Yes, infants (ages 4 and under) can go to Alcatraz for free, but you must have an adult with you, and while strollers are allowed on the ferry, a baby carrier is recommended for navigating steep hills and crowded cell blocks, as strollers aren't allowed on the island's tram. Minors under 18 need an adult (21+) with them, and while kids often enjoy the ferry ride and wildlife, use your judgment if your child is sensitive, as it's a former prison.
Most kids find Alcatraz fascinating, not frightening. The prison stories are presented in a historical, informative way, and many kids enjoy exploring the cells and island wildlife. Use your judgment if your child is very young or sensitive.
For those who wish a more detailed and historical account of the Island and its resources, please visit the National Park Service website page. Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to visit Alcatraz Island unless accompanied by an adult, 21 years of age or older.
Who was the most dangerous inmate at Alcatraz? Arthur “Doc” Barker and Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” were among the most notorious and dangerous inmates housed on the island.
Photo ID is required for boarding Alcatraz ferries. Large bags, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, weapons, and oversized items are prohibited. Advance Booking: Alcatraz tickets sell out well in advance. Secure your tour promptly to avoid disappointment.
Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to tour Alcatraz Island without the accompaniment of an adult. Family Packs are available for Day Tours only. The Family Pack includes 2 Adult and 2 Child (ages 5-11) tour tickets. Please refer to our Fee Breakout FAQ for complete overview of Alcatraz Island ticket prices.
You are welcome to bring strollers, however, there is no stroller storage. Strollers can be boarded onto our vessels and pushed around Alcatraz Island.
Clarence Carnes. Clarence Victor Carnes (January 14, 1927 – October 3, 1988), known as The Choctaw Kid, was a Choctaw man best known as the youngest inmate incarcerated at Alcatraz and for his participation in the bloody escape attempt known as the Battle of Alcatraz.
"That's a lonely sound," Hopkins said. "It reminds you of Hank Williams singing that song, 'I'm so lonesome I could cry. '" Now 93 and living in Florida, Hopkins said the San Francisco National Archives informed him that he is likely the last surviving former Alcatraz inmate.
Frank Morris was known for his exceptional intelligence, reportedly boasting an IQ of 133. By his late teens, he had begun to accrue a criminal record for offenses ranging from narcotics possession to armed robbery.
Awesome Outdoor Baby Activities in the Bay Area
Alcatraz cell block
The most notorious "haunted cell" is 14-D, one of the notorious "holes" where rebellious inmates were confined in total isolation. 14-D is permeated by a perpetual chill.
Frank Heaney can't escape Alcatraz. In 1948, then just 21 years old, Heaney became the infamous federal prison's youngest guard ever. He later went back as a tour guide and still visits once a month to talk to people and autograph his book, Inside the Walls of Alcatraz.
For the Alcatraz and Bay Cruise package only, children under the age of 5 do not require a ticket and are free of charge. For all other tour, children are required to have a ticket.
Collapsible or foldable strollers are allowed on all Muni vehicles.
Did Disney Buy Alcatraz Island? New rumors have been swirling that Disney bought Alcatraz Island to add a new Disneyland theme park, but is it true? No. Disney did not buy Alcatraz.
The incident in which Doc chops off his fingers with a hatchet was based on an actual incident in 1937; inmate Rufe Persful, maddened by strict rules that imposed silence on the prisoners, cut off four fingers with a hatchet to try to get transferred off Alcatraz.
Alcatraz closed in 1963 due to high operating costs and deteriorating facilities that made it impractical to continue as a federal prison.
'Gangster' George "Machine Gun" Kelly (Barnes) was incarcerated at Alcatraz Prison from September 4, 1934, to 1951, becoming Alcatraz inmate #117. He was sent to Alcatraz after being convicted of kidnapping and ransom, where he served 17 years.
The killer who inspired the movie Birdman of Alcatraz made notable contributions to bird pathology and spent 17 years in solitary confinement. Robert Stroud, better known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” might be one of the most well-known inmates at America's most infamous prisons.
Jolene Babyak lived on Alcatraz Island as a child during the 1950's when her father worked as an administrator and later as a warden at the prison. “You know, for kids, it was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “There were about 75 children on the island.” At the time, the island was separated into two sides.
For decades, Alcatraz loomed in California's San Francisco Bay as a fearsome and forbidding prison. But paradoxically, the Rock was also a warm and nurturing place for some of its residents: the children of guards and staff who worked there and lived on the island.
The two mile swim between Alcatraz and San Francisco has ripping currents, freezing cold water. Whoo. It's cold. And sharks.
Fisherman's Wharf is the most family-oriented place in San Francisco and contains the highest concentration of activities for families with children.
Every year, there are a total of 18 overnight stays available on Alcatraz, and a staggering number of 200 to 400 groups compete for the opportunity to secure one of these spots.