rangers say several people a day acquire a "white badge of honor" as a gift from a seagull. DON'T look up if you hear birds. Also, watch where you put your hands to avoid touching those same white splotches of yucky stuff.

The gift shop has some very stylish and clever souvenir items. They also sell the book "Hollywood Alcatraz" which details all the films made at Alcatraz and where their scenes were filmed.

Alcatraz Tour Review

In a poll, more than 2,000 Tripsavvy readers rated Alcatraz, 48% rated it awesome and 10% great. However, 26% gave it the lowest rating.

Alcatraz is likely to bore children under the age of five and is more fun for kids who are old enough to understand what it is.

On the plus side, the views of San Francisco and the bay are eye-popping. History buffs enjoy Alcatraz. So does anyone who's seen the movies about it and feel like it's a must-see. The audio tour is one of the best anywhere, using voices of actual guards and prisoners to tell the prison's story.

On the downside, it takes almost half a day to go there and back. If your trip to San Francisco is short, that may be more time than you want to spend on one activity. And it smells like bird poop during spring seagull nesting season.

Getting to Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island San Francisco, CA National Park Website

Alcatraz Cruises leave from Pier 33. If you've been to San Francisco before, be aware that the ticket booth and departure dock moved several years ago.

To drive, follow signs for Pier 39. Pier 33 is a few blocks east. You can find more than a dozen commercial parking lots within a five-block radius. Street parking isn't practical because the meters have a two-hour limit and you'll be gone longer than that.

If you're staying in San Francisco, take a taxi, use a ride-sharing service or public transit. Muni's F Line runs past Pier 33 and the Powell-Mason cable car stops nearby. Find more ways to get around San Francisco .

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Visiting Alcatraz: How to do it right and get the most from your trip

By: Author Ginny Vail

Posted on Published: 13 Feb 2024  - Last updated: 27 Feb 2024

Visiting Alcatraz is one of the top things to do in San Francisco. The tour includes the Alcatraz Ferry to the island, the infamous prison audio tour, and more.

The island has so much to offer, it’s little wonder that visiting Alcatraz is a top San Francisco attraction . The infamous former federal penitentiary is on an island in San Francisco Bay, so the tour includes a short ferry ride with great views of the bay and city skyline. It also includes an excellent audio tour of the Alcatraz prison cellhouse, exhibits, and talks and tours led by National Park staff.

Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is operated by the National Park Service. In normal times, more than 1.7 million people visit Alcatraz each year.

When planning your visit to San Francisco, you can find more great sights in our San Francisco Itinerary article.

Here’s what’s in this article:

• About visiting Alcatraz
• Getting  tickets to Alcatraz
• Ticket types: Day Tour , Behind the Scenes Tour , Night Tour
• Getting to Alcatraz Landing (at Pier 33) to catch the ferry
• Ferry to Alcatraz Island
• About the cellhouse audio tour
• Brief mention of the great escape , famous inmates , and ghosts

Best time to go

• Bits of history
• Good things to know about an Alcatraz visit

About Visiting Alcatraz

A National Park Ranger meets each arriving ferry to welcome visitors to the island and to provide a brief orientation and review the day’s program schedule. In addition to the great cellhouse tour, there are permanent and temporary exhibits, ranger led walks and talks, a trail to take, gardens to see, and lots of interpretive signs around the island.

Although Alcatraz is open every day except for three major holidays, getting to and from the island depends on the ferry schedule, and it varies. Tickets are timed and coincide with a ferry going to the island. Once on the island, you can stay as long as you wish, just check the ferry schedule posted on the dock, and make sure you don’t miss the last boat back to Pier 33.

Days and hours open: Alcatraz is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the year except for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Time needed to visit: Allow about 3 hours for the ferry ride and Cellhouse Audio tour. Allow more if you also take the Behind the Scenes and/or Night Tour. Location: The tour begins (and ends) at Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.

Tickets to Alcatraz

Purchase your tickets early because they often sell out days in advance. This is especially true during the summer months and holidays. The tickets are timed and dated.

Buy tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises . It’s the only concessioner authorized by the National Park Service . The price of the ticket is specifically for the ferry and the cellhouse audio tour. The National Park Service does not have an entry fee for the island.

There are three types of Alcatraz tickets and they all include the ferry to/from the island and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. The Behind the Scenes Tour and Night Tour are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday. Here are more details about each of the three ticket types:

What you get:  Access to all open parts of the island, the theatre, and exhibits and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed:  Most people spend about 3-hours (including the ferry), but you can spend all day if you wish, just don’t miss the last ferry back. Currently Offered: Daily

Behind the Scenes Tour

What you get:  This is a small group guided tour through parts of the island not normally open to visitors. It includes some underground locations that were created by the Fort Alcatraz military in the 1800s. The Behind the Scenes ticket also includes the night tour and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed: My recent Behind the Scenes Tour took 2.5 hours just for the tour. We boarded the 2:45p ferry from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and joined our guide on the Alcatraz dock at 3p. We finished the tour at 5:30p. If you also take the included Night Tour, allow 5 hours, and if you take the included Cell Block Audio Tour too, make it 6 hours. That should cover all tours and the ferry in both directions. Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

A bit more about the Behind the Scenes Tour:

We walked from the dock up to the cell house and along the way stopped at several locations while our guide (Jim) shared historical details and stories about the locations and people. Jim has worked on the island for several years and had a lot of interesting stories to share.

Part way up the hill, we went through an underground tunnel that was built by the military on Fort Alcatraz and used to move munitions to gun placements. Alcatraz Island became Fort Alcatraz in the 1850s as part of the Triangle of Defense guarding San Francisco Bay.

At the top of the hill, we entered the cell block and went down a flight of stairs to an old underground jail. This was the Fort Alcatraz jail and was used for conscientious objectors and other men who would not follow orders. This area is now called the dungeon and the conditions were appalling: no bed, no bedding, no toilet, and not much food.

Alcatraz Night Tour

What you get:  A guided (Ranger or educator led) tour from the dock to the Cellhouse, and after the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour, a guided tour back to the dock. Time needed:  3-hours, including the ferry Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

I’ve not taken the Night Tour, but I can certainly appreciate why it’s so popular. In addition to the Cell House Audio Tour and a variety of short talks and demonstrations, the Night Tour has these advantages:

• you get a more complete view of the entire island because the ferry circles Alcatraz Island before docking.
• you get an unobstructed view of the city skyline and might see the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
• the night tours are limited to a few hundred people, so the island is much less crowded.

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and Alcatraz Island

When you book your ticket(s), you select a specific date and time, and that’s the date and time your ferry leaves Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and heads to Alcatraz Island. Here are three options for getting to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 and a map with locations pinned:

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)

• Public Transit:  Take a historic F-Market & Wharves Streetcar. It stops on the Embarcadero at Bay Street, nearly in front of Pier 33. It’s my favorite way to get there.
• Walking:  If you’re in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, it’s an easy walk. It’s only about 1,700-feet (524 m) from Pier 39 to Pier 33.
• Parking near Pier 33: The Waterfront Plaza Parking Garage is the closest, and it’s open daily. It’s located at 80 Francisco Street. Check the Parkopedia website for times, prices, and reservations.

Alcatraz Landing and Island Map

Click the map image below to go to the expandable, interactive Google Map with pins for Alcatraz Landing, Alcatraz Island and other nearby sights and places of interest. The pins have brief descriptions.

Alcatraz Ferries

The ferry takes about 15-minutes to get from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) to Alcatraz Island. Once on the island, you can get back to Pier 33 on any ferry departing the island. Check the schedule posted at the dock, so you don’t miss the last ferry of the day.

Ferry tips: On my most recent visit, the last Day Tour ferry left Alcatraz at 4:25pm. For the Night Tour, there is one ferry to and from the island.

Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour

Tip: It’s a ¼ mile (0.4 km) uphill walk from the boat dock to the cellhouse. Visitors with limited mobility are welcome to take the free Tram up and down the hill.

