• Alcatraz Custom Tours Specialist

  • Alcatraz and San Francisco Custom Tours Specialist
    A whole world on single island
  • Experience our thrilling hot-air balloon ride + Alcatraz tour


    OVERVIEW

      

    Book this ultimate getaway custom adventure and experience a thrilling hot-air balloon ride over California Wine Country combined with a tour of Alcatraz Island and prison.  

    We start with an early pickup at your hotel, and we will drive you to the balloon launching site in Napa Valley or Yolo County.

    Rising slowly and smoothly as the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscape and wineries. This thrilling and exciting hot-air balloon ride should be on everyone’s bucket list - a totally unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

    After your Balloon adventure, we will drive you back to San Francisco  to visit Alcatraz Island. Depending on the  Season, you may also combine the Alcatraz tour   with any other  side trip  to the Giant Redwoods when the balloon ride is not available or cancelled.

    12 to 1 pm:  We will drop you off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal located at Fisherman’s Wharf around 12 pm. We will take care of redeeming your Alcatraz Island tickets and ferry vouchers on your behalf, to save you the hassle of waiting in a long line in front of the Alcatraz booth. Once you sail to Alcatraz Island , you are on your own as tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Alcatraz. The national park service and Alcatraz staff are on hand to help you and will provide you with the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio guided tour. You can visit the prison inside and outside at your pace. The trip from San Francisco to Alcatraz and vice versa can take 2.5 to 3 hours to complete based on your pace.

    For guests with mobility issues, Alcatraz Island and Alcatraz Cruises' vessels are wheelchair accessible. There is also a SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram on Alcatraz Island for guests with mobility issues. The tram runs on a schedule, and it will take you from the dock to the cellhouse with no stops along the way. Once inside the cellhouse, there are elevators you can use to go on every level. The tram will also be available to take you from the cellhouse back down to the dock. Guests Services at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and the dock on Alcatraz Island can also arrange pre-board parties with mobility issues. You can board the boat first and be seated on the main deck of the boat. There are huge windows around so you can still see the views without having to go up the stairs on the outer decks.

    ·Please note that Alcatraz tickets are extremely hard to get because they are often sold-out weeks and months in advance. The sooner you book the better.

     

    Heads-up:

    ·This tour is not available in winter!

    ·Cancellation due  to bad weather: Because the weather forecast, and conditions are unpredictable in California Wine Country and Napa  Valley - there is a 65 % chance that the balloon ride would have to be cancelled in Napa Valley. However, the Pilot and his crew may drive  you to a nearby more suitable location to launch the balloon. This often takes  place in Yolo County  which is adjacent to Napa County where it’s safer to take off.

    · 

    Join us now and enjoy the balloon ride as we rise slowly and smoothly when the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscapes - a totally unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

     

    Regardless of when and where we meet with the pilot and his crew to launch the hot-air balloon, the  flight is a truly memorable and unique experience. You will see and  learn about how the crew  prepare and inflate the hot-air balloon with cold air from gas-powered fans before you fly up in the sky.

     

    We take care of the reservations and all other details -our office staff will notify you around 5 or 6 PM the day prior to your hot-air balloon adventure and give you an update on the weather forecasted for the following day. If you decide to cancel the balloon ride with our office staff the night prior to your tour, will accommodate you, and your driver will pick you up at 09:00 instead of 5 am  and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled because the wine tour portion of this combo tour package is not refundable. If, however, you wish to proceed and take your chances, your tour guide will pick you up as scheduled at your hotel very early in the morning.

    *** Please keep in mind that we have reserved this day just for you. Only the hot-air balloon ride portion of the package is refundable, and you will receive a $190 refund per person which will be credited back to you within 7 business days. Also, we can offer  you a  tour of the giant redwoods when the balloon ride is cancelled, and you will still receive a $190 refund per person if the cancellation is made by the balloon company and staff. However, there will be  refund at all  if you cancel it yourself as stated under  “terms and cancellation” of this page.

    We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions that are, unfortunately, out of our control. We do not profit from the hot-air balloon adventure itself; our goal is to stand out from the crowd as part of our philosophy to offer our valuable clients unique experiences.  

     

    What's Included in this tour? A complimentary pick up in San Francisco and a drop off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal at Pier 33 in San Francisco. Your Alcatraz ferry ride , the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour (available in many languages, a semi private hot air balloon ride , bridge tolls and  parking fees. Also, a private driver and vehicle are provided from  4 am to 12  pm or 6 am to 1 pm.

