Alcatraz visit
Discussion
I know some of you have visited San Francisco and Alcatraz. We are out there in six weeks time and are planning to book tickets for the prison before we go. Any advice - who to book with, when to go, e.t.c?
Also planning a spot of whale watching from Monterey. Advice here?
Also planning a spot of whale watching from Monterey. Advice here?
Edited by buzzer on Sunday 20th February 11:29
buzzer said:
I know some of you have visited San Francisco and Alcatraz. We are out there in six weeks time and are planning to book tickets for the prison before we go. Any advice - who to book with, when to go, e.t.c?
I went out there in September 2005; we booked Alcatraz when we were out there from one of the tour companies on Fisherman's Wharf - perhaps a day or so in advance of the tour itself. Can't remember how much it cost but it wasn't expensive or I would :-). No need to book before you get there if you're going to be there a few days.It was a pleasant boat trip and was nice to see the city from the sea. We did an audio tour of Alcatraz which gave an insight into the prison and history; the most interesting bit was an impromptu (well it seemed to be) talk in the old canteen from a member of staff about the 'truth' behind Al Capone and other titbits of Alcatraz history.
Once you've seen one prison cell you've seen them all but worth a visit.
Hope this helps.
Roo said:
Always pre book Alcatraz as it can get busy. The tickets are available to book online direct with the boat company.
Make sure you book the audio tour as it will help make it all more realistic.
This is sound advise. Me and Mrs Ghost were there in 2009 and the day we went over on the boat the queue was very long with lots of people not being able to get on the early trips due to demand. We went over on the first boat at 9am (almost a must to prebook for this) and managed to spend 2 1/2 hours on the rock with the audio walking tour and video presentation in the block just up the hill from the harbourside. There was also an ex inmate in the shop answering questions about his time there which was a great 30 minutes spent listening to his stories.Make sure you book the audio tour as it will help make it all more realistic.
Book from the official site - www.alcatrazcruises.com
I went at the beginning of June last year and booked a few days before visiting, asking the reception at a hotel I was staying in nicely if I could use their printer and print the tickets
A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting trip 
I went at the beginning of June last year and booked a few days before visiting, asking the reception at a hotel I was staying in nicely if I could use their printer and print the tickets
A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting trip We did the whale-watch thing last year from Monterey. TBH, just google it, and choose the one that best fits in terms of price & time. That's what we did, and had a decent trip. There's a few companies there, so the competition keeps them up to scratch. Don't forget the aquarium while you're there, and if you want a decent meal, then go to the Dametra cafe in Carmel-by-the-sea, and get away from the touristy bits in Monterey.
Fisherman's wharf,quite a few tours from there, also get up to the palisades and redwood forest the trees are impressive and it's a nice day out, salsalito is a really nice place for lunch too, before getting the bridge back, Monteray is a cool as is the whole coast down the to crap hole called LA. enjoy.
I'm not generally a fan of audio tours but in the case of Alcatraz its well worth it.
By Union Square there is a Hyatt, starbucks opposite does eggs benedict to die for. Add crispy bacon, coffee and juice, you'll be setup for the day.
Make a point of seeing Lombard Street too.
Lots of good micro brewery bars on Haight Street.
Worth stopping by Dawdiak cars too.
If you have a hire car the Blackhawk museum is worth a visit, its not too far.
By Union Square there is a Hyatt, starbucks opposite does eggs benedict to die for. Add crispy bacon, coffee and juice, you'll be setup for the day.
Make a point of seeing Lombard Street too.
Lots of good micro brewery bars on Haight Street.
Worth stopping by Dawdiak cars too.
If you have a hire car the Blackhawk museum is worth a visit, its not too far.
As per previous posters, you MUST pre-book Alcatraz.
When you get into the cell block, pick up your audio tour but don't start it. Instead, go straight to the information desk at the back of the block and ask what special tours they are doing - book up ASAP (they are free) as they have limited places (by the time you do the audio tour, everyone in front of you will have booked up first!). You can then go back to the start and begin the audio tour.
We did this and got a guided tour of the hospital upstairs, which isn't part of the main tourist trail due to the poor condition of the building. It was fantastic, and the pharmacy still smelt like a hospital! It also gave an extra insight into life on the island - I even saw where Al Capone bathed his piles!!!
Enjoy!
When you get into the cell block, pick up your audio tour but don't start it. Instead, go straight to the information desk at the back of the block and ask what special tours they are doing - book up ASAP (they are free) as they have limited places (by the time you do the audio tour, everyone in front of you will have booked up first!). You can then go back to the start and begin the audio tour.
We did this and got a guided tour of the hospital upstairs, which isn't part of the main tourist trail due to the poor condition of the building. It was fantastic, and the pharmacy still smelt like a hospital! It also gave an extra insight into life on the island - I even saw where Al Capone bathed his piles!!!
Enjoy!
Mrs Pitstop said:
As per previous posters, you MUST pre-book Alcatraz.
When you get into the cell block, pick up your audio tour but don't start it. Instead, go straight to the information desk at the back of the block and ask what special tours they are doing - book up ASAP (they are free) as they have limited places (by the time you do the audio tour, everyone in front of you will have booked up first!). You can then go back to the start and begin the audio tour.
We did this and got a guided tour of the hospital upstairs, which isn't part of the main tourist trail due to the poor condition of the building. It was fantastic, and the pharmacy still smelt like a hospital! It also gave an extra insight into life on the island - I even saw where Al Capone bathed his piles!!!
Enjoy!
Didn't know about the seperate tours. Doesn't surprise though as they do alter some of the parts you can see. First time I went in 2002 you used be allowed to go down to the shower block, but can't anymore.When you get into the cell block, pick up your audio tour but don't start it. Instead, go straight to the information desk at the back of the block and ask what special tours they are doing - book up ASAP (they are free) as they have limited places (by the time you do the audio tour, everyone in front of you will have booked up first!). You can then go back to the start and begin the audio tour.
We did this and got a guided tour of the hospital upstairs, which isn't part of the main tourist trail due to the poor condition of the building. It was fantastic, and the pharmacy still smelt like a hospital! It also gave an extra insight into life on the island - I even saw where Al Capone bathed his piles!!!
Enjoy!
The place where you get the boat may still be in a different location, it was in 2008 when I went. Also, I recommend booking as everyone else has but if you forget, don't give up. We didn't book and were able to get straight on a boat in beautiful weather with no wait for tickets. I think it was October. From what I have read that is like winning the lottery, twice. But, it worked out for us.
Alcatraz is definitely well worth a visit and most definitely pre-book using the website www.alcatrazcruises.com
We were there last Sept and booked from the UK a couple of weeks before.
We had been advised that the evening visit was excellent, so took the trip which left the pier at about 6.30pm. As it was the last tour of the day they added on a couple of extra talks.
There was a good one by a rather eccentric lady park ranger who obviously relished the demo she gave of how the cell doors can all be slammed shut at the same time, makes one helluva noise!
The audio tour, which you pick up on the way in via the shower room, is one of the best we've done.
Really enjoyed SFO, didn't get to Monterey. Maybe next time.....
We were there last Sept and booked from the UK a couple of weeks before.
We had been advised that the evening visit was excellent, so took the trip which left the pier at about 6.30pm. As it was the last tour of the day they added on a couple of extra talks.
There was a good one by a rather eccentric lady park ranger who obviously relished the demo she gave of how the cell doors can all be slammed shut at the same time, makes one helluva noise!
The audio tour, which you pick up on the way in via the shower room, is one of the best we've done.
Really enjoyed SFO, didn't get to Monterey. Maybe next time.....
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