Do you think I need to book a tour of Alcatraz in advance of a November 2006 trip.
How difficult is it to get to Alcatraz from San Francisco?

In November it is probably not necessary to book in advance but if you know when you want to go it is easy and costs the same (no service fee).

"How difficult is it to get to Alcatraz"

By boat it is easy. By swimming it is very difficult.

The Alcatraz boats leave from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. It is a main tourist area.

It never hurts to purchase the Alcatraz tickets in advance.

If you know that you definitely want to visit Alcatraz...then to be safe..book in advance...although I think you might be safe in Nov...unless it was Thanksgiving week.

To get to Alcatraz, you take a boat from Pier 39..all part of the cost of your ticket.

Check online a week or two before you go and it will show times and ticket availability, then you can decide whether to book in advance or not. I'd check the weather too (yes it can change but it'll give you a rough idea)

You might also want to consider the last tour of the day. It's a bit of a bonus.

We were just there last week and the tix were sold out for 5 days. People were actually trying to scalp them!! I would book in advance to get the time you want.

You may want to triple check where they will be departing...

http://tinyurl.com/kgwt2


..and if you are certain you will be going, I'd buy my tix in advance no matter when I'd go.

I second the recommendation for the night tour! It was one of the high points of our trip 2 years ago. If you want to do this trip you definitely need to book it in advance. It does sell out. My kids still talk about it and the sunset was beautiful. Don't miss!
Janet

There is no public transportation to Alcatraz other then tour boats, if this is your question.

Some prisoners tried to escape from Alcatraz only to never be heard from ever again.

We purchased our tickets online in advance before we left home. I was glad we did, because when we went something was sold out either the ferry rides or the actuall admittance to Alcatraz.
One recommendation if I may, pay the extra money for the earphones to "hear" the guided tour. We did not do this and we really regretted it.
PS-saps~hilarious