Alcatraz Island

The infamous Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It doesn’t have any beaches, but a visit to “The Rock” is still worth the price of admission. In the mid-1800’s this island was Fort Alcatraz a military facility that was part of a three-point defense strategy for San Francisco Bay. Later in 1934 it was converted to Alcatraz Prison, a federal penitentiary. The prison was closed in 1963 and by 1972 it was designated as part of the newly created Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Now it is considered a haunted place.

After getting dropped off by the boat, visitors can roam the island freely. There many old structures, courtyards, a lighthouse, and incredible views including the San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge. An audio tour for the inside of the prison is included in the entry fee and is well-done. Even though there are no beaches, Alcatraz still has many reasons to visit. The island is only accessible by tour boat from San Francisco. Alcatraz Cruises has boats leaving daily from Pier 33 at Alcatraz Landing on The Embarcadero.

Address

1398 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133

Park Name

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Owner

National Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the island

Fees

Fee includes boat tour, island entrance, and prison audio tour

Activities

Guided Tours, Walking, Birdwatching, Photography

Amenities

Prison Tour, Bay Cruise, Museum, Bookstore, Restrooms

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart