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…
North Beach Walking Tour With Alcatraz Ticket
Explore this classic SF duo: a famous neighborhood and infamous prison
$99
€86
£75
C$135
A$142
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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
€86
£75
C$135
A$142
$99
€86
£75
C$135
A$142
-
Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
North Beach and Alcatraz highlights
- Discover the history and charm of North Beach with a local who knows its secrets.
- Step inside Saints Peter and Paul Church and hear tales of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe.
- Snap photos of Coit Tower, Lombard Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge from scenic viewpoints.
- Meet the sea lions basking on the floating docks at Pier 39.
- Take a cruise to Alcatraz Island and tour the historic prison.
- Upgrade to soar 150 feet in the air on the SkyStar Wheel.
- Add on a scenic one-hour bay cruise past the Golden Gate Bridge.
What you'll do
We’ll start our North Beach Walking Tour at Washington Square Park, the city’s first public park, where you’ll learn the surprising role it played after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Admire the vintage lampposts and Coit Tower in the distance. Step inside Saints Peter and Paul ...
We’ll start our North Beach Walking Tour at Washington Square Park, the city’s first public park, where you’ll learn the surprising role it played after the 1906 earthquake and fire. Admire the vintage lampposts and Coit Tower in the distance. Step inside Saints Peter and Paul Church to see its Italian marble altar and hear about its celebrity connection to Joe DiMaggio.
Your guide will show you an unexpected viewpoint of Lombard Street, sharing how the famous winding road solved a steep engineering challenge in the 1920s. You’ll even catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge.
We’ll end at the picturesque Pier 39, adorably overrun with sea lions enjoying the sun. But arguably the best view is from 150 feet above the city with your included ticket to a private gondola in the SkyStar observation wheel.
Afterward, you’re ready for your cruise to Alcatraz Island. Your guide will escort you to the boat. There are great views on the ride over, so be sure to bring your camera.
Once you’re there, enjoy a 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. There’s also an audio guide you can pick up at the prison for your tour inside the cellhouse — don’t miss this!
When you finish exploring, you can easily catch any of the returning ferries to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Of course, if you’ve selected one of our upgrades, there’s more waterfront fun in store. Take a ride on the SkyStar Wheel for panoramic views from 150 in the air inside your private gondola. Or you can upgrade for a one-hour cruise on the bay to get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and more. Feel free to return on another day to enjoy either of these attractions — your SkyStar ticket is good within 90 days of purchase, and your cruise ticket is good through the end of the year.
North Beach and Alcatraz tour itinerary
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Washington Square Park
San Francisco’s first public park, which played a pivotal role following the 1906 earthquake and fire
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Saints Peter and Paul Church
A Roman Catholic church with a celebrity connection
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Liguria Bakery
A North Beach institution baking up exceptional focaccia bread since 1911
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Lombard Street
An unexpected view of the famous Crooked Street, an engineering marvel when built in 1922
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Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint
A scenic view to capture a photo of the iconic bridge, framed by bay and skyline
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Pier 39
Where sea lions bask in the sun on floating docks
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Alcatraz
Self-guided tour of the island and historic prison with roundtrip cruise tickets included
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Optional upgrade: SkyStar Wheel
A ride in your own glass-enclosed gondola, 150 feet in the air
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Optional upgrade: Bay cruise
With stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and audio guide included
Plan your trip
Tour ending point
The guided portion of this tour ends at the departure point for Alcatraz.
Alcatraz ticket
This tour includes a cruise to and from the island plus your ticket to tour Alcatraz. The island has WiFi, and you can access the audio guide on your smartphone.
Upgrades
There are two optional upgrades if you’d like to enhance your visit. Enjoy a ride on the SkyStar Wheel or a one-hour cruise along the bay!
Meeting point
Where we meet
Volunteer Firemen Memorial, Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA
Open map
We’ll meet at Washington Square, beside the Volunteer Firemen Memorial located at 600 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133. Your guide will be holding an orange sign with ExperienceFirst on it.
North Beach Walking Tour and Alcatraz FAQs
How much walking is there?
Our tour of North Beach includes a mile of walking at a moderate pace. Once you get to Alcatraz Island, the amount of walking is up to you, but there are some inclines, so we recommend good walking shoes.
Is the tour of Alcatraz guided?
This tour includes a ticket to Alcatraz 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?
Due to the nature of Alcatraz tickets, this experience isn’t available for refunds or rescheduling.
Is this tour accessible?
This tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. If mobility is an issue, please contact us for a private tour.
What do I need?
Please note that a government-issued photo ID is required for every person 18 years and older who books tickets to Alcatraz Island. You’ll need it when picking up tickets at the Alcatraz City Cruises Ticketbooth, and it may also be required in the boarding area. Thank you for ensuring a smooth check-in process.
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.
How do the upgrades work?
There are two optional upgrades if you’d like to enhance your visit. Enjoy a ride on the SkyStar Wheel or a one-hour cruise along the bay. Both of these upgrades can be completed anytime during your stay in San Francisco. Your guide will give you instructions on how to redeem these upgrades at the tour.
Are gratuities included?
Tips aren’t included but are always appreciated by our guides. If you think your guide did an outstanding job, a tip is a great way to show that.
Do you have gift certificates?
Yes! If you want to give the gift of San Francisco (or any of our destinations) to someone else, you can purchase a tour gift card. Our gift cards are good for any of our tours, and they never expire.
SF travel guides
How to See Alcatraz Island When You Visit San Francisco
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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…
