| Alcatraz tips and photos posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
In the middle of San Fracisco Bay
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 The Rock by Carmela71
The reason that we could not visit was that there was not available tour for the next 5 days, so the next one was after we left SF... So if you are really interested in visiting it, make sure you book in advance.
Also you can just do a bay cruise and watch it from the Sea, but wait for good weather conditions (for around 20 dollars per person)
Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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 by sunseaLeave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Alcatraz Day Tour
Definately worth going. Creepy and fun. We did this tour before we moved to the area. After our trip we rented Escape from Alactraz with Clint Eastwood.
The island has an interesting history. It used to be a military outpost, then the famous prison. Later, after the prison was shut down a group of Native Americans occupied the island between 1969-1971 (you can still see the remnants of the occupation). Ultimately it became a national park and the tourist attraction it is today.
Alcatraz By Night
Friends of ours just moved to the Bay Area and wanted to take the tour. Since my husband and I had already taken the day tour we decided to try the evening tour.
This was by far better than the day tour. We left at 7:00pm and when we arrived at the island it was still light outside. Everyone on the boat was put into small tour groups as we got off the boat. We then followed a guide who talked about the history of the island as we made our way toward the main building. When we got to the main building we were given headsets for the audio tours. These were the same as with the day tour but it was still interesting the second time around. The audio tour includes interviews with former inmates and guards. By the time that ended it was dark outside. We checked a board that listed the various guided mini-tours. My husband went back inside and watched a demostration of the cell doors being opened and then locked down and how that all worked. My friend and I followed a guide who talked about individual inmates and escape attempts and answered our questions about the prison. If you have the option take the night tour. It's slightly more expensive but you get much more than you would with the day tour. It can get cold on the island though. I went in May and I had a turtleneck, hat and gloves and I needed them. Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Boat cruises leave Pier 33 at San Francisco and transport you to Alcatraz Island where you can view the prison made famous in several movies. Best to get your tickets online before you go at www.alcatrazcruises.com
They usually don't give out discounts. For a family of 4 (2 adults & 2 kids) you can order by phone (415-981-ROCK or 415-981-7625) and they give you $5 off the whole order.
There is another outfit that does the boat tours - the Blue & Gold Fleet but be warned that the Fleet does NOT stop at Alcatraz. They are strictly boat tours.
There is no validated parking available so you have to take your chances at one of the numerous parking garages there. The one across the street (Bay St Parking) charges about $20 per car. Pier 27 (about 1 1/2 blocks down charges $15 per car. All of these are all-day parking if you can find a spot. Leave a Comment
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 SFC...how the prisoners saw
it! by ROCKARIALeave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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 Approaching Alcatraz island by SLLiew
You can see Alcatraz from shore but it some thing else to take the boat journey from Pier 41, to step onto the island and to go into that prison building. In the tour, you will actually be allowed to go into a prison cell and have the prison doors shut you in (temporarily of course). Hope it will not give you nightmares.
When getting into boats, some entrepreneurs may be taking your photos and when you are back with ready "your own photo" souvenir plates of Alcatraz. It is not obligatory to buy at all and do not feel guilty as the plates can be recycled. Buy if you have money and like it.
This is the no.1 boat trip in San Francisco bay. Of course, you can take boat trips out to sea to see seals, whales or just get seasick as I did. Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Everybody heard of Alcatraz as the maximum security prison but it only served this purpose from 1934-63. Before 1934 it served as a fort for the US military until 1907 when it became a military prison. Unoccupied from 1963 to 1969 the islands was taken over by members of the American Indian Movement. Today Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. To get to Alcatraz you need to take a Blue & Gold Fleet ferry which departs from Pier 41. Booking in advance is recommended, especially in summer. Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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Most buildings on the island are now in ruins but the cellhouse is intact and can be visited. Rent one of the self-guided audio-tours available at the entrance; they are well made and a good value for the money. While you stroll through the corridors between the blocks you get to hear former inmates talking about the harsh life on Alcatraz and you listen to details about different escapes tried by the prisoners. Some of the cells are open so you can enter and look around. We went there on a cold day (which is every other day in San Francisco) and the wind blowing through the corridors and the freezing temperature gave this place an even more depressing look. Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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 Alcatraz by bugalugs
Although several prisoners managed to escape from Alcatraz none were known to reach land alive! The walls were reinforced concrete and most of the bars were 'tool proof'. That didnt stop prisoners from trying though. There were actually 3 guards to each prisoner.
One man Barker managed to escape out of the actual prison but not off the island, he was shot in the head and died later that night in the hospital. Another man named Morris arrived there in 1960, and he with two brothers managed to escape into the water, although no bodies were ever found it has never been proved that they didnt escape. One man actually got off the island, but was picked up on the mainland with hyperthermia and taken back to Alcatraz.
It is 1.1/2 miles to the mainland but the water is very cold and the currents very ferocious, also there are sharks!!!!!!! Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: %CP%S4%Bhttp://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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 Alcatraz by bugalugs
When we visited every tour was full for the following 5 days and as we were only there for 3 nights we obviously missed our chance.
I think you can now book online before you come to San Francisco, so if you specifically wanted to tour the prison this would be advisable.
As we sailed around the island you can see lots of seals lying on the rocks. I loved the seals. Leave a Comment Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41Website: %CP%Bhttp://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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