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The hours of operation vary with the season. Departures from San Francisco are available throughout the day beginning at 8:45am. The ferry, operated by Alcatraz City Cruises, runs approximately every thirty to forty minutes to and from Alcatraz. You may return to San Francisco on any ferry. The island closes for the day at 6:30pm in the summer, and 4:30pm in fall, winter and spring. For schedules, prices, and to purchase tickets in advance (recommended) please visit the Alcatraz City Cruises website.
Alcatraz is open 362 days a year! The island is closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, or (rarely) due to extreme weather.
Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended. Tickets to Alcatraz may sell out several weeks ahead during summer months and around holiday weekends. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Alcatraz City Cruises.
The Alcatraz Night Program runs Tuesday-Saturday.
This program differs from the day time visits in several ways. Evening visits feature the audio tour, special programs on a variety of Alcatraz topics, and dramatic evening views of the San Francisco skyline. Some sections of the island open during the day are not open to the public at night. For schedules, prices, and to purchase tickets in advance please visit the Alcatraz City Cruises website.
The weather on the island can be unpredictable and may change suddenly. It's often chillier on Alcatraz than on the mainland -- we recommend layers! Fog is common in the summer, rain in the winter. Annual temperatures fluctuate between 70-45 degrees F.
There is no food service on the island. There is food service on the ferry to and from San Francisco.
Drinking fountains and water bottle refilling station are located by both restrooms - at the dock and near the lighthouse. Hot beverages are available for purchase from the Building 64 bookstore. Bottled water is available in all of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy bookstores on the island. Please only eat on the dock in order to protect the sensitive seabird population. Do not feed the birds. Human food is not good for them and dependence on it can lead to the death of a bird. Consuming food, tobacco, or nicotine products anywhere else on the island is prohibited. Bottled water is fine everywhere on the island.
The distance from the dock to the cellhouse at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile and most people complete the walk in 10-15 minutes. The elevation change is 130 feet (equivalent to a thirteen story climb). Some parts of the road up to the cell house are steep. We recommend comfortable, closed-toed walking shoes.
Visitors unable to make the climb up Alcatraz's steep road may take advantage of SEAT - Sustainable Easy Access Transport, an electric shuttle which runs once every half hour from the dock to the cellhouse, and once every half hour from the cellhouse to the dock. Learn more about Alcatraz's accessibility features here.
National Park Service Rangers, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy staff, and volunteers offer guided tours on a daily basis. When you arrive at the dock, listen to the dock announcement and see the program board for each day's schedule of programs.
These programs are included in the price of your ticket. Possible topics include: the Occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes, cell door demonstrations, discussions of Alcatraz's legacy, and more.
Explore the history of Alcatraz at your own pace with a map and written guide. Pick up the Self Guide brochure in English, Spanish, Italian, Spanish, German or Japanese at the dock for $1.00 per copy. A companion brochure on escapes is available in the bookstore near the dock or in the cellhouse.
Join former Alcatraz inmates and correctional officers as they remember life on Alcatraz in this award winning 35-minute recorded tour, included in the price of your ticket to Alcatraz. Pick up the tour inside the Cellhouse. Available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Dutch and French.
Memorabilia, film, videos, and books about the Island's rich history are available for sale by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, at the bookstores near the dock and in the cellhouse, and online.
Pets are not allowed on Alcatraz.
Service animals accompanying an individual with a disability, as defined by Federal law and Department of Justice regulations (Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations § 36.104), are allowed wherever visitors or employees are allowed. The park follows DOJ ADA Revised Service Animal Regulations.
See our webpage "How to Request a Police Report" for the process.
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Alison Taggart Barone |
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Last updated: May 22, 2025