    What's not included in this tour? Meals, optional features or attractions not stated above , your driver’s gratuity, overtime, wine tasting fees and optional activities or entrance fees.

    * Please note that tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz.

    Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy: The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $45.25, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.


    DESCRIPTION

     

      

    Book this ultimate getaway custom adventure and experience a thrilling hot-air balloon ride over California Wine Country combined with a tour of Alcatraz Island and prison.  

    We start with an early pickup at your hotel, and we will drive you to the balloon launching site in Napa Valley or Yolo County.

    Rising slowly and smoothly as the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscape and wineries. This thrilling and exciting hot-air balloon ride should be on everyone’s bucket list - a totally unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

    After your Balloon adventure, we will drive you back to San Francisco  to visit Alcatraz Island. Depending on the  Season, you may also combine the Alcatraz tour   with any other  side trip  to the Giant Redwoods when the balloon ride is not available or cancelled.

    12 to 1 pm:  We will drop you off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal located at Fisherman’s Wharf around 12 pm. We will take care of redeeming your Alcatraz Island tickets and ferry vouchers on your behalf, to save you the hassle of waiting in a long line in front of the Alcatraz booth. Once you sail to Alcatraz Island , you are on your own as tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Alcatraz. The national park service and Alcatraz staff are on hand to help you and will provide you with the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio guided tour. You can visit the prison inside and outside at your pace. The trip from San Francisco to Alcatraz and vice versa can take 2.5 to 3 hours to complete based on your pace.

    For guests with mobility issues, Alcatraz Island and Alcatraz Cruises' vessels are wheelchair accessible. There is also a SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram on Alcatraz Island for guests with mobility issues. The tram runs on a schedule, and it will take you from the dock to the cellhouse with no stops along the way. Once inside the cellhouse, there are elevators you can use to go on every level. The tram will also be available to take you from the cellhouse back down to the dock. Guests Services at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and the dock on Alcatraz Island can also arrange pre-board parties with mobility issues. You can board the boat first and be seated on the main deck of the boat. There are huge windows around so you can still see the views without having to go up the stairs on the outer decks.

    ·Please note that Alcatraz tickets are extremely hard to get because they are often sold-out weeks and months in advance. The sooner you book the better.

     

    Heads-up:

    ·This tour is not available in winter!

    ·Cancellation due  to bad weather: Because the weather forecast, and conditions are unpredictable in California Wine Country and Napa  Valley - there is a 65 % chance that the balloon ride would have to be cancelled in Napa Valley. However, the Pilot and his crew may drive  you to a nearby more suitable location to launch the balloon. This often takes  place in Yolo County  which is adjacent to Napa County where it’s safer to take off.

    · 

    Join us now and enjoy the balloon ride as we rise slowly and smoothly when the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscapes - a totally unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

     

    Regardless of when and where we meet with the pilot and his crew to launch the hot-air balloon, the  flight is a truly memorable and unique experience. You will see and  learn about how the crew  prepare and inflate the hot-air balloon with cold air from gas-powered fans before you fly up in the sky.

     

    We take care of the reservations and all other details -our office staff will notify you around 5 or 6 PM the day prior to your hot-air balloon adventure and give you an update on the weather forecasted for the following day. If you decide to cancel the balloon ride with our office staff the night prior to your tour, will accommodate you, and your driver will pick you up at 09:00 instead of 5 am  and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled because the wine tour portion of this combo tour package is not refundable. If, however, you wish to proceed and take your chances, your tour guide will pick you up as scheduled at your hotel very early in the morning.

    *** Please keep in mind that we have reserved this day just for you. Only the hot-air balloon ride portion of the package is refundable, and you will receive a $190 refund per person which will be credited back to you within 7 business days. Also, we can offer  you a  tour of the giant redwoods when the balloon ride is cancelled, and you will still receive a $190 refund per person if the cancellation is made by the balloon company and staff. However, there will be  refund at all  if you cancel it yourself as stated under  “terms and cancellation” of this page.

    We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions that are, unfortunately, out of our control. We do not profit from the hot-air balloon adventure itself; our goal is to stand out from the crowd as part of our philosophy to offer our valuable clients unique experiences.  

     

    What's Included in this tour? A complimentary pick up in San Francisco and a drop off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal at Pier 33 in San Francisco. Your Alcatraz ferry ride , the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour (available in many languages, a semi private hot air balloon ride , bridge tolls and  parking fees. Also, a private driver and vehicle are provided from  4 am to 12  pm or 6 am to 1 pm.

