san francisco alcatraz ghost tour

A Terrifying Tour Of This Haunted Prison in San Francisco Is Not For The Faint of Heart

Julian Garr

San Francisco-based freelance writer doing ESL. I love traveling, exploring, and coffee.

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Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary, which was long off-limits to the public. Although Alcatraz is now a popular tourist attraction, hearing the tales and stories behind the prison and seeing its inner workings is definitely not for the faint of heart. Gangster Al “Scarface” Capone and murderer Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud are among those who served time at the maximum-security facility. Because of its isolation from the outside by the cold, strong, hazardous currents of San Francisco Bay waters, Alcatraz was used as early as 1861 to imprison prisoners of war. No inmate ever successfully escaped The Rock.

Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco. Hop on a ferry to take a truly terrifying Alcatraz ghost tour of this infamous prison! And if you’re really brave, book a night tour…

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If you’re interested in an Alcatraz ghost tour by day or at night then check out Alcatraz Island Information and Tours . Also, check out these 10 incredible places in San Francisco that will bring out the explorer in you. And don’t forget to check out these unique places to stay in San Francisco !

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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More to Explore

Alcatraz ghost tour.

What are some other haunted places in Northern California?

Some haunted places in Northern California include:

• Fort Humboldt Historic State Park
• Battery Point Lighthouse
• Humboldt Brews
• Crescent City
• Chinese Camp
• MacCallum House
• Bodie (one of the coolest ghost towns in California )
• Placerville

After you've completed a haunted tour of Alcatraz, it's time to tour some of NorCal's most legendary haunted places. If you're into creepy cemeteries, Cherokee Cemetery is thought to be the most haunted cemetery in NorCal; there are two different legends surrounding how Cherokee Cemetery earned its reputation as a haunted burial ground.  The first is that back in the early 1800s, a woman or young girl (the stories vary on this as well) was brutally murdered. The townsfolk, outraged at such a heinous act, imposed a death sentence by burning at the stake. The spirit of the accused was said to have been so strong, that even from the other side of the veil he lurked around the grounds at night making blood-curdling sounds meant to scare the daylights out of everyone. The other involves the story of the young child who unfortunately lost his father, and is now believed to haunt the grounds, albeit, a bit more benevolently.

Are there any abandoned places in NorCal I can explore?

Some of the most notoriously haunted abandoned places in Northern California include Point Reyes Shipwreck, Chemung Mine, Fannette Island, Marshall Gold Discovery State Park Jailhouse, and Falk.

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Featured Addresses

Experience San Francisco’s Most Haunted Ghost Tour

Join us for an unforgettably eerie journey into San Francisco’s hidden past as we reveal today’s frightening and persistent hauntings often experienced by Golden Gate City’s locals – and the guests on tour. Our unique collection of captivating, tragic, and true stories reveals what makes San Francisco the most haunted city in California.

From the Gold Rush to the Golden Gate Bridge, these nightly ghost tours will keep you on your toes and show you the ghostly bizarre side of San Francisco. You don’t have to believe in ghosts, but you will after San Francisco’s premier ghost tour.

Ghost Tour Meeting Location : Tours begin at Union Square on the corner of Powell Street and Post Street.

Tour Duration : 1hr. across 1 mile

To Order : Press "Get Tickets" for availability.

Ghost tours are held nightly, rain or shine!

The Experiences You've Heard About

San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour

Join us as we uncover San Francisco’s forsaken and forgotten souls, lost in a fog of tragedy, misfortune, and greed with the gold that doomed them.

San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Test your tolerance for genuine scares with a side devilishly delicious spirits at San Francisco's most haunted watering holes and historic haunts.

Gold, Greed, and Gunslingers: Forging San Francisco

Experience the history of the infamous Barbary Coast. While pretty now, it known for unruly violence and vice during the days of the Gold Rush.

Taste of San Francisco: Flavors of the Mission District Melting Pot Food Tour

Learn why San Francisco was always an epicenter for change through the unique cuisine of the Mission.

Historic disaster, Celebrity Intrigue, and Ancient Evils

When you think of San Francisco, you likely think of tech-minded companies like Apple or Pixar, the unbelievable food, Alcatraz, or the first Chinatown in the US – but our tour will show you a historically accurate side of the city that not many people realize exists. Take a walk with us through the Nob Hill and Union Square sections of the city where you will find stories from every layer of society that has ever lived here. From Hollywood Scandals to haunted hotels.

Our expert local guides will tell you about the terrible night that led to Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle ’s blacklisting from the film industry.

Learn about the ancient Mayan secrets of the Sutter building, the famous tragedies that haunt The Westin St. Francis, and the devastation and heartbreak that followed the great earthquake of 1906. Listen to how the city was littered with broken buildings and refugee camps for the hundreds of thousands made homeless after the earthquake. This act of God has haunted the city for over a hundred years.

After the gold rush of 1849, San Francisco became a beacon of hope and prosperity, drawing prospectors from the East Coast of America and China across the Pacific Ocean. Not everyone can strike gold, though, and inevitably, many people seeking fame and fortune found tragedy instead. Their stories will likely disturb and frighten you hear how these events echo through history and continue to impact the area. The accounts compiled for this tour reveal that these hills have just as much horror as happiness.

Will You Join Us?

Each of our guides is a local expert, extensively trained, and experienced. Join our San Francisco Ghosts tour and see famous sites within the historic Nob Hill neighborhood, including the Fairmont Hotel, Dennis T. Sullivan Memorial, and the secretive Union-Pacific Club. For large parties, we offer customized group ghost tours for a more personal, VIP experience as well as our traditional ghost walk.

What draws the supernatural to San Francisco?

San Francisco is a city that thrives on the diversity of the people who live here. The gold rush of 1849 opened up the Western United States like never before, and as a result, people flooded into the Golden City. These new settlers came full of hope, looking for new opportunities. But with hope, inevitably comes dashed dreams and human tragedy.

Our tour offers an uncompromising look at what makes San Francisco such a haunted location. Every story you hear on the tour will showcase the real history and well-researched tragedy that hides at the city’s fringes. San Francisco is one of the most active paranormal locations in the country, and after taking the San Francisco Ghosts tour, you will know why.

Whether we talk about the once-grand Nob Hill mansions that were leveled by the earthquake or the tragic death of a heroic Fire Chief, you will not be able to get these blood-chilling stories out of your mind long after the tour ends.

With so many tours and activities to choose from San Francisco, how do you choose which ones to book?

You want to know the real story of San Francisco

The stories we have don’t appear on any of the Clamper plaques around the city, and certainly not in any guidebook. Each stop on our 8 or 12 location tours gives you a vivid and memorable look into the real story of San Francisco. Unvarnished, and unleashed, San Francisco has many ghosts in its closet. Like the Fairmont Hotel, one of the few structures still standing after the 1909 earthquake, subsequent tragic accidents gave rise to rumors of a curse, one of the original pair of sisters that built the hotel even comes back occasionally in spectral form to check up on how their hotel is doing.

You will hear other stories that will bring alive the complex and evocative history of San Francisco and the Bay Area. The research process turned up stories from further afield in Northern California, some of which we could not include in the San Francisco Ghosts walking tour, so we included them in our blog of haunted stories of the San Francisco area

You only have a short time in the city.

If you are looking for an activity just after dinner, and before the city comes alive at night, our hour-long ghost tour can help you get the most out of your short time in San Francisco.

The stories come thick and fast as you take our standard tour of a one-mile route around San Francisco’s Nob Hill and Union Square neighborhoods. You will not only touch the history of the city but hear the fascinating stories of the people who make up the living, breathing history of this amazing city, and their everlasting remains; ghosts.

More fun than any museum and you get more up close and personal than any tour bus. Our expert local guides will show you a side of San Francisco that not many locals get to see. That is another reason people who have lived here all their lives often join the San Francisco Ghosts tour, they sometimes add additional facts and stories to the tour, but even locals always learn something new about the City by the Bay.

You are a skeptic of the Supernatural.

Our tours happen in the twilight hours, click on the book now button to see the exact tour times, you will set out just as darkness is falling, and the spirits are just waking up. We have had many people on the tour experience an unusual chill, and not because Karl the fog is rolling in. That’s right, the legendary San Francisco Fog has a name, and even a Twitter account !  The chills our tour guests experience are from glimpses of the occasional ghost or an unexplained feeling. This isn’t guaranteed, and wouldn’t expect a sighting to change the mind of a hardened skeptic, but we have expanded the horizons of quite a few people over the years. We would welcome the chance to expand your receptivity to the supernatural.

Perhaps you will become one of the many people who have seen the Wandering Bride of California Street. She has a very mysterious story, we know some details, an arranged marriage to the son of her father’s business partner, a disappearance on the night of her presentation to society, the mysterious discovery of her body in Montana years later. She is often seen in her wedding dress hurrying down California Street at night.

