Discovered in 1775, Alcatraz Island served during the Civil War as the most powerful military fort west of the Mississippi River. Although there were some modernization attempts after the war, its isolated location made it difficult to update its arsenal of enormous cannons, and it quickly fell behind the times. In 1907 it ceased functioning as a fortress and officially became a military prison.
In 1933, management of Alcatraz was transferred to the Bureau
of Prisons and it became a federal penitentiary. It was notorious for
housing the likes of Al Capone and the "Birdman," Robert Stroud. Known as "the
Rock" because
of its location in the Bay, Alcatraz was nearly escape-proof due to
the strong currents and cold water temperature surrounding the island.
This made it
ideal to house society's most hardened criminals, which it did for
nearly 30 years from 1934 to 1963.
Alcatraz is now maintained by the National Park Service.
While there, you can see the old prison cells as a tape-recorded tour,
narrated by former Alcatraz prisoners and correctional officers, lets
you hear
what life was like during its three decades as a federal penitentiary.
Location
Alcatraz Island is located a mile and a half from Fisherman's Wharf in
the middle of the San Francisco Bay. Blue & Gold
Fleet ferries are the only way to reach the island. They depart from
Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf.
Hours of operation
Ferries are available throughout the day beginning at 9:30 a.m. They
run every 30–40 minutes, both to and from the island. Closing times
vary according to the season: 6:30 p.m. in the summer and 4:30 p.m.
in fall, winter, and
spring. Alcatraz is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day, and in
cases of extreme weather.
For a complete schedule of departures, see the Blue & Gold
Fleet schedule.
Cost
With audio tour
Without audio tour
Adults $13.25
Adults $9.25
Seniors (62+) $11.50
Seniors (62+) $7.50
Children (5-11) $ 8.00
Children (5-11) $6.00
Contact information and reservations
Advance reservations are strongly recommended, using one of the following methods:
Call the Blue & Gold Fleet at (415) 705-5555. Call (415)
705-8214 for groups of 15 or more.
Disabled access
Visitors unable to make the climb up Alcatraz's steep road may take advantage
of SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport), an electric shuttle that
runs between the dock and the cell house.
Special considerations
Wear warm clothes and comfortable shoes.
There is no food service available on the island. (The exception to this is bottled water, which is available in the dock bookstore). A picnic area is available for visitors who bring their own food.
The weather on the island can be unpredictable and change suddenly. Fog is common in the summer, rain in the winter.
Admission to Alcatraz sells out as early as a week in advance in summer months and around holiday weekends.
Additional information
Visit the National Park Service's Alcatraz
Island Web site.
Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject
to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior
to your visit.
