A visit to Alcatraz Island is an absolute must for visitors to San Francisco, but you'd be surprised how many people never get there because they didn't pre-book. Ferry's to Alcatraz Island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay are nearly always booked up on the day and often for several days ahead.
I have to say this is one of my favorite sightseeing tours in North America. To approach 'The Rock' subject of several great films fills you with a real sense of anticipation. Home to infamous inmates such as Al Capone and Robert Stroud (The Birdman of Alcatraz) this tiny island in the centre of San Francisco Bay has been the subject of several great films.
The tour gets better, on arrival you are issued with personal headsets to take a self-guided tour of the prison. Narration by previous prison officers and inmates adds to the experience greatly, the clatter of cutlery in your ear as you walk through the canteen brings it all to life so well.
You take your time to tour the cells and all the other buildings learning and seeing the attempts to escape the solitary life on Alcatraz and you can even stand behind the bars of Al Capone's cell as Sarah demonstrated for us on our trip (See the picture in this article) Had I not been taking the picture I'd have been running for the sea with the keys! Just kidding Sarah.
Anyway you'd need to allow about 3-4 hours to do the tour, this cover the ferry there and back and a good couple of hours on the island. We can of course help with securing your tickets for what is a very worthy entry on the Complete North America Uniquely America list.
Call us today to talk about incorporating Alcatraz into your Complete North America organised visit to San Francisco on 0115 9610590.
