Alcatraz Island: Things to Know, See, & Explore

Enjoy a ferry ride with 360-degree views of the island and Alcatraz or disembark to set out on a self-guided audio tour through the prison. Learn more about the conditions of the prison, step inside the cells where inmates spent their days, and hear the stories of 36 harrowing escape attempts made by inmates. If you’re considering booking a visit to Alcatraz, here’s what you need to know to make the most out of your trip.

Alcatraz, also known as “the Rock.” was converted into a federal prison in 1934, becoming one of the most notorious prisons in American history. The strong currents around the island and frigid water temperatures made escape virtually impossible giving it the reputation as the most secure prison in the country—but that didn’t stop several inmates from making escape attempts over the years.

During its 29 years of operation, the prison held some of the most infamous and prolific criminals, from murderers and bank robbers to kidnappers and crime bosses. Some of the most notable prisoners included:

• Al Capone, aka Scarface, the infamous boss of organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit.
• Robert Franklin Stroud, aka The Birdman of Alcatraz, who was a convicted murderer as well as a respected ornithologist.
• George “Machine Gun” Kelly, a career criminal and gangster known for his affinity for machine guns.
• Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, a gang leader who was one of only 4 criminals to earn the title of “Public Enemy #1” and held the record for the most time served at Alcatraz at 26 years.

Due to the high expense of running the prison and the structural deterioration of the buildings from exposure to salt water, the prison shut down operations and transferred all inmates elsewhere in 1963. It is now one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions welcoming over 1.5 million visitors annually.

Alcatraz Island is located 1.25 miles off the shore of San Francisco. Ferries to the island depart from Pier 33 southeast of Fisherman’s Wharf with a range of tours operating.

The island is a key part of a few different excursion packages available to add on to your Pacific Coast Cruise experience. Visit the prison before stopping by the town of Sausalito or experience the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz in one epic tour of iconic San Fran hot spots. If you’d rather see the prison from a safe distance, check out the Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay cruise excursions to learn about some of the most historic sites along the waterfront including the island. Check out all our Pacific Coast excursions in the San Francisco area to start planning your trip.

The Alcatraz Island experience starts before you ever step foot on the island. The view of the prison from the shore and as you approach via the SF Alcatraz ferry are a fitting introduction to the formidable atmosphere of the island. Once you disembark from the ferry, it’s time to explore the grounds and the prison itself with the guidance of an audio tour that provides context and interesting facts along the way. Some of the most iconic landmarks to keep an eye out for on your journey include:

• Main cellhouse with cell blocks A to D. Notable cells include Al Capone’s cell (281), Frank Morris’ cell which depicts the scene the night he made his escape attempt (138) and 14, a cell in the infamous D block where various inmates were held in isolation.
• Dining hall where the inmates ate their meals. A breakfast menu from March 21, 1963 remains giving a glimpse into the food served at Alcatraz.
• The Warden’s House, once a luxury mansion that housed the four wardens of Alcatraz. It is now nothing more than ruins after a fire in 1970.
• Building 64 which was where the prison staff and their families lived.
• Recreation Yard where inmates were permitted to spend time outside on the weekends and holidays. It is also the site of one of the most violent escape attempts in the prison’s history.

Booking an excursion as part of your Pacific Coast cruise experience is an excellent way to fit a visit to Alcatraz into your trip. Excursions include transportation to and from Pier 33 and a ferry ticket to and from the Island. Once you’re on the island, the tour can last several hours, so make sure to allocate enough time so you don’t feel rushed or like you’re missing anything.

A self-guided audio tour will lead you around the island and through the prison and you’re free to go at your own pace. If you want to do a little research before visiting the island, classic movies such as The Rock starring Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage and Escape from Alcatraz starring Clint Eastwood can give you a preview of the prison before you experience it for yourself.

Food is limited once you’re on the island, so consider bringing a bottle of water and a snack or two. The ferry trip can get chilly especially in the evening, so don’t forget to bring a sweater just in case. Add comfortable walking shoes and your camera and your visit to Alcatraz Island is sure to be one of the highlights of your Pacific Coast cruise vacation!