You want something the whole family will enjoy

Everyone can learn something about San Francisco and be entertained at the same time. The whole family can enjoy San Francisco Ghosts, and the stories are not so scary as to cost younger ghost enthusiasts a night of sleep, but they will be remembered for years to come.

We believe a good story is the best souvenir, and we have 8 or 12 stories for you that are made even more memorable because you will be standing on the exact spots where the remarkable events from history happened. You don’t get the same experience from the seat of a bus whizzing by these places.

A walking tour is the only way to be able to reach out and touch the stones of the Sutter building and run your hands over the bizarre Mayan designs. They include the World Tree symbol, a traditional sign of a connection between the world of the living and the dead. The building has recorded a lot of unexplained happenings over the years. The story about how a building constructed in the 1920s to house medical professionals came to have a set of symbols from a long-dead civilization thousands of miles away is a fascinating one.

Book your spot to find out more, and be thoroughly entertained on the haunted streets of San Francisco.

The Official Tour of Alcatraz Island and Prison

Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR

No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it. The captivating Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour brings history alive through the actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates who lived on the island during the infamous Federal Penitentiary era.

Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, “The Battle of ’46”, food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.

The Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

GARDENS OF ALCATRAZ

From the military to the penitentiary era, plants softened the Rock for those who called Alcatraz home. Through gardening, island residents created beauty in a place focused on defense, punishment, and confinement. The families of the guards enjoyed tea parties in the gardens, and gardening became a welcome pastime. For trusted inmates, the gardens were an escape from daily prison life. Even today, the thriving gardens are a stark contrast to the somber prison.

After closure of the prison in 1963, many plants survived decades without care. These survivors are excellent choices for gardeners in the Bay Area or other Mediterranean climates. Since 2003, The Garden Conservancy has been working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service to restore these wonderful gardens and to share the stories with visitors.

Join a garden docent for an up-close look at the restored historic gardens of Alcatraz. Learn about the softer side of the Rock and how gardens made life tolerable for residents of the barren island. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock at 9:30 am every Friday and Sunday.

GUIDED TOURS

Join the island staff for a guided walking tour of Alcatraz Island. Programs are offered throughout the day and generally start either at the dock or lighthouse. Topics may include Famous Inmates, Escapes, Hollywood’s Rock, 200 Years of Alcatraz History, and Fortress Alcatraz. Some programs even take visitors into restricted areas of the island.

Guided tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour, and may involve walking moderate distances.

Tours and times vary daily, so check the Program Board when you arrive on the island dock. No reservations are required, and all programs are free.

ALCATRAZ: STORIES FROM THE ROCK

Alcatraz: Stories From the Rock takes viewers on a journey through the Island’s many chapters: its early role as a military fortress, the famous federal penitentiary years, the Indian occupation that altered the course of history, and finally the popular National Park and wildlife refuge it is today.

Alcatraz stands as a powerful symbol of protection and change. The film explores Alcatraz as it began, as it evolved, and as it stands today and allows viewers to discover the many layers that make it an incredible time capsule of history and human drama.

VIDEO: WE HOLD THE ROCK

The occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971 by “Indians of All Tribes” changed the course of U.S. and American Indian history, and brought world-wide attention to the plight of American Indians. The award winning video/exhibit, “WE HOLD THE ROCK,” produced by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, is shown continually in the China Alley exhibit behind the main theater area near the dock.

ALCATRAZ AND THE AMERICAN PRISON EXPERIENCE

“Alcatraz and the American Prison Experience,” a major interpretive exhibit, explains the place of Alcatraz in the evolution of prisons in America from Colonial days to the present. Produced in partnership with the federal Bureau of Prisons, the exhibit also looks at family life on Alcatraz and trends in American penology. The exhibit is housed in two historic fortress storerooms in the China Alley display area near the dock.

9 Spine-Chilling San Francisco Ghost Tours To Set Your Teeth On Edge

Even the bravest of guests get the heebie-jeebies on these fun, frightening, and totally memorable San Francisco ghost tours.

San Francisco’s tumultuous history has led to a long legacy of haunted tales drawing from the Gold Rush and Barbary Coast days, as well as the 1906 earthquake and fire. Halloween season gives us a unique opportunity to explore some of the most haunted places in San Francisco on specialty ghost tours and pub crawls . We’ve cranked up our ghost gear to the highest frequency to locate these unique, informative, and absolutely fascinating San Francisco ghost tours. 

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1. The Haunt: San Francisco Ghost and True Crime Tour

This family-friendly ghost tour takes you through the mysterious streets of SF’s Chinatown armed with ghost-hunting tools like EMF meters and dowsing rods. The tour includes breathtaking spooky tales about hidden graves, buried ships, and a closing ceremony to honor the local spirits you encounter. Guests will meet near the Transamerica Pyramid for the 1.5-hour tour covering less than a mile walking.

2. San Francisco Ghosts

San Francisco Ghosts leads several fun and engaging tours through San Francisco’s Union Square and Nob Hill neighborhoods . Your local ghost guide will take you through some of the most macabre and mysterious parts of the city.

• San Francisco Ghost Tour (Gold and Ghouls Tour) – The standard version of this tour covers 8 stops over the course of an hour including the 450 Sutter Building and the Pacific Union Club. You can extend your tour another 30 minutes with four additional stops around Union Square.
• Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl – This 2-hour tour also takes you through some of the most haunted places in the city, but this time with a little liquid courage. Drink prices not included.
• Gold, Greed, and Gunslingers: Forging San Francisco –  Hear ruthless stories about the most notorious fortune-hunters in San Francisco during the California Gold Rush.

3. Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz has long been considered one of the most haunted places in the country . Over the years, the rocky island has served as a fort, a military prison, a federal penitentiary, and now a museum. The island’s eerie history truly comes to life after the sun comes down, and although not technically a ghost tour, the Alcatraz Night Tour is one of the most exciting and underrated tour options in the city.

Embark on a personally-narrated boat tour around the island followed by a guided tour from the dock to the cellhouse, at which point you can begin an audio guide tour of the grounds. You may be able to catch some special programs and presentations only offered at night.

Heads up: Cell 14D is said to be the most haunted part of the prison, as an inmate died there after screaming about a creature coming to attack him. People now report a bizarre coldness when they walk in.

4. San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour

The SF Ghost Hunt takes you through a a 1.5-hour experience covering about a mile in Pacific Heights. You’ll see the haunted trees of abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant, learn about the Chambers Mansion poltergeists, and more.

This special Halloween version led by Christian Cagigal will take you looking for ghosts yourself, but it’s only available through the end of October. Step up your tour with the VIP Magic Experience, which comes with a complimentary drink and a close-up magic show.

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5. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt: San Francisco Ghost Rush

Take yourself on an app-led haunted scavenger hunt via Let’s Roam, where you’ll have the chance to answer trivia questions and solve challenges throughout the city. Each player chooses an interactive role to race with a team or compete against them. Stops include the Orpheum Theatre, the Abraham Lincoln Monument, United Nations Plaza, Saint Boniface Catholic Church, and the Powell & Market Cable Car Turnaround.

6. The Vampire Tour of San Francisco

Kitty Burns-Nasarow takes guests through a spine-chilling tour of Nob Hill on this “Vampire Tour of San Francisco.” The two-hour guided tour takes guests to Grace Cathedral, the Nob Hill Cafe, Huntington Park, the Pacific-Union Club, the Fairmont Hotel, and the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Kitty’s tour script is about 85% true history with a fun mix of vampire lore and humor to keep guests on their toes.

The Vampire Tour takes place on the first Saturday of the month from May through October, as well as on Halloween night. You can also inquire about booking a private tour during the rest of the year if you have a group of 10+ people — price is $30 per person for both options.

7. Haunted Haight

Haunted Haight is led by seasoned ghost investigators from the SF Ghost Society with 20+ years of experience in the paranormal field. Their tours feature carefully-researched stories with the added excitement of using custom-built, high-tech ghost gear during the route.

• Haunted Haight Ghost Hunting Tour: A 2-hour Haight-Ashbury tour with a multimedia presentation via tablet, ghost-hunting gear, and the chance to win fun and spooky prizes.
• Haunted Haight Pub Crawl: A 2-hour haunted Haight-Ashbury ghost tour with stops at some of the neighborhood’s most haunted watering holes.

8. Walk With Spirits, A Haunted Pub Crawl

Mick’s Bootique Tours leads this fun and lively pub crawl through historic Gold Rush-era landmarks along the former Barbary Coast. The route includes stops at four haunted locations including the Old Ship Saloon, a historic bar dating back to 1851 with paranormal activity reported in its cellar. Other stops include Jackson Square, the southern part of North Beach known as “The Devil’s Acre,” and Chinatown. The small-group, 2.5-hour tour is available on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout October and part of November.

