• Visitor during the evening tour of Alcatraz gaze into the many cells that line up the corridor known as

    Alcatraz Island

    California

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  • Alcatraz Historic Preservation Projects

    Between 2011 and 2013, we are spending significant resources to make improvements to both the visitor experience and also to preserve the many historic buildings on the island. More »

Guided Tours

Alcatraz Island as seen from the Presidio of San Francisco.

The Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin . It is also available in an English Braille version. It is included when you purchase your ferry ticket. The audio tour covers the inside of the cellhouse (at the top of the island) during the penitentiary era (1934 - 1963). To obtain refunds for the audio tour should you not wish to or not be able to utilize it ask for a supervisor in the cellhouse. Additional exhibits and videos available on the island (at no additional charge) cover other aspects of Alcatraz's unique history.

Daily information regarding special programs, guest authors, and other opportunities to learn about the history of Alcatraz is covered in an orientation you will receive on arriving on the island, and on program boards at the dock and in the cellhouse.

Did You Know?

Red Power painted on an Alcatraz building.

In November of 1969 American Indians being relocated and terminated by the U.S. government occupied the then vacant island of Alcatraz. Their 18 month occupation would bring an end to the federal termination policy, saving the tribes.