ALCATRAZ HISTORY - Civil War Days 1861-1865
©2002 RJ BestALCATRAZ HISTORY
CIVIL WAR DAYS
The military began sending the first Civil War prisoners to the
naturally isolated island in 1861, the year in which the fort was
designated as the official U.S. Army prison for the western states
and territories. Because it was the only completed fort in the bay,
Alcatraz played a vital role in protecting San Francisco from Confederate
raiders.
Military Function
Early in the war ten thousand rifles were moved to Alcatraz from
the State armory so they wouldn't be available to southern sympathizers.
The crew of a Confederate privateer was among the island's first
prisoners.
As the war progressed, Alcatraz often served its country well militarily.
In 1863, a suspicious clipper schooner was towed to Alcatraz when
inspectors from the USS CYANE found 15 armed men and unmanifested
cannon and ammunition hidden below her decks. The crew was questioned
in separate cells on Alcatraz, where it was learned that the schooner
was to take on other military stores elsewhere, then to act as a
Confederate privateer against the coastal ships.
Alcatraz took its responsibility seriously for protecting the bay
area. In October 1863, when a Revenue Service cutter had to leave
her station to help a wrecked Russian ship, Captain William A. Winder
(commander at Alcatraz) was asked to challenge all arriving ships
at the Golden Gate before they entered port while the cutter was
busy. Winder did not recognize the colors of an armed ship towed
by two small boats, headed in the direction of the Raccoon Straits,
so he fired a blank charge to attract the boat's attention. When
that failed, he fired broadside in an attempt to salute the ship,
but by the time the boat began its 21-gun answer, Fort Point commenced
firing, thinking its assistance was needed against the approaching
ship. The letter exchange that followed shortly thereafter identified
the boat as Her Majesty's Ship SUTLEJ, the flagship of Rear Admiral
John Kingcome. The departmental commander suggested only a mild
reproof to Alcatraz because had the situation been a real security
threat, Captain Winder's actions would have been commended.
In a separate incident in 1864, a plan to capture the California
mail steamers was foiled when the plotters were arrested on arrival
in San Francisco. As a result, all subsequent steamer passengers
had to be searched for concealed weapons and all ship officers had
to be armed to discourage attempts to commandeer the vessels.
Political Prison
The island became a detention camp for political prisoners during
the Civil War.
Confederate sympathizers were imprisoned there, put to breaking
rocks and grading paths and roads. These prisoners weren't kept
at Alcatraz for very long, though – after the initial excitement
of the war died down, they were released.
In the unsettled days following Lincoln's assassination, rumors
of election riots placed the entire Alcatraz garrison on frequent
alert. In fact, in 1865, much of the force was shifted to San Francisco
to keep order. The bay area's official half-hourly gun salute on
the day of Lincoln's funeral was fired by the batteries of Alcatraz.
http://www.militarymuseum.org/AlcatrazCitadel.html -
"California Military Museum"– Great photos
Copyright TourCorp Inc. 2003-08 - All Rights Reserved
ALCATRAZ TOUR PACKAGES - Reserve tickets online TODAY!
Save time and money with our
Popular Alcatraz Combination Tours
We offer One and
Two day combination tour packages for Alcatraz.
Beware Alcatraz Ticket Tricks and Huge Overcharges.
Don't be fooled or overcharged by other Alcatraz "Official" Ticket web sites.
These overpriced web sites may charge you as much as $10.00 per ticket "service
charge" or $ 3.95 per order "service fee" or both.
We do not mark up Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour prices.
We also do not advertise $7.00-8.00 child ticket prices for a 1 Hour Bay Cruise
that goes around Alcatraz (not to Alcatraz) to lure you into our web site.
Compare and Save:
See and Compare Other Website Alcatraz Prices Here
We offer the published prices for Ferry and Audio Tour Tickets to Alcatraz.
All of our Alcatraz tickets are combined with a 2nd tour also at published prices.
We make a commission on selling you the 2nd tour. We don't think you should
pay as much as $13.95 extra and not get anything but a Alcatraz Ferry ticket and a
"service charge."
Thanks for visiting San Francisco and purchasing tickets from us.
Notice: Alcatraz Ferry departs from Pier 33.
Top
Our great Combo Tours do include the Ferry Ride to Alcatraz and the Audio
Tour of the prison cell house. Reserve online today before you arrive
in the city. Remember: The ferry tickets to Alcatraz sell out weeks
in advance. There are a limited amount of tickets per day. Make sure
you get to see "The Rock" on your trip to San
Francisco. We DO NOT sell individual Alcatraz ferry tickets.
Former federal prison Alcatraz has become a must see activity for
visitors to the Bay Area.
Use our one stop tour shopping to plan your vacation! You will not be
charged a markup on the Alcatraz Tickets PLUS eliminate Wharf parking fees with a
hotel pick up for most of our motor coach tours. Plan your entire day here.
BOOK EARLY! Alcatraz tours are often sold out over a week in advance!
Tour includes ferry cruise to the infamous and notorious former federal prison.
Also included is an Award-winning audio headset tour in the prison Cell House.
No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it.
The award-winning 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 new Cellhouse Audio Tour is an expanded version of the original award-winning tour
and includes new stories, new narrators, and explores new areas of the Cellhouse.
The tour is available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese Dutch and Mandarin.
Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's most popular visitor attractions and its
tours frequently sell out a week or more in advance. Tickets are rarely
available at the Box Office for same-day sailings. The Alcatraz Ferry
departs daily from Pier 33 Fisherman's Wharf in San
Francisco. "TourCorp" is Tour & Sightseeing Company and
we only offer Alcatraz Ferry Tickets as a planning convenience for our
clients. We do not mark up or add any service fees to the
cost of the Alcatraz Tickets. Due to high demand and limited tickets
for the Alcatraz ferry/audio tour- both your Sightseeing Tour and Ferry
reservations are pending until you receive a final confirmation e-mail from us.
Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions
Compare and Save: See
and Compare Other Website Alcatraz Prices Here
ALCATRAZ TICKET AVAILABILITY:
Remember: Reserve weekend Alcatraz tickets at least 10-14 days in advance. Maximum 8 tickets per order.
BOOK ALCATRAZ EARLY TO GET BEST DEPARTURE TIMES
Very limited tickets are available for August and September weekends. All Summer weekend cruises will sell out very early. Book Now to get best departure times!
Alcatraz Cruises depart from PIER 33.
Please indicate on the comments section of the order form if you want your Alcatraz tickets on a later or earlier day or a specific time.
Top
| 1-Day Combo Boat Cruise Packages |
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
BAY CRUISE: The one hour, headset narrated San Francisco Bay Cruise takes you out to the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf. En route you will pass Fort Mason, the Marina District and the Presidio National Park. Cruise travels under the Golden Gate Bridge past Angel Island and around Alcatraz. Narrated in 8 languages.
Duration: Combo Tour - 1 hour Bay Cruise
Alcatraz - 2-3 hours on same day.
Departure Dates & Times: Golden Gate Bay Cruise Departures start at 10:00 AM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability.
Departs from: Red and White Fleet Bay Cruise: Pier 43 1/2 Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$16.00 - $22.00 (USD)
 Best Seller |
California Sunset Cruise as a one reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
SUNSET CRUISE: The California Sunset Cruise departs from Fisherman's Wharf. View the Marina, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Bay Bridge and Downtown San Francisco Skyline lit up with splendor. Enjoy amazing sunsets and appetizers aboard this relaxed 2 hour cruise.
Duration: Combo Tour - 2 Hour Sunset Cruise
Alcatraz 2-3 Hours on same day
Departure Dates & Times: Sunset Cruise: April through October
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evenings
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability.
Departs from: Red and White Fleet Sunset Cruise: Pier 43 1/2 Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$34.00 - $48.00 (USD)
|
Top |
| Full Day Sightseeing Tour Combo Packages |
San Francisco Ultimate City Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
CITY TOUR: Your three hour City Tour tour will include three or four scheduled stops of 10-25 minutes each at selected landmarks. Enjoy ample time for photos and exploration at the Golden Gate Bridge and panoramic views from Twin Peaks. This is the most popular tour in San Francisco and is an excellent way to see the City in a short space of time or to orient you for a longer stay.
Duration: Combo Tour - 3 hours San Francisco City Tour Plus Alcatraz - 2-3 hours.
Departure Dates & Times: City Tour Daily, 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: City Tour: Hotel pick up or 2627 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$25.00 - $46.00 (USD)
Best Seller
|
Redwoods and Sausalito Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
MUIR WOODS / SAUSALITO: Tour across the Golden Gate Bridge with photo stop. Travel through Marin County to Muir Woods National Monument, a pristine, old growth forest of towering coastal redwoods. Time to stroll one of the park's paved trails and then to Sausalito. A waterfront artist's colony with a Mediterranean flavor. Ample time for lunch and browsing the shops along the charming waterfront.
Duration: Combo Tour - 3.5 to 4 hours Muir Woods Plus Alcatraz - 2-3 hours.
Departure Dates & Times: Muir Woods - Daily 9:00 AM or 1:40 PM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: Muir Woods Tour: Hotel pick up or 2627 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
Alcatraz Ferry: Pier 33
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$26.00 - $48.00 (USD)
|
Segway Day Tour San Francisco PLUS Alcatraz as a separate reservation - 2 reservations and 2 separate charges
SEGWAY TOUR: The San Francisco Guided Segway Tour is the most sensational way to see the city by the bay! You will love gliding through the waterfront on a eco-friendly Segway. This journey will take you to the best views and hidden locations. Tour Overview: After a 40-45 minute training on how to safely operate the Segway, you'll explore the San Francisco waterfront for two hours! Reservations are required. Easy to learn and fun to ride. Ages 12 and up are welcome.
Duration: Combo Tour : 2.5 hour Guided Segway Tour Plus Alcatraz - 2-3 hours.
Departure Dates & Times: Segway Daily 9:00 AM April - October or 10:30 AM September through March - Alcatraz as an Afternoon Departure
Departs from: 757 Beach Street - Rear parking lot, San Francisco CA 94109
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$70.00 - $70.00 (USD)
 Top Rated |
San Francisco Night Segway Tour PLUS Alcatraz as a separate reservations - 2 reservations and 2 separate charges
SEGWAY NIGHT TOUR: The San Francisco Guided Segway Night Tour will take you to the best views and hidden locations of Fisherman's Wharf and the Waterfront. You will love sightseeing on an eco-friendly Segway. Tour Overview: After a 40-45 minute training on how to safely operate the Segway, your fully narrated evening Segway tour will feature spectacular evening views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardeli Square, Municipal Pier and more. Reservations are required. Ages 12 and up are welcome.
Duration: Combo Tour : 2 Hour Guided Segway Night Tour Plus Alcatraz - 2-3 hours.
Departure Dates & Times: Segway Night Tour 4:30 PM Friday and Saturdays April - October
or 7:00 PM September through March - Thursday - Sunday
Alcatraz as an AM Departure
Departs from: 757 Beach Street - Rear parking lot, San Francisco CA 94109
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$70.00 - $70.00 (USD)
|
Top |
| 48 Hour Hop On Hop Off Combo Packages |
San Francisco Double Decker Bus Downtown Loop - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
DOUBLE DECKER BUS DOWNTOWN LOOP: Enjoy the San Francisco Downtown Hop-on Hop-off Loop Tour from the top deck of a open top English bus. The Downtown loop lets you customize your own tour with a 48-hour pass including 18+ hop on hop off stops at all major attractions. The fully narrated tour departs hourly between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Duration: Combo: Double Decker 48 Hour Hop On Hop Off Pass
Alcatraz 2-3 Hours
Departure Dates & Times: Double Decker Daily, Open Ticket for Hourly Departures from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: 2800 Leavenworth St. Suite 14 1st Floor between Jefferson St and Beach St.
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$22.00 - $30.00 (USD)
|
2 for 1 LOOPS San Francisco Double Decker Downtown Loop PLUS Golden Gate Loops as a 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
DOUBLE DECKER BUS TOUR COMBO: Enjoy the San Francisco Downtown Hop-on Hop-off Loop Tour and The Golden Gate Bridge open top bus tour for one low price. The Downtown loop lets you customize your own tour with a 48-hour pass including 18+ ho on hop off stops at all major attractions. The Bridge tour includes a picture stop at Vista Point.
Duration: COMBO Tour: 48 Hours unlimited use Hop on Hop Off Pass
Plus Alcatraz - 2-3 hours.
Departure Dates & Times: Daily, Downtown Loop Departing Hourly from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Golden Gate Loop Departs Daily at 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: 2800 Leavenworth St. Suite 14 1st Floor between Jefferson St and Beach St.
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$39.00 - $49.00 (USD)
|
Top |
| 2-Day Sightseeing Tour Combo Packages |
Wine Country PLUS Muir Woods Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
WINE COUNTRY & MUIR GIANT REDWOODS IN ONE DAY: The ONLY tour combining the two most popular destinations outside of San Francisco ! Groups no larger than 15 make this a great way to travel. The 8 hour tour starts with an extended stop in Muir Woods National Park. The afternoon is spent in Sonoma Valley for Wine tasting and then back through Sausalito and returning to San Francisco. Age 21 and up for Wine Tasting.
