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Alcatraz, San Francisco

Approaching Alcatraz - San Francisco
Approaching Alcatraz
by jumpingwithnorman
Alcatraz tips and photos posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.

In the middle of San Fracisco Bay
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Alcatraz: Alcatraz
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  • col_hall6
  • Updated By col_hall6 on April 11, 2004
  • San Francisco Page by col_hall6
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    Alcatraz
    by col_hall6
    An island that was so named by Spanish explorers because of the pelican colony, has become famous because of a human colony. A colony that were certainly not as free as the pelicans and unable to escape as freely. The most infamous prison in the world, with a greater history than I had imagined, Civil war outpost, and protest area for the native Americans among them.

    The island can only be accessed from the ferries of the Blue & Gold or the Red & White fleets from pier 41. You really need to book the trip before you get here, either by phone or web site. I did it by the Blue & Gold web site and picked up my ticket at the collection window, while we were there I noticed a lot of people were trying to get a ticket on the day, but were left dissapointed as there are very few tickets available on the day. From what I found out later it's because the ticket touts buy up a lot of the tickets and then try to sell them to people who are desperate to go on that day, obviously for a higher price than normal. You will see a lot of the touts walking around the Fishermans Wharf area.

    I decided to go for the audio tour that includes a pair of headphones. I wasn't dissapointed, the information and atmosphere from the audio tour was very well done (there are commentaries from several of the guards and prisoners). The tour takes you pass the guards securty console, down the main prison corridors named after famous U.S. streets such as Michagan Avenue and Broadway, the isolation cells, the Dining area and the exercise yard.

    The cells of Al Capone, 'Machine Gun' Kelly, Robert 'The Birdman' Stroud are highlighted and of course the story of the 'Escape from Alcatraz' which shows the cells where the prisoners, including Frank Morris (played by Clint Eastwood) made up dummies and dug a hole at the back of the cell to attempt to escape.

    Is it touristy? Are museums touristy. This tour is designed to give a historical insight into the island and prison. Personally I thought it was excellent and is well thought out.

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41. Please see my travelogue for more pictures of Alcatraz.
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
  • Other Contact: www.blueandgoldfleet.com
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    Alcatraz: Go San Francisco Card
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  • By jaehunkim on October 3, 2004
  • San Francisco Page by jaehunkim
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    by jaehunkim
    Go San Francisco Card offers admission to many of the attractions/tours in town as well as many in the East Bay and Wine Country. Also includes discounts at restaurants and shops around the city. Comes with a great guidebook too. A big money saver if you want to see more than one or two attractions while visiting town.

    Some of the admissions included are the Exploratorium, Red and White bay cruise, Gray Line Trolley Hop, Historic Cable Car ride, Zeum, Asian Art Museum, SBC Park Tour, Chabot Science center, Wine tastings, etc.

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  • Phone: (415) 462-1597
  • Directions: The included attractions are all over town, the east bay as well as wine country. Many of the attractions are in Marina/Fisherman's Wharf area as well as just south of Market Street.
  • Website: http://wwwGoSanFranciscoCard.com
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    Alcatraz: Boat Ride to Alcatraz
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  • Easty
  • By Easty on June 11, 2003
  • San Francisco Page by Easty
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    Alcatraz
    by Easty
    One of the few areas where a former prison is a big tourist attraction. Millions a people a year take a boat ride to tour Alcatraz. It is also a great way to see the city skyline from the waters of San Francisco Bay. I did this on my first trip to San Francisco back in 1981. This time it was too cold and misty to go out on the bay. Here is a picture I took from Fisherman's Wharf.

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Alcatraz Night Tour
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  • By Yvonne1980 on June 3, 2004
  • San Francisco Page by Yvonne1980
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    Alcatraz
    by Yvonne1980
    I donīt know since when exactly they offer it, but Blue & Gold Fleet has a tour - the Alcatraz night tour - which starts around 7.00 p.m. and the last ferry from the Rock back to San Fran goes somewhen around 9.30 p.m. You get an fantastic view of the cityīs skyline at sunset and night on that tour, and as well, the cell blocks are much scarier as at daytime. Donīt miss it!

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41.
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Alcatraz!!!
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  • stevo666
  • Updated By stevo666 on February 18, 2006
  • San Francisco Page by stevo666
  • dont get lock in!!!!!!! - San Francisco
    dont get lock in!!!!!!!
    by stevo666, 3 more photos
    Take a boat over to Alcatraz well worth a look, a little scary to think of having to spend a night on the island!, so many tourist though so arrive early!!!! whilst buying ticket ask for a ticket were you can travel over to salsulito ( not sure if its spelt right but as you leave sanfrancisco bay and head towards alcatraz straight ahead is salsulito loverly place ) lots of yatchs and big expensive houses to drewl over :))

  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Pelican Island!
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  • sabe
  • By sabe on April 22, 2003
  • San Francisco Page by sabe
  • Indians took over for a while. - San Francisco
    Indians took over for a while.
    by sabe
    An island filled with birds. I didn't know about the birds when I decided to go there, but it was really cool to see them all. Alcatraz was definately worth the hazzle to get out there (long lines and it costs quit a lot) The tours are great. There is an audio-tour that'll take you to all the most interesting parts of the prison, except the morgue (which personally is interesting!) but you can find that one on the outside and down the hill to the left, from the prison itself. You want to dress well though, because even if it's a hot day, it's very windy on the island.

  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Alcatraz Island Historic Gardens
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  • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on November 27, 2007
  • San Francisco Page by easterntrekker
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    by easterntrekker
    I never imagined gardens when visiting Alcatraz but I was interested to see the historic gardens that were planted over the years by the inmates. The plants were brought to the island by the guards and their families. It had to be tough planting them on the steep slopes of the rocky island.

  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Once inside ALCATRAZ ....dont get lost!
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  • ROCKARIA
  • By ROCKARIA on February 5, 2005
  • San Francisco Page by ROCKARIA
  • The prisoners quarters - San Francisco
    The prisoners quarters
    by ROCKARIA
    The layout of the prisoners cells are designed in a grid form with 2 levels of cells.
    They say that they placed the cell of AL CAPONE in the top corner near a large doorway so with the draught coming in he would certainly not have felt comfortable!....especially when using the loo!!

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
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    Alcatraz: Alcatraz
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  • brmi
  • By brmi on January 27, 2005
  • San Francisco Page by brmi
  • Alcatraz - San Francisco
    Alcatraz
    by brmi
    Alcatraz is great experience. It was most famous prison. And inside everything look great. You need several hours to take tour of whole island. And this is really worth it. It was once only rock and now there is lot of different plants.

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Alcatraz: Alcatraz - "The Rock".
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  • Jerelis
  • Updated By Jerelis on August 24, 2006
  • San Francisco Page by Jerelis
  • A cell row, PICTURE TAKEN BY A FRIEND OF OURS!!! - San Francisco
    A cell row, PICTURE TAKEN
    BY A FRIEND OF OURS!!!
    by Jerelis
    Alcatraz was federal penitentiary until 1963. It's nickname is "The Rock" and is now a popular tourist attraction. The 12-acre island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is accessible only by the Blue & Gold Fleet ferry which departs daily from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf.

    A visit will show you the barred rells while a tape-recorded tour lets you hear what life was like from its former residents, both prisoners and correctional officers.

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  • Phone: Blue & Gold (415) 705-5555
  • Directions: Alcatraz is reached by ferries of the Blue and Gold fleet from Pier 41
  • Website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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