The excellent 30-minute audio tour guides you through the cellhouse and features former prisoners and guards telling their stories. It’s called  Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour . The audio tour is available in these 10 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Download the National Park Service App

You can have more information about Alcatraz literally at your fingertips, if you Download the National Park Service App onto your smartphone. Search the app for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and then select Alcatraz Island from the list of GGNRA locations. You’ll find descriptions and location information for 14 sights on the island.

Alcatraz Famous Inmates

Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Among the 1,545 men sent there, a few were famous: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen.

Alcatraz Escape Attempts

There were several attempted escapes but only one that may have been successful. In 1962, three men, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers tunneled out of their cells and slipped into the bay in a makeshift raft. They were never seen again, and their bodies were never found.

On the cell block tour, you’ll learn how Morris and the Anglin Brothers dug their tunnels and fooled the guards into believing they were asleep in their cells. Stay tuned for more: recent facial-recognition technology may have solved the case.

In the 1979 film,  Escape from Alcatraz , Clint Eastwood plays Frank Morris.

Is Alcatraz Haunted; Are There Ghosts?

There are reports of people hearing crying or moaning coming from the empty cells. It’s also claimed that a prisoner in Cell 14D died after screaming that he was being killed by a ghost. Some visitors have also claimed they felt extreme coldness after visiting Cell 14D. So, maybe there are ghosts on Alcatraz, or maybe it’s just the cold wind blowing through the cellhouse.

Weather-wise, mid-September through mid-November is best. The summer fog (nature’s air conditioner) doesn’t roll in as often and the winter rains haven’t yet started. The rest of the year, the weather is mixed: there are often gorgeous, sunny days in winter and spring, and summer days can quickly turn chilly if the fog rolls in. Dressing in layers is always a good idea in San Francisco.

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.

Gardens on The Rock

Alcatraz is nicknamed  The Rock  for good reason: it’s a 225-acre rock. But beginning with the residents of Fort Alcatraz, people brought soil to the island and planted gardens. Now there are gardens scattered all over the island. Military families, and later prisoners and prison staff planted and tended them; now they are tended by volunteers.

Take the Agave Trail between the dock and the Parade Ground to see the Agave Garden and great views of the Island and bay.

Bits of Alcatraz History

• 1775: While mapping San Francisco Bay, Spanish explorers, observe a small rocky island occupied by a colony of brown pelicans; they name the island Alcatraces (strange birds). Overtime, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. You’ll likely see flocks of pelicans flying by during your visit, and they are strange looking birds.
• 1850: The island became Fort Alcatraz as part of the Triangle of Defense to guard San Francisco Bay. First it was a military fortification and later became a military prison.
• 1854: California’s first lighthouse was built on Alcatraz.
• 1934–1963: Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal penitentiary.
• 1969: Native Americans took over and occupied the island from late 1969 to mid 1971.
• 1972: Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which included Alcatraz.

Native American Occupation

Notice the red graffiti above the bookstore by the dock and also on the water tower. These are remnants of the Native American occupation of the island from late 1969 to mid 1971. The Indians hoped to build a university and cultural center on the island, but they were never able to raise enough money to do so.

More Things to Know About Visiting Alcatraz

• Do wear sturdy walking shoes. Walking surfaces are uneven.
• Do bring a jacket or sweatshirt. When the fog rolls in through the Golden Gate, it heads straight for Alcatraz.
• Don’t bring more stuff than you can carry. There are no lockers or storage facilities.
• Please don’t eat anywhere on the island except in the picnic area by the dock. You can bring your own food or buy snacks in the bookstore/gift shop.
• Wheelchairs are not available for loan or rent at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.

Who would have imagined that a 19 th  century fort and an old prison would become such a popular place to visit? Perhaps it’s the combination of a rugged small island with an interesting history, and the ferry boat ride on San Francisco Bay. It’s a great way to spend half a day, and I hope you enjoy it.

For more ideas about things to do and see in San Francisco, visit these articles:

• Seven Unique San Francisco Neighborhoods to Visit
• 12 Best Parks and Gardens in San Francisco
• 15 Best Museums in San Francisco

About the Author

Ginny Vail is a travel writer who loves travel planning, sightseeing, photography, and videography. She’s visited all 50 states and traveled around the world. Her articles focus on discovering places to go, sights to see, and details about when and how to visit them.

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Alcatraz at a glance.

Located 1.5 miles off the coast of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island encompasses a total of 22 acres in the center of San Francisco Bay. Opened to the public in fall 1973, Alcatraz is one of America's most popular national park sites and currently welcomes more than 1.4 million visitors each year.

Historical Timeline:

1775 : Spanish explorer Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala maps San Francisco Bay and names the island "La Isla de los Alcatraces" (The Island of the Pelicans). With no vegetation or habitation, Alcatraz was little more than a desolate rocky islet occupied by the occasional swarm of birds.

1850 : A joint Army and Navy commission recommends a Triangle of Defense to guard San Francisco Bay. President Millard Fillmore signs an Executive Order reserving lands around San Francisco Bay, including Alcatraz, for "public purposes."

1854 : The Alcatraz lighthouse begins service as the first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast.

1857 : With the completion of the Guard House, the island serves as a military prison from 1857-1933.

1859 : Capt. Joseph Stewart and 86 men of Company H, Third U.S. Artillery, take command of Alcatraz.

1863 : The J.M. Chapman, a Confederate privateer ship, is seized and its crew arrested and imprisoned on Alcatraz. Lower Prison, a temporary wooden structure, is built. Soon other prison structures are added on the island.

1865 : Alcatraz troops are sent to San Francisco to preserve peace and prevent rioting after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Alcatraz cannons fire the official mourning for the dead president.

1870 : Major George Mendell designs plans for earthwork defenses on Alcatraz.

1895 : Nineteen members of the Hopi Tribe from Arizona are imprisoned on Alcatraz for resisting the policy of forced education of their children and land allotment programs contrary to their Native American beliefs.

1898 : Spanish-American War results in prison overcrowding at Alcatraz.

1900 : Upper Prison (Alcatraz's third prison) is built on the Parade Ground.

1907 : Alcatraz is designated as the "Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison."

1912 : The new Cellhouse (Alcatraz's fourth prison), built with convict labor, is completed and prisoners move in. At the time the Alcatraz Cellhouse was the largest concrete structure in the world.

1915 : Alcatraz is renamed the "United States, Disciplinary Barracks."

1933 : Alcatraz is transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons; 32 "hard-case" military prisoners remain on the island as the former military detention center becomes America's first maximum-security civilian penitentiary. This "prison system's prison" was specifically designed to house the troublemakers that other federal prisons could not successfully detain.

1934 : Alcatraz begins its era as the nation's toughest and most feared federal penitentiary, housing the "worst of the worst" American criminals, among them AI Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud. Prisoners arrived on Alcatraz in handcuffs and ankle shackles. Daily life on Alcatraz was harsh, and prisoners were given only four rights: medical attention, shelter, food and clothing; recreational activities and family visits had to be earned through hard work. Punishments for bad behavior included hard labor and lock-downs in solitary confinement, restricted to bread and water. There were a total of 14 escape attempts by 34 prisoners during its 29 years as a federal penitentiary.

1963 : Due to high costs and deteriorating infrastructure, Alcatraz is permanently closed by Attorney General Robert Kennedy and the remaining prisoners are transferred to the new maximum security federal penitentiary in Marion, Ill.

1969-1971 : Mohawk tribal leader Richard Oakes leads the occupation of Alcatraz by the "Indians of All Tribes," which at its height numbered more than 400 members. The group hoped to establish an American Indian cultural center on Alcatraz, but when Oakes left the Island due to the tragic death of his stepdaughter, public interest in the occupation waned and order among those remaining on the island began to deteriorate. After 19 months, federal marshals moved in and forcibly removed the few remaining occupiers in June, 1971. The Alcatraz Occupation is recognized as a milestone in American Indian history, and each year, Indians of all tribes return to Alcatraz on Columbus Day and Thanksgiving to hold a Sunrise Ceremony for Indigenous Peoples and commemorate the longest Native American occupation in U.S. history.