Duration: Combo Tour: 9 - 10 Hour Wine Country and Muir Woods Tour
Alcatraz - 2-3 hours on a second day.
Departure Dates & Times: Wine Country and Muir Woods Tour Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday9:00 AM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: San Francisco Hotel Pick Up Provided (Not available from Airport Hotels)
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$70.00 - $79.00 (USD)
|
Wine Country Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
WINE COUNTRY TOUR: Take in the best of California's world famous premium wine making region. You will be part of a group of 12-24 guests. The valleys of Napa and Sonoma lie 30 miles north of San Francisco and make up North America's premium wine making region. You will visit between 3 and 4 wineries including both a large vineyard and a smaller boutique winery. Age 21 and up for Wine tasting. Lunch not is included in the cost of tour. Most vineyards have tasting rooms where you will be able to purchase lunch.
Duration: Combo Tour - 7 to 8 hour Wine Country Tour
Alcatraz - 2-3 hours on a second day.
Departure Dates & Times: Wine Country Tour Daily, 9:00 AM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: 2800 Leavenworth St. 1st Floor between Jefferson St and Beach St. or Hotel Pick Up
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$56.00 - $66.00 (USD)
|
Monterey Carmel Tour - 1st reservation plus Alcatraz as a 2nd reservation
MONTEREY & CARMEL TOUR : Tour goes south on Highway 1 through Santa Cruz. Every turn features one spectacular view after another. Scheduled stops include: Steinbeck's Cannery Row in Monterey, the gallery and restaurant district of Carmel-by-the-Sea and spectacular vistas along the 17 Mile Drive tm including Pebble Beach Golf Course and the Lone Cypress, Your tour returns through Silicon Valley, the high tech capital of the world. Approx. 2.25 Hours in Monterey and Cannery Row and 1.25 Hours in Carmel by the Sea.
Duration: Combo Tour 8-10 hour Monterey Carmel Tour
Alcatraz - 2-3 hours on a second day.
Departure Dates & Times: Monterey Carmel Tour: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat at 9:00 AM
Alcatraz Ferry time will be confirmed based on availability
Departs from: 2800 Leavenworth St. 1st Floor between Jefferson St and Beach St. or Hotel Pick Up
For a Combo order you will pay the Tour/Cruise Rates listed below
PLUS a second charge for the Day Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour:
$26.00 for Adult/Junior (12-61), $24.50 for Seniors (62 and older) and $16.00 for Children (5-11)
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$50.00 - $66.00 (USD)
|
COMBO San Francisco Fishermans Wharf Pass Plus Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour as a seperate reservation and charge
Wharf Pass: For ONE LOW WHARF PASS PRICE, get access to: * Choice of many Fisherman's Wharf family-friendly attractions, a popular sightseeing Hop On Hop Off tour of San Francisco and a San Francisco Bay Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge
It’s easy! Present your Wharf Pass at each attraction or tour and you're in. Beginning the day you first use your Wharf Pass, you have two days to visit each attraction once. That's five of ten attractions to see over the course of two days – Save as much as 24.00 plus more with the 45 Wharf discounts!. Alcatraz is booked as a separate charge and reservation.
Duration: Combo: Add a 2-3 Hour Alcatraz Ferry and Audio Tour to your Wharf Pass Purchase
Departure Dates & Times: Wharf Pass is valid for 2 consecutive days from 1st use.
Alcatraz Ticket will be scheduled based on availability.
Departs from: Redeem Wharf Pass voucher at 1st Wharf Pass location you visit in San Francisco
Alcatraz Ferry Departs from Pier 33
Tour/Cruise Price from:
$37.00 - $55.00 (USD)
|
A very limited amount of Night Alcatraz Tours are available from
Thursday through Monday nights only. Departures are 4:10 PM or 5:10 PM. Higher Night Tour rate will be charged.
Ferry and Night Tour Departure Times are 4:10 PM and 5:10 PM. Please indicate if you want a Night Tour on your order.
If Night tours are unavailable a day Alcatraz tour if available will be reserved for you.
Top
MORE ALCATRAZ INFORMATION
If Alcatraz is Sold Out or you will be visiting Fisherman's Wharf, buy a
Wharf Pass.
Save with this One Low Price Admission Pass to the best Wharf Attractions,
Tours and Cruises.
Updated 08-19-08 Copyright TourCorp Inc. 2003-08 All Rights Reserved
Top
TOUR INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS 415-474-9855
TOLL FREE RESERVATIONS 877-474-3127