9. Fort Point Candlelight Tour

Fort Point National Historic Site offers candlelight tours on the weekends from November through February, so members of the public can truly immerse themselves in this famous SF landmark. Although not technically a ghost tour, the after-dark element is a thrilling way to explore one of SF’s most historic locations, especially because all light is provided through hand-held lanterns.

Fort Point was created as one of California’s most formidable defenses against foreign attack , and although it never saw combat, the fort was instrumental in deterring Confederate aggression during the Civil War. Haunted tales have lingered throughout the Fort’s tumultuous history, and ghost hunters have claimed to see uniformed servicemen lingering on the premises, waiting for a battle that never came.

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The Haunting Mystery of Alcatraz: Unveiling the Supernatural Tales

Is alcatraz haunted.

Alcatraz, the imposing island prison, stands as an enigmatic symbol in American history. Stories of ghostly encounters and eerie occurrences have swirled around this foreboding structure for decades. This leaves many to ponder a haunting question: Is Alcatraz haunted? In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the chilling legends, ghostly encounters, and the most sinister corners of Alcatraz. Read more on our attempt to unveil the unsettling truth that resides within this mysterious island prison.

The Legend of Alcatraz

Legend says Alcatraz is among the most haunted places in the US and worldwide, chilling many with its ghostly reputation. It’s haunted reputation fuels imaginations, drawing countless visitors who encounter eerie, unexplainable phenomena defying conventional understanding. This leads us to ponder whether there is more to this imposing structure than what meets the eye.

Life within Alcatraz was no trivial matter. Designed to incarcerate the nation’s most dangerous criminals, it’s reputation managed to break the spirits of the most notorious inmates. Legends have it that the empty cells, concealed within the fortress-like walls of Alcatraz, continue to house restless spirits. Among the prisoners who once trod these grim halls were infamous figures like Arthur “Doc” Barker, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Al Capone. Do their spirits still traverse the prison’s bleak corridors, unable to find solace in the afterlife?

Where to Find Alcatraz Ghosts

Alcatraz was constructed as a maximum-security prison, where the Alcatraz’s most dangerous inmates faced a life of minimal privileges. For those daring enough to break the prison’s rules, the dreaded strip cell awaited, a place stripped of basic amenities. In this nightmarish isolation, inmates endured complete darkness, the absence of a sink, a bed devoid of a mattress, and a solitary hole in the ground for their toilet. It is surmised that these dire conditions left an indelible imprint on the souls of many inmates, rendering them unable to find peace even in death.

The Most Haunted Alcatraz Cells

The Dreaded Cell 14D

When you embark on an Alcatraz day tour, be sure not to miss the opportunity to visit Cell 14D, one of the most infamous spots in the prison. This chilling cell is associated with an unsettling legend that has intrigued countless visitors. The story goes that an inmate met his untimely demise in this very cell, his screams of sheer terror resonating through the prison as he claimed a malevolent creature was about to claim him. Numerous tourists have reported an inexplicable drop in temperature within this chamber, as if the lingering presence of tormented spirits still roams these grim confines.

Experience the A, B and C Cell Blocks

Another must-visit area within Alcatraz is the A, B, and C Cell Blocks. Many visitors have attested to hearing unnerving sounds of moaning and crying emanating from these blocks, where some of the prison’s most notorious inmates were once confined. Among the eerie tales associated with this area is the presence of the Alcatraz ghost known as the “Butcher.” Legend has it that the Butcher met a gruesome end within these very walls in the 1940s. As you explore these blocks, you might encounter echoes of the past, and who knows what otherworldly entities you may come across.

The Darker Layers of Alcatraz’s Haunting

Alcatraz’s haunting legends extend well beyond its chilling cells. The island itself carries a haunting history, rooted in the curses of Native American tribes who believed the island was a place of malevolent spirits. They warned their people against visiting, lest they be plagued by supernatural disturbances.

The island’s enigmatic lighthouse adds another layer of eerie tales. Its first keeper, James A. King, was found dead under mysterious circumstances, and some believe his spirit still lingers, causing strange noises and unexplained events around the area.

Spectral Encounters and Unexplained Disappearances

Beyond the spectral apparitions and chilling cold spots, Alcatraz is a place where mysterious disappearances have occurred. Visitors and inmates disappeared mysteriously, leaving cold spots and unexplainable disturbances as eerie remnants of their presence. In a puzzling incident, inmates vanished from cells overnight, later found wandering the prison in a bewildered and disoriented state.

The Curse of Alcatraz

Some firmly believe that Alcatraz itself is cursed. Additionally, the unnerving occurrences on the island often serve as a testament to this belief. Furthermore, the island’s dark history contributes to the sense that a malevolent force may dwell within its very essence.

Paranormal investigations and ghost hunters have flocked to Alcatraz in recent years to capture evidence of ghostly activity. Recordings of eerie sounds and unexplained events have only fueled the legend of Alcatraz as a haunted place further.

The Verdict: Is Alcatraz Haunted? Come See for Yourself

So, is Alcatraz truly haunted? The answer to this question remains deeply subjective; after all, the world of the supernatural hinges on personal belief and experience. The legends, the ghostly encounters, and the chilling tales surrounding Alcatraz continue to captivate the imagination of those who dare to explore its shadowy history.

Unveil the eerie secrets of Alcatraz’s haunted past with Gray Line San Francisco’s immersive Alcatraz Island Tours . Delve into the chilling history of this infamous prison as our expert guides lead you through its shadowy corridors and ghostly cells. Experience the spine-tingling atmosphere firsthand and witness the lingering spirits that are said to haunt the island to this day. You may ask yourself, is Alcatraz haunted? Book your Alcatraz Island Tour and find out for yourself.

Whether you choose to embark on one of the Alcatraz Island tours or simply immerse yourself in the legends surrounding this sinister structure, you will undoubtedly leave with a profound sense of intrigue and perhaps, just a touch of trepidation.

In the end, the verdict on Alcatraz’s haunting remains yours to determine as you step into the heart of this daunting prison island. Are you prepared to confront the question: Is Alcatraz truly haunted? The answer awaits those who are brave enough to explore its dark history, and to experience firsthand the lingering echoes of its tumultuous past, both in the material world and beyond.

Is Alcatraz haunted? You’ll have to be the judge of that. Make sure that you take one of the Alcatraz island tours. These tours al low you to learn more about the island and the prison and experience it for yourself. It’s certain that this foreboding prison will give you chills along with exciting tales to take home with you!

EXPLORE ALCATRAZ TOURS

The Dark Side of San Francisco: Why is Alcatraz So Haunted?

Alcatraz prison is often called one of the most haunted places in the world, but why?

Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Arthur “Doc” Barker all spent time in Alcatraz, as did many other notorious criminals of their time.

Want to know who still haunts the empty cells of Alcatraz and where you should go to meet their restless spirits? Keep reading.

Why is Alcatraz Haunted?

Alcatraz was built to break the spirits of even the most rebellious criminals .

In 1933, the US government decided to open a maximum-security, minimum-privilege prison to deal with the worst criminals of all time.

Inmates who broke one the prison’s many rules would be punished by being sent to what was known as the “strip cell.”

Before entering the strip cell, the prisoners were stripped naked.

The cell had no mattress, no sink, and no lights, of course.

The only toilet? A hole in the ground.

The dark steel room removed what was left of hope and humanity in the criminals who earned a stay there.

Therefore, it’s no surprise some of their spirits can’t move on from the experience and from the Alcatraz Island itself.

Could one of their ghosts still be hanging around there, too?

How to Meet The Ghosts of Alcatraz

The best way to learn about the haunted history of a place is to jump right in and see it for yourself, right?

1. Visit Cell 14D

Cell 14D is one of the cells that prisoners were sent to as punishment.

Visitors often report feeling raw coldness enveloping the room , like more than one spirit is still present there.

In the 1940s, a man actually died in cell 14D.

The guards found him strangled on the floor of his room.

Rumor has it, the night before his death, he kept screaming that a creature with glowing eyes was trying to kill him.

If that doesn’t scare you, go ahead and explore the cell yourself!

2. Take a walk through Cell Blocks A, B, and C

This is where Alcatraz visitors frequently hear crying and moaning.

In addition to that, a psychic reported encountering a malevolent spirit named Butcher here.

Want to guess what the prison records show? A man nicknamed Butcher was assassinated here back in the 1940s.

3. Listen for banjo music in the showers

Al Capone, the infamous American gangster, spent his last years in Alcatraz strumming along with the prison’s banjo band.

Due to fearing that he would be killed if he dared to play the banjo out in the open, he resolved to practice it in the showers.

Some say they can still hear the banjo music playing there on occasion… Can you?

The Haunt Experience

Alcatraz Island will certainly give you the chills, but it’s not the only creepy place in San Francisco.

Did you know San Francisco is actually one of the most haunted cities in the United States?

In our Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour , we take you on an unforgettable journey through the streets of San Francisco to show you why.

