Every Alcatraz ferry leaves from Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing — 1398 The Embarcadero — and it’s one of the easiest spots on the San Francisco waterfront to reach without driving. Given that there’s no parking at the pier itself and waterfront lots charge premium rates, going car-free is often the smarter move. Here are your options.
The F Market & Wharves Streetcar
The historic F streetcar runs right along The Embarcadero and stops steps from Pier 33 — for most visitors it’s the simplest car-free option. If you’re staying downtown or along the waterfront, this is likely your ride.
From BART
Coming from the East Bay or elsewhere on the BART network, exit at Embarcadero Station and take the F streetcar north along the waterfront to Pier 33. It’s a clean, traffic-free connection that avoids the bridge and the parking hunt entirely.
By Cable Car
The Powell–Mason line ends at Taylor & Bay near Fisherman’s Wharf, about a 15-minute walk from the pier. It’s more of a scenic ride than the fastest route, but if riding a cable car is on your San Francisco list anyway, it pairs naturally with an Alcatraz morning.
Walking from Fisherman’s Wharf
If you’re already near Pier 39 or Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 33 is about a 10-minute walk south along The Embarcadero. Staying nearby? Walking is usually faster than driving and parking.
From Outside San Francisco
- East Bay: BART to Embarcadero Station, then the F streetcar north.
- North Bay: the Golden Gate Ferry to the Ferry Building, then the F streetcar north — a scenic, traffic-free route that starts your day on the water.
- Peninsula / South Bay: Caltrain into San Francisco, then rideshare or the F streetcar from Market Street.
Rideshare & Taxi Drop-Off
On busy summer days, rideshare drop-off is the least stressful option of all — no parking search, no time pressure. Ask to be dropped at Pier 33 on The Embarcadero; the Alcatraz Landing entrance is clearly marked. It’s also the easiest way to guarantee you hit your arrival window, since you skip the parking search entirely and get dropped at the door.
If You Must Drive
Sometimes a car is unavoidable. There’s no parking at Pier 33 itself, but commercial lots and garages sit within a few blocks along The Embarcadero and Bay Street — the closest is at 80 Francisco Street at Kearny, and garages a block or two inland are typically cheaper than the lots right on the water. Build in extra time: a 3+ hour tour plus your arrival buffer means you’ll be parked four to five hours minimum, so check the maximum-stay rules before you leave the car. On summer days the closest lots fill by mid-morning.
Give Yourself a Buffer
However you arrive, plan to be at Pier 33 at least 30 minutes before your departure. Boarding closes before the ferry leaves, and missed departures can’t always be rebooked on sold-out days — the one mistake worth avoiding. Transit and rideshare both make that buffer easier to hit than circling for a parking space.
Plan Your Visit
See the full directions & parking guide for every route, check the ferry schedule for departure times, and book your day tour or night tour. If your dates are sold out, our sold-out guide has your options.
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