HOURS OF OPERATION

The hours of operation vary with the season - departures are available throughout the day beginning at 9:30am. The ferry runs about every thirty to fourty minutes to and from Alcatraz. The island closes at 6:30pm in the summer, 4:30pm in fall, winter and spring. See below for information on evening tours, and the new Alcatraz/Angel Island tour. For a complete schedule of departures from Pier 41 see the Blue & Gold Fleet schedule on their web page.

Alcatraz is closed only on Christmas and New Year's Day, or due to extreme weather. In summer months and around holiday weekends Alcatraz sells out as early as a week in advance. See below for information on advance ticket sales. The weather on the island can be unpredictable and can change suddenly. Fog is common in the summer, rain in the winter.

Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended and are available by calling Blue & Gold Fleet at (415) 705-5555, or online at Blue & Gold Fleet's webpage, or in person at their ticket booth at Pier 41, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. For groups of 15 or more call Group Reservations at (415) 705-8214.

Some sections of Alcatraz are unsafe to visit. Areas closed to the public are well marked by fences or barricades. Collecting of any sort is prohibited. Plant and animal life are protected by law - DO NOT feed birds on Alcatraz.

The distance from the dock to the cellhouse at the top of the island is about 1/4 mile, the elevation change is 130 feet (equivalent to a thirteen story climb). 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 an hour from the dock to the cellhouse, and once an hour from the cellhouse to the dock.

No food service is available on Alcatraz, however there is a picnic area located at the dock. Food, drinks and smoking are only allowed on the dock. (An exception is bottled water, which is available in the bookstore on the dock on Alcatraz.)

Outdoor interpretive walks are offered throughout the day by NPS rangers and volunteers highlighting a variety of topics including military history, famous inmates, escapes, natural history and the Indian occupation. Program titles and locations are posted on the dock and in the cellhouse.

Enjoy the history of Alcatraz at your own pace with this 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.

Attend a 14-minute video presentation of the Island's 200 year history - an excellent introduction to Alcatraz. The theater is 50 yards up the road from the dock. For hearing impaired visitors, the video is captioned.

Several exhibits are located behind the theater, they present the various periods of Alcatraz's history, including the U.S. penitentiary (1934-1963), and the military history (1850-1933). A new award winning video (captioned) exhibit, "We Hold the Rock", presents the story of the occupation by Indians of All Tribes (1969-1971).

Join former Alcatraz inmates and correctional officers as they remember life on Alcatraz in this award winning 35-minute recorded tour. Pick up (rent) the tour inside the cellhouse. Available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and French.

Memorabilia, film, videos, and books about the Island's rich history are available for sale at the bookstores near the dock and in the cellhouse.

Beginning in 1997, a new program was started for evening visits on Alcatraz. These tours differ from the day time visits in several ways. Evening visits feature park guide-led tours to the cellhouse, the audio tour, Alcatraz Map & Guide, 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, ticket availability and purchase see the Blue & Gold Fleet webpage at http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com.

The National Park Service, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Blue & Gold Fleet, Inc. and Angel Island Tram Tours have initiated a program featuring a one day excursion to Angel Island State Park (the "Ellis Island" of the West) and Alcatraz Island (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). This unique Island Hop Tour is possible due to the partnership of federal and state agencies, profit and non-profit organizations. The tour takes approximately 5 1/2 hours.

For a schedules, prices, ticket availability and purchase see the Blue and Gold Fleet webpage at http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com.

The National Park Service administers Alcatraz Island as a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). GGNRA is part of the Central California Coast International Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere reserves are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote education and preservation of diverse and sensitive habitats of international significance.