Our haunted tour has been known to stir up some restless spirits , so if you are in the mood for a ghostly encounter, come join us!

Ready to discover the dark side of San Francisco?

Book a tour now .

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• Ghost Tours

8 Ghost Tours in San Francisco: Learn More About SF's Dark History

by Jill Loeffler   •

Updated: March 7, 2024

San Francisco has a long, dark history with murders, mysteries, and mayhem. All of these events fuel our fun and interesting ghost tours.

You can walk through Chinatown to learn about its mysterious past, walk through the Haight to hear its ghost stories, and even head out to Alcatraz at night to visit one of the ghostliest spots in the city.

Most of these tours are informational and not meant to scare you too much (although the stories are dark and chilling)!

All will help you understand more about the people and places that make this city one of the most haunted in the US!

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

1. The Haunt: Ghost Hunting Walking Tour

This popular haunted tour of San Francisco takes you through the historic Gold Rush-era neighborhoods on foot, after dark, equipped with EMF (electromagnetic field) meters and other ghost hunting tools.

As you make your way through Chinatown and North Beach, your guide will tell you about the city's largest massacre at the Golden Dragon, a mysterious death at an old theater, and the forgotten graves and ships buried beneath your feet.

While learning about SF's dark past of true crimes and tragedies, you may notice paranormal activity on your meter, and your guide may invite you to investigate further using dowsing rods and a Spirit Box. 

This 90-minute tour takes you to the dark side and is only recommended for adults (children are welcome at your discretion, but it is not suitable for age 13 and under). It runs most days after dark through Union Square.

>> Find ticket availability for upcoming dates

2. Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz is one of my favorites. This former federal prison housed some of the most notorious criminals in the U.S. including Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the Birdman), and George "Machine Gun" Kelly.

Before it was a federal prison, it was a U.S. Military Prison. During both periods, many prisoners died on the island and now there are reports of mysterious noises and occurrences. This isn't technically a ghost tour in San Francisco but heading over at night is the best way to experience this haunted attraction.

>> Learn more about this fun Alcatraz tour

3. SF Ghost Tour: Gold and Ghouls

The SF Ghost Tour offers you a chance to learn more about the mysterious past of San Francisco's Nob Hill and Union Square Districts. Hear stories about our haunted hotels, locations, and office buildings. 

Top stops include the Westin St. Francis and Fairmont Hotel. You'll also hear stories from SF's Gold Rush days of 1849 and what happened when the 1906 Earthquake hit.

This one-mile walking tour runs for one hour and usually starts at 8 pm.

>> Find tickets for all dates on GetYourGuide

4. Haunted Haight Walking Tour

The Haunted Haight Walking Tour teaches you all about supernatural occurrences and mysterious events reported in SF's Haight Ashbury District. A paranormal investigator will show you how to use the ghost hunting gear.

As you tour the neighborhood, you will also walk past the locations where some of SF's most infamous murderers and cult leaders used to live.

The tour starts at 7 pm and runs mostly on Fridays. Click the link below for exact dates and information on how to register.

>> Visit the official Haunted Haight Walking Tour website

5. Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

If you want to taste the dark history of the city’s early days, take this guided tour through San Francisco’s historic district, where the eight haunted sites you’ll visit include four bars.

Your “boo”zy pub crawl starts off with sipping aged bourbon at High Horse, where you’ll learn how the famed Barbary Coast got its name. With a nice buzz, you’ll visit a shipwreck saloon and wander down Gold Street where miners were often attacked and robbed.

The tour lasts about two hours, starting at 6 pm, and you’ll want to bring your ID to toast to the ghosts of San Francisco’s past.

>> Find out more about this fun tour

6. SF: Ghosts and Hauntings Audio App Walking Tour

For a cheaper, go-at-your-own-pace option, consider taking this self-guided audio walking tour, complete with the perfect music to set the mood for your ghostly encounters.

This is a fun option because you’ll hear lots of stories as it takes you through a variety of San Francisco’s haunted neighborhoods, including Union Square, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and the Barbary Coast.

From the Gold Rush to the 1906 earthquake to the Jazz Age and beyond, this 70-minute tour-in-an-app is thoroughly entertaining and full of history, tragedy, and mayhem.

>> More about this self-guided option

7. Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco

This 2.5-hour evening tour gives you another option for a thrilling pub crawl during which you’ll learn about the city’s dark history of crime and unsettled souls.

As your guide takes your small group through the San Francisco neighborhoods that date back to the Gold Rush and withstood the 1906 earthquake, you’ll have the chance to sip on spirits while meeting others.

The tour starts at Jackson Square and highlights five spots: The Old Ship Saloon, a part of North Beach known as “The Devil’s Acre,” the haunted streets of Chinatown, and finally the Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar.

This spirited tour usually runs on Fridays and Saturdays. 

>> Find out more about this fun pub crawl

8. SF: True Crime Tales from the Haight

This is a different walking tour of the Haight-Ashbury that really gives context to San Francisco's ghosts by teaching you about the darker, more dangerous side of the Summer of Love. 

You'll learn about what this famous bohemian neighborhood was like in the 1970s and get to know the ghosts of singers Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and others.

You will also see the homes of serial killers Charles Manson and Jim Jones, and hear the true crimes stories about the Zodiac Killer and the Harvey Milk assassination.

This two-hour tour is offered most days starting at 5pm. 

>> Find out more about this fascinating tour

10 of The Most Haunted SF Locations

Would you prefer to venture out on your own? If so, then check out my list of the 10 most haunted places in San Francisco that are open to the public. They range from the woman that roams around Blue Heron Lake (formerly Stow Lake) in the evenings to the ghosts of City Hall.

Learn More: Discover 10 Haunted SF Locations

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Alcatraz Island Tour Tickets

Alcatraz island is open come see sf's #1 attraction..

Book Alcatraz DAY Tix  Book Alcatraz NIGHT Tix

These tickets sell out weeks in advance because of limited capacity -- Book your tickets early! We have the biggest selection of options to tour Alcatraz. If tickets are sold out on the date you want to go, we have several options for you.

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Alcatraz Day Ticket

*Face coverings are required at all times in boarding areas, onboard vessels and in all indoor spaces on Alcatraz Island.   Please bring your face mask with you or you may purchase one at the ticket booth.

From: $41.01 US Dollars

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• Alcatraz Night Tour

The Alcatraz Night Tour is a unique program limited to just a few hundred visitors per evening. It includes special programs, tours, and activities not offered during the day. Roundtrip ferry transportation, a live boat narration, a guided tour from Dock to Cellhouse, the Cellhouse Audio Tour, a keepsake souvenir brochure, recreation use fee, and a variety of special programs and presentations offered only at night. *Face coverings are required at all times in boarding areas, onboard vessels and in all indoor spaces on Alcatraz Island.  Please bring your face mask with you or you may purchase one at the ticket booth.

From: $47.36 US Dollars

• Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour

Get tickets to Alcatraz Island and cruise on the San Francisco Bay. Tour Alcatraz, the infamous and notorious former federal prison, which is home to the likes of Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelley, and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud. *Face coverings are required at all times in boarding areas, onboard vessels and in all indoor spaces on Alcatraz Island.  Please bring your face mask with you or you may purchase one at the ticket booth.

From: $89.36 US Dollars

Alcatraz Ticket & Angel Island Combination Island Hop Tour

BEST OPTION WHEN ALCATRAZ TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT - This tour goes inside Alcatraz! The Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour showcases two of San Francisco Bay's most famous and historically rich islands. Take this tour and you will not only see two amazing sites, but you will travel on the first hybrid ferry in the United States. This vessel is a working demonstration of alternative energy in operation, utilizing wind, solar, electricity and diesel. *Face coverings are required at all times in boarding areas, onboard vessels and in all indoor spaces on Alcatraz Island.  Please bring your face mask with you or you may purchase one at the ticket booth.

From: $78.66 US Dollars

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Go Alcatraz

Specialities.

When families come to San Francisco, they think about the Golden Gate Bridge, Clam Chowder, and Alcatraz Island. We offer tours to Alcatraz island for times when all other avenues have been exhausted.

Established in 2011.

Our business started in 2011 in a brick and mortar kiosk in San Francisco. Since then, in order to stay afloat with rising rents, we developed a website for our main source of sales. We have always been driven by a customer satisfaction mentality!

• Website: http://www.goalcatraz.com
• Phone: (504) 616-0256

Highest Review

Took my Alcatraz tour with Go Alcatraz and I was glad I did! They’re cheaper than almost all of their competitors. I got same day tickets to Alcatraz, which was a very welcomed surprise. Go here! Go see Alcatraz! You won’t regret it. I found this company on craigslist and I’m glad I did. The guy that runs this place was so nice, he gave me a ride in his personal car so that I would make the ferry on time because I was running late (walking, taking buses, etc). It’s been years since I took this trip, but I still remember this company and how nice that guy was to me.

