blab13692468

I heard you should buy these tickets in advaced. I am going to San Fran in 2 weeks... Where can I buy them? How much?

Is it worth going to? Is it a guided tour or can you roam around yourself?

Thanks!

suzanne

It is a self-guided tour. You are given a walkman type device.

I thought it was very interesting.

jlm_mi

There are also various guided tours available that you can choose from once you get there (no extra charge). You can buy the tickets at their web site, which you can find with a google search. It's blue and gold fleet something or other I think.

blab13692468

just out of curiosity, is this included in the city pass? we are thinking about purchasing the city pass for our stay in san fran. is it worth it?

ah4sail

I don't know if it's included in the city pass, but you can book ahead at www.blueandgoldfleet.com.
Be sure to reserve the audio tour when you book your tickets.

We did the day tour and found it very interesting. My daughter and some friends did the evening tour and really liked that.

mikemo

We did the tour in Apr '02 with an ancient "park ranger" who gave us great insights.
Perhaps that's now on the self guided audio.
M

highflyer

I just read somewhere that the Alcatraz trip is part of the city pass but only if you purchase the citypass ticket via the Blue and Gold Fleet site.
We did the Alcatraz tour without the audio and we enjoyed discussing the prison as we wandered about. It was eerily silent (apart from us!) as everyone was wearing headsets!

J_Correa

The audio tours have been around for ages.

SFImporter

I'd book in advance.

As for the CityPass question:
The Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise is part of the San Francisco CityPass. If you would like to substitute the Blue & Gold Fleet's Alacatraz Tour for the San Francisco Bay Cruise (subject to availability) you must purchase your CityPass in advance directly through the Blue & Gold Fleet only. Their phone number is (415)705-5555. There is a $2.25 convenience fee for this service.

I'd still book in advance if you want to go. Alcatraz is worth it - and I've met too many people who think they can get tickets when they're here - only to be disappointed when they find them sold out - or dumped in with some pricey tour of Muir Woods or other places.

blab13692468

is the Alcateaz NIGHT tour included with the citypass as well? Or is it only for the day tour?

Lapdog

I was glad I purchased my ticket ahead of time because they were sold out when we were there. They had a sign up that said tickets were sold out that day and several days past that. We would have not been able to go our entire trip. It was one of the best parts of our trip. It had the best audio tour of anywhere I have used them.

JerseyGirl1962

This might be a bit late, but I ordered Alcatraz tickets via the internet (www.blueandgoldfleet.com) including the audio tour. Received the tickets in about 5 days, give or take (very quick, I thought). I was surprised when I opened the package and saw a flyer for CityPass - when you go to the booth or whatever at Pier 41, it says to show your tickets and ask for the CityPass - they will automatically deduct the $ amount of the ticket(s) from the CityPass (according to the flyer, yes, even just the Alcatraz ferry ride over is included). We paid USD$16 per ticket, so we'll get that much off each CityPass we buy (and we will buy them).

The good thing about the CityPass, from what I read on the flyer, is that there are other SF attractions you can use it for. And, unless I'm mistaken, it also said something about another pass (maybe Muni Passport?) *also* being included in the CityPass. As I don't have the flyer in front of me, I can't be sure of the name of this other pass that's included. I'll give it a look again just to make sure I read that right. (So at this point, don't take my word about that other pass, please.)

I'm glad I re-read the flyer, as I was thinking of picking up a 7 day pass anyway - just having to ask thru tickets we've already bought will save us some time.

We'll be going to Alcatraz on Monday, April 18, the day after we arrive in SF (that's 1 month from today!). I CAN'T WAIT!

kamahinaohoku

Just a suggestion, please remember that you're in SFO Harbor and the wind gets cold, so you'll need a warm jacket or sweater. Also, the paths are not the best, so sneakers or walking shoes are a must.

JerseyGirl1962

Both hubby and I will have jackets and sneakers, as we've both read how chilly it can be out in the harbor.

As for the flyer in my post above, it DOES include the MUNI Passport and cable cars. Here's what it actually says (we bought the Alcatraz tour online):

SPECIAL OFFER
You can apply what you already paid for your Alcatraz Tour or Bay Cruise towards the purchase of a CITYPASS, good for admission to these 6 other must see attractions:

1. Alcatraz Tour or Bay Cruise (already purchased)

2. 7-Day Unlimited use Cable Car and MUNI Passport

3. Exploratorium

4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

5. The Asian Art Museum

6. The Legion of Honor or Academy of Sciences & Steinhart Aquarium

So...if you buy Alcatraz or Bay Cruise tickets online at blueandgoldfleet.com, you won't have to buy a separate MUNI pass. What you have to do is present your ticket stubs at the ticket offices and ask for a CityPass. The ticket agent will credit the amount you already paid for either Alcatraz or the Bay Cruise.

Binkieloo

Hi I just got back

I would definitely do the Alcatraz tour, the audio tour gives some interesting information.

You can get the Alcatraz ticket in place of the Bay Cruise with the Blue and Gold fleet for the CityPass, but you have to do it over the phone with them and collect the tickets from Pier 39. The city pass was well worth it an made skipping lines and not having to have change on busses worth it.

Hope this helps

JerseyGirl1962

Binkieloo,

Read your "report" on SF - sounds like you had a lot of fun!

Just a quick question (or whoever else wants to jump in here), which I can't seem to find an answer to on the website: How far ahead should we be sure to get to the ticket booth? I thought I remembered something like 20 minutes, but I'm not sure.

Thanks!