Alcatraz Prison San Francisco Bay iconic American landmark tour

A Tour of the Big House — Alcatraz Prison in San Francisco Bay

San Francisco is a city full of icons, from the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, the curvy city street named Lombard, the bustling streets of Chinatown or the nostalgic clanging of the bell from one of the cable cars. By contrast yet equally iconic to all of those landmarks, one of our favorites just off shore with stunning views of the skyline. It’s time for a trip to the big house – a tour of Alcatraz Prison San Francisco. 

A view of Alcatraz, the iconic prison just off shore in the San Francisco Bay. Tours of the prison, known as The Rock are conducted daily by National Park Service.

It seems odd that a prison would become a tourist attraction. But Alcatraz is not some ordinary prison. Nicknamed The Rock, Alcatraz is arguably the most famous prison in the world. In a city and region that offers a lot for someone to do during a visit, Alcatraz stands strong as a must visit place, at least once during your visit to the city by the bay. 

If you’re like us and find touring former prisons interesting, check this out. While Alcatraz is the most popular prison in the US, number two might be the Ohio State Reformatory, also known as the Shawshank Prison. We’ve been, and you can read all about that adventure here.

Self guided tours of the various buildings at Alcatraz will give you a glimpse of prison life. From nicer more modern cellblocks, to primitive older versions to solitary confinement, you get a picture of what life was like for residents.
Self guided tours of the various buildings at Alcatraz will give you a glimpse of prison life. From nicer more modern cellblocks, to primitive older versions to solitary confinement, you get a picture of what life was like for residents.

History of Alcatraz Prison San Franscisco

Alcatraz has a rich history that pre-dates the fame it has acquired thanks to several Hollywood productions that have featured it. This tiny island, which sits only 1.25 miles off shore has been a part of several notable moments in history. On a tour of the island, you’ll learn about its involvement in the American Civil War, its legendary bird sanctuary, it’s being the home to the first lighthouse on the west coast of the US, the fascinating seige in 1969 by Native Americans which started the American Indian Red Power movement, and of course its time as a federal prison.

Solitary confinement at Alcatraz. A dark, isolated cell with only a few minutes of fresh air was the routine for those unfortunate prisoners.
Solitary confinement at Alcatraz. A dark, isolated cell with only a few minutes of fresh air was the routine for those unfortunate prisoners.

There are many famous stories with roots from Alcatraz. Likely the biggest name to be imprisoned on the rock was gangster Al Capone. The man known as Scar Face called Alcatraz home from August 1934 to November 1939. Other notables who were incarcerated there include George Kelley aka Machine Gun Kelly, Robert Stroud aka the Birdman of Alcatraz, and the trio that pulled off the daring escape that later became a blockbuster movie. Frank Morris and brothers Clarence and John Anglin became famous for their June 1962 escape attempt.

Hollywood History of Alcatraz

If you’re a fan of the 1979 Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz, you will love the tour. It provides you a chance to learn more about Frank, Clarence and John and what their life was like in prison. You will also see their actual cells, and see in detail what they had to do to just make it off the island and into the water. You’ll also have a chance to examine the churning current that surrounds the island, and draw your own conclusion as to whether they survived the attempt to find freedom waiting for them on the mainland. Evidence was recovered, but no conclusive proof on the fate of the three men that pulled off the escape attempt.

The tour of Alcatraz includes the history of the facility, as well as first hand storytelling from the prisoners who spent time incarcerated there.
The tour of Alcatraz includes the history of the facility, as well as first hand storytelling from the prisoners who spent time incarcerated there.

There have been a number of movies shot on the island in addition to Escape from Alcatraz. Most notably on that list for us was the 1996 thriller The Rock, starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris.

If you really think about your surroundings, the tour can be intense at times, especially as you think about time in solitary confinement, and the fact that the worst of the worst prisoners from the entire federal prison system were the residents. 

One of the photos on display from the National Parks Service is the courtyard at Alcatraz. You can see the prisoners playing baseball, with the steps causing a hazard in left field.
One of the photos on display from the National Parks Service is the courtyard at Alcatraz. You can see the prisoners playing baseball, with the steps causing a hazard in left field.

Bird Sanctuary

Alcatraz shut down as a prison in 1963. The lack of human activity was good for the local population of sea birds. Birds are plentiful on the island, with over 5,000 nests estimated to be on site according the parks service. You’ve been warned! There are a lot of birds, which was a bit much for us.

There are a ton of birds on Alcatraz Island. It is an official bird sanctuary, with over 5,000 nests throughout the area.
There are a ton of birds on Alcatraz Island. It is an official bird sanctuary, with over 5,000 nests throughout the area.

The island was left abandoned for about a decade. Prison tours did not start until 1973. During that time between being a prison and a tourist destination, a group of Native Americans claimed the island as their own. In March of 1969, a group of Sicangu Lakota Indians landed at Alcatraz to claim it as their own. They cited a 1868 treaty which stated that deserted federal land could be returned to the Sioux tribe. 

This political uprising was something we’d never heard of prior to our tour, never making our history books. The occupation lasted for over two years, finally ending in June 1971 when the land was reclaimed by the federal government and no longer abandoned. 

The bottom of the hill, near the pier where you come on Alcatraz Island. You can walk up the steep hill yourself or take the tram which will drop you off at the prison.
The bottom of the hill, near the pier where you come on Alcatraz Island. You can walk up the steep hill yourself or take the tram which will drop you off at the prison.

Alcatraz Tour Options

If you are interested in spending some time on the island, there are many options. They offer guided and self-guided tours, as well as day and night time options. Plan ahead as you’ll need a reservation due to the popularity of the attraction. You’ll need to purchase a ferry boarding ticket as well as an entrance fee to the park. The National Parks Service partners with Alcatraz City Cruises which makes it easy to get your visit arranged. Prices will vary based on the experience you select. We did the self guided tour, which was very nice and allowed us to go at our own pace. The recordings that you can listen to as you walk around the island do a great job of telling the story of the facility, the movies and the people who made Alcatraz special. 

There are many good reasons to visit Alcatraz, and it is something we do recommend you do once. You will see amazing views of the San Francisco skyline and of the bay. Your visit to Alcatraz island obviously includes a boat ride out, which we liked. It gives you a chance to see the bay upclose and be on the water of San Francisco Bay. The prison has a fascinating history, and we enjoyed hearing some of the stories about the history that has taken place on the island. 

A few things to know and keep in mind if you decide to go to Alcatraz. It is crowded; very crowded. Be ready to wait in lines, be ready to have patience as you deal with a lot of people all wanting to see the same things. There is never really an off season for tourism in San Francisco, though it is certainly even more crowded in the summer time, so be prepared. It is San Francisco and you’re out on the water so be prepared for the weather. It can be sunny and still be cold, and the wind is constant out there. 

If you have any mobility issues, keep in mind that the terrain is very hilly. The climb up from the boat dock to the prison is steep. They have a tram that will take you up, but the line is long. The island is wheelchair accessible, but there is also a lot of uneven pavement to navigate.

We weren’t big fans of the birds either. They are everywhere, and you’ll quickly realize you are visiting their home.

Alcatraz is a good destination for you while visiting the Bay Area. To visit Alcatraz prison is not a quick visit, as you’ll have to navigate the line for the ferry at Pier 33 in San Francisco, the trip out and back, and then time on the island. On island, plan on spending about three hours walking around, if you want to see it all. 

Planning a California adventure? Check out some of our other trip notes from California.

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