Austin Ghosts

Lowest review.

WORST place ever…BE AWARE!!! :(( We purchase our tickets from our concierge the night before from our hotel paid $170 tickets per person. We almost pay $400 for only two tickets.

If you buy them and not show up in time I contact the costumer service about the situation and explain them about taking the big bus for three hours so we can make it to the Alcatraz but they leave the boat right away. This was suppose to be our part 2 honeymoon try, I’m so angry and angry about this place. I feel like they sold our tickets like lottery. HORRIBLE place don’t recommend at all.

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Select Your City

Welcome to san francisco's #1 rated ghost tour.

Lost in a fog of tragedy and greed, San Francisco’s reputation as the city of gold vanished in darkness with its forsaken souls.

Uncover a corrupted, shocking history with San Francisco Ghosts that will forever change the way you view the beloved Golden Gate City. From the spark of the Gold Rush, the mysterious city has endured earthquakes, fires, deaths, and some of the most terrifying hauntings on the west coast.

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Choose Your Unique San Francisco Experience

Tours are held daily, rain or shine, and year-round. Please see a list of available tours below to book your tour today, or for more information.

San Francisco Ghosts: Gold and Ghouls Tour

Lost in a fog of tragedy, misfortune, and greed, San Francisco’s reputation as the city of gold vanished in darkness with its forsaken and forgotten souls.

Meeting Location Union Square at the corner of Powell St. and Post St.

Tour Duration Tours are 1 hour across a 1-mile walking distance. Ask about the bonus extended tour!

Availability Press "Book Now" for availability

San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Try the new Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl for some genuine scares, spirits, and spirits in San Francisco.

Meeting Location High Horse in the Jackson Square Historic District, 582 Washington, St.

Tour Duration Tours are 1 hour across a 1-mile walking distance.

Gold, Greed, and Gunslingers: Forging San Francisco

It's pretty now, but during the Gold Rush this area was known as the Barbary Coast, infamous for its violence and vice.

Meeting Location Corner of Merchant St. and Kearney St. Across the street from Portsmouth Square, in front of the Hilton.

Taste of San Francisco: Flavors of the Mission District

Learn the diverse and unique story of San Francisco though food and history. San Francisco has been the epicenter for change. From the hippie movement of the 60s, to the current gentrification taking place with the tech boom.

Meeting Location All tours meet at Mexico Liberty Bell, Dolores Street & 19th Street San Francisco, CA

Tour Duration 2 Hours 45 Minutes

THE EXPERIENCES YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT

Read All Reviews

Preview The Most Haunted Locations In San Francisco

Sutter building.

When this building was constructed, it was the largest medical building in the world. To this day, its purpose remains, but with a more teeth-chattering reputation. Custodial staff and security guards have both received their fair share of hauntings in the halls of this architecturally stylish building.

Fairmont Hotel

As one of the oldest, and most well-known hotels, this site experiences its fair share of hauntings. After the earthquake in 1906, many people claimed this hotel to be cursed. A variety of workers and other spirits have been said to make themselves known to guests unexpectedly.

Pacific-Union Club

Along with the Fairmont, this mansion was among one of the only buildings in Nob Hill to survive the earthquake and fire in 1906. Though this extremely elite and exclusive club wasn’t open to many, the incidents and hauntings that took place here are almost more shocking than the earthquake itself. 

Welcome to San Francisco Ghosts

Affluence and affliction.

From resounding hills to the glistening Pacific, San Francisco is one of the most desirable places to experience. However, the greed and prosperity that helped found a plethora of tech companies from Apple, Pixar, and Uber to Twitter and AirBnB came with a horrible price. The city that created the first Chinatown birthed some of the most terrifying hauntings and ghosts in the Western Hemisphere.

Devilish disasters and heartbreaking misfortunes mark every point of its tragic timeline. The frontier founders that once shaped history in these iconic buildings forever dwell and haunt visitors to this day. 

It’s not uncommon to book a room at one of San Francisco’s infamous hotels, like the Fairmont, and then feel the intense desire to check out much sooner than anticipated. Perhaps being one of the sole survivors of the 1909 earthquake made it an attractive new haunt for ghosts from other destroyed properties. While some of these ghosts mean no harm, others appear a bit more maleficent.  While it may seem that some of these ghosts mean no harm, others appear far more maleficent and promise a night of torture and torment.

Don’t miss this crippling experience on a San Francisco ghost tour that will send shockwaves of terror down your spine.

WHAT WILL I SEE?

Hotel and hollywood horrors, secrets and spirits in the shadows.

Venture into the calamitous streets of the city and hear the less-than-glamorous stories of the ghostly Nob Hill district and Union Square. From prestigious haunted hotels and clubs to eerie historic parks to scandalous Hollywood secrets, an abundance of unexplained events echoes the tragedies of the city’s perilous past. Iconic spots like the famous Fairmont Hotel continue to house horrors few dare to whisper of. 

Hear the shocking details behind the true story of a murdered street-walker that has a habit of leaving bathtubs overflowing with an unknown substance, and even more terrifying– lipstick stains on unexpecting sleeper’s cheeks.  Hear and perhaps even witness the bizarre apparition known as the Wandering Bride. The ghastly being that slips in from the cold, a flowing old tattered 19th-century wedding dress marking her passage. 

Uncover the brave story of Dennis T. Sullivan, and how the man was cooked, with severe third-degree burns, his face melted, and his ribs crushed, continuing to perform with his Company and save others during the 1906 earthquake. Visit his memorial as we recount stories from all over the city of his ghost and how it has become a guardian angel of the needy. 

These are just some of the many specters that hide in the shadows of the streets you will dare to investigate.

Mayan Curses and the Blacklist of Death

Ol’ Frisco was a beacon of hope that drew in crowds from all around the country and even the world. People looked to the United States as a bright shining light to which they could travel, and possibly strike it rich, and The Golden City was the brightest on the Pacific coast. Like moths, millions came chasing fortune and glittery gold… and many ventured too close to the flame and went up in smoke. Others were sucked into the darkness of despair, crime, and violence, leaving evidence of unbelievable rituals and symbols followed by hauntings and horror.

Discover the secrets of ancient Mayans that are carved into the interior of the Sutter building, their darkest deeds made the city a magnet for things from beyond better left undistributed. Rumors, strange affiliations, and prejudices plagued individuals and, boiling in their souls’ embers of bigotry, xenophobia, and wrapped views on others. It was a fight between “Them” and “Us”. Dozens were lost in this struggle, including celebrities like Roscoe Fatty Arbucle, who was blacklisted by the film industry. 

See where it all unfolded, hear the sordid details of one of the most tragic nights in the history of San Francisco, and walk amongst the haunted buildings that still reverberate with the dark energy from that night.  Be careful exactly where you tread, though…Their spirits demand justice and demand to be heard. Adventures with San Francisco Ghosts and give them the attention they deserve and call for.

What makes San Francisco so haunted? 

Shortly after the US conquered and settled in San Francisco, this incredibly historic city boomed with an influx of travelers and immigrants in search of gold and wealth, starting with the Gold Rush of 1849. Each brought with them a little bit of the madness inherent to their childhood homes. And the first thing they related, on ships crashing into the port, on bars down by the wharf, on lonely nights out in the hills, or on fishing vessels stuck in the fog circling the island of immortals were the ghost stories and otherworldly creatures they brought with them. 

Those tales and an influx of people who saw that the easiest path forward to notoriety and fortune was on the backs of their neighbors, and by taking what their fellow citizens had worked to earn. This negative spirit and energy of theft, greed, and misfortune continued to infect San Francisco, and each neighborhood had its own patron boogeyman. For years, those invading outsiders claimed the souls of the city’s citizens who became victims. Some even coerced or convinced them to join the darkness and commit the vilest deeds themselves.

The Calamity that Created the Ghosts of San Francisco

Then, among the turmoil, the social upheaval, and the class warfare, Mother Nature intervened. At the start of the 20th century, San Francisco suffered one of the biggest natural calamities in US history. A massive earthquake shook and even swallowed whole parts of the city. 

Neighborhoods collapse into tunnels, some preserved underneath the city as if in amber to this day. Fire ran like quicksilver across the streets. Floods swallowed whole sections into the bay. And, after the finger of God had taken its toll, over 3,000 people, and rats descended on the city — bringing with them plague, pestilence, and famine. 

After all that heartache, San Francisco persevered, but the pain and tragedy was etched into the soul of the city and the spirits of those who were lost would forever haunt it. The city was built back up, brick by brick, but the aftermath of this disaster still plays out in Huntington Park where numerous hauntings have been reported, as well as sights indicating a former battleground. 

Fog City is so haunted because we brought terrors from other lands to it, and when God decided to wipe them off the face of the map, we were too stubborn to allow it. 

* This is a walking tour and we do not enter privately-owned buildings or private property *

6 Reasons To Book Your Ghost Tour Right Now!

1: you’re ready for adventure .

