Review: Alcatraz Island

Tell me: What’s this place all about?
You may know it by its real name or you may know it as “The Rock,” (thanks Nic Cage!). It is the prison that was open for 29 years and, at one point, housed gangster Al Capone. It became notorious for failed escape attempts—the island is just 1.25 miles offshore and, lured by the glittering lights of the city, 34 prisoners tried their hand at getting out and swimming through the frigid, choppy waters to freedom. Today, you can take a 12-minute ferry ride to view the ruins of the prison and learn more about the island's history. It’s one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations, so reserve a time slot in advance through Alcatraz Cruises—buying one of their ferry tickets to the island gives you full access to the historic grounds.

What’s it like being there?
Alcatraz affects its visitors differently: Some are stunned, amazed, or saddened by its history. Others are awestruck by the views of the San Francisco Bay from the island. The vibe can also depend on what time of day you go. During the day, it's a fascinating tour. But, by night, it's creepy in the best way.

Is there a guide involved?
Very much. When you arrive, you line up to get audio tour headsets. Though the audio tour is long, the commentary is not to be missed.

Who comes here?
A massive number of visitors come through Alcatraz, from local students coming for school to international tourists, each year. Most take the same route, listening to the headset as they go.

Did it meet expectations?
The history and stories of Alcatraz are incredible and even the views from the ferry ride will impress. If you like procedurals or true crime podcasts you’ll particularly love it. It does, however, get quite crowded. Make your reservations well in advance and if you can snag a spot on the first morning’s ferry, do it. People on the first boat will have a better time touring before it gets too packed. Many people love the night tour (which books up even sooner than the day tours) for its eeriness and glittering views of the city lights.

What kind of commitment is a visit here?
Including the ferry trip, Alcatraz will take a minimum of 2.5-3 hours; many visitors spend the better part of their day there. There’s a lot of walking on the island, including a steep hill from the dock to the prison cellhouse.