Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour
The Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour is a one-of-a-kind experience that lets visitors explore two of San Francisco Bay’s most famous islands in a single day.
This seasonal tour includes ferry rides to Alcatraz Island and Angel Island, offering a mix of history, nature, and stunning bay views.
On Alcatraz Island, guests can take the award-winning “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour”, where former inmates and guards share real stories about life inside the infamous prison.
Then, on Angel Island, visitors will enjoy a one-hour narrated tram tour, learning about the island’s history as an immigration station, military base, and state park.
Top Tickets
– Alcatraz Day Tour
– Alcatraz Night Tour
– Alcatraz & Angel Island tour
– San Francisco Bay Cruise (no landing)
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz
– Muir Woods, Sausalito & Alcatraz + SFO city tourBook tickets early, as Alcatraz Island tours sell out quickly.
Table of Contents
Why choose this tour?
- Two Iconic Islands in One Day – Explore Alcatraz and Angel Island, experiencing both history and nature.
- Award-Winning Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour – Hear firsthand accounts from former prisoners and guards, including escape stories and prison riots.
- Scenic Angel Island Tram Tour – Enjoy a one-hour narrated tour with breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.
- Self-Guided Exploration – After the tram tour, spend time walking the trails, relaxing at the café, or visiting the Angel Island Visitor Center.
- Spectacular Bay Views – Take in panoramic views of the Bay, Alcatraz, and the city skyline throughout your journey.
IMPORTANT: Being a premium tour, Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour sells out much in advance. Check out all available Alcatraz Island tours.
Additional information
- The award-winning “Doing Time” Cellhouse Audio Tour which you get at Alcatraz is available in 11 languages (Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish).
- The one-hour narrated tram tour of Angel Island starts just a short walk from the dock. Audio guides in French, Italian, Mandarin, and Spanish are available before the tour begins—ask an agent on Angel Island to get a headset.
- After the tram tour, enjoy an extra hour to walk the trails, relax at the café, or chat with a park ranger at the Angel Island’s Visitor Center.
- This tour does not include entry to the Immigration Station, or segway and bike rentals on Angel Island.
Itinerary of the Alcatraz & Angel Island tour
This schedule assumes the standard 9:40 AM departure, which is the most common slot for this specific combo.
Note: The ferry that leaves at 9:40 AM first visits the Alcatraz Island and then the Angel Island, and as a result, this itinerary reflects this order.
PHASE 1: Departure & Alcatraz (9:00 AM – 12:15 PM)
09:00 AM | Arrival at Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing)
- Parking: Do not drive to the pier. Street parking is time-limited, and lots are expensive ($40-$60). Use Uber/Lyft or the F-Market streetcar (stop: Bay Street).
- Queue Strategy: Get in line 30 minutes early.
- Boat Position: When boarding, head immediately to the right side (starboard) of the boat on the second or third deck. As you depart, you will get the best panoramic shots of the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge.
09:55 AM | Landing on “The Rock”
- The Initial Ascent: The distance from the dock to the Cellhouse is 1/4 mile with a 130-foot elevation gain (equivalent to a 13-story building).
- Accessibility Hack: If you have any mobility issues (bad knees, asthma, heart condition), look for the S.E.A.T. Tram (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) immediately to the right after you get off the boat. It is free, first-come, first-served, and saves you the steep climb.
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM | The Cellhouse Audio Tour
- “Doing Time”: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is a 35 to 45-minute self-guided audio tour that leads you through the prison’s main cellhouse.
- Don’t Miss: The Solitary Confinement cells (D-Block) and the Library.
- The 12:00 PM Hard Stop: You must be back at the dock by 12:10 PM to board the specific ferry to Angel Island. If you miss the 12:15 PM boat, your tour of Angel Island is forfeited, and you will be sent back to San Francisco.
PHASE 2: The Transfer & Angel Island (12:15 PM – 3:00 PM)
12:15 PM | The “Hunger Gap”
- Crucial Tip: You cannot buy food on Alcatraz. You will likely be starving by now. The ferry ride from Alcatraz to Angel Island (approx. 20 mins) is your only chance to eat before the next tour starts. Pack a sandwich in your backpack and eat it on this boat ride.
12:45 PM | Arrival at Ayala Cove (Angel Island)
- This island is vastly different—quiet, nature-focused, and massive.