In a city that’s bustling on every corner, adventure is not hard to come by. San Fran has got it all. It is home to some of the world’s most prestigious educational and cultural institutions. There’s a concert hall or a museum on every corner. A bar or culinary Venus flytrap waiting under every awning. San Fran is also a melting pot — full of rich neighborhoods, each in their own way has paved what the US is today. You’ll never grow tired of exploring Fog City. Still, when the sun sets and you’re still hungry for more, the fun is just getting started. Come experience the thrill of multiple haunted locations with stories that will shake you. 

2: You’ve already seen Alcatraz 

If you’ve already paid a visit to the infamous Alcatraz island, heard the tales, and seen the sights. Your appetite is wet with stories of ghosts and phantoms. Now, you’re in the market for more eldritch horrors. Our tours take you around popular destinations while recounting nail-biting accounts of hauntings meant to give you your fix of ghosts. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see a plethora of different sites that are historically and deeply haunted. 

3: It’s date night 

Did you know that science has proven that a good fright is as potent as Spanish Fly when it comes to getting your groove on? Our brains go gonzo whenever we experience a good scare with our better half. It’s orgasmic, it’s chemical, it’s natural. There’s a reason why horror movies are a stereotypical date night activity. There is no better way to spend a night with your significant other than being scared into each other’s arms. This engaging and fun tour is the perfect way to switch it up and step away from the TV. Trust us, you’ll be talking about this date night for months to come. 

4: You watched Vertigo 

Maybe you watched ‘Vertigo’, or ‘The Rock’, or any other movie that was filmed at the Fairmont Hotel. “I want a suite, a shower, a shave, the feel of a suit,” John Mason. Remember, Nick Cage, getting into a yellow jag while Sean Connery goes after his daughter in a Humvee? Such fond memories. Such killer lines. While the hotel makes for the perfect backdrop in any movie, the activity that goes on inside is a bit more bone-chilling. Come see what makes the Fairmont Hotel equally beautiful and haunted. 

5: You don’t believe in ghosts 

We won’t try to convert you into a ghost hunter, but we will share the historical accounts of real deaths and hauntings that surround SF. These frightening stories may just leave you a bit more intrigued about life after death. We’ll allow you to be the Skully to our Mulder — just watch out, sometimes the spooks take your reluctance as a challenge. 

6: You’re on a tight schedule

“America only has three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everything else is Cleveland.” — Tennessee Williams.

There’s a reason why Herb Caen, once stated, “one day, if I go to heaven… I’ll look around and say, ‘it ain’t bad, but it’s not San Francisco.” Fog City can be a daunting city upon arrival; colorful buildings, historical sites, and so much to see. It’s a breathtaking place that has inspired the likes of Rudyard Kipling, “San Francisco has only one drawback – ’tis heard to leave, “ Tony Bennet, Anthony Bourdain, Dylan Thomas, Robin Williams, Jack Kerouac, and everyone you can imagine. “Los Angeles is just a big parking lot where folks buy a hamburger before their trip to San Francisco,” that’s not us by the way but John Lennon. This tour combines a bit of everything. You will experience historical events while walking around one of the wealthiest neighborhoods of SF. Whether you’re a local, or a tourist who refers to this city as “Frisco”, this tour is the perfect way to see the good, bad, and ugly of this Gold Rush town. If you’re on a tight schedule, this tour has you covered. 

Further Reading

• WHY BOOK US?
• START LOCATION
• WATCH US ON TV
• HAUNTED SF BLOG

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Ghost Tours of Alcatraz?

Jul 24, 2023.

Everyone who comes to San Francisco or visits me on the Haunted Haight™ Walking Tour always asks me about Alcatraz and if there are ghosts on the island. Tourists are fascinated with the ghosts of Alcatraz.  Everyone wants a Ghost Tour of Alcatraz.  This is federal land and they do not like to talk about the ghosts on the island.

I can confirm the island IS very haunted. I have spent the night there with the History Channel and starred in a television program called Mystery Quest. Here is a link to the show if you’d like to learn more about it.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1549661/

Here are some of the haunted areas to visit THe Ghosts of Alcatraz island. 

Mess Hall - People have been tapped on the shoulder.

Cell Block D  - Some of the last solitary confinement cells are reportedly haunted.

Times Square:  Prison gaurd ghost has been seen. 

Barracks:  Documented murder of a cadet happened in there. 

Hospital:   Probably the most haunted area of the prison. 

In 2009, we discovered lots of evidence for the television show. In fact, San Francisco Ghost Society’s™ Vice President Anthony Anderson, was a volunteer docent on Alcatraz for many years. We can say with confidence, we know the ghosts of Alcatraz are REAL.

Sadly, there are no official ghost tours on the island. You can visit the island by going to the National Park Service website and getting tickets on the official ferry.

https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

Do not get tickets to the island from ANYONE but the link on the official site above.

The National Park Service does sometimes offer night tours on Alcatraz island. They sell out very quickly. I would recommend buying them in advance.  Consider coming on the Haunted Haight™ Walking Tour before you take a trip to the island. We would love to share all our insider tips and tell you where all the ghosts are! Happy Hauntings!

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Alcatraz Night Tour vs Alcatraz Day Tour

There are a few key differences between the alcatraz night tour and the alcatraz day tour, read more below to find out which one is more your style.

The Alcatraz night tour is a unique way to see Alcatraz. While it only runs certain times of the year, it can be worth the wait.

Looking for tickets? Book your Alcatraz tours here!

• History of Alcatraz
• Alcatraz Day Tour
• Alcatraz Night Tour

A quick history of Alcatraz

In 1962, three men left behind dummy heads in their bunks and used makeshift rafts made from old raincoats to make their escape into the icy San Francisco Bay.

Less than a year later, due to deteriorating buildings and high costs of maintaining a maximum security prison on an island, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closed its final cell door.

Alcatraz Island didn’t open up to the public until almost 10 years later in 1972.

We wouldn’t even be able to visit this former Civil War Era fortress turned federal prison if it hadn’t been for a bold 19 month occupation of the island by Indian American students at San Francisco State University (Go, Gators!), led by activist and student Richard Oakes.

If you look closely, you’ll find historic graffiti that has been preserved from the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz.

Our personal favorite piece of graffiti is at the entrance to Administration Building (the Alcatraz audio tour takes you through this entry). Look for the eagle above the door, it’s perched on a shield with the American flag and looked between the stripes where you will find the word “FREE”.

All of this history can be explored on both the San Francisco Alcatraz Night Tour and Alcatraz Day Tour.

But what’s the main difference between the Alcatraz Night Tour vs the Alcatraz Day Tour?

Let’s break it down to make your tour choice a lot easier!

Alcatraz day tour

When does the Alcatraz day tour run?

The Alcatraz day tour runs every day, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Departure times vary depending on the season, but always begin around 9am.

How do you get tickets?

How much does the alcatraz day tour cost.

Alcatraz Day Tour Tickets : 

Prices of Alcatraz Day Tour tickets vary from about $25 – $41 depending on age. For the most updated ticket pricing, check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website.

How long is the Alcatraz tour?

There’s no official Alcatraz tour length – you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Or at least until the last ferry leaves!

Most people explore the island for about two hours before heading onto a ferry back to the city. The official Alcatraz City Cruises website recommends three hours to cruise the island.

You can return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing with any ferry that goes to San Francisco. Make sure to arrive at least one-half hour prior to the departure time.  

What is included in the Alcatraz day tour?

• Ferry ride to Alcatraz
• Narrated tour while on the ferry
• Guided tour
• Self guided tour of the cell block

Tickets to Alcatraz during the day include a ferry ride to Alcatraz and one back to San Francisco, as well as an audio tour of the cell house. This audio tour was the first tour they had, so it’s unlike any others they offer.

The Alcatraz audio tour was produced by a local interactive non-profit theatre company after interviewing former inmates, guards who watched over the infamous Birdman of Alcatraz and children who grew up on the island in the shadow of the San Francisco prison.

Many of the voices you’ll hear have since passed away. Some of the voices you might recognize in the gift shop. Guest authors can often be found signing books and answering questions in the gift shop.

Also, there are various ranger-led tours throughout the day, but the schedules of the tours are posted per day. This means you can’t check it before you go to Alcatraz so be sure to check for extra tours led by rangers and historic interpreters as soon as you’re on the dock of Alcatraz!

Where can you buy day tour tickets for Alcatraz?

You can buy Alcatraz tickets through Alcatraz City Cruises; this is the only official ferry operator to Alcatraz. If they sell out you can buy tickets via third parties, like Dylan’s. We offer tickets to Alcatraz which are included in our 1 day Alcatraz Experience tour . During this tour, we explore San Francisco, Muir Woods and Alcatraz , perfect for those with only one day to see everything in the city.

View all of our  Alcatraz tours here!

