Alcatraz
 

We are visiting San Francisco in October and the only days we have available to do the Alcatraz tour are a Saturday or Sunday. We are sure the weekends must be the busiest times but can anyone suggest whether we would be better going on the Saturday or the Sunday?

I went on a weekday so can't advise you on that but I would recommend, regardless of the day you decide, getting on the first boat departing SF if you can. It was a mistake I made, going at a later time as the prison was full with people who had made the trip earlier which made it difficult to navigate. Outside, walking around the island, however, was not an issue.

Not sure if it is busy in October but I know that when I went it sells out - so please make your reservations as soon as possible. Enjoy. :)

We went at the end of May on a weekend. It was sold out most of the day. Yes, it was crowded, but it wasn't difficult to navigate, and I personally think it doesn't matter at all when you go.

No appreciable difference between Saturday and Sunday. As others have said, go early in the day otherwise it could get sold out.

We went on a Saturday over Labor Day weekend a couple years ago - there seemed to be several tour companies. We took the latest available tour, and it was slightly less crowded than others, from what I was told, and there was plenty of room to move around. Just be sure to make reservations in advance and arrive at your docking pier early.

Actually, you don't have to arrive early because you get on a boat according to the time of your reservation regardless of the time you get in line.

Also, sorry, but not sure about "several tour companies", since only National Park Service boats dock at Alcatraz.

I only know of one; and we were not early - just on time. Got in line and it was crowded but not hard to walk through at all. I have been twice - once was a few years ago and it was the same experience - crowded but not difficult.

Any Alcatraz tours offered by anyone OTHER than the NPS are combining the NPS boat ticket with another non-Alcatraz tour AND they are charging more for the NPS $26 Alcatraz tix. Sort of like scalpers.

Thank you so much for all the advice.We have decided to visit on Saturday morning.
Hopefully you will be able to help with another query, What is the best time of day to visit Muir Woods? I have read that organized tours turn up about 10 in the morning and it is very busy. We will be going under our own steam (hire car) and short of getting up at the crack of dawn ......
We are in San Francisco late October and have space in our itinerary Sunday or Monday am or pm?

Certainly am - when the park just opens. The parking space is severely limited, and there are no shuttles in October.

It should take about an hour to drive to Muir Woods and it opens at 8, so getting there by 9 or so won't really require getting up at the crack of dawn. There should be less organized tours in October, less tourists in the fall.

Sorry Sue, this is way off topic, but did you ever get to Thassos ... I'm wondering whether to go there.