Alcatraz Prison - No Escape - Behind the Scenes Tour - "Doing Time at Alcatraz Island"

Alcatraz federal penitentiary also known as "the rock" for its desolated island location is a legendary San Francisco's tourist destination and National Park. Come along for engaging Alcatraz tour with cosplay prisoner 5076 as we go behind-the-scenes at Alcatraz Island. The video gives a unique glimpse into the infamous prison's history and operations. Here are some highlights:
1. Access to Restricted Areas
Tours often include parts of the prison not accessible to regular visitors, such as the warden's house or the laundry facilities.
2. Guided Walkthroughs
Knowledgeable guides provide in-depth stories about notorious inmates, escape attempts, and the prison's daily life.
3. Historical Insights
Learn about Alcatraz's transition from a military fort to a federal prison, including its closure in 1963.
4. Special Exhibits
Some tours feature exclusive exhibits or artifacts that showcase the prison's storied past.
5. Photography Opportunities
Access to unique viewpoints for capturing the iconic architecture and stunning views of San Francisco.
6. Interactive Experiences
Engage with audio or visual elements that bring the prison's history to life.
Tips for the Tour:

Pricing: The behind the scenes guided tour is $101. per adult and the regular daytime self guided tour is $30 - $50. The night tour is $33 - $56. The night tour is included in the behind the scenes tour. The behind the scenes ferry leaves at 4:20 so staying for the night tour too takes some stamina.

Tickets for the Behind the Scenes Tour

The best way to get tickets for this tour is to buy them directly from City Experiences, the official seller of the Alcatraz tickets, at cityexperiences.com.

Ticket Prices

Adults: $101.30

Youth 12-17: $97.10 (must be 12 to go on this one)

Senior 62+: $94.25

Getting the tickets for the Behind the Scenes tour

The tickets for the Behind the Scenes tour sell out much faster than the other tours, and during the summer are usually sold out a couple of months in advance, so book them as soon as you know your travel dates.

Winter is easier, you could get the tickets about one week out.

However, sometimes it's possible to get the day tour and night tour tickets on sold out days by doing combination tours. See my tips at Alcatraz sold out for how to do it.

Behind the Scenes Tour Schedule

Departures: this tour has two sailings from Alcatraz Landing each afternoon, five days a week (one sailing in winter).

Summer: Tuesday - Saturday, at 4:20 and 4:50 pm.

Winter: (Oct -Mar) Tuesday - Saturday, at 2:15 pm.

Return to Pier 33: You can take any of the afternoon return ferries.

Return times are posted at Pier 33 and on the dock on Alcatraz Island.Book in Advance: Behind-the-scenes tours can fill up quickly. Suggest at least a month in advance and if specific date is needed during the summer then 3 months in advance.

Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be walking and exploring various areas and there is some elevation gain walking and climbing stairs.

Check the Weather: Dress appropriately as parts of the tour may be outdoors.

This type of tour deepens the understanding of Alcatraz beyond the typical visitor experience, making it a memorable adventure for history enthusiasts!

What's the Behind the Scenes tour like?

Your group of 20 or less will be met at the dock by the Park Rangers assigned to your tour (we had 2 rangers).

After an introduction, you're off on the tour.

Note. Where you actually go on your tour depends on what areas are open at the time (construction is ongoing) and what your guide chooses for the tour.

There is no way of knowing in advance which areas you'll be going into that day.

Possible Tour Areas

The following are areas in the prison and grounds that have been on previous tours and could be on your tour:

Civil War era tunnel under the buildings
Old factory ruins (New Industries Building)
The Dungeon, underground punishment cells
Prison hospital
Prison chapel
Prisoners' garden
Cellblocks not open on day tours
There are probably other areas that show up on the tours that I haven't listed, as well.

Conditions at the prison change daily, so there's no way to predict what you'll actually be shown on your tour.

However, the Behind the Scenes tour always allows you to go inside the prison where the cells are and do the audio tour after you're done with the guided tour.

Joining the Night Tour of Alcatraz

The guided portion of the Behind the Scenes tour finishes up at the entrance to the Alcatraz cellblock.

From there on, you are free to explore the island on your own, including the audio tour of the prison.

One of the cool things about the Behind the Scenes Tour is that it includes the Night Tour.

After your semi-private behind the scenes tour, you join the folks from the Night Tour and can participate in their activities.

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Unleash the Explorer Within: Alcatraz Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure!