       
Planning a visit to Alcatraz
 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. For a complete schedule of departures from Piers 31-33 see
the Alcatraz Cruises schedule on their web page.
ISLAND CLOSURES, TICKET AVAILABILITY, WEATHER
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
Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended and are
available by calling Alcatraz Cruises at (415) 981-ROCK [415.981.7625], or online at Alcatraz Cruises website, or in
person at their ticket booth at Pier 31-33, Fisherman's Wharf, San
Francisco.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
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.) INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
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. SELF-GUIDED TOUR
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. ORIENTATION VIDEO
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. EXHIBITS
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).
CELLHOUSE RECORDED
TOUR
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.
BOOKSTORES
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. EVENING TOURS
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 Hornblower's webpage at http://www.alcatrazcruises.com
ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
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.
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