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Alcatraz Island and Guided San Francisco Tour

Alcatraz Island and Guided San Francisco City Tour

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Duration: 8 hours

Overview

Do more, see more with this San Francisco Alcatraz tour package. Includes tickets for the Alcatraz Prison tour. During the morning San Francisco city tour, see attractions like the Presidio, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and Coit Tower. Stop and explore the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End and Twin Peaks.

Included

  • Alcatraz Island tour tickets
  • Fully guided San Francisco bus tour
  • Multiple stops to photograph and explore
  • Golden Gate Bridge toll
  • Pickup at two major San Francisco hotels
  • Local guest services assistance

Excluded

  • Meals or beverages
  • Guide gratuity

Important information

What will we see during the city tour?

Easily the comprehensive city tour of San Francisco, we take you to visit the: Ferry Building, Marina District, Palace of Fine Arts, Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman’s Wharf, Land’s End, Cliff House, Castro District, Chinatown, Union Square, Lombard Street, North Beach, and, of course—Golden Gate Bridge!

Is the Alcatraz portion of the tour guided?

All tours of Alcatraz are operated by the National Park Service. While rangers are available for questions, the primary content of the tour is delivered through an audio guide available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish languages.

What should I wear?

San Francisco can be chilly in the morning so it’s best to dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals.

Do I need to bring my ID?

You must present valid government-issued photo identification to pick up your tickets at Alcatraz Pier 33. A photocopy of a passport suffices as valid photo identification.

What should I bring?

Besides your valid government-issued ID, bring a light water-resistant jacket, camera or phone, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, umbrella (if the forecast calls for rain), and a credit card or cash for purchasing souvenirs or snacks.

How much time will I have on Alcatraz island?

The amount of time you can stay on Alcatraz Island is up to you. Return ferries to San Francisco leave the island about every 20 minutes. Most guests find that 2 hours is sufficient time to do the complete prison tour. The ferry between Alcatraz Island and San Francisco takes about 15 minutes.

Is Alcatraz accessible for those with disabilities?

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is fully accessible. Many areas on Alcatraz Island are also accessible with the use of the S.E.A.T. (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram.

Why not purchase Alcatraz and a city tour separately?

First, the combo tour makes for an easy, seamless day in which we pick you up at your hotel and deliver you to Pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz. Also, our contract with the National Park Service allows us access to Alcatraz tickets only when they are part of a tour package.

Are meals included? Can I buy or bring my own?

Meals are not included on this tour. There are multiple food options available in Fisherman’s Wharf where you can purchase lunch or snacks. Please note that food is not permitted on Alcatraz Island.

Do I need to be at Pier 33 - Alcatraz Landing before my departure?

We will manage the day so that you are at Pier 33 one half-hour prior to your departure time to check in. You must present valid government-issued photo identification at the will call booth to collect your Alcatraz tickets.

Why is this tour non-refundable?

Tour operators like Extranomical must purchase the Alcatraz tickets in advance and they may not be transferred or refunded after purchase.

How do I collect my Alcatraz tickets?

When you arrive at Pier 33, there is a separate “Will Call” line for visitors to pick up prepaid tickets. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time to check in. You must present a valid government-issued photo ID or passport.

Are there dining options on Alcatraz Island?

There are no dining options on the Island. Guests may bring bottled water to drink. Please plan accordingly and enjoy your lunch after the City Tour and before your Alcatraz experience.

Highlights

More information

Highlights on this San Francisco City Tour with Alcatraz Tour

  • Tickets for the Alcatraz ferry and 3+ hours to enjoy the Alcatraz Island prison tour
  • Comprehensive San Francisco tour that includes Fisherman’s Wharf, the Presidio, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown & more
  • Fully guided tour makes stops to explore and photograph the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Land’s End and Twin Peaks
  • Time for a seafood or pasta lunch in Fisherman’s Wharf or North Beach (not included)

SF and Alcatraz Tour Details

This is a complete San Francisco City and Alcatraz Island tour. Ride in comfort, walk the streets and float the bay as you visit the city’s top attractions PLUS experience the Alcatraz Island Prison Tour.  Go way beyond “hop on hop off”. Avoid fretting over last-minute Alcatraz tickets. Your city insider guide will deliver an incredible San Francisco sightseeing adventure.