Alcatraz night tour

When does the night tour run?

The Alcatraz Night Tour usually has two sailings per day Tuesday – Sunday between March and November. Check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website for the most accurate departure information.

How much does the Alcatraz night tour cost?

Alcatraz Night Tickets : 

Prices of Alcatraz Night Tour tickets vary from about $28 – $48 depending on age. For the most updated ticket pricing, check the official Alcatraz City Cruises website.

How long is the Alcatraz night tour?

The Alcatraz Night Tour is about two and a half hours.

There are only two ferries that leave the island on the night tour so you can’t leave early.

Make sure to check the schedule on the Alcatraz City Cruises website and arrive at least one-half hour prior to the departure time. The first ferry that leaves the island usually reaches capacity so keep that in mind.

What is included in the Alcatraz night tour?

Your night tour of Alcatraz begins with a guided tour around Alcatraz Island, with the day tour it’s just a ride straight to the island so this is a big plus!

Your guide will point out hidden spots used for attempted escapes and prison structures that are unreachable by foot.

Once you arrive at the island a ranger-led walks you up the hill to the cell house while highlighting the history of the island. You can tour the cell house at your own pace while listening to the audio presentation.

The difference with the day tour is that you are able to see parts of the prison that are normally closed off.

There will also be behind-the-scenes tours, cell door demos, and other bonus walking tours. All of these extras make the night tour more of an ‘Alcatraz Behind the Scenes tour’ than the day tour option.  

Where can you buy Alcatraz night tour tickets?

You can purchase tickets for the Night tour directly through Alcatraz City Cruises.

Unfortunately, no third-party operators can sell Alcatraz tickets for the night tour.

Tickets to Alcatraz are notorious for selling out quick and the Alcatraz night tour is no exception, so book early if you have your heart set on seeing Alcatraz at night!

*Note: Because Alcatraz Island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreational, there isn’t an official Alcatraz ghost tour or Alcatraz haunted tour, but we’re still hoping one of these years they’ll make it happen for a themed Alcatraz Halloween Tour. We’ll let you know if that ever happens!

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We’re sure that whether you choose the Alcatraz day or night tour, you’re going to have a great time on this historical island. Just make sure to book your Alcatraz tour today or ASAP to make sure you get to see the island during your time in San Francisco.  

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Alcatraz Tour Options

As the official concessioner to the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises offers in-depth visits to Alcatraz. Your visit includes round-trip transportation to the Island and outdoor National Park access.

Alcatraz Tour Options Overview

Pertinent information.

At Alcatraz City Cruises, our guests’ well-being is our number one priority. We have proudly implemented new COVID-19 procedures to keep everyone safe & healthy.

Age Policy Adult- 18-61 / Junior- 12-17 / Senior- 62+ / Child- 5-11 / Toddler 4 and under are Free

Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to tour Alcatraz Island without the accompaniment of an adult.

Group Tours If booking a group of 20 or more people, please contact the Alcatraz City Cruises Group Services Department at 415.438.8361; or e-mail  [email protected]

Ticket Price

Please refer to our  Fee Breakout FAQ  for complete overview of Alcatraz Island ticket prices.

Alcatraz Island Named #1 Landmark in the U.S.

Alcatraz City Cruises is a Proud Partner and Authorized Concessioner of the National Park Service

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• Alcatraz Day Tour
• Alcatraz Night Tour
• Bay Discovery Cruise

Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour

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• About Alcatraz
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• Alcatraz History
• Alcatraz Ferry Schedule
• Before You Visit
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The Ultimate Alcatraz Experience

Duration: 4 -5 Hours Available: Tues - Sat Check-In Time: 2:15 PM and 2:45 PM thru March 9th. Spring/Summer: 4:20 PM and 4:50 PM Check-in.

• E-Ticket Mobile Check-in
• Ferry ride to and from Alcatraz Island
• Two-hour Park Ranger guided tour with small group of 20 or fewer tour guests
• Award-winning Cellhouse audio tour
• Additional programs and exhibits
• Docent guided tours and talks

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Alcatraz Behind The Scenes - FAQ

How long does the tour last, where does the behind the scenes tour go, in what languages is the behind the scenes tour offered, how many visitors will be in the group, may i bring my children, what accommodations are available for those with mobility disabilities, alcatraz behind the scenes tour programs offered, cellhouse audio tour included.

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Thank you for visiting www.alcatrazislandtickets.com . Reservations and E-tickets are genuine for the tour which includes the ferry service. We also provide extended around-the-clock customer care seven days a week, including holidays. We're a private Customer Service and Booking company. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. Please share your experience with us at: Customer Care . This website isn't affiliated with any government entity and isn't the official box office. Total at checkout may exceed face value.  

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Want to Visit Alcatraz? Here is What You Need To Know

D o you want to roam the halls of a prison that once held some of the world’s most dangerous criminals? Would you like to spend time on a mysterious island? Do you enjoy haunting history and natural beauty? You can experience all this and more at Alcatraz Island, a national park site unlike any other. We will outline everything you need to know to visit Alcatraz. 

At First Sight, No Second Guessing

The first thing most visitors to San Francisco Bay recognize is the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Shortly after, an island catches your eye a mile and a quarter from the bustling city’s shoreline. 

With a fortress and a towering lighthouse, there is something strange yet appealing about the island. It is a rare combination of natural beauty and haunting history. The island disturbingly beckons you.

Alcatraz Island is renowned for being a maximum security federal prison. Some bristle at the thought of touring a prison. Is it odd to want to see a place where feared villains lived? Probably. 

Do not let fear keep you from such a fantastic experience. It is creepy yet exhilarating and educational. Touring Alcatraz is one of the best things to do in San Francisco and a unique national park site experience. You will be glad you answered the call.

Essential Information for Your Alcatraz Visit

The National Park Service (NPS) manages Alcatraz Island, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is one of many national park sites in and near San Francisco .

Hours of Operation

The park is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

Alcatraz Island Location

Alcatraz is an island that sits 1.25 miles from San Francisco’s vibrant shores. Its address is Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, CA 94133.

How to Get There: Alcatraz Landing Location

There is only one way to reach the island: by ferry. The Alcatraz Ferry Terminal, also known as Alcatraz Landing, rests on the Embarcadero near the intersection of Bay Street at Pier 33. 

Its exact location and the more critical physical address for you is Alcatraz Landing, Pier 33, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94111.

To give you another reference point, Fisherman’s Wharf sits at Pier 39, less than a 0.5 mile away. It is a short, easy walk between the two iconic locations.

Although all tours depart from and return to Alcatraz Landing, the area does not have parking. Nearby commercial parking lots typically fill up quickly. Due to limited parking, the NPS suggests visitors use public transportation .

Would you expect the weather to be perfect on a mysterious island that housed convicted felons? Of course, the weather is unpredictable, almost sullen, and moody. The only thing predictable about the weather is that it suddenly changes regularly.

Mornings are often cold and foggy. When the fog clears, visitors usually experience sunlight. However, blustery winds and fog often return. 

Spring and fall typically offer the most pleasant weather, while summers are cool and foggy. Winters tend to be gloomy and rainy. No matter when you visit, we suggest a light jacket.

Throughout the year, temperatures rarely exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit or dip below 38. Dress accordingly and embrace the weather. It is all part of the experience, setting the tone for your adventure.

Internet and Cellular Access

WiFi is not available. Most guests find cell reception very limited on the island. Again, it is all part of the theme.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Alcatraz Island does not charge an entrance fee per se. What does this mean? 

Although the park technically does not have an entrance fee, you must purchase a ticket for a park tour and ferry rides to and from the island. In other words, a national park pass does not grant you free access to Alcatraz.

To visit Alcatraz, you must secure a reservation by purchasing a ticket. The NPS strongly recommends visitors make reservations in advance. Tours can and do sell out, especially in summer and around holidays.

The NPS partners with Alcatraz City Cruises , the only approved vendor, to provide ferry services for all tours. Please click on the provided link to check availability by type of tour, day, and time and to purchase Alcatraz tickets. Or, you can call them at (415) 981-7625.

Tour Options

Alcatraz tours come in three flavors, all beginning and ending at Alcatraz Landing. Let’s review your ticket options.

• Adult: $45.25
• Child (ages 5-11): $27.55
• Junior (ages 12-17): $45.25
• Senior (ages 62+): $42.65

Note that prices may change at any time. 

The day tour provides access to the island’s open areas, including exhibits, gardens, the historic cellhouse, dining hall, and recreation yard. It includes a self-guided cellhouse audio tour where you hear from prisoners, guards, and wardens as you make your way through the cold, damp halls. The audio tour provides some fascinating history, transporting you back in time as the cells and corridors practically come to life.