    What's not included in this tour? Meals, optional features or attractions not stated above , your driver’s gratuity, overtime, wine tasting fees and optional activities or entrance fees.

    * Please note that tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz.

    Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy: The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $45.25, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.


    ITINERARY

     

     

      

    Book this ultimate getaway custom adventure and experience a thrilling hot-air balloon ride over California Wine Country combined with a tour of Alcatraz Island and prison.  

    We start with an early pickup at your hotel, and we will drive you to the balloon launching site in Napa Valley or Yolo County.

    Rising slowly and smoothly as the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscape and wineries. This thrilling and exciting hot-air balloon ride should be on everyone’s bucket list - a totally unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

    After your Balloon adventure, we will drive you back to San Francisco  to visit Alcatraz Island. Depending on the  Season, you may also combine the Alcatraz tour   with any other  side trip  to the Giant Redwoods when the balloon ride is not available or cancelled.

    12 to 1 pm:  We will drop you off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal located at Fisherman’s Wharf around 12 pm. We will take care of redeeming your Alcatraz Island tickets and ferry vouchers on your behalf, to save you the hassle of waiting in a long line in front of the Alcatraz booth. Once you sail to Alcatraz Island , you are on your own as tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Alcatraz. The national park service and Alcatraz staff are on hand to help you and will provide you with the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio guided tour. You can visit the prison inside and outside at your pace. The trip from San Francisco to Alcatraz and vice versa can take 2 to 3 hours to complete based on your pace.

    For guests with mobility issues, Alcatraz Island and Alcatraz Cruises' vessels are wheelchair accessible. There is also a SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) Tram on Alcatraz Island for guests with mobility issues. The tram runs on a schedule, and it will take you from the dock to the cellhouse with no stops along the way. Once inside the cellhouse, there are elevators you can use to go on every level. The tram will also be available to take you from the cellhouse back down to the dock. Guests Services at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing and the dock on Alcatraz Island can also arrange pre-board parties with mobility issues. You can board the boat first and be seated on the main deck of the boat. There are huge windows around so you can still see the views without having to go up the stairs on the outer decks.

    ·Please note that Alcatraz tickets are extremely hard to get because they are often sold-out weeks and months in advance. The sooner you book the better.

     

    Heads-up:

    ·This tour is not available in winter!

    ·Cancellation due  to bad weather: Because the weather forecast, and conditions are unpredictable in California Wine Country and Napa  Valley - there is a 65 % chance that the balloon ride would have to be cancelled in Napa Valley. However, the Pilot and his crew may drive  you to a nearby more suitable location to launch the balloon. This often takes  place in Yolo County  which is adjacent to Napa County where it’s safer to take off.

    · 

    Join us now and enjoy the balloon ride as we rise slowly and smoothly when the hot-air balloon takes off and soars over breathtaking landscapes - a totally unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The exciting flight will last from 30 minutes up to 1 hour depending on weather conditions.

     

    Regardless of when and where we meet with the pilot and his crew to launch the hot-air balloon, the  flight is a truly memorable and unique experience. You will see and  learn about how the crew  prepare and inflate the hot-air balloon with cold air from gas-powered fans before you fly up in the sky.

     

    We take care of the reservations and all other details -our office staff will notify you around 5 or 6 PM the day prior to your hot-air balloon adventure and give you an update on the weather forecasted for the following day. If you decide to cancel the balloon ride with our office staff the night prior to your tour, will accommodate you, and your driver will pick you up at 09:00 instead of 5 am  and proceed with the wine tour as scheduled because the wine tour portion of this combo tour package is not refundable. If, however, you wish to proceed and take your chances, your tour guide will pick you up as scheduled at your hotel very early in the morning.

    *** Please keep in mind that we have reserved this day just for you. Only the hot-air balloon ride portion of the package is refundable, and you will receive a $190 refund per person which will be credited back to you within 7 business days. Also, we can offer  you a  tour of the giant redwoods when the balloon ride is cancelled, and you will still receive a $190 refund per person if the cancellation is made by the balloon company and staff. However, there will be  refund at all  if you cancel it yourself as stated under  “terms and cancellation” of this page.

    We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions that are, unfortunately, out of our control. We do not profit from the hot-air balloon adventure itself; our goal is to stand out from the crowd as part of our philosophy to offer our valuable clients unique experiences.  

