Alcatraz Night Tour

There are a few different options when visiting Alcatraz Island but my favourite has got to be the night tour. With smaller group sizes and special tour activities you get to experience a side of Alcatraz that the daytime visitors don’t see. Plus it leaves your whole day free to explore other parts of the city and then drops you off a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf in time for a late dinner!

Located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island is San Francisco’s number one attraction. Known by many as “The Rock”, the island is most famous as a federal prison that housed the likes of gangster Al Capone. But before this the island was a seabird habitat, the site of California’s first lighthouse, a military fort and then a military prison. After a brief occupation by a group of Native Americans the island finally became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation area in 1972 and has been welcoming visitors ever since.

The island has also been the backdrop for a number of Hollywood movies including Escape from Alcatraz, Birdman of Alcatraz and of course 90’s action-thriller The Rock starring Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage. Movie fans can enjoy trying to spot the location of their favourite scenes as they make their way around the island.

Getting There

Alcatraz Cruises are the official tour operator for visitors to Alcatraz Island. Don’t be fooled by unauthorised vendors trying to sell you cheap tickets. Tours depart from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located on San Francisco’s famous Embarcadero. It’s accessible by car, public transport or a 15-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf. Tours are popular and can sell out weeks in advance during peak times. Try to get online and reserve your tickets as soon as you’ve settled on your itinerary.

Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the pier ahead of your cruise, departure times are strict and you don’t want to miss the boat. Once you’re lined up to board you and your group can have your photo taken in front of Alcatraz (through the magic of green screen!). Your photo will be printed and ready for collection from Pier 33 when you return later in the evening. Prices are as expected at a major tourist attraction but it can be a nice souvenir of your trip if you’re interested.

The Night Tour

The night tour has two departure times to choose from, check the website for details as times differ between seasons. Both departures leave Pier 33 in the daylight, giving you the opportunity to grab some great shots of the city skyline and bridges as you cruise across the bay. If your time in San Francisco is limited this can be a great alternative to a separate bay cruise.

Once you arrive on the island take your pick of the tours/talks that interest you or you can wander the island at your own pace and take in the stunning views. The main attraction is the Cellhouse Audio Tour. After making your way up the hillside to the cellhouse, collect a headset and let the voices of Alcatraz guards and inmates guide you through the building. The tour takes approx 35 mins and includes stories of attempted escapes, riots and daily life on Alcatraz. It’s a great way to immerse yourself into the story of Alcatraz and get a feel for what life must have been like on the island. You can pause and restart the tour as often as you like to spend more time in the areas that interest you. Don’t miss the chance to step inside a solitary confinement cell, not for the claustrophobic!

As the sun starts to set Alcatraz transforms into an eerily beautiful landscape of crumbling buildings set against twinkling city lights. Make sure to pause your audio tour at Eagle Plaza and take a moment to enjoy the views of San Francisco across the bay. Here you can feel how close the inmates were to freedom yet it was still out of reach. In the right conditions the sounds and smells of the city carry right across the bay. The fading light makes for some great photo opportunities too.

Behind the Scenes Tour

An optional extra only available at night is the Behind the Scenes Tour. It includes all of the Night Tour activities as well as an extra guided tour with access to otherwise off-limits areas. On our last trip we toured the Officer’s gardens, a tunnel linking the two sides of the island, the New Industries Building and hidden underground cells beneath the floor of the main cellhouse. This tour option comes at a higher cost but is well worth it if you’re interested in exploring Alcatraz a little further than the standard tour.

The Behind the Scenes Tour has separate departure times to the regular Night Tour so be sure to check the Alcatraz Cruises website for details when planning your visit.

Tips

Keep these tips in mind when planning your trip to Alcatraz and make the most out of your visit.

Buy your tickets early. They sell out fast and the Night Tour and Behind the Scenes Tour have limited availability and smaller group sizes.
Don’t forget your ID. Government-issued photo ID is required for anyone booking an Alcatraz Tour and must be presented when picking up your tickets at Pier 33.
Wear comfy shoes. The roads and paths on Alcatraz are paved but they are steep! The distance from the dock to the main cellblock is 400m or 1/4 mile with a change in elevation of 40m / 130 feet. Wear comfortable shoes and take your time. A tram is available for visitors with limited mobility.
Wear layers. While the sun may be shining brightly when you depart, most of the tour takes place in the middle of the bay at night. It gets cold out there so dress accordingly.
Plan ahead. You have to line up early anyway so use that time to check out the daily tour schedule displayed at Pier 33.
Don’t skip the gift shop. Allow yourself a little browsing time before heading back to the boat. All proceeds support the National Parks Service and you’ll find a wide range of souvenirs and gifts for all tastes and interests.

A visit to Alcatraz is a bucket list experience and taking the Night Tour gives you a whole new perspective of the island. Whether your interest is history, true crime, birdlife or cinema there’s something for everyone.

For more ideas on what to see and do in San Francisco check out my post on 10 Must-See Sights in San Francisco for some inspiration.

Have you been to Alcatraz? Do you prefer the Day or Night Tour? Leave a comment below about your favourite Alcatraz experience.

Getting There

The Night Tour

Behind the Scenes Tour

Tips

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