1972 : Alcatraz becomes a national recreation area under the management of the National Park Service. It opens as a national park attraction in the fall of 1973.

1976 : Alcatraz is named to the National Register of Historic Places.

1986 : Alcatraz receives designation as a National Historic Landmark.

2013 : Alcatraz welcomes more than 1.4 million visitors annually, making it one of the National Park Service's most popular attractions.

The Modern Visitor Experience:

• The award-winning Alcatraz "Doing Time" Digital Audio Tour incorporates interviews with formerly incarcerated people, correctional officers and family members, along with first-person dialogue and state-of-the-art sound effects. The tour is included with every Alcatraz ticket, and is available in braille and 11 languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Korean, and Russian.
• Archival museum collections spanning the history of Alcatraz from its time as a military fortress through its notoriety as America's most infamous Federal penitentiary are on exhibit. Highlights include restored cell furnishings, actual prisoner artifacts, and historic artwork and photographs depicting daily life on The Rock.
• The Alcatraz Cell house Museum Store features exhibits of many of the historic artifacts from the Federal penitentiary years. Items include the actual implements used by inmates during the 1962 break out made famous in the movie Escape from Afcatraz; authentic inmate handcuffs and shackles; and correctional of ficer badges and blackjacks. Complementing the artifacts, the Parks Conservancy offers a series of replicas based on these historic items as part of the unique Alcatraz product line.
• On any given day, the Alcatraz Author Program features historians, formerly incarecerated, correctional officers, naturalists or other special guests who have written about Alcatraz.
• Exterior exhibits are installed across the Island, providing visitors with in-depth information on The Rock's history, architecture, wildlife, and landscape as they take in the world-class San Francisco views.
• In its commitment to protect the natural resources of the Island, staff and volunteers ensure ongoing restoration and conservation of the island ecosystem, including habitat protection for the more than 20,000 sea birds who nest on the island each season.
• The Alcatraz Historic Gardens, a striking historic landscape with some plants originally planted in the 1800s, have been lovingly restored after nearly 100 years of decline. The Alcatraz Historic Gardens Project is an ongoing Parks Conservancy-supported effort to restore, preserve and maintain the gardens created by those who lived on the island during its military and federal prison eras in order to interpret their history, horticulture and cultural significance for today's visitors.

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Alcatraz Tours

• Visit Alcatraz

By  Karen

Updated December 27, 2023.

Visit Alcatraz Like an Insider

Before you visit Alcatraz, check out these tips from a local.

I've been out to Alcatraz a number of times in the 30 years I've lived in the city, and I've done all three of the Alcatraz tours.

• How to  get to Alcatraz .
• Getting tickets to Alcatraz.
• Where to  catch the boat  to Alcatraz.
• Driving or public transportation ?
• Tips for  taking the ferry .
• What to expect  on the island .

They are back to the normal ticket schedule now, and the Cell Block is open now for the audio tours.

How to Visit Alcatraz

The only way to visit Alcatraz is to take one of the ferries operated by the  City Experiences company.

Other Bay cruises may include a trip past or around Alcatraz, but they don't let you get off on the island (see  other San Francisco Bay cruises ).

The boats leave from  Pier 33  on the San Francisco Embarcadero, the waterfront boulevard running from Fisherman's Wharf to the Ferry Building.

Pier 33 is also called  Alcatraz Landing . See maps below.

City Experiences offers four ways to visit Alcatraz:

• Day Tour of Alcatraz
• Alcatraz Night Tour
• Behind the Scenes Tour

For information on what is included during these tours and the free guided tours on the island, as well as information on what you'll see in the prison, see  Alcatraz Prison Tours .

To find out more about what the the  night tour  is like, and photos, see  Alcatraz night tour .

For the scoop on the newest tour, see the  Behind the Scenes tour .

Taking the Alcatraz Ferry

The ferry to Alcatraz leaves from Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing) on the Embarcadero.

The City Experiences company operates the ferries to Alcatraz.

This ferry only goes to Alcatraz (and Angel Island on the combination tour).

Reservations are required via City Experiences at cityexperiences.com .

Boat Schedule

Day Tours.  The Alcatraz ferries for the day tours depart from Pier 33 daily, every 30 or 60 minutes (depending on the day and season) from 8:40 am to 3:50 pm (1:35 pm in winter), or later, and return every 30 or 60 minutes.

Departure times for the return boats are posted at Pier 33 and at the dock on Alcatraz. You can take any boat back, but  don't miss the last one!

Night Tours.  The night tour runs Tuesday through Saturday, at 5:55 and 6:30 p.m, in summer, and lasts about 2.5 hours. Return boats leave Alcatraz at 8:40 and 9:25 pm.

In winter the boats leave at 3:50 pm.

It varies with the seasons; winter has only one night tour sailing, and summer season has two.

The  Behind the Scenes tour  also runs five days a week, two sailings.

4.5 hours for the tour.

In winter, the sailings are at 2:25 and 2:45 pm, summer sailings are later in the afternoon.

Alcatraz Tour Tickets

Buying tickets to alcatraz.

City Experiences  is the official concessionaire for the U.S. Park Service which administers the island and prison.

They sell the Alcatraz tickets online, at  cityexperiences.com , by phone at 415 981-7625, or at the ticket booth on Pier 33, 9 am to 6:30 pm.

How the Tours and Tickets Work

The ticket that you buy from City Experiences includes:   1. The ride to and from the island   2. The Audio Tour of the prison

The Night Tours and Behind the Scenes tours have additional activities.

See  Alcatraz tours and tickets  for tips on buying Alcatraz tickets and what to expect on the various Alcatraz island tours.

If you don't plan on doing the  Alcatraz Audio Tour  (which is excellent) because of time constraints, language difficulties, restless children, etc.,  you can get a refund  for that portion of the tour ($8.00 for adults, a bit less for others).

The Audio Tour is available in English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin.

How to get the refund : Unfortunately you can't get it when you buy your tickets. When you enter the prison, you will be offered the headsets for the tour. Tell them you don't want one and you will get the voucher. The refund is only available on the Day Tours.

The rest of the  activities on the island  are  free :   (a) Guided Tours: volunteers with the National Park Service give 45 minute tours on various topics (English only).   (b) Videos on the history of Alcatraz.   (c) Walking through the cell block and recreation area.   (d) Exploring the island, including the old Civil War fort and the nature preserve.

When you arrive at Pier 33, you can get a brochure with a map of Alcatraz and other information.

Booklets about Alcatraz are available on the Alcatraz dock for $1, in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.

There is also a bookstore on the island with a large selection of material about Alcatraz.

Alcatraz Combo Tours

Another way of getting Alcatraz tickets is to purchase a combination tour, where Alcatraz tickets are paired with one or more other San Francisco attractions or activities.

Since there are no discounts for Alcatraz tickets, getting a package deal can be one way of saving some money, if there are other tours you plan to do while you're here.

Also, it's one way to get tickets for Alcatraz when the official seller, cityexperiences.com, is sold out.

Alcatraz can be be paired with a large variety of other activities, where the total cost can be less than buying the tickets individually.

If you're planning to do a  city tour , or see  Muir Woods  or  Sausalito , or go on a  bay cruise , you can find tours like that combined with Alcatraz.

Also things like food tours , Segway tours , beer pub tours , and lots of other fun things may be available along with Alcatraz.

I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the affiliate links on this page, at no extra cost to you. See  disclosure policy . This helps me provide all the free information on the site. Thank you!

Alcatraz & SF City Tour.  You can get Alcatraz tickets and a bus tour of the main SF attractions, with pickup from your hotel. $160. See  Alcatraz & City Tour  for more info and booking.

Alcatraz & Bay Cruise.  See Alcatraz and also spend 60 minutes sailing around the bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Gorgeous views! $138. See   Alcatraz and Bay Cruise    for info and booking.

Alcatraz and Bike Tour.  Do Alcatraz one day and another day do a guided bike tour, along the SF waterfront, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and down into the charming town of Sausalito. $179. See  Alcatraz and Bike the Bridge  for info and booking.

