Alcatraz City Cruises

Alcatraz City Cruises exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I boarded the ferry, I knew I was in for something special. The ride to Alcatraz Island offers stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay--perfect for photos and soaking in the beauty of the city.Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a unique adventure, Alcatraz City Cruises is a must-do in San Francisco. I can't recommend it enough--it's worth every penny and more!

Booked our trip online about a month out since we heard it sells out if you wait. Really glad we did because it was definitely packed when we got there. Definitely recommend booking ahead in general but especially during the summer. The loading area is off one of the piers. There's a model of Alcatraz with info about the prison that you can look at as well as a big sign you can take a photo with. Boarding was relatively painless. You board by your designated time. The interior of the boat has plenty of seating with large windows but you can also stand aft or forward and I think there was upperdeck seating as well.They have a small food and drink stand inside the ship. I brought some food but I was glad for the sandwiches they had available too. I ended up really needing one after my experience at Alcatraz.Boat trip was relatively quick, like 15 minutes. But it's just enough time to enjoy the sea and take some photos. The approach to Alcatraz is really impressive!

I have been to Alcatraz many times but we recently made a trip for someone that we know who had never been. I felt like Alcatraz City Cruises was super convenient to use and did a very good job. The boat was clean and there was plenty of seating, and, although it was very expensive, we were able to grab a hot dog and some waters before landing on the island. It was also easy to just walk up and buy our tickets and use the restroom and get in line for the cruise. There are announcements before you get on and while you are cruising which I think is probably helpful to a lot of people. I appreciate the good communication.I had to watch their staff deal with a ridiculous woman who apparently left her cell phone on the island with a friend on our return trip. She was hysterical and wanted them to turn the whole ferry around so that she could go and get her phone. I thought the stuff was very professional and stayed calm, especially considering how she was behaving. If they could bring their food and beverage prices down to a reasonable price point, I think they would probably be worthy of five stars.

Fabulous experience!!! We did the audio tour and learned so much. We spent some time speaking with the staff and were lucky enough to catch some of the presentations. So informational!! The island is a habitat now for seabirds, and the gardens are still stunning.I had been there a decade ago, and during the day your you used to tour the hospital wing. That's only available at night now. However, while chatting with Mel (who works there) about this, he delighted my husband and I by offering to allow us to quickly tour that wing! I highly recommend this tour company.

Had a great experience with this tour and company. Well worth the value. Booking online was a breeze and the staff is accommodating if you need help. Lots of open dates and times compared to a few years ago post-pandemic when spacing was limited. Great to know you can book this awesome tour for your trip to SF. Boat ride was smooth and quick - which is great because I'm someone who normally gets seasick. I did not take any Bonine or Dramamine beforehand and am happy to report I didn't need it. The boat crew is also really nice and funny! Lots of seating, multi-level boat. Go outside and up top for the best views! We weren't sure how much there was to see on the island, but we were shocked that we needed MORE time! Or at least could have used it. We did the night tour so the return schedule limited us to only a few hours of exploring. If we go back again, we would book an earlier tour time so we could spend more time navigating around and learning the rich history. It was cool to book the night tour when we did though because it was Halloween season, very spooky! The free audio tour is a MUST that goes through the penitentiary itself. Take your time and don't be afraid to hit pause! We took lots of pics and videos. 10/10 would recommend.

Very nice way to start our visit to the Island. They were timely. Ran frequently. Well organized.

"When in Rome"...or California, or however the saying goes. I mean come on if you are planning to visit San Francisco and have no idea when you'll return, a trip to Alcatraz is a must. And to have it include a boat ride and beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the sunset, this was near the top of the list. I had some knowledge of the history, such as the sit in that occurred and the escape of some prisoners (allegedly). And I was there in July, but let me warn you; bring a jacket! I am hot natured and even with a sweatshirt on the air coming off the water gets chilly. Plus returning after sunset means a few more degrees cooler. This goes without saying, but get your tickets as early as possible. Every tour fills up a day or two before. The boat experience seated atop the boat is a bonus if you are up for it. Pack the sunglasses, but seeing both bridges and the island are a view worth capturing every moment. Once you check in you receive a audio device that conducts a self-guided tour. One advantage of going earlier in the day is though you have a set time to board, you can catch any return boat after that. So take your time. There were literally surprises around every corner (inside and out). And the botanical life was also beautiful. Of course they have a gift shop with all the Alcatraz schwag you can think of. And one surprise for me was the temporary exhibit highlighting mass incarceration in the U.S. A topic of personal concern and societal frustration.

Excited about [finally] getting to head out to Alcatraz to experience this piece of history. We were lucky enough to head out on a very clear and sunny day. I just love SF weather when it is like that because it is cool but not too cold and the view is insanely beautiful.The ferry was easy and the staff was nice. Once on the island, you can choose the self-guided walking tour which we did. It is clear and easy to follow, I really liked the narration from actual guards who had worked there. Be prepared to WALK because it is uphill once you dock, and there is a lot to see on this rock.We took our time, and this place is definitely a historical part of SF that you must experience, whether tourists like us or locals like our daughter. It is a very sad, interesting, and must-see spot when in SF.

The main option to check out alaztraz. The ferry is fast and offers great views of the golden gate and bay. The island itself is meh, history and some views but i think i liked the ferry ride better. Again an iconic san francisco tourist spot worth checking out.

I really enjoyed my trip to Alcatraz. I went on a beautiful early spring day and mostly just wanted to enjoy the ferry ride! The audio tour of the cell house on Alcatraz was a nice touch.