| Alcatraz N.P. tips and photos posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals. • 17 Photos
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Alcatraz is definitely a trap, though luckily they do let you go after a few hours (otherwise the crowds would suffocate you). Expensive, but interesting. Anyway if you’re there in high season I’d suggest that you head down to Pier 39 and book your ferry tickets over there a good few days before you intend to go because each sailing is absolutely packed during the summer! Leave a Comment
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 Alcatraz in the
background. by Jerelis
We made a circle around the island when we made a boattrip through the entire bay. It gave us a good impression about the island anyway.
Still we were sorry to learn that you need at least 3 weeks in advance to get ticket. Massive tourist trap!!! Leave a Comment
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Well, this is a tourist trap, although one of the better tourist traps in the City. There really is not much to do once you're on the island, yet it is very crowded and will take a good chunk of your time. And you'll most likely have to spend your time in Pier 39 while you wait for your ferry departure time (which is waaayyy worse than Alcatraz).
Despite the fact that Alcatraz is a tourist trap, I enjoyed my time there and I'm glad I visited (after living in SF for 22 years; still haven't walked the Golden Gate Bridge though!). The prison gave me the creeps (in a good way - not that I believe in ghosts ! well maybe ...), and the stories about prisoners escaping the island were pretty interesting. Come with a little bit of an imagination and you'll be ok. If not, you'll just be staring at one prison cell after another, which can get boring.
San Quentin. This is a max security prison with prisoners who are the real-deal. I believe they give tours, although it's a little drive out of the City. Leave a Comment
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 by jol1y
It can be cold, wrap up.
Apart from that, go, enjoy.
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Well we had not booked and went and stood in line. Those who had booked still had to queue for their tickets BUT they had a special "carpet". Do not laugh. You have to be very good, stand in line on your "not booked " section and be patient and do not complain and there could be a vacancy. We got 2 places.
Now where the 2 carpets meet it becomes one line AND when all the booked folk have crossed the line to the main queue you may be allowed to take a large step forward( across a gap in the carpets) and you will be in line for a ticket. Attention! But if you are not good you may not be allowed into the line proper! You think it is time to cross but another booked person comes...but smile...keep smiling..you are next.
Well it was like that on our day. I was so good I got 2 tickets on the very next cruise out and did not have to wait the 4 hours.This was 1n 2008.
Good luck. It was worth it. Just marvelous to see and experience Alcatraz
Well you would prebook if you could.
The alternative is to miss Alcatraz and I would not suggest that. But there is a ferry trip : you only view ...you do not go ashore Leave a Comment
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 Alcatraz - as seen from a 2
short distance by orke
plus when u buy ticket to ferry at the morning u leave at 3 -4 pm- just 2 much...
pass
dont go
walk that area, see the prison from far ...say to yourself "wow....lovely" and continue to walk around there its a really nice area...spend the money in one of the restaurants there or buy winney the pooh underwear at the disney shop...lol...costs the same Leave a Comment
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 Alcatraz Island by PetraG
But in my opinion the touristic island nowadays is not as fascinating as it's history is.
You have to wait on a ferry taking you over (which is full of tourists). Most of the time you have to book this trip, because the ferries are always full. And what you see on the island is very disappointing...
Old buildings, dark and cold....
Impressing first, but gets boring very quickly...
do not spend too much time on it Leave a Comment
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 by volarevolare
You can get tickets on-line now by checking out the website: www.blueandgoldfleet.com -- they offer comprehensive details on the schedules and prices of tours. The ferry departs from Pier 41, latest at 4.15pm in Summer. If you book on-line, there is a service charge of US$2.25 per ticket.
I found that if you go to the pier at about 3.45pm, there isn't much of a queue. We were there on 5th June, a Wednesday afternoon. Otherwise, it's been advised to get your tickets early due to the long queues. I'm glad that we took the late afternoon ferry as Alcatraz wasn't very crowded at that time of the day. Leave a Comment
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the ferry to alcatraz is supposed to be worth every penny, but you have to book it a few days in advance (at least). If you try to get tickets the day you want to go, there will be lots of people offering bay cruises in that general area. they range from $20-$40, and most are not worth it. if you want a good view of the bridge, go down the pier to ghiradelli square (and get some chocolate while you are there) and walk out on the long fishing piers. it's just as good as the boat tour, without the motion sickness. Leave a Comment
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 by Lys-Noir
Due to lack of time I did not take the boat and go to visit this historical place but I did buy a book and read the history.
There have been many films made here too: Papillon and The Rock come to my mind as I've seen them! Leave a Comment
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