Alcatraz, SF City Tour, Muir Woods & Sausalito.  Tour Alcatraz, San Francisco, and explore the ancient redwoods of Muir Woods all in one day, with a stop in the charming, seaside town of Sausalito. $109. See  Alcatraz, SF, Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour  for info and booking.

To check out the  available Alcatraz combo tours , see  combination tours  (lots to choose from!).

Alcatraz tickets sold out? Don't despair! There are ways to get tickets. See  Last Minute Tickets

The Alcatraz ferries and tours run all year round, but the island is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving.

What is the best time of year to visit Alcatraz? 

The best time of year to visit Alcatraz is in the fall , September or October, our most reliably warm and sunny months.

The ferries run rain or shine, but some months are rainier than others.

As a general guide,  September  and  October  are the warmest and sunniest months,  November, December, January and February  are the coldest and wettest,  March  can be wet, but not that cold,  April  is variable (often sunny, with occasional rain), and  May, June, July and August  are often foggy, but with no rain.

Our rainy season is nothing like Seattle's; even in a typical "wet" year, it will rain off and on for two or three days, then we get a few sunny days, so you can get a good day any time of year.

Blessed as we are with a quasi-Mediterranean climate, even in wet years the rain usually disappears by May, often by April, and doesn't start up again until November.

See more about our San Francisco weather  and the best times to visit San Francisco .

What to Bring With You When You Visit Alcatraz

No matter what time of year you visit Alcatraz,  be sure to bring a jacket!  

What may look like a warm sunny day when you start out often turns into a cold, foggy and windy afternoon, especially in the "fog season": May, June and July.

Also, it tends to be colder and windier out on the Rock.

If you forget, however, you can always buy one of those "Alcatraz" sweatshirts once you get there, in the bookstore on the dock or in the gift shop at the prison!

City Experiences has some requirements for boarding the ferries:

 # 1. Don't forget to  bring an ID with your photo  on it when you visit Alcatraz. It is required as a safety precaution, first to purchase or pick up your tickets at Pier 33, and as you are boarding the ferry if you have a pre-printed ticket. If you used a credit card on the phone, you will need to show them the card used to buy the ticket. Only the person who purchased the ticket on the phone or online needs to show ID.

 # 2. Certain items  cannot be taken on the boat , in addition to the obvious ones like weapons. They include:

• Oversized backpacks (larger than 16" by 20", or 40 by 50 cm)
• Skateboards
• Roller Blades/Skates

And  parents take note :

• Shoes with Wheelies

There is no place to store stuff at Pier 33 while you visit Alcatraz. A few bike racks are available, but they can fill up.

The California Visitors Center at Pier 39 used to store luggage for a small fee but it appears they don't do that anymore.

More things to bring:

Bottled water. Bring your own, or you can buy bottled water at the shop on the dock. You can carry your water bottle all over the island.

Current food rules: They prohibit eating anywhere on the island except on the dock, so you could bring something to eat either before or after you tour the island. They are serving food and drinks on the ferry again.

Your mobile phone or other camera.

The  best  views of San Francisco (in my opinion) are from a boat out in the Bay.

It's worth going to visit Alcatraz just to see the City from this amazing vantage point.

The usual items . Sunglasses, sunhat, sunblock, etc. Anything you think you might need for the next 3 or 4 hours.

Shopping is  very  limited on the island, unless you need a shirt, baseball hat, bottled water or a special Alcatraz prison cup!

Getting on the Ferry

Covid rules:  no vaccination proof is required to get on the boat, and masks are recommended, but not required, in the loading area, on the boat, and on the dock at Alcatraz.

Thirty minutes before departure, there will be a long line waiting to get on the boat.

Should you get there early so you can be at the front of the line and get a good spot?

No.  Good News!  There is plenty of seating and the best spots are standing along the railing anyway. People rush on and take the seats on the open decks up above.

When the boat starts, many people leave their seats to go over to the rail where the view is better, or walk around the boat, so the seats will open up if you want one.

You also have a choice to sit outside on the decks or inside and look out the windows.

The ferry company asks you to be at the pier 30 minutes prior to boarding, but you don't have to be in the line for 30 minutes.

There is a snack bar and shop on Pier 33 next to the departure point, so you can relax and have a cappuccino while you're waiting to visit Alcatraz.

Have a snack, too; no food is available on Alcatraz.

On the Island: food, drink and more...

The Park Service has strict rules about food and drink when you visit Alcatraz. 

No eating or drinking  other than water is allowed anywhere on Alcatraz (except eating is okay in the dock area).

On the ferry, there's a snack bar serving sandwiches, hot dogs, nachos and snacks, plus beverages (beer and wine are served only on the return trip). 

Something new: you can now pre-order food and drinks to eat on the ferry. See food & drink preorder . Not sure what the advantage is, though.

The ride over to Alcatraz is gorgeous and only 15 minutes, so I recommend getting some snacks in the snack bar before you get on the boat so you can enjoy the views, and not be standing in line to get food on the ferry.

Your visit to Alcatraz will last several hours, so I suggest bringing a snack or sandwich with you to eat on the dock before or after you explore the island. 

The only beverage allowed past the dock area is water. Cold bottled water is for sale in the bookstore. Good idea to take some with you; it can be a warm hike up the hill to the prison.

Are there bathrooms on Alcatraz? Yes, there are bathrooms on Alcatraz. However...

A word to the wise, especially those traveling with children: there are  only two restrooms  on the whole island.

One bathroom is on the dock, but the other bathroom is at the top of the hill near the Alcatraz lighthouse, a long way from the dock.

You won't get to it until after the climb up the hill and at the very end of the Audio Tour in the prison.

The climb up to the prison is a rather steep and long: a distance of 1/4 mile (.4 km) with one switchback. You will be climbing a hill 13 stories tall.

Wear comfortable  walking shoes  when you come to visit Alcatraz.

Prior to the federal penitentiary, the island was used as an  army fortress , and later as a military prison.

Confederate prisoners were held here during the Civil War. You can explore some of the buildings still remaining from that period.

Some of the buildings were burned during the Indian occupation of Alcatraz in 1969-1971.

The warden's house on top of the hill was one of the casualties; only the shell remains.

Special transport  is available for those with difficulty walking.

An electric vehicle pulling two small cars carries passengers from the landing dock up to the prison every 35 minutes. Ditto going down.

Shopping on Alcatraz

If you're interested in getting  Alcatraz souvenirs , there is a large selection for sale on the island.

The bookstore has some, but the biggest collection is in the gift shop at the top of the hill, just as you leave the prison.

Along with the usual T-shirts, hats, mugs and posters, you can stock up on replicas of prison clothing, cell keys, official guard pins and tin prison cups!

There are lots of books and DVDs about Alcatraz as well.

Getting to Pier 33

Pier 33 is located on the Embarcadero, near Francisco and Beach Streets.

Going by Car - Parking Tips

Street parking in this area is dismal.

There are a few metered spots, but not long enough to visit Alcatraz, so plan to use a parking garage or lot (expensive) or park on the street without meters in another neighborhood (like the Sunset District) and take public transportation.

Pier 33 Parking

There is a cluster of parking garages in the general area of Pier 33 and a couple of parking lots that are possibilities, price-wise.

There are about a dozen garages and lots within a few blocks of Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 that I would recommend.

See my page on  Embarcadero parking  for details and maps showing their locations.

I think the easiest parking is at one of the nearby piers that offer spaces:

Pier 27  (very close to Pier 33). The new cruise ship terminal has a big lot outside that is fairly reasonable: $15 first 2 hours, $20 per day weekdays, $25 per day weekends. Open 6 am to 11 pm You would need more than 2 hours for Alcatraz.

Pier 27 closes when a cruise ship is docked there. See  ship schedule  for unavailable days.

Pier 23  (6 minute walk to Pier 33). Cavernous parking area inside the pier building. $20 flat rate. Weekdays 7 am to 8 pm, Sat. 8 am to 8 pm Sun. 10 am to 6 pm

Something to try: there's a  parking lot right across the street  from Pier 33 (at 2 Bay Street), which is usually full and generally quite expensive. But I've had luck getting good deals using parking apps along the Embarcadero.

