San Francisco is a vibrant city with a rich history and diverse cultural attractions. This tour offers an opportunity to explore the city’s top landmarks and the infamous Alcatraz Island, providing an in-depth experience for visitors. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the lively Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, the guided bus tour showcases the city’s iconic sights. The highlight, however, is the self-guided audio tour of Alcatraz, which delves into the island’s notorious past and the stories of its infamous inmates. With this comprehensive combo, travelers can enjoy San Francisco’s captivating blend of urban energy and haunting legacy.
Key Points

- This combo tour offers a 4-hour guided bus tour of San Francisco’s top landmarks and a round-trip ferry ride to the infamous Alcatraz Island.
- The bus tour includes photo stops at iconic sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Lands End.
- The self-guided audio tour of the Alcatraz cellhouse provides an immersive experience exploring the prison’s notorious past.
- The tour includes admission to Alcatraz Island and the self-guided audio tour in 11 languages.
- Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance, and the total tour duration is 6.5 hours.
Overview of the Tour

This 6.5-hour tour combines a 4-hour guided bus tour of San Francisco’s top landmarks with a visit to the renowned Alcatraz Island, providing visitors with a comprehensive experience of the city’s history and attractions.
The city tour will take you to iconic sights like the Twin Peaks, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown, with photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Lands End.
Then, you’ll take a round-trip ferry ride to Alcatraz Island and embark on a self-guided audio tour of the infamous cellhouse, learning about the prison’s notorious inmates.
With inclusions like admission tickets and language-specific audio tours, this combo package offers an efficient and informative way to explore San Francisco’s top destinations.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in San Francisco
City Tour Highlights

The guided city tour takes visitors on a 4-hour journey across San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, offering photo opportunities at renowned sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Lands End.
Hop aboard the luxury air-conditioned bus and let the knowledgeable English-speaking guide lead you through highlights like the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf and vibrant Chinatown.
Stop to admire the sweeping views from Twin Peaks, the highest natural point in the city.
Throughout the tour, you’ll gain fascinating insights into San Francisco’s rich history and culture, making this an essential experience for any visitor to the City by the Bay.
Alcatraz Island Visit

After the city tour, visitors embark on a round-trip ferry ride to the infamous Alcatraz Island.
On Alcatraz Island, visitors can explore the historic cellhouse through a self-guided audio tour available in 11 languages.
This tour provides an immersive experience, allowing guests to learn about the island’s notorious past and the stories of infamous inmates like Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud, known as the ‘Birdman of Alcatraz.’
The audio tour guides visitors through the prison cells, exercise yard, and other key areas, bringing the island’s history to life.
This portion of the excursion offers a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of those who once resided in this foreboding yet fascinating former federal penitentiary.
Ticket Inclusions

The tour includes admission to Alcatraz Island and a self-guided audio tour of the cellhouse available in 11 languages, providing visitors an immersive experience to explore the island’s notorious history. Guests also enjoy a luxury air-conditioned bus for the city tour portion of the excursion.
The tour’s inclusions are:
| Inclusion | Details |
|---|---|
| Alcatraz Island Admission | Grants access to the island |
| Audio Tour | Self-guided tour of the cellhouse in 11 languages |
| Bus Transportation | Luxury air-conditioned bus for city tour |
| City Tour | 4-hour guided English bus tour of landmarks |
| Photo Stops | At Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Lands End, Twin Peaks |
This comprehensive package ensures a memorable and informative San Francisco experience.
More Great Tours NearbyPickup Locations and Dropoff

Two convenient pickup locations are available for the San Francisco city tour and Alcatraz combo: one at 478 Post Street and another at 2805 Leavenworth Street.
These locations make it easy for travelers to join the tour, whether they’re staying downtown or in a different part of the city.
After the Alcatraz visit, the tour ends at Pier 33, which is located on the Embarcadero waterfront.
However, transportation isn’t provided for the final leg of the journey, so you will need to make their own arrangements to get back to their starting point or their next destination.
This allows for flexibility and independent exploration after the main tour activities are complete.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in San Francisco
Reservation Requirements

Reservations for the San Francisco city tour and Alcatraz combo must be made at least 5 days in advance to ensure availability. This is a popular tour that’s likely to sell out, so booking early is highly recommended.
The tour includes a 4-hour guided bus tour of the city’s top landmarks, followed by a self-guided audio tour of the infamous Alcatraz prison. Round-trip ferry tickets to the island are included.
With multiple pickup locations and the tour ending at Pier 33, this combo provides a convenient way to experience both the city and the famous former prison. Just be sure to reserve your spot well ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Tour Duration and Timing

The tour lasts a total of 6.5 hours, including both the 4-hour guided city tour and the self-guided audio tour of the Alcatraz cellhouse.
The city tour portion provides an in-depth look at San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Twin Peaks. Visitors can expect to make several photo stops along the way.
The Alcatraz visit includes a round-trip ferry ride to the island and ample time to explore the famous cellhouse at one’s own pace, learning about the prison’s notorious inmates through the provided audio tour.
With so much packed into one day, it’s no wonder this combo tour is likely to sell out quickly.
Languages Supported

The Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour is available in 11 different languages, allowing visitors from around the world to enjoy the history and stories of the infamous prison.
Whether you speak English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Dutch, you can access the captivating audio guide and learn about the lives of notorious inmates like Al Capone and Robert Stroud.
This multilingual offering ensures that all guests can fully appreciate the rich legacy of Alcatraz and the harrowing experiences that unfolded within its walls.
With the ability to listen in their native tongue, travelers can engage more deeply with this iconic San Francisco attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring a Backpack on the Alcatraz Tour?
Yes, visitors can bring backpacks on the Alcatraz tour. However, they’ll need to go through security screening, and large bags may not be allowed inside certain areas of the prison. It’s best to pack light and minimize belongings.
Is There an Age Limit for the Alcatraz Tour?
There’s no age limit for the Alcatraz tour. Children of all ages are welcome, though the audio tour content may not be suitable for very young kids. Families should use discretion when deciding if the tour is appropriate for their children.
Can I Take Photographs Inside the Alcatraz Cellhouse?
Visitors can take photographs inside the Alcatraz cellhouse, but they’re advised to be respectful and avoid using flash, which could disturb the historic atmosphere. Photography is allowed throughout the island, except in certain restricted areas.
Are There Any Discounts Available for Seniors or Students?
Yes, there are discounts available for seniors and students on this tour. Senior and student tickets can be purchased at a reduced rate, but reservations must still be made at least 5 days in advance.
Can I Purchase Tickets for the Tour on the Day of the Activity?
Same-day tickets are unlikely available, as the tour tends to sell out. It’s recommended to book at least 5 days in advance to secure a spot. Last-minute tickets may be difficult to obtain for this popular activity.
Recap
This comprehensive San Francisco tour offers an immersive experience, combining the city’s vibrant culture and the haunting legacy of Alcatraz.
Guests embark on a guided bus tour, exploring iconic landmarks, followed by a self-guided audio tour of the infamous prison island.
With its impressive inclusions and convenient logistics, this 6.5-hour combo provides an in-depth and memorable exploration of San Francisco’s top attractions.
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