Visiting Alcatraz – The World’s Most Famous Prison

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Whoever thought to make visiting Alcatraz prison into a popular tourist attraction is a genius. Derelict buildings and an uninhabitable prison on an island that you can only access by boat. Yet people flock there every year to check out this mysterious place.

Having been to San Francisco a few times now, I cannot recommend visiting Alcatraz enough. I’ve always gone with people who’ve never been to San Francisco before so have ended up at Alcatraz four times now.

Now I do have to admit, I often need to watch myself, because on more than one occasion I’ve proudly announced that I’ve been to Azkaban before. Then I see their faces and realize they either think I’m way too invested in the Harry Potter novels; or they’ve never read Harry Potter and just think I’m an idiot.

Even without Dementors though, Alcatraz is still an eerie place.

Book tickets early for visiting Alcatraz

If there’s one piece of advice I will shout from the rooftops, it’s to book your Alcatraz tour early. When it comes to Alcatraz, early doesn’t mean a couple of days before you leave for your trip. It means weeks and sometimes months ahead of time.

Remember it’s on an island, and you can only get there by boat. Only so many people can get on a boat, and therefore only so many people can get to that island each day. I’ve had friends who didn’t book it early enough and then weren’t able to go during their short trip to San Francisco.

Getting to Alcatraz

Managed by the National Park Service, there’s one company that operates the ferry to get to Alcatraz (which is your ticket to the prison too). That company is Alcatraz Cruises.

The ferry leaves from Pier 33 just along from Fisherman’s Wharf and it’s quite easy to get to. Book directly on their website or as part of a San Francisco tour through Viator. While you must select a specific departure time to Alcatraz, you can return on any available ferry.

Booking one of the earlier ferries is a good idea though. You can perhaps beat some of the crowds and it also means you can spend as long as you want. Alcatraz doesn’t seem that big, but seeing everything takes longer than you think. There’s also a night tour available if you’re brave enough!

Visiting Alcatraz Island

Good weather is not really necessary to enjoy a visit to Alcatraz. After visiting Alcatraz at different times of the year, I can say it honestly doesn’t matter too much. A little cloud and rain adds to the creepy atmosphere!

The ferry crossing only takes about 15 minutes. Once there it’s quite a climb up the hilly road to get to the prison where to start your official tour. Wear good shoes, or check out in advance the options for a ride up the hill (they have vehicles to help those less able).

Also to note – there is nowhere on the island to buy food. Food and drinks are only allowed at the dock area on the island and not in the prison. The café at the pier where the ferry departs is not cheap and the food is not the best so I would eat before you arrive.

First views of Alcatraz

From almost anywhere along the water in San Francisco you can see Alcatraz island. But you start get a true view of it’s vast size as you approach the island by ferry. When the ferry docks you will be gathered for an introduction and instructions for your visit. Being a National Park site, and a designated historical site, there are rules in place.

The island is also home to many seabirds and breeding/nesting sites dot the island. During nesting season some parts of the island are closed to the public. You can usually see a lot of the birds from anywhere you are…and you can definitely hear them.

After the downfall of the prison, the island was occupied for over a year by Native American activists. There’s more on this part of the island’s history as you continue your visit. You will see signs of their former presence around the island, starting with the welcome sign.

At the top of the hill, the prison has an overwhelmingly ominous presence on the island. It looks eerie, and I’m sure part of that is just because you know what it is, or was. Famed for it’s high security status, and the fact that even if you escaped you would have nowhere to go but the icy Pacific waters, Alcatraz is a fascinating place.

Alcatraz was home to a number of notorious inmates including Al Capone and Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz. Anticipation builds around the stories you will hear as you climb the hilly road to the prison at the top of the island.

The audio tour of Alcatraz

Upon arrival at the top of the hill, you will approach the prison for the first time. Follow the signs to start the tour. Entering into what was originally the prison bathrooms you will line up to collect headphones and an audio player for the self guided tour while meandering around the showers.

At this point I will say that I am really not one for audio tours and usually prefer to explore on my own. However at Alcatraz DO NOT do that. The audio tour at Alcatraz is probably the best tour I’ve ever done.

You will be guided through the prison by the voices of 4 former prison officers, and 4 former Alcatraz prisoners. That means you are hearing stories from the people who lived and worked at Alcatraz. The authentic tour is very cleverly done. Instead of aimlessly wandering through the cells you make your way around with purpose making sure you don’t miss anything.

Inside Alcatraz prison

Making your way around one of the most famous prisons in the world you will see the meagre cells the prisoners inhabited. Basic bed, sink, toilet and a shelf for the limited possessions they had. The one-time inmates narrating the tour direct you to some of their cells as well as those of some of the well known residents of Alcatraz.

The officers on the tape recounted stories of some of the more infamous inmates, and the inmates told how it was living in that cell. Difficult aspects of prison life is also a theme, including other prisoners’ bad habits. One story was about New Year’s eve and how they could hear people in San Francisco partying. They were so close but still so far away. The loneliness they felt was evident through the stories you heard.

The tour takes you through what was the library, the control rooms and the officers’ quarters as well as the kitchen where they ate their meals (and the guards had to keep track of the knives). You will see the visitation area where the prisoners would have met their family. Some of the cells are made up as they would have been back in the day, others have fallen into disrepair.

During the tour you will be led outside into the recreation area. The stone steps and large concrete yard, high upon the hill of Alcatraz island, look out on the city of San Francisco. I’m sure the prisoners could almost taste freedom by staring longingly at the city over in the bay.

Not all prisons run smoothly

Alcatraz was not without it’s incidents. During the tour you will hear out about two big events that shook the prison. The first was the bloody Battle of Alcatraz, when in 1946 six inmates attempted to escape from the prison. Details of the plan by some of the inmates are recounted in the tour, as well as the attempt itself and the people that got caught in the crossfire. Five people were killed over the two day siege including 2 officers.

The second big event is the 1962 escape attempt (or success depending on the theories you believe) of 3 inmates. They came up with an elaborate plan involving spoons, a tunnel, wax effigies of themselves and a homemade raft. It’s quite the tale.

Visiting Alcatraz prison grounds

After taking the audio tour of the prison itself, make sure to spend time wandering around the outer areas of the island. Beautiful gardens, the nesting areas of the seabirds, the old warden’s house and other outbuildings are all worth a look.

Walking from the ferry dock you will also pass a building showing a film to introduce visitors to the island of Alcatraz. Make sure to check it out and learn more about the island. Souvenirs and amazing historical books about the island and the prison are available in the gift shop.

I also guarantee you will be amazed at the viewpoints of San Francisco and the bay area from Alcatraz island. You will be able to get some good photos arriving and departing on the ferry, but also at various points around the island.

Why is Alcatraz so fascinating?

It’s incredible to think that the world is still so fascinated by this old prison that hasn’t been used since 1963. Maybe it’s because they said it couldn’t be escaped from and yet there are stories of escape attempts. Kind of like everyone is still fascinated by the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic over 100 years after it sank.

The more infamous inhabitants of Alcatraz also bring a lot of interest. Perhaps the idea of a notorious prison so close to a beautiful city like San Francisco peaks the interest of people who will always wonder what it was like to be in such a prison.

Whatever it is, visiting Alcatraz remains as popular an activity as ever – the wait time for tickets will tell you that. But make sure you don’t miss this unique place, and don’t forget to book your tickets or Alcatraz tour well in advance.

You won’t regret taking the audio tour either, one of the best audio tours you might ever take. Just keep track of time so you don’t miss the last ferry. Alcatraz is a cold, lonely place to spend the night.

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