Alcatraz Day Tour 2026

DAILY ROUTINE AT ALCATRAZ

As you arrive at the meeting point, you will take a ferry to Alcatraz Island (not Angel Island). After arriving, you will skip the line and enter the Alcatraz prison. From there, the tour app will be at your disposal to navigate the prison and learn captivating stories from its heyday. Before becoming a prison, Alcatraz was a military fort. By 1859, troops were stationed there permanently to watch over the San Francisco Bay. After the Civil War, it was used as a military garrison until 1907 when it was declared a military prison. In 1934, the prison was re-fortified and used as a maximum-security facility, housing over 1,500 people until 1963. During its time as a maximum-security prison, it housed infamous criminals such as Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. While exploring the prison, you will be able to see the cell blocks where these criminals spent their incarcerated days. However, prisoners were allowed two hours of recreation each Saturday and Sunday playing softball. This was the only real escape prisoners could hope for when serving time on the island.

ALCATRAZ ESCAPE ATTEMPTS

Once known as the world’s most secure prison, Alcatraz saw its fair share of attempted escapes. Learn on your tour about James “Tex” Lucas, the man famous for stabbing Al Capone. He attacked Capone in the shower with one half of a pair of scissors. Later, he tried a violent escape from the prison. Accompanied by two other inmates, he overpowered a guard and beat him to death. The three men made it to the roof, where they attacked the guard tower. Their attempt was stopped when an officer from the tower killed one, injured another, and captured the third. After receiving a life sentence and spending a long time in isolation, James “Tex” Lucas was paroled 20 years later. He managed to live out the rest of his life within the law, passing away in 1998. Had he managed to escape the island that day, it’s unlikely he would have survived. In addition to frequent inmate checks, strict rules, and all-present guard towers, perhaps the toughest challenge would have been the rough Pacific waters. The cold temperatures, long distance to shore, and violent currents made escaping by swimming virtually impossible. There were 14 different escape attempts, but none were confirmed successful.

VIEWS FROM THE ISLAND

Besides the captivating history of Alcatraz prison, the island offers some amazing photo opportunities. Enjoy views of the San Francisco skyline or snap unique photos to last a lifetime. Try to spot famous San Francisco landmarks such as the Transamerica Pyramid while gazing at the panoramic views!