There’s something unforgettable about sailing toward Alcatraz at sunset. The ferry left San Francisco, and as the sky behind the Golden Gate turned gold and orange, the bay looked stunning. The calm of the water and the light in the sky made it hard to believe we were headed to a place with such a heavy past.

We decided to take the last tour of the day—the night tour. As we got closer to Alcatraz, the mood completely changed.

Arriving at Alcatraz after dark was a totally different experience. The prison’s outline stood dark against the night sky, and the island felt more isolated. There was a quiet, almost haunting energy that you can’t feel during the day. The stories of the place seem stronger when it’s dark, and the silence feels more intense.

The audio tour was one of the highlights. It really makes you focus on the sounds, and suddenly, the whole place goes completely quiet. You can hear your own footsteps echoing through the halls, but other than that, it’s just the voice on the tour guiding you through the history. The sound effects in the audio tour add another layer of eeriness. You’ll hear things like doors slamming or distant footsteps, and it’s almost like the past is right there with you.

There’s a kind of eerie beauty to the island at night. The city lights of San Francisco sparkle in the distance, but Alcatraz feels far away, like it’s a world of its own. Walking through the old cell blocks and hearing the faint echoes of the past was unsettling in the best way.

If you’re ever in San Francisco, I highly recommend the night tour. It’s a side of Alcatraz that most people never get to see, and it really sticks with you.

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Part of a San Francisco photo series — next up, Sausalito.