Twice on visits to Alcatraz, I got 8 hours of parking in that lot for $8. See what you can find on  Spot Hero .

But two suggestions:  book it in advance  and  don't leave anything visible in the car . When we got back after dark, one of the cars in the lot had been broken into. This is becoming an epidemic in SF, unfortunately.

Parking Caveat  for self-park lots. There have been instances of thieves pretending to be parking attendants and collecting parking fees at unattended lots and garages.

Check carefully to see what the payment arrangement is for the place you're parking. You'll see signs telling you to get a ticket from the machine to place in your car (and see the machines) if it's a self-park lot or garage. This has happened at the Pier 27 lot and other places.

Taking BART to Alcatraz Landing

If you're coming into the City on BART, get off at  Embarcadero station  and come up to the surface on Market Street.

There is an F-Line trolley stop in the same block (see map below); you will want to be on the south side of Market Street (going towards the end of Market Street where the Ferry Building is).

The next F-Line streetcar  stop is Steuart Street, just past the end of Market Street towards the Ferry Building and the bay.

Take the trolley along the Embarcadero to the  "Bay Street" Stop  at Pier 35, and walk back a short distance to Pier 33.

(Also see  Map of F-Market Line and Bart Stations  for the entire F-Line route).

Standard adult fare  on San Francisco buses and streetcars is  $3.00, exact change required . Youths 5-18, and seniors 65 and over, pay $1.50.

Or use the Muni Mobile app , $2.50 per adult.

Market Street Trolley San Francisco has a collection of antique streetcars from U.S. and European cities that run on the F-Line, from the Castro District along Market Street to the Embarcadero, past Pier 33 and Pier 39 to Fisherman's Wharf.

The Alcatraz stop is " Bay Street " at Pier 35, close to Pier 33.

Buses The #10 Townsend bus stops at Pier 33.

You can go to a page to download a  Downtown Transportation Map  showing the BART, bus and streetcar routes.

Using public transportation in San Francisco.  There are now alternatives to needing exact change on the buses and trolleys.

See  getting around SF  for my transit tips and a description of the passes, mobile apps, and cards you can use instead of cash.

Walking from Embarcadero BART station . Come up on Market Street and head for the Ferry Building, straight ahead one block at the end of Market Street, then go left and walk along the Embarcadero to Pier 33.

About a 16 minute walk at a brisk pace.

Coming from Fisherman's Wharf

Take the "F-Line" Trolley  along the Embarcadero and get off at the  Bay Street  stop at Pier 35, and walk a short distance further to Pier 33.

If you want to take the trolley, get on at the first stop on Jones Street and Jefferson Street. It gets really full and for later stops you probably won't get a seat and sometimes can't get on at all.

Or  walk the whole way  (about 7 minutes along the Embarcadero from Pier 39, and 20 minutes from the Hyde Street Pier at the other end of Fisherman's Wharf).

There are also pedicabs that go from Fisherman's Wharf down the Embarcadero.

Enjoy your visit to Alcatraz!

What should you wear to visit Alcatraz?

• Wear layers, even if it's a warm day in the city. It can be cold and breezy out on the island. 
• A warm jacket is handy all year round, except for maybe September and October.  
• Consider wearing a sun hat and sunglasses on sunny days because you will be outside for a good part of the time.

Can you eat on Alcatraz?

They don't want visitors eating on Alcatraz, and there is no food to purchase on the island. It used to be okay to eat on the dock, but I don't know how strict they are about that now. Better to eat before you go. They don't serve food on the ferry going over now, either.

Is Alcatraz wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cell block area is wheelchair accessible, as well as  the ride up to the cell block.

Other areas require going up and down stairs, but the cell block is the most interesting area. You would need someone traveling with you to help you get on and off the transport vehicle needed to go up to the cell block. It would be difficult or impossible for someone to push a wheelchair up the hill to the cell block.

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Photos show what it's like to visit Alcatraz Island, which once housed some of America's most notorious criminals

• Alcatraz Island is a National Historic Landmark most famous for its 29-year operation as a prison.
• The small island offshore of San Francisco, California , housed famous criminals including Al Capone.
• Today, tourists can see the former prison's small cells, dining hall, and warden's house.

The story of Alcatraz is a fascinating dive into US history. 

It was the site of a US military prison from the late 1850s to 1933, and later, between 1969 and 1971, it was occupied by Native American activists .

But Alcatraz Island, which is off the coast of San Francisco, California, is best known for its years operating as a maximum-security federal prison. From 1934 to 1963, it housed criminals, including the infamous gangster Al "Scarface" Capone and murderer Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud . 

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was created by Congress in 1972, placing Alcatraz Island under the control of the National Park Service. Today, it is a popular tourist spot, with more than 1 million people visiting the island every year, according to the ​​Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Take a look at what it's like to visit Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz Island sits in California's San Francisco Bay, approximately 1.5 miles off the coast.

When the 22-acre island was first explored by Spanish navigator Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, it was a seabird habitat.

Source: Britannica

The US took control of the island from Mexico after the Mexican-American War in 1848. Two years later, President Millard Fillmore signed an order reserving the island for military use.

Source: US General Services Administration, Britannica

Before it became a federal prison, Alcatraz was used by the US military during the Civil War for Confederate sympathizers and citizens accused of treason.

Source: History.com

Today, Alcatraz is open to visitors every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Tickets for adults currently start at $45.

Ferries to the island leave piers 31-33 about every half hour throughout the day. When visitors reach Alcatraz, they're greeted by the guard tower.

Source: National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises

Visitors can see where correctional officers and staff entered Alcatraz prison through these front doors to the administration building.

Inside, they'll see the prison's control center, which was completely encased by bulletproof glass.

Visitors can take an audio tour, which uses interviews with former prisoners, correctional officers, and family members to depict the experience of living on the island.

Source: ​​Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

The island was designated a US military prison in 1907. In 1912, the 600-cell holding complex was completed, along with a mess hall and hospital. In 1933, it was transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Source: National Park Service

The cells measured about 10 by 4.5 feet. The prison had enough space for 450 prisoners, but there were never more than 250 at one time.

The cells in A-Block were used for prisoners who needed to be separated from others for short periods of time.

Source: Alcatraz History

Below A-Block was a set of cells called the Spanish Dungeon, which were mostly used when Alcatraz was a military prison. They were reportedly used for storage and solitary confinement in subsequent years.

Source: National Park Service, Alcatraz History

There were a total of 14 escape attempts from Alcatraz by 34 prisoners over the years. Of those, five prisoners were never found.

The most famous attempt was in June 1962, when Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin escaped using a raft made from raincoats. Nobody knows what happened to them, although the FBI says it is "unlikely" they survived the journey to shore.

Source: FBI

Prisoners who broke rules could be punished with hard labor or solitary confinement, where they'd only be given bread and water.

The dining hall, nicknamed "the gas chamber" for the 14 tear-gas dispensers mounted on the ceiling, was considered a dangerous place.

With so many people convicted of crimes in a confined space, the guards had to take precautions. Prisoners were given limited utensils, and sharp bones were removed from their food.

Correctional officers supervised as prisoners working in the kitchens made three meals a day.

Public Health Service nutritionists helped create meals for the people inside the prison. A 1963 breakfast menu on display shows they could choose from dry cereals, scrambled eggs, stewed fruit, and toast.

Prisoners also worked in the laundry, or completed factory work or general maintenance. Wages were deposited into their prison accounts to buy items from the commissary.

The prison had strict hygiene standards, according to the National Park Service, and prisoners were expected to shower regularly and wear clean clothes.

Prisoners could take part in education and recreation programs. Some worked on the gardens on the island.

Source: National Park Service, The Gardens of Alcatraz

There was also a library stocked with 15,000 books and 75 magazine titles, according to the National Park Service.

Once prisoners had shown they could follow the rules of the prison, they were allowed to have visits from family members.

Prisoners with good conduct records would complete chores for the warden and his family at the Warden's House, a 15-room mansion next to the cell blocks. Today, all that's left of the building is its concrete frame due to a fire in 1970.

