As far as historic federal penitentiaries go, Alcatraz probably tops the list for most infamous — so for many, an Alcatraz Night Tour sounds not only educational but thrilling. What would it be like to tour this island at night? That’s exactly what I’ll share in this guide.
Of course, Alcatraz is famous not only for housing some of the most notorious criminals in American history but also because of its unique location in the middle of San Francisco Bay. On clear and fogless days, visitors can take in sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge and Berkeley Hills to the east, and the famous Golden Gate Bridge.
As many as 1.5 million people visit “The Rock” each year looking to learn not just about the former prison but also the island’s past life as a military fortress, the site of a years-long Native American occupation, and as an ecological preserve for plants, birds, and other wildlife.
So what is the best way to tour Alcatraz Island? There are three options you can choose from: the Day Tour, the Behind the Scenes Tour, and the Night Tour mentioned above. Which one you choose will most likely come down to your budget, how much time you have, and the type of atmosphere you’d like to experience.
Photos by Marnette Federis
The Alcatraz gardens were tended first by the military wives of the officers stationed there, who were cut off from San Francisco’s bustling gold rush era social scene by the turbulent waters of the Bay. Laer, they were tended by the staff and inmates of the prison. These gardens, filled with roses, herbs, fruit trees and carefree wildflowers, were small but powerful beacons of hope and sunshine in a place well-known for being stark and grim.
The Day Tour provides all of the essentials, and this is what we offer alongside our Fisherman’s Wharf tours — you get a tour with audio guide inside the cellhouse, a ferry ride to the island, and plenty of time to meander through the island’s many gardens and some buildings, some of which are only open during the daytime. The Behind the Scenes Tour, meanwhile, is a more intimate look at areas not usually open to the public but it’s the priciest of all the tours.
The Night Tour, as you might expect, lets you visit the island at night. And walking through a dimly lit, eerie, deserted prison at dusk is a truly unique experience. Curious what this experience is really like? Read ahead to find out.
The Alcatraz Night Tour is one of three offered on the island — boats for the night leave Pier 33 in San Francisco in the evening, usually from about 5:30-7 p.m. The limited departure times mean the number of visitors is also restricted, so instead of there being thousands of people on the island, only a few hundred can experience Alcatraz each night.
As you cruise toward the island, you can listen to a narrated tour about the history of Alcatraz as a military fort and its transformation into one of the most notorious prisons in history. The boat also circles the island so you can see areas that are often closed off to visitors.
With fewer people around, a peaceful feeling takes over while walking up the quarter-mile hike uphill toward the cellhouse. I took a quick peek at a small, seemingly unassuming building on the way up, which turned out to be the morgue. It was hardly used by the military and used only once during the prison years in Alcatraz — a deceased prisoner’s body was kept there overnight before it could be taken to the mainland. The building was later repurposed to house a backup generator.
With a darkening sky in the background, you step into the massive cellhouse, take your audio narration gear and look at the TV screen that shows a list of live talks and guided tours.
Park officials say these programs — as many as 8-9 per night — are unique to nighttime and are constantly changing based on staff interests. The night I visited, there was a talk about the birds that call the island their home and about banned books not just at Alcatraz but also in prisons across America today.
The guided tours are sometimes held in one spot or they show multiple areas and eventually lead back to the dock. One tour highlights the story of the three prisoners who pulled off the only known escape from Alcatraz in 1962. The guide points out where they climbed down the building, the hillside they scrambled down to get to the water, and where they put a makeshift inflatable raft to escape.
Whether they made it to the mainland alive is still a matter of debate.
One of the reasons that the Night Tour is so popular is the chance to see parts of the cellhouse that are usually closed during the day.
The older part of the prison, known as “A Block ” is occasionally open to night visitors, as well as the prison’s hospital wing. Many visitors relish the spookiness of the hospital. You walk up some stairs, through a dark hallway, and peek into the different rooms including the X-ray room and a room where Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz, spent 11 of the 17 years in isolation during his time at the prison.
