While our tours operate rain or shine, Alcatraz City Cruises will notify guests as soon as possible if their tour is cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions.
People Also Ask
Visit Alcatraz IslandA tour of Alcatraz Island on a rainy day adds to the already eerie experience. Explore the history of the infamous people who once walked the halls of this famous prison, now turned into a museum.
The Early Bird tickets are best since you are the first group on the island. I also like getting there as early as possible because then you can participate in some talks on the island. These usually start around 11 a.m. with the final ones in the early afternoon.
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is at the foot of Bay Street on the Embarcadero, between the intersections of Embarcadero & Bay Streets and Embarcadero & Sansome Streets. Please arrive one half hour prior to your departure time to check in.
It's just a question of preference – some travelers prefer Alcatraz prison day trip over Alcatraz night tour as they get to see more places that are closed during the night excursion. However, other visitors like the night adventure to Alcatraz jail and find it more fun and spookier to tour the island at night.
The roads and walkways on Alcatraz are steep. The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is approximately 1/4 mile (. 4km) and the elevation change is 130 feet (40 meters), the equivalent of walking up a 13-story building.
Food, drinks (including candy and gum) are only allowed on the dock. (An exception is bottled water, which is available in the bookstore on the dock on Alcatraz.)
The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and liable to change unexpectedly, so be prepared by bringing along a light jacket or sweater no matter how nice the day starts out.
Odyssey Alcatraz swims are approximately 2 miles long and can take anywhere between 20 minutes to over an hour based on your level of experience and the conditions. Swimmers are encouraged to wear a wetsuit due to the low temperatures, which can range anywhere from the high 40's to 65 degrees.
After visiting Alcatraz Island, be sure to plan a visit to other historic, cultural and culinary attractions in the Bay Area. Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is conveniently located to walk to many iconic San Francisco sights, such as Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the historic San Francisco Ferry Building and so much more.
Every year, there are a total of 18 overnight stays available on Alcatraz, and a staggering number of 200 to 400 groups compete for the opportunity to secure one of these spots.
Cell phone coverage exists throughout most of Alcatraz. Please always use handrails that are provided. Steps can be slippery due to weather conditions and moisture. Please do not leave visible items in your vehicle, regardless of where you are parking.
Is Alcatraz open to the public? Alcatraz is open to public tours. However, the Alcatraz docks are exclusively available to one ferry line, Alcatraz Cruises. So, the only way the public can visit this famous jail in San Francisco is to buy a tour and take one of the official Alcatraz ferries.