THE ROCK!!!! One of the best experiences in my life... the whole tour with the guided headphones tour it was so interactive so you can feel and see what happened and when and which place took part all this things. You can feel goosebumps in every corner. With a boat from pier 33 its approx 15-20mins and its so nice cause we can see San Fran from another point of view. Definitely Ill recommend this place and everyone has to put it in the bucket list

I dug it. Ferry ride was smooth. You get to roam around the whole island. Only bummer is not being able to see inside any of the buildings.

Had a wonderful time even during Covid-19 they had safety precautions to keep everybody distance they sanitized in between groups a lot of sanitation lots of walking once you get there the boat comes back every hour its colder and windier than expected but overall a great time not much snack items available at their little shop but youll have great pictures.

Alcatraz is part of San Francisco. Which is probably my favorite city in America. Alcatraz is a must to visit when you go to San Francisco. It must have been a place you wont want to be sent. Golden Gate Bridge is a wonder to see. Riding the cable cars is an experience, you can stand on the footboards and swing. Lombard Street the twisty road. Fishermens Wharf to walk along and see the seals.

Nature is taking its course on Alcatraz. Theres lots of deterioration. We were happy we could see the island in its natural condition. The National Park Service will have to begin extensive renovations in the near future.

Wonderful experience, was a bit cold, windy and rainy but the history was very rich. About a 15 minute ferry ride with rides back every hour. Lots to explore, took about 2 hours to see everything with good walking shoes.

My favorite place to visit. Had to hold my phone to my ear to be able to listen to the tour which we had to download off the Google play store. No option for speaker mode. It also only had about 7 or 8 episodes and didnt help with the order of how to use play them either. So we could be in the garden and get an episode on the recreation center where the inmates played sports etc. Otherwise, great and fun!

I don’t know where to start. First of all you will need to buy tickets for ferry then it will take you at least 15 minutes onto the island. Then you will walk outside for a little bit. There’s an entrance where you will be given headphones and a cassette. The cassette is basically a recorded audio of prisoners who used to be there. They will guide you across the whole prison. They will give you decent amount of information about everything. After that you can buy some things in souvenir shops. You will then go back by the ferry. I recommend this, this is a must to do activity if you’re in San Francisco.

For the tour that currently is in place, I cant recommend this based on the price of admission and being to the island previously. They are doing a great job of sanitizing between trips but the one building open on Indian history and cell block size on the pavement is nothing compared to what they could have done. I understand they do have the podium write-ups but that didnt do it for me. From what I understand they are reopening in waves but I cant confirm that.

Great! I love seeing the actual prison. The staff are all good people!

Excellent tour, except that tha main jail cell house is closed due to Covid-19.But you can still walk around and take pictures. There is no audio tours either and the app that they recommend does not work at all. I suggest to go when all the restrictions are lifted.

A lot of history. Being able to see the the island was a great experience. Spent 2 hours probably could have stayed longer. The cell house isnt open at the moment, you know why. Step hills so get ready to walk! There is a shuttle to take you to the top of you cant however.

This was a terrible experience! The government seems Not interested in taking care of the island, everything is in a absolutely terrible shape, falling apart,The Covid restrictions are absurd, they let the people go into the book shop which is covered, but not in the cell’s building.We just walked around the island and that’s pretty much it, no entrance to anywhere, terrible experience

We went at the end of summer when the flies were pretty bad, the buildings were closed due to Covid, and the sun was blotted out from the mass fires of the northwest, which was obviously not the best time to go. But we see the prison has an interesting history and we will be making the trip back to get the stories and full experience. Also, to our surprise, there are so many pretty flowers, so that was an unexpected bonus!

Always wanted to come here. I was really, really disappointed when I found out that the main cell building was closed due to COVID. Im sure there are procedures you could have come up with, to allow people inside. Either appointments or small groups of people. Other places are doing it with no problems!I was even more upset when I saw that the gift shop was open. Why not use the same procedures for the cell building?

After a little cruise with a friendly staff, we put a foot on this legendary island! As the visit starts with the impressive shower room, your travel will only get more unsettling. I will stop spoiling you and encourage you to go...

