How to See Alcatraz Island When You Visit San Francisco
A prison isn’t usually a tourist destination, but Alcatraz Island in San Francisco is a major exception. Touring the historic former penitentiary is…
All SF Tours
No Badge
No Badge
44 Reviews
Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour With Alcatraz Ticket
The best of the famous waterfront and the infamous prison
$99 per adult
Includes $45.25 Alcatraz ticket
-
Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
$99 per adult
$99 per adult$99 per adult
Includes $45.25 Alcatraz ticket
-
Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
Highlights
- Hear about San Francisco’s colorful history, from Gold Rush fever to earthquakes to commerce.
- See the food stalls selling regional treats like sourdough and Dungeness crab.
- Explore Ghirardelli Square and learn about the chocolatier who started it all.
- Check out the vibrant entertainment area of Pier 39 and its colony of sea lions.
- Take a cruise to Alcatraz Island and tour the historic prison.
What you'll do
We’ll start on the north end of Fisherman’s Wharf. As you enjoy those beautiful bayside views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, you’ll hear how San Francisco grew with the Gold Rush boom, cable cars, and even earthquakes to become the global metropolis it is today.
Walk with your guide along ...
We’ll start on the north end of Fisherman’s Wharf. As you enjoy those beautiful bayside views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, you’ll hear how San Francisco grew with the Gold Rush boom, cable cars, and even earthquakes to become the global metropolis it is today.
Walk with your guide along the waterfront where food stalls selling regional specialties like crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls line the path. We’ll even walk a section of the Barbary Coast trail and learn about its unsavory past.
Over at Pier 39, you can hang with the sea lions, admire the historic ships, and get to know this lively entertainment district.
Afterward, you’re ready for your cruise to Alcatraz Island. Your guide will show you where to find the boat. There are great views of the skyline on the ride over, so be sure to bring your camera.
Once you’re there, enjoy your self-guided tour of the island, including the notorious prison. There’s WiFi on the island so you can access the audio guide on your smartphone. Then you’ll return to Fisherman’s Wharf — a perfect day by the bay.
Itinerary
-
Aquatic Park
Viewpoint for Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, ships, and more
-
Ghirardelli Square
Where the world-famous chocolate began
-
Waterfront
Featuring food stalls with clam chowder, Dungeness crab, and sourdough
-
Barbary Coast Trail
A portion of the historic trail that was once a red-light district
-
Pier 39
For sea lions and historic ships
-
Embarcadero Promenade
Filled with amusement piers, art deco streetcars, and restaurants
-
Alcatraz
Self-guided tour of the island and historic prison with roundtrip cruise tickets included
Make this tour private
Book this tour for just your group, starting from $99 per adult.
Book Private TourPlan your trip
Alcatraz ticket
This tour includes a cruise to and from the island plus your ticket to tour Alcatraz ($45.25). The island has WiFi, and you can access the audio guide on your smartphone.
Reviews
44
Great Tour
We loved this tour! Chet was a wealth of knowledge and gave a fantastic tour. The length of the walking tour was just right and then we were off to Alcatraz on our own. We would definitely recommend this tour. Chet was wonderful.
— Julia
It was a wonderful experience for the first time!!
See the inside of Alcatraz and learning history about the island itself.
— Angel
Meeting point
Meet your ExperienceFirst guide on the corner across the street from the Buena Vista Cafe, which is located at 2765 Hyde St.
On the corner across the street from the Buena Vista Cafe
FAQs
How much walking is there?
Our tour of Fisherman’s Wharf includes a mile of walking at a moderate pace. If mobility is an issue, please arrange for a private tour.
Is the tour of Alcatraz guided?
This tour includes a ticket to Alcatraz ($45.25) for a self-guided tour of the island. An audio guide, accessible via your smartphone, is available. The National Park Service only allows one official provider to offer cruises to the island. After your Fisherman’s Wharf Walking tour, which covers some Alcatraz history, your guide will show you where to find your cruise.
What is the cancellation policy?
For the walking tour, we offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the tour start time. For the Alcatraz ticket, you can cancel up to four days (96 hours) prior to your tour time and receive a full refund. Cancellation within four days will be subject to a fee.
What if it rains?
Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we’ll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund.
What about gratuities?
Tips are always appreciated but never expected. They’re a great way to tell your guide they did an awesome job and show your appreciation.
SF travel guides
How Fisherman’s Wharf Became Famous — And What To See Today
Every major city has a designated “tourist zone” that visitors love but locals tend to avoid, and in San Francisco, it’s Fisherman’s Wharf…
