Tour of Alcatraz
If you're visiting San Fancisco one of the tours you really should go on is the tour of Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is a few miles off the coast of San Francisco and housed a military prison beginning in 1907. In the early 1930s the prison switched from housing military prisoners to serving as a location to hold hardened criminal detainees. It was thought that the cold, rapidly moving currents off the coast would discourage escape attempts.
Of course, they were wrong.
Many did try to escape, and the evidence remains today: bullet holes and blood stains can still be seen on some of the walls. Some of its most famous prisoners include: George Kelly, bank robber and kidnapper, also known as "Machine Gun Kelly;" Floyd Hamilton, driver for Bonnie and Clyde; and Al Capone, Chicago Mob Boss, known as "Scarface."
After its closure in 1963 the island sat unused for the next 10 years. Then, in 1973, Alcatraz began its career as a tourist attraction. Since then, over 14 million visitors have taken the 10-minute boat ride from Pier 41 for a tour of Alcatraz Island. Other sites on "the Rock" include the first West Coast lighthouse, activated in 1854.
The tour encompasses an introductory video explaining the history of the prison and the island. At the site are books, audio guides and other items. Tour guides then direct the group up the hill to the cellhouse.
Touring after dark is especially good for getting a sense of the dismal living conditions. Since San Francisco stays light in the summer long after the tour leaves, that can only be done in winter. But conditions then are particularly unpleasant, so decide how much authenticity you want to experience.
Both the boat rides to and from, as well as the island itself can be windy and cold, so dress appropriately. Between the ride and the tour a great deal of standing and walking is involved, not all of it on level ground. Be prepared for some exercise.
There are different ways to enjoy a tour of Alcatraz. One is to purchase a ticket from the Blue and Gold Fleet for a cruise around the island with a guide telling you interesting stories about life on Alcatraz. Tickets for adults are $25 which you can purchase at blueandgoldfleet.com. Remember that this tour does not include disembarking on Alcatraz Island.
Of course, they were wrong.
Many did try to escape, and the evidence remains today: bullet holes and blood stains can still be seen on some of the walls. Some of its most famous prisoners include: George Kelly, bank robber and kidnapper, also known as "Machine Gun Kelly;" Floyd Hamilton, driver for Bonnie and Clyde; and Al Capone, Chicago Mob Boss, known as "Scarface."
After its closure in 1963 the island sat unused for the next 10 years. Then, in 1973, Alcatraz began its career as a tourist attraction. Since then, over 14 million visitors have taken the 10-minute boat ride from Pier 41 for a tour of Alcatraz Island. Other sites on "the Rock" include the first West Coast lighthouse, activated in 1854.
The tour encompasses an introductory video explaining the history of the prison and the island. At the site are books, audio guides and other items. Tour guides then direct the group up the hill to the cellhouse.
Touring after dark is especially good for getting a sense of the dismal living conditions. Since San Francisco stays light in the summer long after the tour leaves, that can only be done in winter. But conditions then are particularly unpleasant, so decide how much authenticity you want to experience.
Both the boat rides to and from, as well as the island itself can be windy and cold, so dress appropriately. Between the ride and the tour a great deal of standing and walking is involved, not all of it on level ground. Be prepared for some exercise.
There are different ways to enjoy a tour of Alcatraz. One is to purchase a ticket from the Blue and Gold Fleet for a cruise around the island with a guide telling you interesting stories about life on Alcatraz. Tickets for adults are $25 which you can purchase at blueandgoldfleet.com. Remember that this tour does not include disembarking on Alcatraz Island.
For tours on Alcatraz Island you have many tour options. One tour combines a San Francisco city tour with an Alcatraz tour and lasts 3 hours. You can even be picked up from the airport for an additional $7. This tour includes bus transportation, hotel pick-up, tour of San Francisco, a ferry ride to and from Alcatraz, admission to the National Park at Alcatraz, and the audio-guided headset tour of the cell block. This tour also includes a free Fisherman's Wharf Pier 39 Fun Pack valued at over $400. You can call 800-410-8233 for reservations.
Alcatraz Cruises is another tour operator offering tours of Alcatra, and offers day and night tours lasting 2 1/2 hours. Day tours are $21.50 and night tours are $31.50. They also offer an Alcatraz/Angel Island tour combination for $51.25 which last about 5 1/4 hours. Angel Island is a great place to visit as well, although if it were me I would just take a boat in the morning to Angel Island so I could spend all day there. It's such a great place to explore that you really need a lot of time to do it. But, if you're pressed for time and only have one day in San Francisco, both tours in one would be good too. You can go to acatrazcruises.com for more information.
Alcatraz Cruises is another tour operator offering tours of Alcatra, and offers day and night tours lasting 2 1/2 hours. Day tours are $21.50 and night tours are $31.50. They also offer an Alcatraz/Angel Island tour combination for $51.25 which last about 5 1/4 hours. Angel Island is a great place to visit as well, although if it were me I would just take a boat in the morning to Angel Island so I could spend all day there. It's such a great place to explore that you really need a lot of time to do it. But, if you're pressed for time and only have one day in San Francisco, both tours in one would be good too. You can go to acatrazcruises.com for more information.
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