     

    What's Included in this tour? A complimentary pick up in San Francisco and a drop off at the Alcatraz ferry terminal at Pier 33 in San Francisco. Your Alcatraz ferry ride , the award-winning Alcatraz Cellhouse audio tour (available in many languages, a semi private hot air balloon ride , bridge tolls and  parking fees. Also, a private driver and vehicle are provided from  4 am to 12  pm or 6 am to 1 pm.

    What's not included in this tour? Meals, optional features or attractions not stated above , your driver’s gratuity, overtime, wine tasting fees and optional activities or entrance fees.

    * Please note that tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz.

    Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy: The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $45.25, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.

    Private Tour by Luxury  SUV

    This custom tour by SUV (luxury car) is totally private and the price is per person.
    We don’t offer semi-private tours; all our trips are totally private.

    1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons
    $1439c $1019c $949c $939c $889c $849c $839c
    1 person $1439c
    2 persons $1019c
    3 persons $949c
    4 persons $939c
    5 persons $889c
    6 persons $849c
    7 persons $839c

    Book this Tour by SUV

    Select Date From Calendar

    Select No of Guests

    Total $ USD
    Private Tour by Luxury Van_Minibus

    This is a private city tour by large luxury van (like 15 seaters deluxe minibus) The price is per party (small group).
    This tour by large van is totally private and not available for public reservations or individual booking.


    1 – 5 Persons 6 – 7 Persons 8 – 10 Persons 11 – 12 Persons 13 – 14 Persons
    $4499x $5799x $7359x $8399x $8959x
    1 – 5 Persons $4499x
    6 – 7 Persons $5799x
    8 – 10 Persons $7359x
    11 – 12 Persons $8399x
    13 – 14 Persons $8959x

    Book this Tour by VAN

    Select Date From Calendar

    Select No of Guests

    Total $ USD

    What's Included in this tour?

    Complimentary pick up and drop off in San Francisco, 8 hour guided tour from 4:00 am to 12:00pm   when leaving from San Francisco downtown area or 6 hours if starting and ending in Sonoma or  Napa valleys area.  All applicable taxes, semi private hot air balloon flight,  redwood parking fees and permits are all included.

     

    What's not included in this tour?

    Meals, your own redwoods park tickets, driver’s gratuity, overtime, wine tasting fees and optional activities or entrance fees.

     

    Alcatraz Ticket Pricing & Policy: The listed price of Alcatraz tickets is $45.25, which is included in your tour package price. However, if you are solely looking to purchase Alcatraz tickets, we are not permitted to sell them as standalone items. This restriction is due to our agreement with Alcatraz City Cruises. You can contact them directly to purchase tickets without combining them with a private guided tour.

     

    Terms, refund policy and Cancellation Due to Unforeseen Weather Conditions:

    -Your tour guide will pick you up at approximately 4.00 am at your hotel in San Francisco or around 5:30 am if you are staying in Napa or Sonoma Valley. The trip lasts 8 hours door-to-door when starting in San Francisco and only 6 hours when starting in Napa or Sonoma Valley, regardless the time (or delay in) the inflation, balloon ride and deflation may take.

    -We are obliged to leave early for safety and wind considerations. Take-off is before sunrise, otherwise it would become too late and pilots take ZERO RISK as your safety always comes first.

    - In order to ensure transparency before you even book your tour: please note there is ZERO guarantee that we will fly the balloon because weather is unpredictable and changes by the minute. We take safety seriously and leave no room for doubts and risk.

    -We reserve this particular tour, day, tour guide and vehicle especially for you,  the balloon portion of the trip ($190) is refundable ONLY when the flight is cancelled due of  weather conditions, however, the tour itself is not refundable and can’t be cancelled. In other words, if the balloon is cancelled the same date at 4am, we will refund you the balloon portion of the trip ($190) and will substitute the balloon  tour by  a Wine country and the redwoods tour , which  is not refundable and will be conducted as scheduled from 9am to 5pm.

    We are extremely transparent about these unforeseen weather conditions that are, unfortunately, beyond our control.

    Also important to note that the balloon basket is not a private ride, but shared with other customers. We choose to fly in smaller baskets than our competitors, who fly in a 24 passengers’ basket. Our balloon basket can hold only 13 people or less. 

