Part of our 5 day trip. Went early in the day as others on tripadvisor had suggested. the weather was cold so bundle up this time of year. The audio tour was a must do.. the recordings of folks that were on Alcatraz made the whole experience even better more

If you want to beat crowds go on early trip but be aware there are no good breakfast joints within easy walking of Pier 33 (their own cafe on site is absolutely awful). If you are keen to do the evening tour book well ahead by internet. The boat trips and visit to the island are excellent and good value.... more

If you've ever done Alcatraz by day you must do the night tour. What a different view of the San Francisco lights are from "The Rock" at night. Walking along the cell blocks st night, listening to the taped recordings of the prisoners talking is something that shouldn't be missed. One can only imagine what it was like for those... more

We booked the evening tour in advance and it was well worth it. You get an interesting overview of the prison from the excellent audio tour, then you could choose to listen to various talks or wander around. It ends with the 'sound of alcatraz' - they slam all of the cell doors for you so you can experience what... more

We utilized the Alcatraz Tours service. The ferry to and from the island ran quickly and efficiently. We walked through Alcatraz using the complimentary audio tour. I highly recommend going this route. The audio tour brings the whole experience to life. The entire experience--audio tour included--was very enlightening. We enjoyed every minute. Be prepared to budget 2-3 hours to fully... more

Initially I didn't want to go to Alcatraz, I thought it would be scary I guess, but boy was I wrong. The self guided tour is so good because you can do it at your own pace. The views back to San Francisco are amazing. more

We took the Alcatraz night tour in September and it was a great experience for the whole family. The boat ride over gives you some nice views, although it was very foggy so we didn't get the great views of the city that others have described. It was quite chilly outside, so be prepared to get cold if you show... more

For a round trip of just over a mile each way, the USD 26 fee per person is a rip-off, just like a number of other tourist trips in this expensive city, but it's still worthwhile for a once-in-a-lifetime visit. There is an audio guide included which tells interesting stories including the tale of the escape attempt in the 1960s... more

I must admit that a visit to " The Rock" was not on the top of my priority list, but I decided to give it a go...and I am so glad I did. Forget for a moment that you are going to a former US prison, and just enjoy the scenic views from the boat ride over and also walking... more