Nothing wrong with the tour, the ferry ride was pretty bb, but most of the park was closed off due to social distancing!! Bit the views and the Island/ Prison / fort itself was still pretty cool

Was so worth the money. We spent about 150.00 altogether as a family of four. Make sure you eat prior to going theres no food or drinks permitted on the island except for a very small shop thats on the island and is often closed. Youll be there for a while. Getting to the prison its self requires some steep hill walking so make sure you have comfy shoes and comfortable clothes. Enjoy!

There are alot of changes to our life since covid so its no surprise that we had some restrictions on the island but I would still -recommend- a tour of Alcatraz island.It was a beauty all its own seeing the once fort turned infamous prison up close and leaning some unexpected history.

The headphone tour is very isolating, but in a good way that fits the mood of the Rock.

Great experience, but as you cannot go inside of any of the buildings, I wouldnt do it again until all the covid restrictions are lifted

Of course, definitely you have to try it one time in your life.

Only can give it a 4 because we werent allowed to actually go inside of the prison, just roam the outside and they dont tell you that upfront and I know that would drastically drop the amount of people showing up. We came from Philadelphia to see the prison and it was a huge part of our itinerary. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO SEE THE INSIDE OF ALCATRAZ THEN ASK BEFORE YOU BUY THE TICKET BECAUSE THE INSIDE IS CLOSED

This place is so historic you learn while having fun

Only downside is that the Cell house is restricted during this Pandemic.. island is still full of history amd interesting to walk around though.

Great place to visit if you are coming to San Francisco. It is one of the most visited places in SFO.This is a jail island which was closed in 1963 and stores valuable history with it.You have to take a cruise from Pier 33 to reach Alcatraz island. The cruise includes fair of island visit as well. In the island they provide you audio guided tour which is really interesting.

An amazing experience, I visited San Francisco with my grandparents, and we went here. The former guards there were awesome, and the auditory tours gave explicit detail on the prisons past.

It was a good experience but unfortunately we were not allowed to see the prison cells which is the reason why we went there. Otherwise there isnt much to see. There is really no reason why you take someone there and dont allow him/her to see the cells.

I had a great time at Alcatraz. The staff are a little unfriendly though. Its been awhile since Ive been on Alcatraz Island. The last time I was here I think it was during the summer of 62. The last time I was here, I spent a lot of time with these two crazy brothers Frank and Clarence. Boy, oh boy, were these two men crazy. They were always coming up with some crazy ideas. I believed them though. Anyways, I enjoyed my stay at Alcatraz. I wouldnt go back again though. Once youve been there once, you dont want to go back.

Wow this is a good place to research. I took a virtual tour on maps, after doing some research. Google maps gives a really Good map view, I was able to see inside of the prison and view inside cells and explore the area and the many tourest it attracted, I recommend this place to anyone whos interested in tours of historic places.

If you’re coming to SF, put this on your itinerary ASAP! Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time, but it’s an amazing experience that shows a different side of the city. Couldn’t recommend it more!

Lives up to the hype. We spent a couple of hours here - and took hundreds of photos - but could’ve spent an entire day.Interesting tour options - we opted for the audio recorded tour which was informative and let us go at our own pace, stop for photos, etc. Really interesting history - fun to explore the island, see the cells and administration rooms, and get a sense for how it all operates.Awesome views of the city, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. Great place for photos.

Weather was great, I didnt realize how close it is, just a 15 min.ferry ride. Beautiful buildings.

Awesome audio tour with amazing views of the bay, bridges, and city. Creepy cool history!

Been there a million times, prison was closed due to covid but it was still cool walking around

It used to be an amazing venue until Covid.

If you are visiting San Francisco, riding a ferry to Alcatraz Island is a must! If the weather is right, you’ll catch a magnificent view of San Francisco city from the ferry. The island, the site of a well-known prison, has a rich history and turned out to be a piece of the Golden Gate National Recreation zone in 1972. Visit the island is by appointment just so make certain to reserve a spot ahead of time. Ask any local and they’ll tell you – the Alcatraz tour is easily one of the best things to do in San Francisco.