     


    Terms, Policy, Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Customers

    Our Terms, Refund and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

    Cancellation & Refund Policy

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    General Terms & Declined Transactions

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    More Terms and Miscellaneous

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    Cancellation & Refund Fees

    • 91% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 15 days prior to the scheduled tour (or the date of the tour or service) 9% covers the required transaction fees; that’s 4.5 % per transaction (booking is one transaction and refunding is a second transaction)

    • 50% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled tour or service. (weekends and holidays don’t count).

    • 15% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled tour (weekends and holidays don’t count).

    • 0% of the total amount will be refunded if the tour is canceled 4 business days or less prior to the day of the scheduled tour or service. This includes no-shows. (Weekends and holidays don’t count).

    There is a charge for each transaction when wanting a refund. This charge will vary from 4.5% to 7.9% per transaction depending on the type of credit card you used to make the transaction and the country where the credit card was issued. This charge covers the credit card transaction fees that your credit card company charged us when you made the reservation on our website and includes the required merchant processing fees associated with your credit card company. This policy applies on all refunds as well, regardless of the amount or the date of the refund.

    Methods of Payment and Accepted Credit Cards: We accept all major credit cards including Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express, wire transfers, Debit Cards, Euro Cards, “Cartes Bleues.” and PayPal. We may in exceptional circumstances accept payments in cash from clients who have no credit cards.

    General Terms & Declined transactions

    • Please note that tour guides are not allowed to guide inside Muir Woods National Monument and Alcatraz Island and Prison.

    • The pick-up at your hotel in San Francisco is included. However, to keep the cost down, the drop-off after your Alcatraz tour is not included.

    • Alcatraz tickets are extremely hard to get because they are often sold out weeks and months in advance. The sooner you book the better.

    • Approved online transactions do not guarantee your Alcatraz tour or tickets, as we should go through a process in order to book these tickets. After we receive your transaction, the tour can be approved or declined based on availability of Alcatraz tickets issued by Alcatraz. This is due to the increasing popularity of Alcatraz and number of visitors.

     

    Declined transactions. Why your reservation was declined? When a reservation is declined by client’s own bank, this is often due to a mismatch between customer’s bank information (such as the name on the credit card, card number, expiration date, CVV, zip/postal code or billing address). If any one of these verification factors don’t match the information you provided on our website, comparing to the bank information when placed your order, your transaction is automatically declined by your own bank to protect your bank information from fraud. Sometimes, transactions are also declined due to insufficient funds as well. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until your new transaction is approved by your own bank.

     

    We apologize for the inconvenience, but your own bank did so to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information.

    More Terms, Policy and Miscellaneous

    Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility issues: We sincerely apologize, but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is no room for a wheelchair in our vehicles, unless it is a very small and foldable wheelchair. However, the main concern is customers’ safety and ability to get it in and out of the vehicles, in addition to liability considerations.

    Pets: Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for those who have allergies to pets.

    Smoking: Our vehicles are also non-smoking.

    Clothing: Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads and hiking trails, so have comfortable waterproof hiking shoes to walk on the snow in winter and spring. This long day-tour is hard on kids and seniors, we therefore recommend the overnight tour package.

    Parks, Attractions and Site’s Closures: We are not responsible, nor liable, for road and weather conditions. State and national parks’ closure can happen at any time and without a prior notice, due to bad road and weather considerations. No refund will be issued, regardless the reasons for which the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, there will be no refund or change of tour or dates offered either.
    Guided tours in foreign languages: All tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover tour guides or freelancers we may hire to honor your tour in the required language.

    Travel Agents: Travel agents are liable for 20% gratuity when their customer does not tip the driver or tour guides. We require customers’ full name and contact information from all travel agent or the tour will be cancelled. Travel agent are also liable for all overtime when their clients do not pay for, and a credit card will be needed on file. Due to high cost of conducting business in California, we barely cover our business expenses and wages, therefore, all our tours are non-commissionable rates.
    Gratuity: 15 to 20% gratuity is required and customary in the USA. Generally, a tip may vary between 15% to 20% of the total purchase amount, or it can be a flat amount that is near the appropriate percent. It really depends upon the situation.
    Meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour price unless indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation. Tour prices do not include additional fees including wine tasting, accommodations, and entry fees to see attractions and sites, winery tours, unless otherwise indicated on your tour voucher or email confirmation.

    No substitution or refunds for any unused part of the tour(s) will be issued. All sales are final.

    -No refunds will be issued for a no-show or unused portion of the tour.

    -All refund and/or voided transactions paid on our website by credit or debit cards or via PayPal may take up to 2 weeks before you receive the funds (refunds) back into your account.

