Is Alcatraz handicap accessible?
Discover SF Alcatraz Island wheelchair accessible attractions, things to do, tours and activities for disabled travelers. Read our informative review to learn if the San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair friendly or if Wheelchair Jimmy recommends this attraction be avoided by travelers in wheelchairs.
Alcatraz is located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as “The Rock,” the small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison (1868), and a federal prison from 1933 until 1963. In 1972 Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Today, the island’s facilities are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it is open to tours. Visitors can reach the island by ferry ride from Pier 33, near Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco .
- City Attraction Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Fully Accessible Entry: Yes (Ramp)
- Accessible Restrooms Onsite: Yes
- Restrictive Steps: No Steps (Ramps)
Jim’s Accessibility Comments:
Alcatraz is steep and hilly and a long walk but it is accessible through SEAT – Sustainable Easy Access Transport which runs twice an hour from the dock to the prison cell. Visit for details. You can also call the Park Service which operates the tour at 415-561-4900 regarding accessibility. Pier 33 ticketing, waiting and boarding areas are fully accessible. The Alcatraz cruise boats, dock area, prison building main floor, theatre, bookstore and museum are all fully accessible. Restrooms at Alcatraz are fully accessible.
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