Alcatraz Prison was officially closed on March 21, 1963, by Attorney General Robert Kennedy, as it had become too costly to keep in operation. Over its 29 years as a prison, Alcatraz housed more than 1,500 men.

Source: San Francisco Travel Association

On November 20, 1969, dozens of Native American activists occupied the island to bring attention to their treatment by the US government. Almost two years later, on June 11, 1971, President Nixon sent federal troops to clear the island and the occupation ended.

Source: Britannica, San Francisco Travel Association

The prison and its grounds became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972. It opened to the public the following year.

Gardens that were installed and flourished when Alcatraz was a military and federal prison are maintained by volunteers today.

Alcatraz Island is now a designated National Historic Landmark.

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Departure Times: Dock Level AM: 9:15, 9:40, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 PM: 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:35, 2:05, 2:30, 3:00, 3:35, 4:30

Departure Times: Cellhouse Level AM: 9:50, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 11:40 PM: 12:10, 12:40, 1:10, 1:45, 2:20, 2:50, 3:25, 3:50, 6:25

• Only available to persons with a health condition or physical disability that limits mobility around the island

Hours & schedule vary from season to season.

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, and December 25th.

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Thank you for visiting www.alcatrazislandtickets.com . Reservations and E-tickets are genuine for the tour which includes the ferry service. We also provide extended around-the-clock customer care seven days a week, including holidays. We're a private Customer Service and Booking company. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Please share your experience with us at: Customer Care . This website isn't affiliated with any government entity and isn't the official box office. Total at checkout may exceed face value.  

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Alcatraz Tour Options

As the official concessioner to the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises offers in-depth visits to Alcatraz. Your visit includes round-trip transportation to the Island and outdoor National Park access.

Alcatraz Tour Options Overview

Pertinent information.

At Alcatraz City Cruises, our guests’ well-being is our number one priority. We have proudly implemented new COVID-19 procedures to keep everyone safe & healthy.

Age Policy Adult- 18-61 / Junior- 12-17 / Senior- 62+ / Child- 5-11 / Toddler 4 and under are Free

Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to tour Alcatraz Island without the accompaniment of an adult.

Group Tours If booking a group of 20 or more people, please contact the Alcatraz City Cruises Group Services Department at 415.438.8361; or e-mail  [email protected]

Ticket Price

Please refer to our  Fee Breakout FAQ  for complete overview of Alcatraz Island ticket prices.

Alcatraz Island Named #1 Landmark in the U.S.

Alcatraz City Cruises is a Proud Partner and Authorized Concessioner of the National Park Service

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Want to Visit Alcatraz? Here is What You Need To Know

D o you want to roam the halls of a prison that once held some of the world’s most dangerous criminals? Would you like to spend time on a mysterious island? Do you enjoy haunting history and natural beauty? You can experience all this and more at Alcatraz Island, a national park site unlike any other. We will outline everything you need to know to visit Alcatraz. 

At First Sight, No Second Guessing

The first thing most visitors to San Francisco Bay recognize is the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Shortly after, an island catches your eye a mile and a quarter from the bustling city’s shoreline. 

With a fortress and a towering lighthouse, there is something strange yet appealing about the island. It is a rare combination of natural beauty and haunting history. The island disturbingly beckons you.

Alcatraz Island is renowned for being a maximum security federal prison. Some bristle at the thought of touring a prison. Is it odd to want to see a place where feared villains lived? Probably. 

Do not let fear keep you from such a fantastic experience. It is creepy yet exhilarating and educational. Touring Alcatraz is one of the best things to do in San Francisco and a unique national park site experience. You will be glad you answered the call.

Essential Information for Your Alcatraz Visit

The National Park Service (NPS) manages Alcatraz Island, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is one of many national park sites in and near San Francisco .

Hours of Operation

The park is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

Alcatraz Island Location

Alcatraz is an island that sits 1.25 miles from San Francisco’s vibrant shores. Its address is Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, CA 94133.

How to Get There: Alcatraz Landing Location

There is only one way to reach the island: by ferry. The Alcatraz Ferry Terminal, also known as Alcatraz Landing, rests on the Embarcadero near the intersection of Bay Street at Pier 33. 

Its exact location and the more critical physical address for you is Alcatraz Landing, Pier 33, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94111.

To give you another reference point, Fisherman’s Wharf sits at Pier 39, less than a 0.5 mile away. It is a short, easy walk between the two iconic locations.

Although all tours depart from and return to Alcatraz Landing, the area does not have parking. Nearby commercial parking lots typically fill up quickly. Due to limited parking, the NPS suggests visitors use public transportation .

Would you expect the weather to be perfect on a mysterious island that housed convicted felons? Of course, the weather is unpredictable, almost sullen, and moody. The only thing predictable about the weather is that it suddenly changes regularly.

Mornings are often cold and foggy. When the fog clears, visitors usually experience sunlight. However, blustery winds and fog often return. 

Spring and fall typically offer the most pleasant weather, while summers are cool and foggy. Winters tend to be gloomy and rainy. No matter when you visit, we suggest a light jacket.

Throughout the year, temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit or dip below 38. Dress accordingly and embrace the weather. It is all part of the experience, setting the tone for your adventure.

Internet and Cellular Access

WiFi is not available. Most guests find cell reception very limited on the island. Again, it is all part of the theme.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Alcatraz Island does not charge an entrance fee per se. What does this mean? 

Although the park technically does not have an entrance fee, you must purchase a ticket for a park tour and ferry rides to and from the island. In other words, a national park pass does not grant you free access to Alcatraz.

To visit Alcatraz, you must secure a reservation by purchasing a ticket. The NPS strongly recommends visitors make reservations in advance. Tours can and do sell out, especially in summer and around holidays.

The NPS partners with Alcatraz City Cruises , the only approved vendor, to provide ferry services for all tours. Please click on the provided link to check availability by type of tour, day, and time and to purchase Alcatraz tickets. Or, you can call them at (415) 981-7625.

Tour Options

Alcatraz tours come in three flavors, all beginning and ending at Alcatraz Landing. Let’s review your ticket options.

• Adult: $45.25
• Child (ages 5-11): $27.55
• Junior (ages 12-17): $45.25
• Senior (ages 62+): $42.65

Note that prices may change at any time. 

The day tour provides access to the island’s open areas, including exhibits, gardens, the historic cellhouse, dining hall, and recreation yard. It includes a self-guided cellhouse audio tour where you hear from prisoners, guards, and wardens as you make your way through the cold, damp halls. The audio tour provides some fascinating history, transporting you back in time as the cells and corridors practically come to life.

• Adult: $56.30
• Child (ages 5-11): $33.00
• Junior (ages 12-17): $55.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $52.25

The night tour delivers more of a personal touch. Groups are smaller, and park rangers provide information and tell exciting stories. Like the day excursions, you will take a self-guided cellhouse audio tour. Visitors at night get to explore an unannounced area that is not typically open during the day. And the icing on the cake is your spectacular sunset views of the city skyline, bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Behind the Scenes Tour

• Adult: $101.30
• Junior (ages 12-17): $97.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $94.25

The behind-the-scenes tour provides the most intimate outing, with group sizes capped at 30 people. Best of all, you gain access to areas not available to the public on the other tours, such as tunnels, underground jails, and unique gardens.

Eating and Smoking

The island has one area near the dock where visitors can eat and smoke. Consuming food and tobacco products is prohibited in all other parts of the island. Why is this? The rule is to help protect the island’s seabird populations. Note that you can purchase and eat food on the ferry.

How Long is the Tour?

Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire experience, including the ferry rides and tour. Each ferry ride is about 15 minutes.  

Your ticket shows the ferry departure day and time. Plan to arrive before your scheduled ride so you can catch your ferry.

If you take a day tour, ferries return from the island about every half hour. Return trip departure times are posted on the ferry and at the island dock. You have an assigned ferry time to the island but may ride on any returning ferry.

Accessibility

The Alcatraz Landing entrance has an accessibility drop-off zone. Nearby commercial parking lots provide accessible spaces, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with a valid disabled parking permit may park in the area at blue-painted curbs or blue zones .