    Our hot-air balloon rides are no guaranteed to depart and arrive back in Napa Valley and subject to last-minute cancelation for weather considerations. Alcatraz Tours Inc. and its partners or subcontractors reserves the right to fly anywhere within 80-mile radius of Napa Valley dependent on the weather conditions or refund the portion of the balloon ride I cancelled, but not the tour itself.

     

     

    -We reserve the right to refuse service to any person or business who may refuse to comply with our safety instructions, our tour itinerary, or to anyone who may pose a threat to our customers and/or our tour guide-drivers. Screaming at or insulting tour guide-drivers or fellow passengers or third-party businesses and subcontractors is not acceptable under any circumstances and will terminate and cancel your tour without any refund. Discrimination against a customer or a tour guide–driver for any reason is not acceptable either under any circumstance.

    Cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions: Weather/Unforeseen Circumstances like fires, landslide, road closure, vehicle breakdown, employees or driver’s medical emergency or due other weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances; we revere the right to offer you alternative tours, destinations for the same amount of time.

    Online Reservation and Transactions

    What happens after we void or refund a transaction?

    Approved transactions: When transactions are processed on our website, and approved by your bank, it still takes about 7 to 10 business days before we even get the required funds transferred to our business merchant bank account. However, we still honor your tour(s) as scheduled if your transaction is approved, even if the tour is scheduled for the next day, as long as the tour is available. We are committed to provide high quality services and tours to our customers.

    Voided and refunded transactions: When a transaction is voided, or refunded, the charge is removed from the authorized transaction inquiry and never batched or settled because the funds never leaves customers’ bank account. However, all such transactions will still show on customers’ bank statement as “pending” for up to 7 to 10 business days because the funds are temporarily frozen by your own bank without leaving your account. Please take this aspect into consideration before you follow up with us. To release the funds, you will need to contact your bank and handle this directly with them as this has nothing do with us.

    Common mistakes and misconception about voided transactions: Most customers do not realize or understand their own bank’s policy and guidelines regarding online purchases. The main issue is that the funds from the voided charge will be inaccessible to the client for a full 10 business days. For that reason, clients often think that the charge was still placed on their credit card, but in reality, it has never left their bank account and will be available only after 10 business days. In other words, voiding a credit card transaction will not remove the charge from customer’s bank account immediately, please be patient before you follow up with us or your bank in this regard. Banks usually take 7 to 10 business days to release these funds back to your account, and this is totally beyond our control and has nothing to do with us.

    Foreign languages: All our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated. All foreign languages are subject to additional cost to cover the tour guide or freelancer fee in the required language.

    The misconception about private tours: Ever wondered why small group private tours are more expensive than large group tours? Because public group tours are more cost-effective to operate than private tours. The input cost of private tours and public tours are roughly the same - both provide one driver or a tour guide-driver, one vehicle, same trip length – so both companies assume similar business expenses and commercial insurance liability. However, private tour operators (like ours) make 85% less profit than group tours, because all our resources are dedicated to a small number of persons. As dedicated small group operator we focus on quality to make your tour experience more personable and intimate, and we never share our private tours as we give you full attention and custom services. Yet, we have access to all the sites where large vehicles and buses are prohibited and offer exclusive destinations to magical places not available elsewhere.

    Tip: Most credit card companies including Amex now require from their clients to inform them in advance when making purchase online or out of town / state, otherwise they decline the transaction to prevent fraud. You may also get an email or text message alert asking you to approve or decline the transaction that has been declined before you resubmit it online, this is out of our hands and it’s indeed required by many credit cards companies for customers’ own good.

     

    -All our tours including Alcatraz are subject to availability even if the online transaction is approved. We do reserve the right to void or refund your transaction when Alcatraz tickets are sold out. This is totally out of our hands as the only provider of Alcatraz tickets and tours are governed by the U.S. National Park Service.

    -We do require at least 2 months in advance when booking our Alcatraz tour during the peaks season, holidays and weekends, sometimes even more, specially from May to October. The peak season refers to the period of April to the end of October.

    -We reserve the right to offer you alternative tours when Alcatraz tickets are sold out. If you decline our offer, we will fully refund your transaction – a process which takes about 10 business days before your funds are available to you. This is stated on our terms and conditions page, available in all languages, or you may use google translator.

    By signing or checking this box “terms & conditions” on our website, you do hereby agree with all the above terms and policies and the tour voucher terms, which we will send to you via email after your tour confirmation.