This audio tour of the cell block is incredible. Authentic voices from prisoners and guards of old bring the story of this building to life. It is well done. If you love history you will love this tour. I took my time and walked around the island as well - bring layers as it gets quite windy. The shop offers a good selection of Alcatraz swag and lots of books that tell these stories on a deeper level. Highly recommend.

Absolutely hands down the best place I have ever gone to seen. Great sense of history when you enter until the time you leave. I went with my family and I and we all had a great time. I would highly recommend this awesome place to anyone who wants to go there. The ferry allows for easy access which makes the experience ten times better.

It was worth the price. Disappointed that all the buildings were closed for covid concerns.

Brilliant! The volunteers are knowledgeable and friendly and the island itself is such an interesting place to visit. I didnt think I was going to like an old jail - but it is so much more.Top 3 things to know1) It is steep. If you have difficulty walking up steep hills, take a ride from the bottom (where you get off the ferry).2) The audio tour is incredible - but you dont need to rush to get it. We stopped half way and watched a movie so, when we did get to the audio tour, the crowds had dispersed and it didnt take that long to pick up our headsets and get going. There is a lift available for people who cant access the stairs.3) The atmosphere is hard to describe. I really felt like I was walking in the footsteps of the inmates. The history is brought alive through some great narration by both past inmates and guards.MoreThere is a large gift store here and you get some stunning views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline.Definitely worth a visit!

The National Park is open but sadly the prison buildings are closed due to the pandemic. Walking the island is still a great experience, though. Fascinating and fun!

Interesting and significant historical site.A bit too expensive, but thats America--charge your citizens for what other developed countries would offer for free.The docents were really energetic and caring; they deserve 6/5 stars.The social justice aspect was good. Our prison state is deplorable.

Never got to land here in 2014 when we visited. Went past in the ferry that takes you under the GG Bridge and this prison on the island was impressive to see even from a distance. I would have loved to gone ashore

Iconic spot and frankly deserves the hype. Tickets aren’t too expensive considering you could spend a whole day there if you really want. The free self guided audio tour is definitely a must x it’s much more interesting than you may think. The island isn’t too big but it packs a lot in a little space, and you should definitely visit if you’re visiting San Francisco. Already been here a couple times when my family and girlfriend came to visit, and I would gladly come again.

Unique national park of one of the worlds most infamous prison. The visit starts from Alcatraz Landing in SF. We could buy tickets at the booth but have heard that advance tickets are needed in peak times. The ferry ride over is scenic and takes about 15 min one way. Once on the island, you can walk around on your own or take a guided tour led by a ranger. Inside the prison itself, there is a free self-guided audio tour, narrated by former inmates and wardens. Worth a visit if in SF.

Had a good time here. You can spend 4-5 hours for the entire experience including the ferry transfer. They have tours by park rangers and it is a good hiking experience as well. Great views of the city from the top.

Absolutely awesome experience, such a great place to go with so much awesome history to be told. Was lucky enough to have the warden at the time of the escapes daughter guide us on the tour. Even though back when that occurred she was just a small girl, to hear of her first hand experiences while looking at such a famous landmark and part of US history was a dream of mine and most definitely something that Ill never forget. Having it all wheelchair accessible was a bonus for me and the friendlyness of the staff was as outstanding as the entire experience.If ever given the opportunity to visit, its a must do from me and an experience all should experience.

I love the orange outfit they gave me. Showers, felt amazing. The beds, SO COMFORTABLE. I stayed in this hotel for a few years. Highly recommend.

What an amazing experience. My family of 6 thoroughly enjoyed citing Alcatraz. Even with a 5 year old and a 1 year old in a stroller we found almost everything accessible. From the historical storytelling to the magnificent views you will have an enjoyable time. BOOK ON ADVANCE, this is a must if you plan to visit, especially if you want to do the night tour. 5 Stars

They are doing a great job with social distancing. Only 150 people max are allowed in the park per hour and visitors can only be outside for the most part. There only one exhibition open inside one of the buildings. It is worth visiting during pandemic.

Such a cool experience and place to visit. I absolutely loved the feel of walking through this once high security prison. The audio tour was really cool and fun as well. Im from Australia and this was an overall great experience and would recommend to everyone to go there! Loved it.

