2 of 4

Write now Article Tools

If you are ever in the San Francisco Bay area, it's almost a given you've got to visit Alcatraz. When talking to anyone who's visited there, one of the first things they'll tell you is to make sure you take some time to visit the infamous island best known for housing a federal prison from the early to mid 20th century.

When planning your visit, the first thing you need to do is figure out which day in your schedule you want to visit the island. Alcatraz is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area and tickets are high in demand; entrance to the park is free of charge, but tickets for the ferry cost $24.50 for the day tour and $31.50 f or the evening. There are discounted rates for children and seniors.

You can purchase your tickets online, or stop by the Pier during the early part of your trip and buy tickets for the day you want. We found we needed at least two days notice, but I suspect this timeframe may vary depending on the season you're visiting. Rumor has it occasionally tickets will sell out more than a week in advance. It can't hurt to plan ahead a little; this will ensure you won't miss out.

Once you've planned the day and purchased your tickets for the ferry, it's a good idea to head over early to leave plenty of time to board the ferry because the line to board is likely to be long. I'd recommend dressing warmly, because even in August, the Bay area can get quite chilly, and Alcatraz Island is even more brisk. The zesty winds may catch you by surprise, our visit was mid-summer and we ended up having to purchase a few jackets from the street vendors prior to heading off to the island since we had no idea the temps and winds would make for chilly weather. Also, wear comfortable shoes because once you get off the ferry, you've got a long and steep walk ahead of you (there is assistance for those who cannot physically make the walk).

After you've arrived at the Island you're free to wander the prison and the surrounding areas. There are museums which contain movies and artifacts along with written descriptions and historical photographs and you can wander in and around the various buildings located on the island. During your visit, you'll discover Alcatraz was far more than a former prison; its rich history also includes serving as a military base and an occupation(s) by American Indians.

Consider purchasing the audio option for your tour of the prison house. Walking through the prison listening to the stories and testimonies of those who lived it is a valuable experience and really provides a lot of insight. The prison house is a walking tour and through the audio you'll hear pivotal conversations and descriptions which correlate to each part of the prison you're viewing. The cost is only $5.00 more and well worth the extra few dollars because it truly brings the tour to life and is an enriching experience.

This historical landmark is an incredible encounter and when touring it, you have the distinct feeling and understanding of how isolated life must have been there for anyone who had either the joy or misfortune of living there.

When visiting Alcatraz you'll most definitely want to plan to stay a few hours at the very minimum, it's well worth it.

Reference:
http://www.nps.go v/alca/historyculture/index.ht m

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Visiting Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, CA?
We want to hear your view. Write now!