Accessible features at Alcatraz Landing and Alcatraz Island include a tactile model of the island and Pier 33, accessible restroom facilities, an audio-described tour with Braille posts for wayfinding, assistive listening devices, and a Braille transcript of the cellhouse tour.

The prison sits atop a steep hill, about .25 miles from the dock, with an elevation change of 130 feet. Visitors requiring mobility assistance can ride an electric shuttle, Sustainability Easy Access Transport (SEAT). The tram meets each arriving ferry at the dock and makes regular return trips from the prison to the dock throughout the day.

Wheelchair-accessible areas include:

• Alcatraz Landing
• Alcatraz dock
• The main floor of the prison
• Museum displays
• Island theater

Deaf visitors can watch an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the cellhouse tour on a handheld digital device. Upon arrival, a park staff member can provide you with a handheld device for the ASL tour.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Alcatraz?

Your primary goal will impact the answer to this question. The best weather occurs in April, May, September, and October. If summer fits your schedule, prepare for bigger crowds and surprisingly cold, foggy weather.

For those who want to avoid crowds, the following windows offer the best experience:

• First two weeks of November
• First two weeks of December
• January through March (rainy season)

The best time to observe nesting seabirds is February through August. April and May bring nest building and egg laying, with chicks beginning to hatch around mid-June.

Best Time to Go

Based on your perspective, the best time to go is a matter of opinion. However, if you aim to escape crowds, morning is the best time. For those who seek the possibility of some warm sunshine, midday is best. Consider the night tour if you love sunsets or desire a unique excursion.

What to Expect When You Visit Alcatraz

Now that we have discussed essential information, what can you expect on your visit to Alcatraz Island?

The ferry ride to the island takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Water can get choppy sometimes, but the boat is large enough to absorb the waves, making it reasonably smooth. Along the journey, you gain fantastic views of the island, city skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Savor the vistas and enjoy!

Arrival and Exploration

After disembarking the ferry, a park ranger will greet you and deliver a brief orientation talk. If you are taking a day tour, you can freely explore the island after your briefing. A park ranger escorts visitors to the prison during the night tours. The behind-the-scenes tour is a ranger-guided tour with additional time for visitors to explore independently.

Attractions

The park is considerably different from most national park sites. So, what can you do on the island? Alcatraz is primarily about walking and exploring an island with a fascinating history. That history is disturbing, yet it leaves you feeling exhilarated and educated.

The park houses a museum, bookstores, theater, and exhibits to explore. You will encounter information placards throughout the prison and its grounds. The two primary exhibits are:

• Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspective 50 Years Later
• The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

Understandably, the prison is the main attraction for many visitors. The self-guided audio tour takes approximately half an hour, leading you through the prison corridors, dining hall, and recreation grounds. You have an opportunity to step into a jail cell if you dare.

The audio tour is a fantastic way to experience Alcatraz as you hear the voices of former guards, wardens, and prisoners. Even if you do not enjoy audio tours, I highly recommend this one. The combination of the audio and exhibits gives you a glimpse of the harsh conditions and hopelessness the prisoners must have felt. Walking through the prison without the audio is excellent, but the commentary gives you historical information and perspectives you would otherwise miss.

Park rangers hand you the audio device, which includes headphones and a neck strap, leaving your hands free to take pictures with your phone or camera. The tour is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin. You can request a transcript if you prefer. An English Braille version of the transcript is available as well.

Where many national park sites fill your soul with beauty, Alcatraz floods your mind with vivid images of its past. Seeing it firsthand is oddly rewarding.

I want to ensure your visit is well-spent by giving away only a little information on the history. Alcatraz was a military fort protecting San Francisco Bay in the 1850s. It was an army prison beginning in 1859. Alcatraz gained its fame as a maximum security prison for the worst of criminals from 1934 to 1963. Most inmates got transferred from other prisons after proving to be troublemakers or escape risks.

“The Rock” was believed to be inescapable, located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, resting atop a large rock. Notorious inmates include Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz,” and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis.

The inmates’ history and escape attempts are essential to its lore. Thirty-four men made fourteen separate escape attempts from the federal prison. The infamous escape attempt in 1962 saw Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin make it to the bay. The trio was never found, presumably drowning.

American Indian political activists occupied Alcatraz three times in the 1960s and early 1970s. Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, resulting in Alcatraz being under the organization and part of the NPS.

Rock Gardens

When most people envision Alcatraz, they picture a drab facility with harsh conditions. Surprisingly, despite this haunting history, the Rock harbors beautiful gardens of lush plants and colorful blossoms. In 2003, the NPS, Garden Conservancy, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy began collaborative efforts to restore and preserve the historic gardens. 

The island contains a beautiful trail that is widely unknown. You can visit Alcatraz almost any day of the year. Still, the Agave Trail, a short path between the dock and Parade Ground, is typically open only from late September through January. The path skirts along the island’s edge, delivering exceptional views of the island and bay. It is closed for the rest of the year to protect nesting birds.

Alcatraz Birds

Although not a highlight for some visitors, many beautiful waterbirds call Alcatraz Island home. Accordingly, park rangers close some parts of the island for your safety and theirs.

Due to abundant birds, early Spanish explorers named the island after alcatraces or seabirds. Most birds disappeared for years while the island was a military fortress, prison, and federal jail. 

When the prison closed in 1963, the seabirds returned. The National Historic Landmark now harbors more than 5,000 nesting birds, including western gulls, cormorants, black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and pigeon guillemots. 

Park rangers first spotted a pair of peregrine falcons on Alcatraz Island in 2019. The NPS announced the birth of four peregrine falcon chicks in early April 2023.

The historic Alcatraz Lighthouse, lit in 1854, was the first built on America’s west coast . It has gone through many changes over the years. The current 84-foot concrete tower was built in 1909, replacing the original. Shortly after the prison closed in 1963, the lighthouse was automated. It is not open to the public for tours. However, the beacon adds a touch of beauty and mystery to the island.

Is Alcatraz Haunted?

Guests have reported hearing moans or cries from empty cells. Legends say an inmate from the infamous cell 14D died after incessantly screaming that a ghost was after him. Many visitors report feeling cold when passing that same cell. Perhaps ghosts roam the halls, or maybe it is the wind blowing through the corridors, or just wild imaginations or fears getting the best of us. I will let you decide for yourself.

Tips Before You Visit Alcatraz

We suggest you reserve your Alcatraz Island tour tickets in advance. Attempting to purchase last-minute tickets is risky since many tours fill up days or weeks before.

Plan to arrive twenty to thirty minutes early for your scheduled ferry ride. Your spot is reserved for a specific day and time. Once on the island, you can take your time and catch any returning ferry.

Wear comfortable but sturdy shoes due to the park’s uneven and steep walking surfaces. Your initial climb from the dock to the prison is steep.

The park does not offer storage facilities of any kind. Although we suggest packing layers, including a light jacket, only bring what you can comfortably carry.

Since the island only allows food in a small area near the dock, plan to eat shortly before your tour. Or, you can eat a snack during the ferry ride. 

Bring your camera to capture views from the ferry and Alcatraz Island. While touring the island, do not focus solely on the prison. Remember to savor the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wrap-Up: How to Visit Alcatraz

With an odd combination of haunting history and natural beauty, Alcatraz Island delivers a riveting experience, unlike any other national park site in America . Use our guide to plan your Alcatraz escape!

Featured image credit: Rodrigo Soares

More Articles from Miles with McConkey

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The post Want to Visit Alcatraz? Here is What You Need To Know appeared first on Miles with McConkey .

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This Bay Area island has an impressive new park with sweeping Bay views

SAN FRANCISCO - It boasts a sweeping 360 degree view of the San Francisco Bay.

The city’s newest public park perched on Yerba Buena Island opened this month, as it marked a milestone in the revitalization of the former island naval base.

Located on the westernmost peak of Yerba Buena Island, Panorama Park was built to offer visitors an "unrivaled," unobstructed view of sites, like Alcatraz, that draw in tourists from all over the world.

