You take a large boat from Pier 39 over to Alcatraz. When you depart the boat, there is a brief (about 3-4 minute) introduction by one of the park rangers. Then you head up the hill to the main cell block to pick up your audio tour headphones. The tour is individual and self guided. You move through at your own pace. It is riddled with strange facts and mysteries of Alcatraz. The bulk of the tour focuses on Alcatraz during the time it was used as a federal prison and not as a Military prison (as it was before) nor much talk of the American Indian occupation of the island after the prison was abandonded. You may stay on the island as long as you wish, or until 6:00pm that same day.

It’s weird. When I travel, I like to get as far away as I can from popular "tourist attractions," which is exactly what Alcatraz Island is. But, last year, when I went there with my husband, daughter and son-in-law, we took a chance and, to our surprise, found out that we really enjoyed the experience.

I think it was so appealing because it’s so inaccessible, but also because the National Park Service is doing a great job to educate people about the site with its outstanding self-guided narrated tour—and keep it going because it’s in need of repair.

More than likely there will be a long line when you get to Pier 41, at Fisherman’s Wharf to get on. But maybe you can beat the rush if you go early. In any case, we felt that seeing The Rock, where Al Capone, and George "Machine Gun" Kelly were penned in was worth it. After all, how often do you get to go inside a jail, especially one that was maximum security for such notorious criminals. And, how much fun it is to have your picture taken behind these famous bars.

The other advantage is that you get to see the incredible view that some of these criminals had of the San Francisco skyline. How frustrating it must have been to see it and know that you couldn’t go there.

The cruise lasts 2 to 3 hours, and there are daily departures all year long. Wear your walking shoes because once you get there, you have a 12 percent grade to climb. SEAT (Sustainable Easy Access Transport) is available for wheelchair users and visitors unable to walk the quarter mile hill.

The next time we visit San Francisco, I want to try the Alcatraz After Dark because I think that the view of the city will be spectacular—and the tour much scarier. The ride will also be much more romantic.

For more information, visit www.blueandgoldfleet.com (415-7005-5555) for advance ticket purchase.

If you can, pre-purchase your tickets to Alcatraz through your hotel so you don't have to wait in line at Fisherman's Wharf. The boats fill up quickly and sell out often. Although the water was choppy, the boat ride over was pretty smooth. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and lots of layers for the uphill walk up to the windy main site! I recommend the audio tour where you can hear from former inmates and wardens. Walk outside and get a great view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

If I knew I would only have time for one attraction in San Francisco, Alcatraz would definitely be in the running for my one pick. From the size of the crowds gathered at the ticket booth every day, I'm probably not the only one thinking the same thing.

The most important thing to know about going to Alcatraz is you need to order tickets early. Order them before you leave home. In fact, depending on the time of the year of your visit, order them way before you leave home. I've gone by the ticket booth before and have heard announcements that the next available trip to Alcatraz is in 3 days. So, check out www.blueandgoldfleet.com to make sure you get a ticket.

When you're reserving your ticket, seriously consider the "Alcatraz After Dark" tour. It's only offered on certain days and not all sections of the daytime tour are open at night, but you'll get a much different perspective of the island and what life was like on The Rock. Plus, you'll get some incredible sunset and evening views of the San Francisco skyline.

While you're on the tour, there's a couple of things to watch for. First, when you're in the main part of the cellhouse, look for the desk the National Park Service (NPS) has set up offering different Interpretive Programs. These are always really informative and, depending on the tour, may give you an opportunity to see parts of the cellhouse others may not get to see. The program that visits the hospital was really interesting and, after dark, kind of eerie.

Second, when you get to the part of the tour where an NPS guide offers to lock you in a cell in solitary, try it. Just stepping inside the cell is enough, but having someone lock the door behind you gives you a very real feel of what it was like to live behind bars.

Before you go, also make sure you check out www.nps.gov/alcatraz/. The Park Service has a really nice little site going here. It goes into great detail about the history of Alcatraz as well as how to get the most out of your trip.

Have you ever been to prison? I haven't until I visited this interesting location.

I recommend ordering your tickets ahead of time as the tours tend to sell out quickly. I also recommend the audio tour as you will have a guide with you who explains the different parts of the prison. It also has interviews with actual inmates. After picking up your tickets at Will Call, you move to get in line for the ferry that will take you to the island. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes.

Once you pull into port, you will climb a hill to the prison to pick up your audio tape player for the tour. This will walk you through the tour, which is about 1 hour long. Sometimes at the pier, a ranger is available to provide a tour and provide history upto the prison as Alcatraz was not originally a prison, but an army fort during the 1800's.

After the tour, you return the audio tapes and can explore a little of the prison grounds. Once you are done, you board the ferry that will take you back to the main land. There are gifts shops on the island as well as back at the pier on the mainland.