Alcatraz!

[AndrewBird]

Going to be heading to San Francisco in a few weeks for vacation. We wanted to go to Alcatraz, but all the tickets are sold out already. This is going off of this website:

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

What I'm wondering though is if the only way to see the island is to get tickets from there, or can you just ride a ferry and then walk around on your own? We don't care if it is a guided tour or not, we just want to check out the island. Someone from he area must know.

[decay]

try this one?

http://www.destination-store.com/tour/san+francisco/doubledeckeralcatraz3day/

[AndrewBird]

That's a tour all over and is $93 a person. Not at all what we want.

Like I said, we don't care if it is a guided tour and frankly, would prefer it not to be.

[Gregs///M]

I believe Alcatraz cruises are the only ones contracted to do those tours. You can't freely walk around the prison.

[rturbo 930]

When I was there they gave us a headset that 'guided' you, but you walked around on your own, there wasn't anyone leading a tour. This was in I think 2004 though. I don't think we bought tickets more than a day in advance, if that.

Edit: actually, I think that was just the actual prison. I don't really remember it that well.

[thearkitekt]

make sure you hit up coit tower, and lombard st! going up in coit is cheap, like $6, and offers a great view of the city. And it was built by a total badass http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillie_Hitchcock_Coit

[delatlanta1281]

You cant walk around the island, just the prison and its yard. You must have a ticket on the ferry to go. Paying for a tour is worth it. trust me.
Also, how old are you?

[AndrewBird]

I found this page that explains more:

http://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

It is an audio guided tour, but the only way to get to the island is through the tour website. So that means we missed out. :-(

Why do you want to know my age?

[acolella76]

asl?

[delatlanta1281]

If youre over 21 an drink i have some awesome spots for you.

[AndrewBird]

I'm 25, so hit me up!

Already planning on hitting a few breweries.

[kronus]

If youre over 21 an drink i have some awesome spots for you.

likewise. I live a block from Toronado ;)


Also, yes, you need to get a tour from that company. I am not sure if they ever have overstock from people not showing up, but if you're going to be in the city anyway, you can stay by the pier it leaves from for a bit and see if you can make it on there, but they look super stuffed all the time.

I checked it out a few months ago with my parents, it was interesting, but not amazing. The evening tours are better because the city looks more interesting at night.

[AndrewBird]

Yeah, we were planning to take an evening tour for that very reason.

[fanboi]

If you dont know, you should!

[AndrewBird]

Spam?