But heads up, there is planned construction in the hospital wing sometime in 2024-2025 so this area may not be available until that project is complete.
Credit: Julian Kronlachner / sunset from the island on Alcatraz Night Tour
The best part of the night tour is the chance to get a spectacular sunset view from Alcatraz. It’s a unique experience, especially when there’s no fog and the skies are clear, which can be rare in the SF Bay.
Make sure you find a good spot to take in the sight. From the recreation area, you can go down the steep steps into the garden and gaze out toward San Francisco’s skyscape and the outline of the Golden Gate Bridge As the sun slips into the horizon, and the sky turns from light blue to yellow-orange to dark blue and black, the island’s rocky cliffs come alive with squawking birds settling in for the night.
Deciding which tour to take means weighing several things.
The Day Tour is more flexible schedule-wise because there are multiple options for traveling to and from the island — ferry boats leave every 30 minutes. You can also see more things outside of the cellhouse since some buildings are open for a few hours during the day.
It’s also best for families with young kids who want more freedom to run around and not be out too late at night. The Day Tour is a self-guided experience since you’ll use the audio guide in the cellhouse and, if you’d like, the Alcatraz app for the rest of the island.
Our walking tour of Fisherman’s Wharf includes the Day Tour and ferry to Alcatraz. Night Tours can be purchased with Alcatraz City Cruises.
At night, there is more variety with the live talks and guided tours. The focus is not just on history and the sensationalized parts of the prison, but there are also talks reflecting on social justice issues around mass incarceration.
Overall, the Day Tour is ideal for first-time visitors as it gives all of the basics and general historical information. But the Night Tour is perfect for those who have been to Alcatraz before and are looking to see the island from a different perspective. Park officials say the Night Tours are designed for locals or repeat visitors. The dark and minimal lighting creates a spooky atmosphere for touring the cellhouse.
And once you’re done exploring, you can enjoy San Francisco’s twinkling lights while making your way back to Pier 33.
Recap: In general, Day Tours are better for most visitors — and it’s what most visitors choose. But the Night Tour is a must if you want to visit the prison and island after dark.
Make sure you are prepared for the cold weather. Even if it’s warm during the day, weather in the Bay can turn on a dime, and you might find yourself freezing if you don’t bring an extra coat. It can get especially windy (and chilly) at night and during the boat ride so make sure to layer up for the ride back to Pier 33.
Watch your step while walking around the cellhouse and also in all of the areas outside of the prison. Some pathways are uneven and you have to watch your step especially when it gets dark.
Watch for signs around the island and don’t go where you’re not supposed to.
Make sure to take a photo of the live talks and guided tour itinerary in the area where you get the audio tour equipment. It’ll help you plan the night accordingly — take note of the meeting times and locations because they are different for the various talks.
Check the time for when the sun will set and make sure you have a good spot to watch. The Alcatraz gardens behind the prison’s recreation area are your best bet.
Most important tip of all: Remember that the boat return times are only every hour at night. Be mindful of when the last boat returns to the mainland. You don’t want to get stuck there. There will be plenty of reminders from park staff to make sure you literally don’t miss the boat.
Intrigue and mystique aside, a tour of Alcatraz Island at night is truly a unique experience.
There’s no better time to explore the island’s lush gardens and listen to the various birds of Alcatraz greeting each other as they rest on the rocky hillsides. As the sun sets in the background, you can reflect on the lives of the men who were imprisoned at Alcatraz — deemed to be too disruptive or problematic to be housed in other prisons.
Stories of daring escapes and infamous criminals are what draw most people to this iconic destination. But in recent years, the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy have also created an educational experience — challenging visitors to reflect on the fairness of the country’s criminal justice system.
The exhibits, live talks, and guided tours now address deeper questions around mass incarceration: recidivism, rehabilitation, and racial disparities.
Both the Night Tour and Day Tour give you time to reflect on these complex issues, though it’s even more poignant at night with fewer visitors.
But whichever tour you choose, visiting Alcatraz is a must while you’re in San Francisco. We hope to see you here soon!