Is Alcatraz Worth Visiting? Yes! Find Out Why

One of the top attractions in the San Francisco area is Alcatraz, and maybe you are wondering, is Alcatraz worth visiting? Of course, it is! Learn about how to plan your trip to Alcatraz and what to do when you arrive on the island.

Alcatraz has so much interesting history and is a very unique destination. Learn more below about the best Alcatraz parking, the short and scenic ferry ride, and how long you can spend on the island.

Need to Know Info

• Entry to Alcatraz is required through the Alcatraz City Cruises Ferries, the official concessioner of the National Park Service. Get your tickets here and be sure to reserve them early because Alcatraz is a very popular destination for those visiting San Francisco.
  • Choose from different tour options, including a day tour, a behind-the-scenes tour, and a night tour of the prison. We did the regular day tour, and it was great!
• Be sure to arrive at the Pier 33 ferry dock on time for your departure. Once you arrive at Alcatraz, you are free to stay as long as you like. When you are ready to return to the mainland, queue up in the line to return and you’ll be on your way back home within 15-30 minutes.
• Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours on the island.
• Note that the roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep.
• Be sure to take the Cellhouse Audio Tour – it’s totally worth it!
• Bags larger than a standard backpack, 16” x 20”, are not allowed on Alcatraz Island.

Safety and Weather on Alcatraz

• Cell phone service was great here with proximity to San Francisco.
• Water: Bottled water is allowed in all areas of Alcatraz.
• Food & Gas: Picnicking and eating are allowed on the island ONLY at the dock area.
  • Food and water are available for purchase on the ferry.
• Restrooms: There are restrooms located at the Pier 33 dock before departure, on the ferries, and at Alcatraz.
• Weather: The weather at Alcatraz is unpredictable and can change suddenly! It may be cool and windy on the ferry, but warm on the island. It’s best to dress in layers. Additionally, wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.

Getting To Pier 33 and Alcatraz

Pier 33 is the launch site for Alcatraz City Cruises heading to the island. We think the best Alcatraz parking can be found at the 55 Francisco Street Garage. This location is just a few blocks away from Pier 33 and feels safe and secure.

Once you arrive on-site, use your phone to pay for parking, and you’ll be on your way easily. Next, walk east toward the Hillstone restaurant, cross the street at the crosswalk, and you’ll be right at Pier 33.

Remember, do not leave anything of value in your car. Lock your doors, don’t leave anything in sight, and enjoy your day here in San Francisco.

Is Alcatraz Worth Visiting?

Of course it is. Check out the details and photos below from our trip. We loved our visit here and learned a lot about the history of the island and the prison. The historic grounds and cellhouse are truly amazing!

Here is more information about what to expect on your trip to Alcatraz Island, starting with the ferry ride.

Ferry Ride

The super quick 15-minute ferry ride to Alcatraz is quick and painless. It will get a bit chilly on your journey to the island, so be prepared with layers. The best spot on the ferry is in the front or on the left side when facing the front of the boat. This will give you great views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz as you approach the island.

Dock and Restrooms

You will arrive at the dock where the rangers will give you a welcome greeting and tell you a little bit about what to expect on the island. Here, picnic tables are located for a quick bite to eat, and restrooms are available around the corner.

If you have trouble walking or can’t get up the hills, a tram will pick you up here and transport you up toward the cellhouse. Here, you will also find the Dock Ranger Station, and they can help with any questions during your visit.

Rose Garden and Morgue

Next up, head up the hill toward the Rose Garden and the morgue. Some of the areas along this path may be roped off or closed, so please stay behind all barriers for your safety. As you walk up the hill, take your time and check out the history of the buildings along the way while enjoying the scenery and beautiful flowers (when the season is right).

Cellhouse

You have arrived at the infamous Alcatraz cellhouse! This is where you will start the audio tour of this historic building. Follow the signs to start the tour. Once inside, you will have the option to choose what language you’d like to hear the tour in.

The audio tour will guide you through the cellhouse while narrating stories and interesting facts about life on Alcatraz when it was a prison.

Alcatraz Lighthouse & Wardens’ Home

During the tour or once you have finished, be sure to check out the Alcatraz Lighthouse and the wardens’ home. The lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the West Coast and was first lit in 1854. It is still in use today.

The Warden’s home is nearby as well, but unfortunately burned down in a fire some years ago. Though a shell is the only thing left, it’s still a very interesting sight!

West Side Gardens and Overlook

Lastly, be sure to walk to the west side of the cellblock, down the hill, and explore the gardens and overlook. The gardens were built by inmates who were given permission to work outside and tend to the gardens. Once you have completed this section of the island, head back toward the dock where you can enter the barracks and theater section of Alcatraz.

After this, your day tour is complete! Just remember, if you missed something, you can go back and explore more because you can spend as much time as you want on Alcatraz.

What to Do After Alcatraz?

If you have some time to spare after your morning trip to Alcatraz, walk down to Pier 39 and have some fun at the restaurants and other attractions, including the Aquarium of the Bay. Additionally, check out the fun and recommended tours offered below! Click on the links to learn about pricing and more details.

• San Francisco Love Tour: A sightseeing tour around the city including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown, and more in a VW bus! ☮️
• Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour – Another fun VW bus tour with photo ops at the Golden Gate Bridge and Painted Ladies – who doesn’t love Full House?! 🏙️
• Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tour in San Francisco – 1 of the 15 best foodie tours in the USA. Learn about and sample fresh foods and drinks at local bakeries and delis. 🍪
• The Haunt SF: Ghost Hunting Tour – Visit haunted alleys, neighborhoods, and street corners. You even get to use your own personal EMF reader. 👻

Final Thoughts

Our day trip to Alcatraz was super fun! We loved learning about the history of the island and the prison. The Cellhouse Audio Tour provided so much fun and interesting information directly from some of the staff and residents in the prison.

We thought it was very interesting that when Kathy used the restroom, one of the sinks next to her randomly turned on. It wasn’t even a quick on-and-off. It was on for a full 15 seconds with no one else around. Could it have been an Alcatraz ghost? Maybe! Finally, now you can answer the question: Is Alcatraz worth visiting? Absolutely!