After months of closure from the COVID-19 pandemic, Alcatraz reopens to OUTDOOR ONLY tours on August 17th! This desolate island rock in the middle of the San Francisco Bay has quite a fascinating history strewn across the exterior! “The Rock” has reinvented itself from a lighthouse, to a military fortification, to a military prison, to an infamous federal penitentiary, to Native American occupation and now a bird sanctuary and National Park treasure.

Take a step back in time to the eerie maximum security days when ruthless criminals such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly strolled the austere cellblocks. The federal prison was open for only 29 years when the last inmate left in 1963 but housed the most ardent criminals which has had a lasting legacy and a fascinating subject of movie lore to this day.

After a 15 minute ferry ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, you will be greeted by a park ranger who will continue the outdoor history tour. Learn more about the prison's brutal history with intriguing tales about its legendary residents, the graffiti left in tact on the island when occupied by Native American activists in 1964, the lighthouse and more.

“Indians Welcome” read one sign. “Peace and Freedom Home of the Free” and “Welcome to Indianland” appeared on the water tower. An important historic preservation of the islands brief 19 month occupation. Although fraught with controversy and a tragic ending, its lingering impact paved the way for Native American activism in government today. 

You can feel a savage awakening of the cold-hearted aura of the islands past in its current occupants. Seagull combatants fall from the sky locked in a brutal battle over dominant status. Or perhaps over a food. Or a mate.  They squabble. They posture. They fight. Beaks become iron fist like past mammalian inmates. Now cormorants, seagulls, egrets and guillemots are the established ruling occupants of this rocky home. Despite Alcatraz defined as meaning "pelican" or "strange bird" - I’ve never seen a pelican land there.

Explore areas outside the prison walls to the sounds of bickering gulls, ocean swells and the occasional distant fog horn echoing in the distance. Learn more about the extensive history of Alcatraz, from the Civil War to its lighthouse, the first one built on the west coast to National Park.

TIPS

If you snag tickets to new The Alcatraz Outdoor Tour consider yourself very luck. A limited number of tickets are sold and they go fast so be sure to book it well in advance. To purchase Alcatraz tour tickets day or night call (415) 981-ROCK or visit Alcatraz Cruises. 

Food is not allowed or served on the island. Fill your bellies before departure.

Add time to your travel for parking. Alcatraz Cruises recommend these parking lots but make sure to take note of closing time. There is off street parking however the meters run 2 hours. I parked at Imperial Parking Garage on Bay St because it's 24 hours and close to Pier 33 which opens at 8am....and not a minute earlier.

You must adhere to all requirements to ensure your safety as well as the staffs. This will change over time so make sure to check that you have all the required protection needed. Be patient and be kind as we all navigate this pandemic world together.