    Modifications of these terms and conditions: Alcatraz Tours Inc. and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to change any of these terms and conditions under which this website is offered. We reserve the right to change our web contents, update our terms and privacy policy anytime and at our discretion without a prior notice. Learn more about our privacy policy and complete terms and conditions LEARN MORE

     


    Trip Reviews

    The best Alcatraz Island Napa Valley wineries combo tour

    What a fabulous way to spend the day in California wine country and Alcatraz island. The driver, Leo, was an expert tour guide with a fun and outgoing personality. He made us feel so comfortable from the first minute we met him the lobby of our hotel. The SUV is luxurious and clean and allowed us access to places not allowed to vans or large vehicles. He even started the day by driving us through Lombard street - a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous flowers. We also made a stop at the Golden Gate bridge on the way to the Napa Valley. This tour company has a distinguished relationship with excellent wineries in Napa Valley. We managed to visit 2 small wineries located off-the-beaten-path, that are not open to group and bus tours. We had a walking tour inside the cellars and cave, and we ended up with a food and wine paring experience. This is the best way to learn how wine is made and how to taste the wine and pair it with right food. This private tour is the best way to go. You get to avoid commercial wineries and bus tours if you are looking for quality time. It was not cheap but worth every penny. When we got back to the San Francisco, we could barely see Alcatraz island due to dense fog which is obviously very common in the summer. The ferry ride to the island was fun and short. Alcatraz prison audio tour is a must and highly recommended. This was best tour and tour guide we ever had. He exceeded our expectations.

    A family safari adventure combined with San Francisco and Alcatraz

    We booked this 2-day tour package through Alcatraz Tours. On day one, we visited San Francisco and Alcatraz, and on day 2 we spend most of the day in Sonoma county where we visited a wild safari park. We got there around 10 am, and the safari tour guide walked us first around the main area by the entrance where exotic birds and wild the animals could be seen and approached. Some animals loved to pose for close-ups, especially the monkeys, giraffes and flamingos. After 45 minutes walking tour, we drove in a double decker safari style jeep. This was a great experience for our kids. We have never seen them so excited. The entire jeep tour was about 3 hours or so and we saw everything from monkeys, cheetahs, hippos, zebras, bob cats, flamingos, giraffes and even parrots. Our family loved this safari adventure, and this is a great getaway for family with kids and highly recommended. After the safari tour, we had lunch in Napa, and our passionate tour guide drove us to the Jelly Belly beans factory. This was the perfect way to end this day trip.

    An awesome Alcatraz & balloon experience - a bucket-list adventure.

    From the beginning to the end, everyone we met was awesome - from our fun and wonderful tour guide, Mary to the hot-air balloon pilot himself (Jason). A top-notch tour company and pilot. They made us feel very safe and comfortable before the lift-off and when we landed. After the balloon ride, we had a delicious champagne breakfast with the pilot and his friendly crew and our tour guide. We also visited Opus One winery and then drove back to San Francisco to visit Alcatraz. We got there 30 minutes before the ferry departed to Alcatraz. We do recommend this combo adventure to everyone without any hesitation, even if you don’t like to wake up early. This was an awesome experience and a bucket-list adventure. This was by far the best travel experience we ever had!

    Watch our latest fun and educational videos to learn more about this unique adventure.

    Have a Question ?

    Call : (415) 429-4947

    ALCATRAZ TICKETS RESERVATIONSF

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  • Authentic Alcatraz and San Francisco Tour Reviews

    • "Awesome bay cruise around Alcatraz Island"

      This is great alternative tour experience when Alcatraz tickets are sold out. We were happy with this trip, it combined our city private tour, and the ferry cruise around Alcatraz island, that was perfect as it was our last day in California.The cruise ship trip was over an hour, a ferry trip that took us around SF bay, around Alcatraz Island, and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

    • The Beautiful Island of Alcatraz and criminology

      From the city tour to Alcatraz Island, we and our kids had an amazing adventure, a bit cold in San Francisco Bay in summer ironically, but were very interested in the criminology and forensics stories of Alcatraz and San Quintin prison like Charles Manson, the Zodiac, Fong “Little Pete” Ching, Zebra killers, Felix Mitchell, the Unabomber, Scott Peterson, and Clarence and John Anglin and Frank Morris and their famous ‘Escape from Alcatraz’. Wow! the feeling visitors get when you are stepping onto Alcatraz island.