When l originally booked our night tour l was super excited. 2 days before the tour they cancelled on us. It’s been 1 1/2 months and several emails later and we still have not received a refund. l will NEVER do business with them nor will l recommend them to friends and family!!!

Amazing place. We decided to dress up like inmates...and boy we felt like celebrities as everyone wanted pic6with us! Even the safe played alone in jokes. The head set was so interesting to listen to. The outside areas were beautiful to explore. Id definitely return, I feel like one day just wasnt enough!

The cells were closed off due to COVID, so that was disappointing. But its a great place to experience.

Definitely worth the money! You not only get to see the infamous prison and learn about its history, but you get to ride on a ship and bet breath taking views of the city. Make sure you do he full audio tour and follow it to the T! Also, the mandatory briefing at the start isnt really mandatory. The ranger might heckle you if you deviate though.

The Rock...well, YES..I have taken a tour. A whole lot of really, bad, bad, bad guys were put here. Have you seen the movie The Rock with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage? Great action flick!!!! Its worth taking a tour to come check this place out.

Love this little island, a definite must do if youre checking out San Francisco!!!

Visited in November 2019, so low season Id assume. Well if youve never been, it really is almost a must visit. The system going in and out runs well, but do be prepared to wait here and there for the boat. The audio tour helps make the visit far more interesting, but I cant help feeling it still falls a bit flat. It is still an interesting visit dont get me wrong. Worth it for sure, even almost purely for the status of it.

I do not advise you to visit during Covid 19 because all buildings (even the main shelter) and most places are closed, and because of this there is nothing to do, I was upset when I went there and found out about it already on the island. “This area closed for your safety” this is what they write.

We had a great time here. Its best done slow and steady because theres lot of ground to cover. The stories are interesting and the setting is perfect. We were also lucky to meet and hear an ex-inmate tell his own story. The birds and their nests are also an interesting side trip beyond all the prison stuff. The whole place is beautiful and feels like its frozen in time.

Was very interesting. Would love to go back once they have everything opened. We could only tour the outside due to COVD restrictions.

I took the tour and it was very interesting. It’s very cool to get to see American history on a little island. It make you wonder just how tough life was back in the days. If you going to go here it’s best to buy your tickets in advance online. It is always booked.

I gave this place a 3/5 because the ferry ride there and back was very nice. the staff was friendly and really enforced social distancing and healthy measures. around the island there were hand sanitizer stations.however, for the prison not to be open i dont believe the tickets should have been $40. The tickets should have been $20.on that note, it takes about 1 hour and some change to walk around and read the signs. it does get super windy, so if you get cold fast, I definitely recommend bringing a jacket.the flies did get pretty bad only when we were sitting at the dock waiting for the ferry to come back.at the end of the day its a great visit if you like history !

I have been fortunate to visit Alcatraz Island twice (and hope additional visits in the future). Each visit was similar but unique. The ferry ride to the island is nice and provided great views of the city and bay. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The first visit included hearing a former prisoner speak about his life and his stay on the island. The second visit included an author who lived on the island when she was a kid. Her father was a guard.Once on the island, take your time and explore. There are great views and many areas of the island to see. The foliage is beautiful. The free audio tour, which is available in many languages, provided a lot of information. The audio tour is educations and gives many insights into the prisoner’s time at the facility as well as the guards life on the island.The National Park Service strongly recommends making advanced ticket reservations. We purchased our tickets approximately 90 days in advance. This eliminated the need to wait in line to purchase tickets and allowed us to schedule the specific day and time we wanted to visit during our trip. The ticket price includes the ferry transportation (provided by Alcatraz Cruises) and your time on the island.

The tour that takes off from Pier 33 is great and I highly recommend it if you want some history of this infamous prison that was home for many known criminals like Al Scarface Capone and many others.The highlight is the audio tour that will give you a step by step history of the prison plus some attempts to escape that some prisoners have tried in the past.Audio tour is very detailed and it is a wearable audio device that you can pause/play depending on your desired pace throughout the island.Great piece of history if your in the San Francisco area.

