This is definitely one of my favourite parts of the trip. I had so much fun here. If you're interested in anything historical, this is a place you HAVE to go. When I bought my tickets, I wasn't sure where to buy them from, but if you go on the Blue and Gold Fleet website, you can get the best deal. There is an option to purchase a ticket with audio. I wasn't sure at first what that meant, but since it was only a few dollars more I decided to go for it. I was happy I did when I got to the island. The people there hand out little headsets with a tape player of some sort attached. You listen to the tape they give you and it tells you all about the prison, and it pretty much guides you through the entire prison. I definitely recommend getting the tour with audio; you end up getting a whole lot more out of the entire experience. Below is the link for the website I used...like I said, this was the best deal I could find. Don't forget to book your tickets as far ahead of time as you can; I saw lots of people standing in line, trying to get a ticket for that day.

ttp://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

I went to Alcatraz with my sister. Although we are both adults, I think that it would be a fun place for a family to visit. For a bonus, when we got there it was reunion day, when some of the old prisoners and guards came back and told us about being there. My sister and I paid the extra for the audio tour, which was really worth it! It was as if we had someone going through telling us all the inside details. Although we only did this in half a day, it could take more or less time.

Alcatraz is a National Park located in San Francisco bay and is most famous for being a prison. It is a very fascinating place that you will easily spend several hours touring.

First things first, how to get there. You have to take Alcatraz Cruises from pier 33. In the fall of 2006 the ferry service changed to Alcatraz Cruises from the Blue and Gold Fleet so make sure if you are getting directions that they are current (although the Blue and Gold ferry location is not too far away). If you know what day/time you want to leave, it may be a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time. Since we are not used to all the traffic we were not sure so we just walked up to purchase tickets - and the next few ferries were sold out! We had to wait an hour and a half for an available ferry - although we used the time to check out Fisherman's Wharf which is within walking distance. If you have less time than that you can still check out some nearby shops or the sea lions.

The ferry is a short ride but gives an excellent opportunity to take pictures of both San Francisco and Alcatraz. You can purchase beverages on the ferry, or there is just water at the dock on Alcatraz.

Make sure you dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. There are quite a few areas that are wheel chair accessible. I was surprised that they have left some of the buildings in ruins and there are piles of rubble that are even marked on the map. The audio tour of the Cellhouse was most interesting and will likely take you longer than the 45 minutes mentioned, as we paused the tour several times to take pictures or to let crowds of people go by.

It was a very interesting place to visit, even for my husband the sports fanatic. I highly recommend it. Try to go on a nice day, as you spend a fair amount of time outside.

If you go to San Francisco, you have got to go to Alcatraz. If you are there in the summer, get your tickets early and go to Alcatraz After Dark. For about $25 per person, you can get a truly unique experience.

During the summer months, the Blue and Gold Fleet offer evening tours of Alcatraz. You can buy both day tour and evening tour tickets at www.blueandgoldfleet.com.

My group went out on the first evening tour and returned on the last boat of the evening. If you choose to do this activity I would suggest that you do the same. By going on the early evening tour you can listen to your audio tour and then have time to participate in some of the specially scheduled evening activities. These activities are really neat because they are not offered during the day visits and involve small groups. My group and I got to go on the hospital tour. This part of the prison is usually closed during the day hours and only 20 people per evening get to take this tour.

The hospital tour was really interesting. You get to see the Birdman of Alcatraz's cell, the operating room, and the hydrotherapy room. You even get to see where some of the movie, The Rock, was filmed. It was also really cool to get to participate in going on such a small, intimate tour.

All the guides at Alcatraz were phenomenal. They each were interesting and told us about the history of the island. The audio tour was exceptional as well. It is composed of voices of former prisoners and prison guards. They discuss the escape that occurred along with highlighting locations like "Broadway" and "Time Square" within the prison. On the tour you get to see Al Capone's cell as well as Machinegun Kelly's cell. As you listen to the audio you can't help but imagine what it was like on the island. The other thought you are struck with is how hard it must have been to be behind bars and look out on such beautiful sights. The views from Alcatraz are truly unbelievable, especially around sundown and after dark.

If you get the chance to do the Alcatraz After Dark tour, don’t turn it down. It was something that I booked almost a month ahead and I am really glad that I did. The extra cost is nothing compared to what you gain by the experience.

I have gone on the Alcatraz Tour twice now, both times utilizing Pier 39's Blue and Gold Fleet. Both times I was very impressed with the boat quality, and enjoyed the quick ride out to the rocky and dangerous island. Once you arrive on the island, you are greeted by a cheery and informative ranger, who speaks to the group for a few moments. You are then guided up the large hill (take a big breath everyone!) and to the beginnings of the building structures.

You are able to view previous quarters of the guards, along with the rubble of some quarters that had caught fire. You eventually reach the actual prison, which is in quite nice condition on the inside. You are given headsets to wear and guide you through the prison house. This is very nice and convenient. It allows you to take as much time as you'd like in the prison. There are boats that head back to the city every 30 minutes or so, so you may take as much time as you'd like on the island. It is a great photo opportunity of the city!

Also, if you go during the winter months, you are allowed on the fenced path around the edge of the island (during other months, there is bird migration in those areas, so they prohibit it). I have also heard that their evening tour is superb. Apparently, they take you into other areas of the prison, that the day tours do not go into. I will be doing that tour on my next stop!