Alcatraz Island sits in San Francisco Bay roughly 1.25 miles north of the city's northern waterfront, between the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge.
The essentials
- City: San Francisco, California
- Approximate coordinates: 37.827° N, 122.423° W
- Distance from Pier 33: about 1.25 miles
- Ferry crossing: about 15 minutes
- Managed by: National Park Service, Golden Gate NRA
What is around it
Angel Island lies to the north, Treasure Island to the east, and the Marin headlands across the water to the northwest. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 face the island from the city side.
Where to see Alcatraz from land
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39
- Coit Tower
- Crissy Field and Marina Green
- The Golden Gate Bridge walkway
- Twin Peaks on a clear day
How to actually get there
Only by the scheduled ferry from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing. Full routing on how to get to Alcatraz and context on Alcatraz San Francisco.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Alcatraz from shore?
About 1.25 miles from San Francisco's northern waterfront.
Is Alcatraz in the Pacific Ocean?
No. It sits inside San Francisco Bay, east of the Golden Gate strait.