"Anyone who looks at any direction will witness the natural beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area, our impressive San Francisco skyline, and iconic sites such as the Golden Gate and Bay bridges," Mayor London Breed said in a news release.

SEE ALSO: Missing Sunol hiker and dog found

The park features a towering 69-foot-high monumental sculpture. The Point of Infinity sculpture was installed late last year by internationally recognized artist Hiroshi Sugimoto.

It's designed as a monumental sundial, evoking the Tower of the Sun sculpture from the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island, according to the San Francisco Arts Commission .

The sculpture is the first permanent work of public art commissioned for the Treasure Island Arts Program , which seeks to bring pieces to the island that intertwines art with nature, keeping in mind the islands' history, ecology and breathtaking views.

The park’s opening comes as the city makes progress on the development of a new neighborhood on the island with plans to build 8,000 new homes as well as new parks, trails, and designated open space. The development also calls for new restaurants, retail, a school and a library.

City officials said there was already a housing boom underway on both Yerba Buena and Treasure islands, with more than 1,000 homes opened or scheduled for completion this year.

"Projects like this will help meet our housing goals and I am inspired to see how it is already making a difference in people’s lives," said Supervisor Matt Dorsey whose district includes Treasure Island.

The opening of the park marked the first of what will be a network of 300 acres of public open space, which city officials said will be accessible by bicycle paths and walking trails.

"We are in the midst of seeing unprecedented investments being made on Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands," said City Administrator Carmen Chu. "Beautiful Panorama Park is the latest addition to this neighborhood and most surely will be amongst the City’s most scenic and iconic sites."

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Woman makes history with shark-infested swim to remote California island

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Amy Appelhans Gubser was a swimmer in college, but when she graduated more than three decades ago, she hung up her cap and goggles and went about the business of working as a nurse and raising two children.

She didn’t swim seriously again until about 10 years ago, when a friend coaxed her into the ocean — with Gubser resisting all the way.

On Saturday, Gubser, 55, became the first person, male or female, to swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. It was a journey of 29.7 miles through roiling, freezing, famously shark-infested waters.

In celebrating Gubser’s achievement, the Marathon Swimmers Federation noted that the feat “has a reasonable claim to be the toughest marathon swim in the world.” Though five other people have been recorded as swimming solo across the Gulf of the Farallones, Gubser is the first to do it heading east to west — a more difficult journey because colder water temperatures near the islands hit swimmers when they are at their most exhausted.

“I don’t think we all know what we’re capable of,” Gubser said this week, on her lunch break from her job at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where she works in the fetal cardiac unit. She added that she hoped her feat would inspire other people to do hard things. Her own swim, she said, was dedicated to a brother and friends who are battling cancer.

The Farallones are a fog-shrouded, nautically menacing string of islands west of San Francisco that Native Americans believed were a home for the spirits of the dead. Though just off the coast of one of the world’s most famous cities, they are a national wildlife refuge , thus uninhabited, and closed to the public.

Gubser, who lives in Pacifica, just south of San Francisco, would look out and see them almost every day — provided they were visible.

“They’re mysterious. They’re creepy. They’re captivating,” she said. “I’m just drawn to them.”

But for a long time, Gubser wasn’t swimming anywhere, let alone across a gulf considered among the most treacherous in the world.

She had a swimming scholarship to the University of Michigan, where she was a backstroker. But when she left college, she left swimming as well.

Then, about 10 years ago, a friend challenged her to join him on an open-water swim. After some amount of cajoling, Gubser finally showed up to meet him at the South End Rowing Club, the famed open-water swim club in San Francisco just across the bay from Alcatraz.

“I started crying,” Gubser said, recalling that first day on the beach. “I was terrified. I put my feet in; my feet were freezing.” How was she going to put her whole body in that water?

Eventually, she got in and began to swim. And as she warmed up, something remarkable happened: “Every cell in my body was alive,” she said.

Almost from that day, she was hooked on open-water swimming.

She joined the South End Rowing Club for its annual swim from Alcatraz back to the club.

She swam beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, and across Santa Monica Bay, and from Santa Catalina Island to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

“It just felt so fun,” she said, adding that her children thought she was “absolutely bonkers.”

She swam around Manhattan, and from Ireland to Scotland, and from Spain to Africa.

But nearly every day, she would look out from her little town, and there the Farallones would be.

About five years ago, she decided she wanted to attempt it.

But achieving it, said Evan Morrison, the co-founder of the Marathon Swimmers Federation, requires not just incredible grit and hard training but also the right currents and weather conditions.

The area around the Farallones is a breeding ground for great white sharks, but in May many of them head elsewhere.

On May 11, with weather conditions judged to be favorable, Gubser got into the water just before 3:30 am. She wore a black and white swimsuit — an attempt to fool sharks into thinking she might be an orca — and a swim cap with a light on it, so her support team could see her.

The quest started late because a container ship came through.

But once she was in the water, Gubser began to swim. For the first four hours, she was lucky: An ebb tide carried her about 10 miles.

“I sang verses to songs,” she said. “I solved four or five world problems in my head.”

The remaining 19.7 miles would take another 13 hours.

When she began swimming, the water temperature was in the 50s. But in the cold currents that swirl around the Farollones, it reached 43 degrees at one point.

“I thought to myself, if I have to do this for much longer, I don’t know if I can,” she said. But she didn’t want to stop, either.

As Gubser swam, a crew followed her in a a small boat, tossing her nourishment at various intervals. One person kept an eye on her at all times, said Sarah Roberts, a friend and fellow open-water swimmer who was on the boat. Another person kept a sharp eye out for sharks.

The closer the group got to the islands, Larson said, the quieter and more intense everyone became.

The fog had descended, and there was “this sense of creepiness, of this wild, feral place.”

A few miles from the finish point, the group spotted a dead sea lion floating in the water. This gave everyone pause.

“There’s really only one reason for it to be dead,” Roberts noted, and that is “because something chomped it.”

Should they pull Gubser out of the water?

She kept swimming.

“They did not tell me [about that],” Gubser said. “Which was a good thing.”

She reached the buoy that was her endpoint just after sunset. The group on the boat erupted into cheers.

Gubser burst into tears. She yelled: “I did it.”

Gubser’s crew pulled her into the boat. Her skin was ice cold, Roberts said, and everyone went to work trying to warm her up, drenching her in warm water, plying her with hot tea, and eventually wrapping her in an electric blanket.

Roberts recalled hearing Gubser say something to the effect of: “I can’t believe I did that.”

Morrison, the co-founder of Marathon Swimmers, said Gubser is “a beloved member of the open-water swimming community” known for her enthusiasm and support for other swimmers.

“It couldn’t happen to a better person,” he said of her accomplishment.

One of Gubser’s teammates took detailed notes of her odyssey, and once they have been submitted to Marathon Swimmers and reviewed, her swim will be officially ratified, Morrison said.

By Tuesday, Gubser was sufficiently recovered that she was back at work.

What she wanted others to take from her swim, she said, was that almost anyone is capable of an astonishing feat.

She is 55, and a grandmother, to boot. “If I was in a room of elite athletes,” she said, “I would be extremely underwhelming.”

“I just think it is amazing that I can do this,” she added.

There is no monetary prize for the swim, and when asked if her life would change as a result of it, Gubser said: “I’m still at work today, aren’t I?”

Still, she will get one perk. As she swam toward the island, the Coast Guard radio traffic alerted a researcher on the Farallones that she was coming. The man walked down to the beach and took photos of her as she finished her swim. Then he invited her back for a special tour of the island.

She accepted, but said: “I’m not going to swim there.”

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Jessica Garrison writes about Northern California for the Los Angeles Times. She has previously covered Los Angeles City Hall, courts, education and the environment. As a reporter, her work has won a National Magazine Award for Public Service, among other honors. Work she has edited has won a George Polk Award and was a finalist for a Goldsmith Prize. Her book, “The Devil’s Harvest,” told the story of a contract killer who stalked Central Valley farm towns for years while authorities failed to bring him to justice. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley.

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