Is it worth the time it takes to see it?

Yes, it is definitely worth it!

Order your tickets early as they go fast.

Go in the afternoon, s the fog will have lifted and it may be a somewhat warmer. But do dress in layers as it IS chilly being surrounded by water.

Take the audio headset tour or else you won't really understand it as well.

This is one of our favorite parts of San Francisco. Unique and memorable. Enjoy!

I agree 100%. Don't miss it. For some odd reason alot of locals will tell you otherwise. Then you will get people to tell you to skip SF entirely and go to San Jose. Strange people they are.

I absoulutely agree with the above posters, and do buy the audio tour, you would miss out on the kind of information that helps make the tour interesting. The views of SF and GG from the boat as you go to Alcatraz are picture worthy.

We have been to Alcatraz about a million times--it is great. I agree with Rockin--buy your tickets EARLY for summer (just note you may not be able to refund or exchange them should your plans change).

In addition to the usual tours to Alcatraz, the Blue and Gold Fleet also offers what they call "Alcatraz After Dark". It is really not after dark but departs at 6:20 and 7:05. These tours sometimes fit into your itinerary easier and do not take up a chunk of time during the day. Here is the link to see if tickets are available. Book at least a month in advance and longer in summer. If it says no availability, call them directly to make sure. They only book a couple of months at a time on the web eventhough the dates may be listed.
https://www.pier41.net/cgi-bin/PerlT...l=alcatraz_eve

If you just want to see Alacatraz up close but not tour it, you can take the Blue and Gold Bay Tour which is just over an hour. It will sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (great picture spot) and then behind Alcatraz before returning to the dock. You can book online and save at www.blueandgoldfleet.com or there are coupons in many tourist magazines.

One other suggestion: The SF City Pass is a wonderful way to save money. For $36 an adult can see/tour Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, Steinhart Aquarium & California Academy of Sciences, Palace of the Legion of Honor, Exploratorium, & The Museum of Modern Art AND have a 7 day Muni pass that includes unlimited Cable Car/muni bus rides. A really good deal.

Check out http://www.sfvisitor.org/ for that and other offers. The link to the Preferred Travel with VISA on the homepage is a GREAT way to get cheaper hotel reservations and other offers and it is free.

Have a great trip!

We bypassed going to Alcatraz -- just didn't interest me. Took a few pictures of it on the ferry to/from Sausalito.

Speaking of Sausalito -- that place in my opinion is over rated too. The Thai restaurant was reasonable. The restaurant and the ferry ride were the only highlights of our trip there.

This is my OPINION only, but I cannot imagine your friends and relatives felt that way after visiting Alcatraz. I hope in my future travels I never get to the point of being that finicky and nitpicking of a national landmark. Please never let me get that way!

Touristy things Traweek? Just what in the hell is a person ON VACATION doing if its not a "tourist thing?" Damn I aint promoting Alcatraz, I am promoting The AMERICAN VACATION, its HISTORY, its HERITAGE, its NATIONAL landmarks doggonit!!!!!!!

I guess the 50 million people who have been were liars.

There are a few reasons why we enjoyed the Alcatraz tour.1st, the boat ride over is enjoyable and scenic.2nd, if you enjoy history it is very interesting, but you have to get the audio tour.Also, it is fun to just walk around the island and enjoy the scenery.

See what I mean, fellow fodorites? Again as I said, "PLEASE NEVER LET ME GET THAT WAY!! I'll quit going on vacation if I do.

It really depends on the person. I enjoyed going one time (and one time only) but that was after visiting the city about a dozen times before. It was not on my top ten list to do that is for sure. But, when I brought my husband and my ten year old son, they really enjoyed it. They had seen some movies based there and thought the audio tour was interesting. I have also taken five groups of exchange students (both boys and girls) over the last six years and they either really love it or don't really care for it. I say all of this to make my point that it really depends on the individual and that person's likes and interests. If history and prisons are your thing then go....if not, fill your itinerary with other places.....the boat tour is a good comprise on a pretty day.

We went in November and it wa great fun, despite the downpour.

I recommend the Alcatraz After Dark tour. It was very intresting and eerie--even more so because of the rain and thunder.

Don't miss this.

When in rome......!! Of course Alcatraz is worth it! It's history, heritage and totally unique. And it takes less than 1/2 day!

Would i do it every time i vist SF? Probably not, but i don't visit Hearst Castle every time i'm in CA either and i LOVE that place!

And 14VK8SHN - LOL! I'm a TOTAL tourist on vacation and LOVE it! We focus on nat'l parks, history and all that'worthwhile' stuff, but...GASP...some of the touristy stuff has given us our best memories! (think largest ball of twine, tallest thermometer )

To also feel like a tourist, i avoid marriotts, westins and the like -- not only because they're too pricey for a 3+ week road trip, but the LAST thing i want on vacation is to feel like i'm at a business meeting! Seeing suits when i'm on vacation is depressing!!!

You will enjoy it if you're the type who is interested in knowing more about history and people's experiences. Shopaholics, wrestling fans, and NASCAR fanatics need not apply. I, for one, found it quite interesting when done with the audio tour, as I did when visiting Ellis Island in NYC. The view of the San Francisco skyline from the boat was gorgeous.

I have been twice and found it interesting both times. I went about 25 years ago and again 2 years ago. It is wise to get your tickets in advance.

If you don't go, please don't shoot yourself for having missed a "must see". There are losts of "must sees" in SF and you have to pick among them.

It's something you should do at least once. As for standing in line a long time and purchasing tickets early, we purchased ours from SanFrancisco Sightseeing when Blue and Gold Fleet had sold out and didn't have any availability for 3 days. Although SF Sightseeing purchases them and sells them for a premium, we still only paid around $20 per person for the audio tour. And hey, if you find it's not for you, just leave on the next boat out and at least you got a boat ride out of it and some nice views of the SF skyline.

I looked at the small cells that held life for years. A bed, an open toilet, a very small wooden table and small seat. The small recreation yard that not everyone got to enjoy and was the only source of outside life. The library that you could not go to but someone could bring something to you. The cells on the second level that showed the outside which you could not be a part of. The sounds coming from SF on New Years Eve that meant the world was having a party. All of this made me thankful that no one that I love has had to live this life. True, a deserved life, but one that would hurt if it were your son living there. Al Capone had a Mom and I'm sure his sentence was also her sentence. I also saw the caretakers that lived there. Where did their children play? Where did they go to school? Their life was also almost a prison. Alcatrz made me so thankful that no one that I love has lived this way. I would not want to visit again, but glad that I did once.

I visited it as part of a first-time, 3 day stay in SF and thought it was great. Recommend getting the audio guide as this brings things to life a lot more. We chose to go there because it is a part of American history, rather than due to any hype, and were very glad to have done so.