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Editor Pick
Alcatraz at Night
- July 30, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
wasa girl from Ashburn, Virginia
When planning our trip to San Francisco the option was presented to visit Alcatraz during the day or to instead try the night tour. We selected the night tour, and being summer this meant that when we boarded the boat it was still light out.
I honestly did not know what to expect from the tour, I personally like to hear the history and the stories but am not a fan of the cow heard system of tour groups. Our boat to the island had 300 + passengers so I was concerned that it would be crowded.
Once on the island everyone was randomly divided into groups to start the tour, which did make the steep walk up to the main cell house bearable. Inside the cell house everyone is given audio tours. This is a continuous guide instructing you where to walk to pass through the building. While it was nice to not have to remain as a group I personally like the audio tours that allow you to pick which order you are going to view the attraction. About 10 minutes in I was not in line with the audio and had lost my husband. At this point I stopped listening to the guide and just walked around.
Other than my personal preference in the style of audio guide, the tour was very cool. I felt like I saw a lot, had plenty of time - you can take any boat back with the last leaving around 9:30pm with all the staff - and did not end up being herded around, plus the ride back to the city allowed for some great views of the lights along the bay bridge.
From journal Quick Trip to SF
Editor Pick
A Night Time View
- July 30, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
wasa girl from Ashburn, Virginia
When planning our trip to San Francisco the option was presented to visit Alcatraz during the day or to instead try the night tour. We selected the night tour, and being summer this meant that when we boarded the boat it was still light out.
I honestly did not know what to expect from the tour, I personally like to hear the history and the stories but am not a fan of the cow heard system of tour groups. Our boat to the island had 300 + passengers so I was concerned that it would be crowded.
Once on the island everyone was randomly divided into groups to start the tour, which did make the steep walk up to the main cell house bearable. Inside the cell house everyone is given audio tours. This is a continuous guide instructing you where to walk to pass through the building. While it was nice to not have to remain as a group I personally like the audio tours that allow you to pick which order you are going to view the attraction. About 10 minutes in I was not in line with the audio and had lost my husband. At this point I stopped listening to the guide and just walked around.
Other than my personal preference in the style of audio guide, the tour was very cool. I felt like I saw a lot, had plenty of time - you can take any boat back with the last leaving around 9:30pm with all the staff - and did not end up being herded around, plus the ride back to the city allowed for some great views of the lights along the bay bridge.
Alcatraz
- February 27, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
hastings0014 from Lindale, Texas
This place is just awesome. We went on the last tour in the evening and were there as dusk fell. It was an awesome sight, especially coming from a criminal justice family. There are some extras that come with the night tour - so I highly suggest this time frame. Tour everything that you can here - you don't want to miss any of the details. Be sure you get to see the hospital upstairs. Sometimes it closes early - so if you are running behind on your audio tour - skip ahead to it. It is worth seeing. It is a beautiful ride over and back and great views from the island as well. Take your camera and lots of pictures!! You'll be glad you did later!
From journal San Francisco, CA
Alcatraza - The Rock
- December 24, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
nb12 from irving, Texas
Visit to Alcatraz - It was like dream come true for me. Could almost see The Rock being shot in front of my eyes. All the rocks, the interiors, the water - all came live in front of me from the movie.
Editor Pick
Alcatraz Tour
- October 18, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mikro from Liverpool, New York
A night tour of Alcatraz Island provides more features than daytime tours. You have a guide up to the prison, then walk your way through listening to the audio tour. At the end, there are several options - extra guided tours, movies, or just time on your own. The boat ride across the bay has many photo ops of the city, Golden Gate Bridge and the island itself.
As you disembark the boat, a guide welcomes you, explains the history of Alcatraz - first as a military fort in the Civil War days, then the federal penitentiary, and finally the Indian occupation during the late 1960s. It is presently operated by the National Park Service.
Visitors walk through the Guard house and Sally Port, just as the arriving prisoners did. You walk the same path as Al Capone, "Creepy" Karpis and other renowned inmates. The former Officer's CLub was destroyed by fire in 1970 but served as a backdrop in the movie, "The Rock." You climb your way uphill and finally enter the cellhouse, in the same receiving and shower area the inmates used. Here you are given the audio equipment and go upstairs to the cellblocks.
It's an eerie feeling walking around the prison cells, especially as the sun sets and night falls. The tape has actual voices of inmates and guards; you continually hear the slamming of the cell doors/bars. Seeing the sights and hearing the sounds one can imagine what life in the pen was like.
At one point, you can go outside the warden's office area. At that time of the evening, the setting sun beyond the Golden Gate Bridge was a beautiful sight. The shimmering buildings of downtown San Francisco provide a scenic backdrop to the abandoned ones on Alcatraz. As the audio reminds you, the city lights and sounds are so close yet were unattainable to the inmates of the prison.
Your tour ends in the gift shop with options for additional tours or video before the last boat leaves for the night.
From journal Columbus Weekend in San Francisco