• Adult: $56.30
• Child (ages 5-11): $33.00
• Junior (ages 12-17): $55.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $52.25

The night tour delivers more of a personal touch. Groups are smaller, and park rangers provide information and tell exciting stories. Like the day excursions, you will take a self-guided cellhouse audio tour. Visitors at night get to explore an unannounced area that is not typically open during the day. And the icing on the cake is your spectacular sunset views of the city skyline, bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Behind the Scenes Tour

• Adult: $101.30
• Junior (ages 12-17): $97.10
• Senior (ages 62+): $94.25

The behind-the-scenes tour provides the most intimate outing, with group sizes capped at 30 people. Best of all, you gain access to areas not available to the public on the other tours, such as tunnels, underground jails, and unique gardens.

Eating and Smoking

The island has one area near the dock where visitors can eat and smoke. Consuming food and tobacco products is prohibited in all other parts of the island. Why is this? The rule is to help protect the island’s seabird populations. Note that you can purchase and eat food on the ferry.

How Long is the Tour?

Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire experience, including the ferry rides and tour. Each ferry ride is about 15 minutes.  

Your ticket shows the ferry departure day and time. Plan to arrive before your scheduled ride so you can catch your ferry.

If you take a day tour, ferries return from the island about every half hour. Return trip departure times are posted on the ferry and at the island dock. You have an assigned ferry time to the island but may ride on any returning ferry.

Accessibility

The Alcatraz Landing entrance has an accessibility drop-off zone. Nearby commercial parking lots provide accessible spaces, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with a valid disabled parking permit may park in the area at blue-painted curbs or blue zones .

Accessible features at Alcatraz Landing and Alcatraz Island include a tactile model of the island and Pier 33, accessible restroom facilities, an audio-described tour with Braille posts for wayfinding, assistive listening devices, and a Braille transcript of the cellhouse tour.

The prison sits atop a steep hill, about .25 miles from the dock, with an elevation change of 130 feet. Visitors requiring mobility assistance can ride an electric shuttle, Sustainability Easy Access Transport (SEAT). The tram meets each arriving ferry at the dock and makes regular return trips from the prison to the dock throughout the day.

Wheelchair-accessible areas include:

• Alcatraz Landing
• Alcatraz dock
• The main floor of the prison
• Museum displays
• Island theater

Deaf visitors can watch an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the cellhouse tour on a handheld digital device. Upon arrival, a park staff member can provide you with a handheld device for the ASL tour.

When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Alcatraz?

Your primary goal will impact the answer to this question. The best weather occurs in April, May, September, and October. If summer fits your schedule, prepare for bigger crowds and surprisingly cold, foggy weather.

For those who want to avoid crowds, the following windows offer the best experience:

• First two weeks of November
• First two weeks of December
• January through March (rainy season)

The best time to observe nesting seabirds is February through August. April and May bring nest building and egg laying, with chicks beginning to hatch around mid-June.

Best Time to Go

Based on your perspective, the best time to go is a matter of opinion. However, if you aim to escape crowds, morning is the best time. For those who seek the possibility of some warm sunshine, midday is best. Consider the night tour if you love sunsets or desire a unique excursion.

What to Expect When You Visit Alcatraz

Now that we have discussed essential information, what can you expect on your visit to Alcatraz Island?

The ferry ride to the island takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Water can get choppy sometimes, but the boat is large enough to absorb the waves, making it reasonably smooth. Along the journey, you gain fantastic views of the island, city skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Savor the vistas and enjoy!

Arrival and Exploration

After disembarking the ferry, a park ranger will greet you and deliver a brief orientation talk. If you are taking a day tour, you can freely explore the island after your briefing. A park ranger escorts visitors to the prison during the night tours. The behind-the-scenes tour is a ranger-guided tour with additional time for visitors to explore independently.

Attractions

The park is considerably different from most national park sites. So, what can you do on the island? Alcatraz is primarily about walking and exploring an island with a fascinating history. That history is disturbing, yet it leaves you feeling exhilarated and educated.

The park houses a museum, bookstores, theater, and exhibits to explore. You will encounter information placards throughout the prison and its grounds. The two primary exhibits are:

• Red Power on Alcatraz: Perspective 50 Years Later
• The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.

Understandably, the prison is the main attraction for many visitors. The self-guided audio tour takes approximately half an hour, leading you through the prison corridors, dining hall, and recreation grounds. You have an opportunity to step into a jail cell if you dare.

The audio tour is a fantastic way to experience Alcatraz as you hear the voices of former guards, wardens, and prisoners. Even if you do not enjoy audio tours, I highly recommend this one. The combination of the audio and exhibits gives you a glimpse of the harsh conditions and hopelessness the prisoners must have felt. Walking through the prison without the audio is excellent, but the commentary gives you historical information and perspectives you would otherwise miss.

Park rangers hand you the audio device, which includes headphones and a neck strap, leaving your hands free to take pictures with your phone or camera. The tour is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Mandarin. You can request a transcript if you prefer. An English Braille version of the transcript is available as well.

Where many national park sites fill your soul with beauty, Alcatraz floods your mind with vivid images of its past. Seeing it firsthand is oddly rewarding.

I want to ensure your visit is well-spent by giving away only a little information on the history. Alcatraz was a military fort protecting San Francisco Bay in the 1850s. It was an army prison beginning in 1859. Alcatraz gained its fame as a maximum security prison for the worst of criminals from 1934 to 1963. Most inmates got transferred from other prisons after proving to be troublemakers or escape risks.

“The Rock” was believed to be inescapable, located on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, resting atop a large rock. Notorious inmates include Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz,” and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis.

The inmates’ history and escape attempts are essential to its lore. Thirty-four men made fourteen separate escape attempts from the federal prison. The infamous escape attempt in 1962 saw Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin make it to the bay. The trio was never found, presumably drowning.

American Indian political activists occupied Alcatraz three times in the 1960s and early 1970s. Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, resulting in Alcatraz being under the organization and part of the NPS.

Rock Gardens

When most people envision Alcatraz, they picture a drab facility with harsh conditions. Surprisingly, despite this haunting history, the Rock harbors beautiful gardens of lush plants and colorful blossoms. In 2003, the NPS, Garden Conservancy, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy began collaborative efforts to restore and preserve the historic gardens. 

The island contains a beautiful trail that is widely unknown. You can visit Alcatraz almost any day of the year. Still, the Agave Trail, a short path between the dock and Parade Ground, is typically open only from late September through January. The path skirts along the island’s edge, delivering exceptional views of the island and bay. It is closed for the rest of the year to protect nesting birds.

Alcatraz Birds

Although not a highlight for some visitors, many beautiful waterbirds call Alcatraz Island home. Accordingly, park rangers close some parts of the island for your safety and theirs.

Due to abundant birds, early Spanish explorers named the island after alcatraces or seabirds. Most birds disappeared for years while the island was a military fortress, prison, and federal jail. 

When the prison closed in 1963, the seabirds returned. The National Historic Landmark now harbors more than 5,000 nesting birds, including western gulls, cormorants, black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and pigeon guillemots. 

Park rangers first spotted a pair of peregrine falcons on Alcatraz Island in 2019. The NPS announced the birth of four peregrine falcon chicks in early April 2023.

The historic Alcatraz Lighthouse, lit in 1854, was the first built on America’s west coast . It has gone through many changes over the years. The current 84-foot concrete tower was built in 1909, replacing the original. Shortly after the prison closed in 1963, the lighthouse was automated. It is not open to the public for tours. However, the beacon adds a touch of beauty and mystery to the island.

Is Alcatraz Haunted?

Guests have reported hearing moans or cries from empty cells. Legends say an inmate from the infamous cell 14D died after incessantly screaming that a ghost was after him. Many visitors report feeling cold when passing that same cell. Perhaps ghosts roam the halls, or maybe it is the wind blowing through the corridors, or just wild imaginations or fears getting the best of us. I will let you decide for yourself.

Tips Before You Visit Alcatraz

We suggest you reserve your Alcatraz Island tour tickets in advance. Attempting to purchase last-minute tickets is risky since many tours fill up days or weeks before.

Plan to arrive twenty to thirty minutes early for your scheduled ferry ride. Your spot is reserved for a specific day and time. Once on the island, you can take your time and catch any returning ferry.

Wear comfortable but sturdy shoes due to the park’s uneven and steep walking surfaces. Your initial climb from the dock to the prison is steep.

The park does not offer storage facilities of any kind. Although we suggest packing layers, including a light jacket, only bring what you can comfortably carry.

Since the island only allows food in a small area near the dock, plan to eat shortly before your tour. Or, you can eat a snack during the ferry ride. 

Bring your camera to capture views from the ferry and Alcatraz Island. While touring the island, do not focus solely on the prison. Remember to savor the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wrap-Up: How to Visit Alcatraz

With an odd combination of haunting history and natural beauty, Alcatraz Island delivers a riveting experience, unlike any other national park site in America . Use our guide to plan your Alcatraz escape!

Featured image credit: Rodrigo Soares

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