Located in the glittering San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island lies just over a mile from the mainland. Originally home to large colonies of brown pelicans, its name is derived from the affectionate term “la Isla de los Alcatraces”, given to the island by a visiting Spanish Lieutenant in 1775. Today, the island is most famed for its foreboding prison, which has housed some of the most notorious gangsters in the US, including the infamous Al Capone.
The only way to get to Alcatraz is by a ferry operated by Alcatraz City Cruises, which leaves from Pier 33 on the San Francisco Embarcadero. This is the waterfront boulevard running from Fisherman's Wharf to the Ferry Building – also known as the Alcatraz landing.
Advance booking of tickets is recommended as they can sell out weeks in advance during summer months and holiday weekends.
You can either choose one of the guided tours, which are run by National Park Rangers and volunteers, and include discussions around the occupation of Alcatraz, its legacy, cell door demos and much more. Alternatively, you can undertake a self-guided tour.
When you arrive at Pier 33, you can get a brochure with a map of Alcatraz and other useful information. Booklets about Alcatraz are also available on the Alcatraz dock for $1.
Alcatraz was never no good for nobody
Whichever tour you decide to do, we highly recommend the 17-minute video presentation at the start which covers the island’s 200 year history, including its stint as the Pacific Coast’s first ever lighthouse, and offers unique insight into this formidable landmark.
They also operate a night program with guided tours, which leave the mainland at 6.30pm and return by 8.45pm. These are always popular, offering a chilling insight into the prisoners' conditions by the light of the moon, with spectacular views across to the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.
It's worth noting that there is a rather steep hike up from the dock to the cellhouse, equivalent to a 13-storey climb. The good news is, there is an alternative SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) option – an electric shuttle that runs every half an hour from the dock at its base to the cellhouse and back.
Alcatraz is open 362 days a year (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Year's Day. In rare cases it may be also be closed due to extreme bad weather) In summer, Alcatraz closes at 6.30pm and 4.20pm in the fall.
Layers are definitely recommended as weather on the island can be unpredictable and it is often chillier than the mainland.
If you're interested in visiting the island and prison and want to incorporate it into your charter itinerary, please speak with a recommended yacht charter broker.
Alternatively, you can begin planning your next vacation by viewing the entire fleet of superyachts available for USA yacht charters.