One of those rare tours which is worth taking. The whole island is pretty large and itll take you a minimum 2 hrs to explore the whole place. Go find the audio tours first and follow the guidelines in it. The souvenir shop is pretty good too.

Wished we could have seen the inside of the buildings.Lots of smelly birds & incredible views all the way around

Alcatraz was AMAZING!! Very historical, it felt as if I was in a time machine. Due to covid we werent able to walk inside and visit the cells and cell blocks but we were able to move freely around the perimeter, the guides were very nice and answered all of our questions and there was even a gift shop for souvenirs!

First time here and well worth the trip! I highly recommend this for everyone. The audio tour was truly interesting and informative. I hope to come back again soon!

Absolutely gorgeous views and very interesting tour. Well worth it

Between the corona virus and bird migration along with the test of time, majority of the island Was sectioned off. Was still pretty magically, with the abnormal orange fog from the fires recently in Cali I think Igot to experience something only so Many ppl got to see. Staff is authentic Makes everything more Unreal. Bring a sweater

The best $40 tour Ive been to. After the boat ride they give you a briefing of what to see and where to go.you watch a movie about the history and then you go up to the big house and they equipped you with a tourbox with headphones.and all you do is listen to the stories told by the original cast and you can pause stop & start at your leisure by pressing the buttons on the box because really some of us do not understand directions turn right turn left you know some of us get lost.

This experience was so great! I took my kids on the night tour. Such a cool experience! Lots to see and learn. Very educational as well as just plain creepy and fun!

One of the best place weve visited! Stressed free and well maintained cleanliness..

Amazing experience. The audio tour is well put together. Some tips: skip the garden unless you really love gardens. There is a theater showing a short film on the way to the audio tour. Stop by, its worth it. The whole experience from the boat ride, to the audio tour, to the feel of the history on the island was superb.

Although I visited during the pandemic and the tour was limited to outdoors, the staff was friendly and courteous.

One of the best Tourist destinations in all of northern California. Not only do you get a nice round trip ride on a boat (obviously) but the views are outstanding from the island itself Of San Francisco, the East Bay, the North Bay, angel island, and of course the Golden Gate bridge. Once on the island its a self guiding tour, and you can stay on the island as long as you wish. boats come and go I believe every 15 minutes??? theres a ton of history. not just from the federal penitentiary years, but also the Civil War, and the Native American occupation of the late 1960s early 1970s which is a great deal of civil rights history in of itself.

Very fun though with covid no one is allowed inside the jail cells so that was a bummer. Definitely worth the trip though.

An amazing day.Recommend the behind the scenes tour.You see miles more and in a smaller group.The torrential rain at the dock made the whole experience somehow better....

We enjoyed seeing the old prison we went on a boat to get there and they put us in the (shoe) real dark , cold no cellular lol

This place was super cool... The audio tour was really interesting... Went home and watched Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood afterwards. The gardens vegetation and animals were way cool... and the textures... were... amazing! Really liked visiting here... So much cool diverse history on a little island. Definitely worth visiting... I would go again... Theres things I wanted to see that I didnt have time for... I wish the whole island was open but a lot of it is locked off. Too bad... Probably dont have the budget to restore stuff so its safe.

It was a beautiful place to see....

I enjoyed the island, however, with the Covid-19 restrictions I do not know that it is worth the money. None of the buildings or guides were available and if you have any children with you they may become very bored and begin to complain! On a positive note, there are a lot fewer people so if you want to experience the history and architecture from the outside, it is much quieter than normal. Know that the island is very steep in some areas, but they do offer a tram that can transport you to the top of the roads and back down, but there is a lot you wont see that way. Also, very windy so be prepared!

If youre ever in San Francisco. Alcatraz is a MUST place to visit. As a warning, I would recommend for you to order your TICKETS on line. Because they DO sell out FAST. Past two nights we were in town, they SOLD OUT! Especially the NIGHT tours. 2nd warning, wear your comfortable shoes because its lots and lots of walking and hills. If you like history as I do Alcatraz is full of history. Alcatraz is also worth every penny. Save the rock!

