A Visitor's Guide to Alcatraz

There's only one ferry service that runs to and from Alcatraz, and it launches from Pier 33. If you are taking public transportation from downtown, the best bet is to get to Market Street via BART or MUNI or foot power, and take the aboveground F-Wharves tram line ($2 per adult for a two hour transfer) which travels along Market from the Castro neighborhood down past the Ferry Building through the main tourist area of Fisherman's Wharf. The ferries usually start running at 9 a.m. and launch every thirty to forty minutes until 6:30 in the summer and 4:30 in the off-season. If you are driving, there is street parking, but it's hard to get a space and the meters have a two hour time limit even if you do. There is a parking lot located at 80 Francisco Street (cross-street Kearny) that offers day parking just across the street from where the ferries launch and disembark.

During the city's summer tourist season (May to October), you'll want to purchase tickets at least two weeks in advance to ensure that you actually get the date you want. During the winter off-season, they can usually be had on the spot, but reserving at least a week in advance online is prudent. Tickets are purchased online through the Alcatraz Cruises website at www.alcatrazcruises.com.

Some important tips for preparation are to bring a light jacket if it is a warm day, as fog and wind come up over the Bay very suddenly and without warning. If it is warm when you launch that's no guarantee it will stay that way all day, and even when it's hot out you'll really feel the wind once you get out on the Bay. Also, be sure to pack your own snacks and beverages, because the "captive pricing" out there is insane, something like $3 for bottled water and $5-6 for juice drinks. Also, make sure you and the kids "go" first, as there are only limited public restrooms on the island and they apparently have trouble with the plumbing out there pretty often. Clean public restrooms can be found down at the Ferry Building before you launch.

There's a guided tour once you get to the island, accompanied by a free audio tour of the interior. You can skip out on being herded on the guided tour, however, and go it alone by purchasing a self-tour map for $1. You have the option of day and night tours; day tours have the advantage of allowing you to stay and explore as long as you like, while night tours will rush you back to catch the last ferry but will also provide opportunity for gorgeous sunset pictures at the right time of year. The only holidays that the island is closed for are Christmas and New Years Day, but they may also close down for extreme weather in the event of a major storm.

You should be aware that the whole island is not open to exploration, especially if you plan to wander on your own. Much of it is closed down for one reason or another so pay careful attention for markings. You are also not allowed to take anything with you from the island. Bird feeding is also illegal on the island.

Tours, audio and reading materials are available in English, Spanish, Italian, Spanish, German and Japanese.