Best time to visit
Arrive within the first hour of opening for the shortest queues and best photo light.
Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing)
Last reviewed June 2026 by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
About Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing)
Board a ferry across the bay to walk the cell blocks of America's most infamous federal prison, perched on a windswept island.
Reached by boat from Pier 33, this island wears many layers of history, from a defensive fort to a military prison to the high-security penitentiary that made its name.
What you'll see and do - Tour the Cell House and learn how the island served as a fort, a military correctional facility, and a federal prison. - Discover its role in Native American civil rights history, when the Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz for 19 months from 1969. - Join National Park Service daily programs, ranger-led tours, and special events that unpack the island's past. - Take in bay and city views and the island's natural setting alongside ongoing preservation work.
Attraction Details
Facilities
- Toilets
- Gift Shop
- Baby Changing
- Food Options
- Parking
- Pushchair Friendly
- Wheelchair Friendly
Events at Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing)
The Big Lockup Exhibit
An exhibition in the New Industries Building on Alcatraz Island exploring mass incarceration in the United States.
Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series
May-September
This speaker series highlights the voices of people who have spent time inside jails and prisons.
Comic Book Day
May 30
A celebration of Alcatraz in pop culture, featuring talks, tours, and activities exploring the island in movies, video games, and comics.
Comic Book Day: Day Tour
May 30
A special event for Comic Book Day on Alcatraz Island during the day.
Comic Book Day: Night Tour
May 30
A special event for Comic Book Day on Alcatraz Island during the night.
Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series: Leonard Boone
June 6
A session of the speaker series featuring Leonard Boone, sharing insights from his incarceration experience.
Formerly Incarcerated Speaker Series: Mariah Cenea
June 13
A session of the speaker series featuring Mariah Cenea, sharing insights from her incarceration experience.
Plan Your Visit
Family-tested advice for a smoother day at Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing).
Who it's for
All ages
Getting there
Onsite or nearby parking available at Pier 33.
Pro tip
Pack snacks, refillable water bottles and a portable charger to keep the day running smoothly.
Directions
Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing)
Pier 33, San Francisco, CA 94133
This attraction has been claimed and verified.
Last updated 6/23/2026
Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing) Reviews
Related Things To Do in San Francisco
Zoos Wildlife
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
San Francisco, California
A conservation-focused San Francisco zoo set among lush gardens by the Pacific coast.
Zoos Wildlife
Orange County Zoo (Irvine Regional Park)
Orange, California
A small, kid-focused zoo of southwestern wildlife set inside 495-acre Irvine Regional Park.
History Museums
USS Midway Museum
San Diego, California
Walk the decks of a storied aircraft carrier packed with real planes in San Diego Bay.
Water Parks
Knott's Soak City Water Park
Buena Park, California
Ride 23 slides and float a third-mile river at a 15-acre water park next to Knott's Berry Farm.
Aquariums
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, California
Drift past glowing jellies and head out on a whale-watching boat to meet the Pacific up close in Long Beach.
History Museums
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, California
Come face to face with multiple T. rex skeletons and life-sized dinosaur puppets in LA.
Trusted by millions of US families every year
Find and book unforgettable family days out across the USA with confidence.