After a convenient morning pickup at most San Francisco hotels, your city tour begins on San Francisco’s waterfront and rolls through the Marina District. At the lovely Palace of Fine Arts, you will have the chance to stop and photograph the historic building and grounds.

Then, on to the main event—a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge!

This San Francisco city highlights tour will take you to Land’s End where you can stretch your legs while overlooking Sutro Baths and the Pacific Ocean coastline. Later, you will be blown away by the beauty of Golden Gate Park.

Later, you will be blown away by the dramatic views of the entire city from the top of Twin Peaks.

For the last portion of the tour, your guide will explain the historic and cultural importance of neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury,  Castro, Nob Hill, and Chinatown. Finally, in North Beach, we’ll point out Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Washington Square and more.

The Alcatraz Trip

When the San Francisco tour concludes, you will have an hour and change to pick a restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf or North Beach. When you’ve had your fill, make your way to Pier 33 to board your ferry for the Alcatraz Island Prison Tour. The 15-minute sail has incredible views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay and Angel Island  — have your camera ready!

On arrival to Alcatraz Island, pick up the Cellhouse Audio Tour included with the purchase of this San Francisco and Alcatraz tour package. Hear the voices of prisoners and guards describing their experiences at Alcatraz in English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Dutch or Mandarin.

After touring on Alcatraz Island to your heart’s content, grab one of the returning ferries back to Pier 33. If you’ve worked up an appetite or thirst, there are plenty of Fisherman’s Wharf options before making your way back to your hotel.

Why choose us:

Alcatraz in San Francisco is wildly popular and frequently sold out. This San Francisco and Alcatraz tour package allows you to enjoy the most comprehensive San Francisco city tour and avoids the anxiety of securing hard-to-get Alcatraz tickets. Guests love the convenience of a hotel pickup and the support of a guided experience that makes stops to enjoy iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

As part of our commitment to a sustainable environment, Extranomical Tours supports NatureBridge, whose proven in-the-field programs at national parks inspire self-discovery and environmental stewardship in young learners.  Help us by donating at checkout.

Things to Know:

We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your Alcatraz departure time at Pier 33.

Food & beverage service is not available onboard the ferry or on Alcatraz Island.

Hand sanitizer and washing stations are located at Alcatraz Landing, onboard ferries and on the Island

SF and Alcatraz Day Trip Itinerary

08:30 AM to 10:00 AM

  • Convenient pickup at two major San Francisco hotels
  • See Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and the Marina District
  • Stop and explore picturesque Palace of Fine Arts

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

  • Cruise across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
  • Stop at a spectacular vista for photographs
  • Take in the Pacific Ocean coastline at Land’s End
  • Enjoy panoramic views of Sutro Baths and the Cliff House

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

  • See Golden Gate Park, including the California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, and the de Young Museum
  • Stop for the stunning views from the top of Twin Peaks
  • Learn the fascinating history of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury
  • Roll through San Francisco’s Castro and Mission district neighborhoods

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

  • Enjoy views of Chinatown, Nob Hill, and the Financial District
  • See North Beach, home to Coit Tower and crooked Lombard Street
  • Enjoy lunch in North Beach or Fisherman’s Wharf (not included)
  • Say “hi” to the famous San Francisco sea lions

1:30 PM to 5:00 PM

  • Board your ferry for the Alcatraz Island tour at Pier 33
  • Enjoy the "The Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour" (foreign languages available)
  • Free time to explore Alcatraz Island; take a return ferry to Pier 33
  • Return to your San Francisco hotel

Read more helpful articles about Alcatraz in our BLOG.