Travel Guide
Alcatraz Island
Everything you need to know β hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
About Alcatraz Island
The former federal penitentiary on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay that held Al Capone and other notorious inmates from 1934 to 1963. Ferries leave from Pier 33, and the acclaimed cellhouse audio tour, narrated by former inmates and officers, brings the prison's history vividly to life.
San-francisco
Insider Knowledge
Travel Tips
Book weeks ahead, especially in summer, through the official concessioner, Alcatraz City Cruises, and avoid third-party resellers.
Nearby
Must See Attractions
san-franciscoAlcatraz Island
The former federal penitentiary on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay that held Al Capone and other notorious inmates from 1934 to 1963. Ferries leave from Pier 33, and the acclaimed cellhouse audio tour, narrated by former inmates and officers, brings the prison's history vividly to life.
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san-franciscoGolden Gate Bridge
The 1.7-mile Art Deco suspension bridge painted International Orange, opened in 1937 and linking San Francisco to Marin County. Walk or bike across its sidewalks for wind-whipped views of the bay, then see the classic postcard angles from Battery Spencer, Fort Point and Crissy Field.
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san-franciscoMuir Woods National Monument
A protected grove of old-growth coast redwoods about 16 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, with trees over 250 feet tall and more than 1,000 years old. Flat boardwalk loops follow Redwood Creek, while longer trails climb toward Mount Tamalpais.
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san-franciscoNapa Valley Wine Country
California's most famous wine region, about 1 to 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, with hundreds of wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. Neighboring Sonoma is more laid-back and often cheaper. Expect Cabernet Sauvignon, vineyard views, farm-to-table lunches and towns like Yountville and St. Helena.
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san-franciscoSan Francisco Cable Cars
The world's last manually operated cable car system and a moving National Historic Landmark. Three lines climb the city's hills: Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason run from Union Square toward Fisherman's Wharf, while the California Street line crosses Nob Hill to the Financial District.
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san-franciscoSausalito Waterfront
A hillside bayfront town just across the Golden Gate in Marin County, known for its houseboat community, galleries, seafood restaurants and views back to San Francisco. Many visitors bike over the bridge and return by ferry, one of the Bay Area's best half-day outings.
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