    • Muir Woods & Alcatraz combo tour

      Our Muir Woods & Alcatraz combo tour was exactly what we needed as we only had one day in SF. The tour is Well Worth the money that you spend. The big redwoods in muirwoods forest are impressive but the forest was crowded, and Alcatraz tour must be on everyone’s bucket-list, these sights and attractions in SF are amazing places to visit and see when you visit san fran.

    • "Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz?"

      Why everybody is so crazy about Alcatraz? Alcatraz Island is dim, cold, morbid, and crowded. We felt nothing, seen nothing, heard nothing that made it so appealing, a bit overrated in our opinion. Why criminals have become victims? They deserved to incarcerated in Alcatraz prison! Some visitors were even asking for autographs from a former inmate of Alcatraz, this makes no sense to me.

    • Alcatraz Island is Outstanding, book your tickets very early

      This is an incredible tourist attraction of San Francisco bay area, if you plan on visiting San Francisco you got to add Alcatraz to your bucket-list, more than Muir Woods or Napa. Alcatraz Island history itself is a very interesting story, before it even was used as a federal prison. How anyone could even escape from this remote Island? The audio headphone guided tour is informative and the stories and sounds of prison officers makes the guided tour so real. I am taking back amazing pictures to show my friends in Japan.

    • Alcatraz-SF: Worry-free vacation package

      Worry-free vacation package, we were lucky to find and book this all-inclusive SF Alcatraz tour package, it was a worry-free reservation all included, the perfect way to indulge in San Francisco if you have no time. It was convenient, affordable, and fulfilling combo trip of SF city attractions and Alcatraz tour, a must-do when visiting the city by the bay, and worth every penny you spent.

    • Fascinating combo tour of SF & Alcatraz

      Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance, the tour was So much better than I was expecting. You get a ferry ride from San Francisco pier to the Alcatraz island. It was rainy, and foggy that day, but still well worth the trip. The trip was very well run, we were welcomed in the dock by a ranger who let us know some key information and rules before visiting the prison.

    • Alcatraz worth a visit & above expectation

      Alcatraz prison is just as portrayed as in the Hollywood films about Frank Morris (with Clint Eastwood) in this maximum-security prison Alcatraz, the cell still preserved as seen in the Clint Eastwood’s movie “Escape from Alcatraz”. No trip to San Francisco is complete without visiting Alcatraz Island. It took me 2 tours in Alcatraz before I felt the strong atmosphere and energy you get after stepping off Alcatraz cruises ferry and onto the dock. This city private tour and Alcatraz is an exceptional combo trip I recommend for all visitors (worry- free).

    • Alcatraz Island is Outstanding, book your tickets very early

      Alcatraz Island tour is outstanding and a stunning sight and my favorite attractions in California, but you got to book your Alcatraz tickets very early. We booked our Alcatraz tickets 2 months in advance as a tour combined with the city tour, but the next day, Alcatraz park service got sold out. The energy and the impression you get when vising Alcatraz is something you need to experience for yourself. We loved our city tour as well with Jonathan, the tour guide was amazing and fun.

    • San Francisco Alcatraz combo tour

      Book your Alcatraz tickets immediately when you plan your trip to san fran, we had initially planned to book Alcatraz Island night tour but it’s 100% impossible to get. The day tour was not bad at all apart from the fascinating story of Alcatraz, the trip to the island is phenomenal, and the city tour completed the package trip and appeal to all ages. That’s was a good company to work with.

    • Reserve Alcatraz tickets in advance when visiting SF

      Book your Alcatraz tickets months in advance before you travel to San Francisco, this is a must-see attraction when visiting San Francisco and Northern part of California. A police officer from South Africa who traveled with us on the ferry had a stop over in SFO, just to visit Alcatraz. Dress in layers, ironically summer is not warm, weather is cool and gets foggy in the SF Bay. The views of Alcatraz from San Francisco are better than the views of SF from the island, but this combo tour is a must do and saved us time and money.

    • Alcatraz & SF-Best part of our trip to California

      This is an incredible tourist attraction. We did the tour with our kids, and they loved it too. The audio tour was well done, we took tons of pictures, hanged out and enjoyed the views of the city from Alcatraz Island. The views are spectacular from Alcatraz, go to the officers’ gardens’ side that overlooks the golden gate bridge, but watch out for the steps, they are very steep. Army officers and their wives who stationed on the Island in the early 1900s, planted all kind of vegetables there (The beauty on the beast).