I wanna go to Alcatraz Island.
But there's no information in Japan.
Please tell me about it.
What tour? How to get tickets? Price? Good place?
Everything is OK!!!
Thanks.

No problem they run tour out of the waterfront down from Fishermen's Terminal you can walk up and buy ticket and once on the island the tour starts, interesting. At least thats how it was two years ago.

No problem they run tour out of the waterfront down from Fishermen's Terminal you can walk up and buy ticket and once on the island the tour starts, interesting. At least thats how it was two years ago. Price ok.

Agree with the above...it's VERY EASY to get tickets. Just go to the ticket window or booths along Pier 39.
That said, here are two quick suggestions:

1) Buy them early...even a day or two in advance. These tours tend to sell-out very quickly.

2) Shell-out the extra 4-dollars for the audio-tour. You get high-end Sony Walkmans with an EXCELLENT taped tour...complete with sound effects. Those without these walkmans just walk around the cellblock, not really getting the FULL effect of the tour.

Have fun...I'm a local who tend to be jaded about the usual "tourist" stuff...but Alcatraz is totall cool!

Kayo: The tour of Alcatraz tends to sell out early as it's SF's #1 tourist attraction. However, you can make reservations 30 days ahead and your tickets will be mailed to you or you can pick them up. The number should be on the SF website.

Several years ago I was in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day with nothing to do so I decided to check out Alcatraz Island. Being a major holiday I wasn't sure if it would be open but to my surprise it was open and I had it nearly to myself. It's well worth the money and the audio tour was very interesting also. It's a nice boat ride over and back, too. Enjoy your trip.

Try to purchase your tickets before you leave. We
did, and when we arrived, I was glad that we had. The lines were awfully long, and the tours sold out
quickly. The Alcatraz tour was one of my favorite tours, and I would reccomend it to anyone. Very
interesting. Don't forget to visit Yosemite.
Kathy

Don't miss it. I too am a "local" person who has been to Alcatraz twice and love it. Definitely get the audio tour. It is also fun the island. Try to get Clint Eastwood movie "Escape from Alcatraz"if it is available in Japan--or even "Birdman of Alcatraz" with Burt Lancaster--even if not totally factual, they will make your trip there more fun.

Alcatraz is an experience! Get the audio tape, it's important to getting the full effect of the prison and life behind the those walls. You will definitely feel the impact of prison life. Bring your camera and be sure to have someone take your picture "behind bars". Enjoy. San Franciso is a wonderful city to visit.

Definitely a must see, be sure to buy tickets ahead of time. I was there last September and it was cold by the water so be sure and wear warm clothes. Audio tour is the best way to go and they offer tapes in Japanese.