If you are visiting San Francisco, one of the places you have to go to is Alcatraz. There are several tour companies that offer cruises to The Rock and you should not miss out on this adventure. The official website to book tickets from is Alcatraz Cruises, prices range from $26 for the “basic” Alcatraz tours, to up to $58 for the combination ticket for Alcatraz Island and Angel Island. Today, we have prepared a list of 10 things to do to get to Alcatraz when you want it, and to fully enjoy the tour.
1. Book well in advance: You can book tickets up to 90 days earlier. We recommend to book them about one month in advance, especially during the summer season and if you book for a family or larger group.
2. Take the Early Bird Tour: The first tour to Alcatraz Island starts at 9.00am from Pier 33. It is a day less to sleep in, but well worth it since you can stroll over an almost empty prison island. The later you go, the more packed it will be, or you even have to rush to get the last ferry back to the city. Parking around Fishermen’s Wharf is expensive and rare, so you may simply want to take public transport from your hotel, or ride the Cable Car.
3. Take advantage of the Audio Tour: you will already purchase it with your ticket and audio tours are available in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese Dutch and Mandarin. Former prisoners and guards tell their stories and explain Alcatraz Island from their point of view, and you will hear about living at Alcatraz. For those who prefer to read those routines, check out this Facebook page.
4. Talk to people who work there: Eventually, you run into a former inmate or guard and who else can tell you amazing stories that hardly anybody else will hear?
5. Dress accordingly: It is San Francisco, and Alcatraz is about 15 minutes from the Coast by ferry. Cold gusts can quickly ruin the outside activities, such as walking on the island to other buildings or simply enjoying the view over the city. Remember – you can always take the jacket off, but you won’t be able to buy one when it gets too cold or windy.
6. Stroll around The Rock: See as much as you can, walk everywhere you can (and is allowed). Go and see the kitchen, the guard’s cells, the garden and the housing for the guards and their families. Much is burned down, yet there is still a lot to see and learn.
7. Study the breakout of Frank Morris and the brothers John and Clarence Anglin: Try to imagine how desperate they must have been to get through this breakout. The famous Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood may be a good preparation for this trip.
8. Plan enough time for visiting: Getting to, through and from Alcatraz will easily take you 4-5 hours. Take something to eat and drink with you to avoid the tourist prices on the ferries.
9. Get souvenirs: It may sound kitschy, but there is so much fun stuff to buy for yourself and loved ones that it would be too hard to just walk by.
10. Watch out for the birds: Alcatraz Island is home to thousands of seagull, so pay attention where you step and what is above you.
With a little planning, Alcatraz will become one of the most memorable San Francisco tours you have done in the City by the Bay. Even though the Alcatraz prison is closed for almost 50 years now, you can feel the cold and stiff atmosphere of a prison that hosted the toughest and dangerous inmates. Later on, let us know how you liked it! We are excited to hear your stories.
Enjoy your trip!
Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.
