The 14 Best Alcatraz & Golden Gate Tours

1.Golden Gate Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,644 reviews · 1 hour · from $38Our pick

Board Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for a one-hour cruise past the waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Alcatraz Island. A prerecorded audio guide is offered in 16 languages. You can sit inside or outside, buy drinks and snacks, and watch for sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, and whales.

“This was an amazing activity, especially if it is your first time in San Francisco!! I went as a solo excursion and it was absolutely amazing and exceeded my expectations!! Would highly recommend!”

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2.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island, then explore the prison at your own pace with a self-guided app and official cell house audio tour. See the cells linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, learn about the island’s escape attempts, and enjoy wide views of San Francisco Bay and the skyline.

“Very interesting and informative tour. Easily accessible and the ferry ride is a great way to see the bay and bridge and San Francisco skyline. We had a beautiful day which helped. Good value for the experience. Would recommend as a must see in the Bay Area.”

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3.Alcatraz Island & 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,245 reviews · 2 days · from $120

Pair Alcatraz’s ferry, cell-house audio guide, and island views with two days on Big Bus San Francisco. Add Aquarium by the Bay, a one-hour Chinatown walk, and a sunset ride past the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and Lombard Street. Exchange your voucher at 99 Jefferson Street before your Alcatraz date.

“Brilliant tour, a must do in San franscisco! I learned so much about the history of SF and got to see so many sights!”

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4.Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,228 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Start near Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf for a guided coach tour with stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, and Twin Peaks. Then continue to Alcatraz for the cellhouse audio tour and ferry ride. Guides such as Michelle are praised for clear local insight, but sightseeing stops can feel rushed.

“the staff was great. very understanding and helpful. was on schedule as promised. too bad the Golden gate park was closed.”

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5.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,577 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Visit Alcatraz from Pier 33, take the 45-minute Cellhouse audio tour in your language, and explore the island at your own pace. Add a one-hour Blue and Gold Fleet cruise from Pier 39, taken before, after, or on another available day. Expect walking, crowds, cool weather, and excellent water views.

“Such a great experience getting to visit Alcatraz one of my bucket list. Getting to see the beautiful city from the water was just beautiful. Would highly recommend it for the views and piccys.”

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6.One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,445 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $129Top rated

Start in North Beach for a guided San Francisco drive, with stops at Pacific Heights, Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Walk among giant redwoods at Muir Woods, pause for lunch in Sausalito, then visit Alcatraz by ferry and audio tour. Guides such as Patrick, Roger, Per, Barry, and Jeffrey are known for lively local stories.

“Our tour guide was knowledgeable and not to mention have a great sense of humor. He made the tour fun! He also gave sis a few bonus stop, knows his ways around.would recommend❤️”

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7.Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,049 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Visit Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary at your booked ferry time, follow the award-winning audio tour in nine languages, and explore the island at your own pace. Add a separate one-hour Blue and Gold Fleet cruise from Pier 39 for views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39 sea lions.

“Excellent tour, informative, professional with time to explore independently. Great value for money.”

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8.Alcatraz Tour with Muir Woods and Sausalito

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,017 reviews · 7 hours · from $143

Spend seven hours with a local English-speaking guide in a group of up to 14. Visit Alcatraz with its award-winning Cellhouse audio tour, walk among ancient redwoods in Muir Woods, stop in Sausalito, and pause for Golden Gate Bridge photos. Choose Muir Woods first at 8:30 AM or Alcatraz first at 9:10 AM.

“Great tour. Missed out on Muir Woods due to it being closed because of the government shut down. Our guide Judith was fabulous.”

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9.Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf & Optional Extras

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 663 reviews · 4 - 5 hours · from $99

Explore Fisherman’s Wharf with an English-speaking local guide, visit Musée Mécanique, then cruise to Alcatraz for the cell-house audio tour. You can return at your own pace and add a one-hour bay cruise or SkyStar Wheel ride. Guides such as Robert, Seth, Jamie, and John have been especially praised for their stories and practical tips.

“Great tour and guide was not only knowledgeable but personable. Jamie is what I want for all my tours. one could always think of other things to do, but I believe this was plenty of places to see and information . I loved Alcatraz the most, but very happy for see and hear the rest 😊”

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10.Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 617 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Travel from Pier 33 to Alcatraz on the official ferry, then explore the cellhouse, gardens, ruins, protest sites, and island views at your own pace. Your ticket includes the official Cellhouse audio tour plus a separate companion guide with Indigenous voices, inmate reflections, and stories of island life. A night option adds ranger introductions and evening access.

“such a fantastic trip. well worth the journey over and the narration around the prison was so interesting.”

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11.Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Cycling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 541 reviews · 3 hours · from $72

Ride from Fisherman’s Wharf through the Marina, Crissy Field, and the Presidio, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Ryan, Ginger, Adam, or Marcus, sets an easy pace with photo stops and city stories. Choose a regular or electric bike. Ferry return costs extra.

“All was good. Thank you Kayle for your time, kindness and all information you shared with us.”

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12.Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 499 reviews · 1h 30m · from $65

Join Adventure Cat Sailing Charters at Pier 39 for a 90-minute catamaran sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can watch from a sheltered area, sit on the trampoline nets above the waves, steer with the captain’s help, and buy snacks, soda, beer, or wine on board.

“Really enjoyed our experience sailing on the catamaran. Surpassed my expectations :) Lovely, friendly crew that were attentive and allowed us to helm the boat! A truly memorable day :)”

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13.Alcatraz Island Prison Tour & Bay Cruise Combined Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 399 reviews · 4 hours · from $112

Visit Alcatraz Island by ferry, follow the 45-minute Doing Time audio tour through the cell house, then take a separate San Francisco Bay cruise around Alcatraz, the Presidio, Crissy Field, and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The cruise can be taken on another day, which makes this $112 package easier to fit into a short stay.

“Had to collect tickets at another area prior to going to the ferry. I liked the flexibility of doing the ferry to Golden Gate at a time I chose which gave me time to explore fisherman's wharf”

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14.Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard GoCar Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · 2 hours

Drive a two-seat, GPS-guided GoCar from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Palace of Fine Arts, Chestnut Street, and Lombard Street. The talking car shares local facts in several languages while you choose when to pause for photos. You do not drive across the bridge, but you get close views from the San Francisco side.

“The staff were amazing & accommodating. We had a blast on the tours, the transportation was great, the guided portion was awesome. We would highly suggest doing this for anyone, ages, families, friends group:) Thanks again for making our trip great.”

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