Alcatraz Island
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Located just over a mile offshore from San Francisco, California, Alcatraz Island is a small island that was famously used as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. It housed some of the most violent and notorious prisoners of its time, including Al Capone and James "Whitey" Bulger. Previously, the island had been used as a military fort starting in the 1850s and was also home to a military prison around 1910.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, also known by its nickname, "The Rock," was a maximum-security prison, known for being nearly impossible to escape from, as it is surrounded by the chilly and rough waters of San Francisco Bay. The property was acquired by the National Parks Service in 1972. Alcatraz Island joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Today, it's one of the most popular places for travelers to tour when visiting San Francisco, and it houses occasional art exhibits and temporary installations.
How to Get There
San Francisco International Airport is the closest airport to Alcatraz Island. Take the historic San Francisco streetcar of the MUNI F line to reach the landing at Pier 33 where the ferries depart. To reach Alcatraz Island, you'll take a ferry that departs from Pier 33, Suite 200 in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Alcatraz Island
Visit Alcatraz Island
No visit to Alcatraz Island is complete without a tour of the cell house building that was home to the notorious federal penitentiary, but as you tour the island, you'll notice there's more to it than just the cell house.
Take time to view the historic lighthouse next to the warden's house that dates back to 1854. If you're a bird-watcher, you'll want to stop by the Nesting Seabird Sanctuary to observe the multitude of gulls, night herons, cormorants, and pigeon guillemots that live there. Prisoners once tended to the lovely gardens that dot the island; now the Garden Conservancy does the work.
San Francisco experiences mild weather year-round, making a visit to Alcatraz Island suitable in any season.
Ticket Information
The National Park Service strongly encourages purchasing tickets in advance of your visit to Alcatraz Island. Ticket costs start at $45.25 and include ferry transportation to and from the island, entrance to the cell house, and an audio tour. The ferry is run by Alcatraz City Cruises, and you'll have to head to their website at CityExperiences.com in order to reserve and pay for your tickets. The ferry operator also offers a full-day cruise package that includes additional sightseeing, and there is an evening tour and a behind-the-scenes guided night tour option as well.
Family-Friendly Options
Because visiting Alcatraz Island involves a fair amount of walking uphill and climbing a lot of steps, you may want to reconsider visiting with children younger than 6. The audio tour lasts for about an hour, which may be too long for younger children. However, kids of all ages will love the 15-minute ferry boat ride. Upon arrival at the island, they can join the Junior Ranger program to enjoy interactive activities. You may want to bring your own pens and pencils, as they often run out. When planning your trip with kids, remember that food and drinks other than water are not allowed on the island, so you'll have to finish up your snacks on the ferry.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Once you land on the island, you can attend a brief orientation with a staff member, who will offer suggestions about how to best enjoy your visit. Make sure to grab a free map of the island and access the cell house audio tour, which is included in your ticket price. Take your time and explore the island at your own pace. Although the island is most famous for its former penitentiary, you'll also want to visit the lighthouse and some of the other buildings on the island during your trip.
Finally, remember to visit the special museum exhibits before returning to the city. The gift shop is located near the ferry dock, making it the perfect final stop on your tour. Plan on spending at least three hours exploring the cell house and the island. Ferries to return to Pier 33 leave roughly every half hour.
Alcatraz is open every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day.
Alcatraz Island Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Candlestick RV Park is situated on the site of an old stadium. It is within walking distance of Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, and Bayview Park is also nearby. Plus, Highway 101 is only a few minutes away.
Located just off Highway 101 north of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Mobile and RV Park offer easy access to all the entertainment and recreation options of the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’re looking for laid-back trailer parks near Daly City, California you’ll like it here. It is near the Larkspur Ferry, which can take you to the Ferry Building Marketplace that offers transportation to other nearby areas.
Located in the heart of Marin County just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin RV Park is one of the top RV parks in the Oakland, California area. It is close to Muir Woods, Golden Sunset cruises, and the Napa Valley Wine Train. It has all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation in the Bay Area.
Activities Near Alcatraz Island
Things to Do
Fisherman's Wharf
The ferries to Alcatraz Island depart from Pier 33 in Fisherman's Wharf, which is itself one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco. At Fisherman's Wharf, you can watch chocolates being made and sample the wares at Ghirardelli Square, visit the Wax Museum, or watch a colony of urban sea lions that call the area home.
The Musée Mécanique at Pier 45
For something unique, take time to visit the Musée Mécanique at Pier 45. This is a collection of over 300 mechanical arcade games and artifacts, most of which you can play for a quarter or two.
The Cartoon Museum
Visitors of all ages will love visiting the Cartoon Museum.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
When planning your trip, be prepared for chilly, windy, and moist weather no matter the time of year. The weather can be unpredictable and change quickly, so it's wise to dress in layers with a light jacket. Rain can fall at any time, though the rainiest months are November through March. Because surfaces at Alcatraz Island can be damp and slick, avoid wearing sandals, high heels, or open-toed shoes.
Safety & Accessibility
Alcatraz Island has made every effort to ensure that all visitors are able to experience the island, including an audio-described tour and Braille posts for wayfinding, as well as a Braille transcript of the tour. You can also access an ASL version of the tour on a handheld digital device. Service animals are always welcome at Alcatraz Island.
Note that you'll have to climb quite a few stairs when visiting Alcatraz Island, but for those with limited mobility, there is a shuttle that can take you to and from the cell house.
A limited number of accessible parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Pier 33. You'll need to show your placard to the parking attendant in order to access them.
Conclusion
A visit to Alcatraz Island starts with a ferry ride offering a great view of both the island itself and the city of San Francisco. Make sure to spend time wandering about the island after your tour of the cell house. You'll love learning about this fascinating part of American history as you visit this famous landmark.
FAQ
There are some tent camping options nearby, though reservations usually sell out months in advance. Travel north to Petaluma to find a KOA if you're looking for RV camping, or check out other nearby options such as Golden Gate Trailer Park in Marin County or Treasure Island RV Park in South San Francisco.
The ferry departure location at Pier 33 is not particularly RV-friendly. Street parking is very limited and mostly metered with a short time limit. There are plenty of nearby parking lots, though even those are often full, particularly on the weekends.
Parking for any vehicle can be difficult to find in the area. Taking public transportation is strongly encouraged. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do, since Pier 33 is served by the historic San Francisco streetcars. Take the MUNI F line to get to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 in Fisherman's Wharf. Tickets to Alcatraz Island usually sell out at least a month in advance, so plan accordingly. Note that there are limited restroom facilities and no food service on the island.
Yes, but note that children will need to climb several steps in order to access the cell house. Discounted tickets are available for children, and kids under the age of 4 are admitted free of charge.
No, pets are not allowed.