Spooky, ghosts are Real! :) a great place to visit if you believe in this kind of thing as well as Native American ceremony on indigenous day. Tours are great and boat ride is worth it.

Historical and a must visit place. Cruise is just 15mins from Pier 33. After getting down in the island, theres no hurry to rush for starting the audio tour. But preferably taking the first available tour/ferry at 8.45 AM will help to take tour at own pace and without too many people. Only in winter we get privilege to get access to seasonal trail, which is very scenic and we get good view of SFO down town from the island. Walking up to jail is very steep. For those who cant walk, volunteers run vehicles to take people up.Audio tour is very well designed, guides to walk around the entire jail and go back in time to understand what happened. After starting the audio tour, just follow the flow in the same sequence and itinerary to back in time is ready. Stories of escape attempts were amazing. And the stories of the inmates who were imprisoned here was scary!!When I walked around dark cells, couldnt imagine how scary it would be for prisoners. Prisoners were allowed to peek the city but never allowed to read current affairs, news etc. Library within the jail was huge and it also amazes that each prisoner used to read 120+ books per year. Thats a lot of reading!!!

Today, the islands facilities are managed by the National Park Service as part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it is open to tours. Visitors can reach the island in a little under 15 minutes by ferry ride from Pier 33, located between the San Francisco Ferry Building and Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco. Hornblower Cruises and Events, operating under the name Alcatraz Cruises, is the official ferry provider to and from the

Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963. The water currents around the island were high at all times, which presumably decreased the chance of an inmate escaping. Beginning in November 1969, the island was occupied for more than 19 months by a group of Native Americans from San Francisco, who were part of a wave of Native American activism across the U.S., with public protests through the 1970s. In 1972, Alcatraz became part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

An interesting trip, and I was quite surprised to see just how ruined the place was. Its really been left to rot for a long time with only small sections being either restored or kept.We were only able to view around the outside due to Covid on our visit. So much interesting history there, but such a light scattering available to read/see.

A member of the National Park club, Alcatraz is a great place to go if youre in San Francisco and want to experience some lesser known history. While some of the island is roped off because of erosion, the cell block is open to the public and they have excellently made audio tours available that explain each section of the facility. The boat ride to the island can be a bit choppy but the views are incredible and you can get some amazing pictures of the island and the San Francisco skyline.

Great historic place to visit, very interesting, would highly recommend the audio tour. The ferry trip there and back also offers great views and photo opportunities on a clear day. Allow approx 3 hours for the full trip.

Great place to visit if you are coming to San Francisco. It is one of the most visited places in SFO.

Really nice tour. Ferry ride takes about 12-15 min. Once there you get a small briefing about the different tours thes offer. You can take G guided tour, audio visual tour or a completely self-guided tour and move at your own pace. Ferries leave every 30 minutes so there is no need to rush yourself to see everything.Very highly recommended!

Awesome experience. I recommend it to any one who likes historical places

Went during corona time so I only experienced the outside of the prison. However, it was still cool to walk the grounds and the view was AMAZING. The only thing I didnt enjoy THE FLIES They are ruthless! Bring a jacket not only for the temperature but to protect yourself from the pesky flies

Went for a ride today, and really enjoyed it! Jay, our pilot, was extremely experienced, and shared many interesting stories about his life. The ride was very surreal, calm and breathtaking. It was an experience to remember, and we are really glad we did it. Thanks NVA!

Loved the audio tour. Tells great history of the place. It also has great view of entire bay. Gives a good insight on how the prisons operated and the still uncovered escape. Also maintained quite nicely. And is accessible to everyone with the small shuttle that runs to top of the hill where actual prison is from base/ dock.

I learned a lot about Alcatraz that I didnt know and had a great time. If youre in town, this is a stop worth making.

There is no way for you come to San Francisco and dont come to visit Alcatraz. The whole history about the prision is also part of the history of the city. I lived one of the best moments of my life here with a group of friends and my ex-girlfriend. Such a pity I lost all my pictures that I tooked that time. Also, it was much better when we came, because before there was many buildings you could come inside. Now, all the buildings are close and the main building have very restrict areas for you visit. But doesnt matter. Just the boat ride tour worths the whole trip!!!