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Activity Embarcadero, San Francisco

Alcatraz Island

An activity in Embarcadero, San Francisco, moderately priced ($$) and worth about 3 hours. Best time to go: Morning.

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Alcatraz Island in Embarcadero, San Francisco
Photo: Chris6d · CC BY-SA 4.0 · license

Why go

Ferry to the former federal prison and take the cellhouse audio tour.

It is one of 10 curated places we feature in San Francisco, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 2 sights. The closest of our other picks is Pier 39 Sea Lions, 0.6 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Activity · Culture
Neighborhood
Embarcadero
Price
$$
Time needed
3 hr
Best time
Morning

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond San Francisco. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Pier 39 Sea Lions

    Watch hundreds of California sea lions haul out on the K-Dock floats at Fisherman's Wharf.

    Sight · 0.6 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Buena Vista Cafe

    Bar at the cable car turnaround that popularized Irish coffee in the US.

    Drinks · 1.1 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    City Lights Booksellers

    Beat-era bookstore and publisher with a poetry room upstairs.

    Shopping · 1.5 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Vesuvio Cafe

    Two-floor bohemian bar next to City Lights, a Kerouac-era hangout since 1948.

    Drinks · 1.5 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Ferry Building

    The 1898 ferry terminal under a clock tower, now a marketplace of bakeries, cheese shops and oyster bars.

    Shopping · The Embarcadero & Ferry Building · 1.9 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Hog Island Oyster Co.

    Oyster bar in the Ferry Building run by a Tomales Bay oyster farm, with a window wall facing the Bay Bridge.

    Food · The Embarcadero & Ferry Building · 1.9 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Alcatraz Island is a stop on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in San Francisco

Alcatraz Island is our only activity pick in San Francisco; here is what else we recommend there. See the full San Francisco guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in San Francisco run from 56°F in January to 74°F in September; December is usually the wettest month. For Alcatraz Island itself, we suggest: Morning.

Modelled monthly averages for San Francisco from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full San Francisco weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Alcatraz Island, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
San Francisco Pier 33 - Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA, USA
Coordinates
37.81966, -122.40885
Destination
San Francisco, California
Website
nps.gov

Alcatraz Island: quick answers

How much time do you need at Alcatraz Island?

Plan on about 3 hours at Alcatraz Island. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Alcatraz Island?

Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Book with Alcatraz City Cruises weeks ahead; departs Pier 33.

Where is Alcatraz Island?

Alcatraz Island is at San Francisco Pier 33 - Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA, USA, in Embarcadero. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Alcatraz Island?

Alcatraz Island appears on Pacific Coast Highway, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Alcatraz Island to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to San Francisco.

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Also in San Francisco

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.