1:00 PM | The Tram Tour
- The tram waits near the dock. It is an open-air vehicle.
- Sit on the Left Side: For the first half of the tour, the left side offers better views of the bay looking out toward Tiburon and Sausalito.
- Stops: The driver typically stops at Battery Ledyard. This is widely considered one of the best photo spots in the Bay Area—you can frame the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the SF Skyline in a single shot.
PHASE 3: The Decision Point (2:15 PM)
The tram tour ends back at Ayala Cove around 2:15 PM. You now have ~40 minutes before the ferry leaves.
Option A (Relaxed): Visit the Angel Island Café (Ayala Cove). Grab a local craft beer or an “Angel’s Chai” and sit by the water.
Option B (Active): Hike up the Sunset Trail for about 15 minutes to get elevated views, then turn back. Do not attempt to summit Mt. Livermore; you will miss the boat.
Option C (Immigration Station): Advanced Move. You can sometimes hop off the tram at the Immigration Station (North Garrison) instead of returning to the dock. Warning: If you do this, you must hike back to the ferry dock (1.2 miles, partly uphill, approx 30 mins). Only do this if you are a fast walker and have checked the return ferry time twice.
Schedule of Alcatraz & Angel Island combination tour
The Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour is available exclusively during the spring and summer months – from May 24 to September 1. Additional departures are also available on Saturdays and Sundays in September.
Passengers on the combination tour are divided into two groups based on their tour itinerary: the Green Group and the Yellow Group.
- The Green Group visits Alcatraz Island first, followed by Angel Island.
- The Yellow Group starts at Angel Island and then heads to Alcatraz later in the day.
While both groups follow a set schedule for departures and island visits, Yellow Group guests have a flexible return from Alcatraz, allowing them to explore the prison at their own pace before taking any available return ferry.
Green Group (Alcatraz First, Angel Island Second)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:40 AM | Depart Pier 33 |
| 9:55 AM | Arrive at Alcatraz Island |
| 12:15 PM | Depart Alcatraz Island |
| 12:45 PM | Arrive at Angel Island |
| 2:55 PM | Depart Angel Island |
| 3:25 PM | Return to Pier 33 |
Yellow Group (Angel Island First, Alcatraz Second)
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:50 AM | Depart Pier 33 |
| 10:30 AM | Arrive at Angel Island |
| 1:00 PM | Depart Angel Island |
| 1:35 PM | Arrive at Alcatraz Island |
| Flexible Return | Depart Alcatraz on any returning ferry |
Who is this tour best for?
History buffs will love learning about Alcatraz’s infamous prison past and Angel Island’s history as an immigration station, often called the “Ellis Island of the West.”
If you enjoy nature, Angel Island’s scenic landscapes, hiking trails, and waterfront views make this tour a great choice for outdoor lovers.
Photography enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to capture stunning Bay Area landmarks, from the eerie prison cells of Alcatraz to the breathtaking panoramic views on Angel Island.
For adventure seekers, this tour offers a full day of exploration, including ferry rides and guided tours across two unique islands filled with history and beauty.
Finally, families and groups will find this tour both fun and educational, offering a perfect mix of history, nature, and adventure for all ages.
What to wear for the combo tour
San Francisco microclimates are real. You will experience roughly 3 different weather patterns on this tour.
So it is best to wear a T-shirt, with a fleece or heavy sweater over it. Keep a waterproof/windproof jacket since the wind on the ferry and the top of Alcatraz cuts right through denim and cotton.
Do not wear heels, open-toed sandals, or new leather boots. The terrain on Angel Island is dirt and gravel; Alcatraz is paved, but the roads are steep concrete. Sneakers or broken-in hiking boots are mandatory.
The sun reflects off the water. Even on foggy days, UV exposure is high. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
Eating on the Alcatraz + Angel Island Tour
On Alcatraz island only water is allowed. No gum, no candy, no food is allowed past the dock area.
On Angel Island, there is the Angel Island cafe which offers standard canteen fare. You can hog Island Oysters (seasonal), sandwiches ($13-$16), salads, and wraps.
It also serves beer and wine, which is a nice way to end the afternoon while waiting for the return ferry.
Lines can be long immediately after the tram returns. If you plan to buy food here, hustle off the tram.
