Getting to Pier 33: Directions & Parking

Every Alcatraz tour departs from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing — 1398 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133. There is no way to reach the island except by ferry from this pier. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your departure time.

Driving & Parking Near Pier 33

There is no parking at Pier 33 itself, but commercial parking lots and garages sit within a few blocks of the pier along The Embarcadero and Bay Street. On busy summer days, lots closest to the water fill by mid-morning — build in extra time if you have a morning departure.

Expect to pay: waterfront lots charge premium rates — check current pricing on the lot or garage’s own site before you drive in
Tip: garages a block or two inland are typically cheaper than the lots directly on The Embarcadero
Allow time: a 3+ hour tour plus arrival buffer means you’ll be parked 4–5 hours minimum — check maximum-stay rules before leaving your car

San Francisco cable car with Alcatraz Island visible in the bay below — The Powell–Mason cable car line ends near Fisherman’s Wharf, a 15-minute walk from Pier 33.

Public Transit

Pier 33 is one of the easiest spots on the waterfront to reach without a car:

F Market & Wharves streetcar: historic streetcars run along The Embarcadero and stop steps from Pier 33
From BART: exit at Embarcadero Station and take the F streetcar north along the waterfront
Cable car: the Powell–Mason line ends at Taylor & Bay near Fisherman’s Wharf, about a 15-minute walk from the pier

Rideshare & Taxi Drop-Off

Rideshare drop-off is the simplest option on sold-out summer days — no parking hunt, no time pressure. Ask to be dropped at Pier 33 on The Embarcadero; the Alcatraz Landing entrance is clearly marked.

Walking from Fisherman’s Wharf

Pier 33 is about a 10-minute walk from Pier 39 / Fisherman’s Wharf heading south along The Embarcadero. If you’re staying near the Wharf, walking is usually faster than driving and parking.

Arriving from Outside San Francisco

From the East Bay: BART to Embarcadero Station, then the F streetcar
From the North Bay: Golden Gate Ferry to the Ferry Building, then the F streetcar north — a scenic, traffic-free route
From the Peninsula/South Bay: Caltrain to San Francisco, then rideshare or the F streetcar from Market Street

Once you know how you’re getting there, lock in your departure time: Day Tour Tickets · Night Tour Tickets · See the ferry schedule

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