Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you have two days, plan your first day as detailed on p 6. For your
second day, I recommend you start by going to jail! For many, a
visit to Alcatraz is a major highlight
—
however, pre-reserved tickets
are required. If you are unable to get tickets ahead of time, I've listed
an alternative bay cruise. Following Alcatraz (or the cruise), you'll
visit Lincoln Park, a less-visited but striking corner of San Francisco,
and get a taste of 19th-century San Francisco on Nob Hill.
START:
Pier
41, Fisherman's Wharf. Cable Car: Powell-Mason. Bus: 30. Streetcar: F.
1
★★★
Alcatraz Island.
Spanish
for “pelican,” Alcatraz was so named
in 1775 by Juan Manuel Ayala for the
birds that nested on its rocky shores.
From the 1850s to 1933, the U.S. mili-
tary used Alcatraz as a fort, protect-
ing the bay's shoreline. In 1934, the
government converted it into a max-
imum-security prison to house the
country's most hardened criminals,
including Al Capone, “Machine Gun”
Kelly, and Robert Stroud (the Bird-
man). Given its sheer cliffs, frigid
waters, and treacherous currents,
Alcatraz was considered inescapable.
However, the prison's upkeep cost a
fortune; all supplies had to come by
boat. After a 1963 prison escape, the
prison was shut down. The island
remained unoccupied until 1969,
when Native Americans seized it to
publicize American Indian rights'
issues. They were expelled in 1971.
Today, the National Park Service man-
ages Alcatraz. Once inside, you'll
receive a headset which plays an
audio tour, including stories from
former guards and inmates, and rivet-
ing tales of escape attempts. From
October to mid-February, you can
tour the island itself on a walking
path. Evenings, the more expensive
“Alcatraz After Hours” tour is espe-
cially eerie
.
@
2-3 hr., including ferry
ride. Take the 1st ferry of the day, if
possible. Wear a jacket & walking
shoes; it's an uphill walk from the
ferry landing to the cellblock (motor-
ized carts carry visitors with disabili-
ties). The ferry sells snacks, but
there's no food on the island. Pier 41,
Fisherman's Wharf.
y
415/773-1188
for information, or 415/705-5555 to
reserve tickets. www.nps.gov/
alcatraz.
Note:
I highly recommend
purchasing the ticket that includes
the informative audio tour. Admis-
sion (ferry & audio tour): $16, $14
seniors 62+, $11 kids 5-11. Without
audio tour: $12, $9.75 seniors,
$8.25 kids 5-11. Winter daily 9:30am-
2:15pm; summer daily 9:30am-
4:15pm. Ferries run every half hour.
Arrive 30 min. before departure in
summer (45 min. in winter). After-
hours tours depart at 6:15 & 7pm in
summer & 4:20 & 5:10pm in winter.
Bus: 30. Cable Car: Powell-Mason
line. Streetcar: F.
Take a tour of Alcatraz, a former prison located on an island in the San Francisco Bay.
