How to get to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing & parking options

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is located along San Francisco’s northern waterfront, also known as The Embarcadero.

It sits near the intersections of Sansome Street and The Embarcadero, and Bay Street and The Embarcadero.

The pier is easily accessible by public transportation, making it convenient to reach without a car.

If you are navigating by pier numbers, remember that odd-numbered piers are north of the Ferry Building (at the foot of Market Street), while even-numbered piers are south of it.

Pier 33 is the departure point for Alcatraz tours, so be sure not to confuse it with Pier 30, 32, or 34, which are miles away.

Parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf area is limited and expensive, especially during peak tourist season.

Taking public transportation or arranging a drop-off at Pier 33 is best to avoid parking hassles.

Buses to Pier 33

San Francisco MUNI Buses

The following SF Municipal Railway (MUNI) bus lines stop within three blocks of Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing:

F Line Historic Streetcar – Get off at the Bay Street stop.
#8 Bayshore – Use the Kearny Street & North Point stop.
#82X Levi Plaza Express – Use Levi Plaza, Sansome & Filbert Street stop (only runs in the morning and afternoon from the CalTrain Station)

AC Transit (For travelers from the East Bay)

AC Transit buses arrive at the TransBay Transit Center (200 Folsom Street). From there, connect to MUNI buses or streetcars. For schedules, visit AC Transit Maps or call 510-891-4700.

Golden Gate Transit (For Marin & Sonoma County travelers)

Provides service between San Francisco and the North Bay. Check GG Transit or call 415-455-2000.

SamTrans (For travelers from San Mateo County)

Buses connect to the TransBay Transit Center in downtown San Francisco. From there, take MUNI. Visit SamTrans or call 510-817-1717.

Streetcars to Pier 33

E – Embarcadero Streetcar Line

Runs along The Embarcadero with direct service to Pier 33. Get off at the “Bay Street” stop (corner of The Embarcadero & Bay Streets) and walk one block south.
Service ends at 7:00 PM. For more info, visit SFMTA E-Line.

F – Market Street & Wharves Streetcar Line

Runs along The Embarcadero with a stop at “Bay Street” across from Pier 35. Walk one block south to Pier 33.
For MUNI schedules, fares, and multi-day visitor passes, visit SFMTA or call 415-673-6864.

Trains to San Francisco

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

BART trains (except the Richmond-Fremont Line) stop at Embarcadero Station. From there, transfer to the F & E Historic Streetcar lines or take a private ride service.
Visit BART or call 510-465-2278 for schedules.

CALTRAIN

Trains from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties arrive at the downtown San Francisco station (700 4th Street near Townsend). From there, connect to MUNI buses or the E Historic Streetcar line.
Visit CALTRAIN for schedules.

Parking near Pier 33

There is no parking available at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. While there are over 3,000 commercial parking spaces nearby, parking in Fisherman’s Wharf is expensive and fills up quickly.

Alcatraz Landing Parking Map — Image: Cityexperiences.com

We strongly recommend using public transportation or arranging a drop-off to avoid wasting time and money.

On-street parking

Metered street parking is available but can be difficult to find, especially during peak tourist seasons. Most meters have a two-hour limit, which is not long enough for a complete Alcatraz visit (which takes at least three hours).

Meter rates range from $2.00 to $3.50 per hour.
Payment methods: coins, pay-by-phone, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), and SFMTA parking cards.
Always check the meter for exact hours and rates.

Accessible parking

For visitors with disabilities, Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing has an Accessibility Drop-Off Zone at the entrance. Limited accessible parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To use these spots, visitors must show a valid permanent or temporary disabled parking placard.

Plan your transportation in advance and consider using public transit for a smooth and stress-free trip to Alcatraz. If you do need to drive, be prepared for high parking costs and limited availability.