I have a day, maybe a day and a half to spend in San Francisco. I've been looking on here and have printed out all of Stu's (sorry, forgot last name) excellent advice. I noticed that the Alcatraz tour isn't on the list, though. Has anyone taken it? Good/bad? How long does it take? I like history, but didn't want to spend 1/2 day on a so/so tour when there's other stuff to see. Thanks!!

It would take up almost half a day to see this island. For me that was worth it, because the history of crime and punishment fascinates me. I enjoyed seeing the actual jail cell that Frank Morris ("Escape from Alcatraz") dug out of, and the experience of even a few seconds of dark solitary made me wonder how anyone would handle it for 23 hours a day, for months.

Since you only have a day and a half in the Bay Area, I'd only recommend an Alcatraz tour IF you share my interest in crime history. If this is your first trip to the Bay Area, then even then I'd be reluctant to recommend it over the many other things you can do.

I agree with Paul - I find Alcatraz incredibly interesting and would probably put it on my itinerary. If I wasn't interested in that sort of stuff though, I wouldn't.

One nice thing about Alcatraz is that you can take any boat back to SF, so you don't have to be out there for a specific time period. You could go out, do the audio tour and come right back. Or you could spend more time.

i too really enjoyed the tour. however, there is plenty to do in san fran with so little time. it's definitly a good tour - you just need to decide according to your interests.

I agree with Paul, it depends upon your interests. I wouldn't have missed Alcatraz during my visit to SF, but then, I had 4 days. I'm sure Paul will agree that this trip would take at least 3 hours.

I researched Alcatraz on the Internet, before my US trip, which was helpful but I knew that I wanted to go there anyway. I was not disappointed. Perhaps it's stretching a point to claim that Alcatraz ranks alongside US beauty spots, however, it has a kind of stark beauty to it, and it gave me a quite different perspective on SF and the thought of all those men, looking out at the lights of that beautiful city and imagining..wishing..

Alcatraz touched me deeply.

If you go there, do pay a couple of $ for the audio tour. If you do, you'll know why I suggest it.

Best regards
Mary Jo
England

I agree with the others; I loved Alcatraz and it was one of the highlights of our trip because of our interest in it. I think it all depends on where your interests lie.

Tracy

I also agree with the others, Alcatraz is great. Also as MaryJo mentioned, please pay the few extra $ and get the audio tour. When we went, we opted not to do the audio and we kept kicking ourselves the rest of our time in SF (and now that we have long since left) that we didn't just fork out the extra $. We are now looking forward to going again and will for sure do the audio tour!!

Do Alcatraz. But don't do it unless you pay the extra fee for the audio. It is really terrific. We took the 12:45 tour and got back about 3P. Wonderful.

Hi Sallie, as others have said if you do go to Alcatraz do pay for the audiotour.

SF is full of history. If, again as others have said, you like crimanal history you will enjoy going to Alcatraz. But if you have a list of places that you want to visit and if Alcatraz will mean that you will not be able to visit other places that interest you more I would save Alcatraz for your next trip. If you go I would figure at least 4 hours.
Have a fun time in San Francisco.

Yes, great, don't miss it!
M

Have to add that if you decide to go - buy your tickets online in advance. They sell out at least a few days early depending on the date.

Seems like this might be a perfect fit for your "half-day".

I think it is unanamous (sp) How did i forget how to spell that!?

I enjoyed it a lot, I think the people who live there would rather skip it when they have guests in.

GO for it!!!

My wife and I did one of the evening tours to Alcatraz last September. It was a little more expensive but I belive less crowded. We had the added interest of seeing the city view from the island as the sun was setting. A guided tour and the audio tour was included.

Hi Annesherrod, I often forget how to spell words, hate that, LOL.

Actually when I have guests that is when I enjoy going to Alcatraz, it is so much fun to see guest be so enthralled with being on Alcatraz, the views from the island, the history etc. Sometimes having guest has one going places that one would not normally think of doing..walking across the Golden Gate Bridge for example.

LoveItaly - I think that is fantastic! I love to sight see on my own city too!!

My cousin who lives there always warns us..." I am not taking you to Alcatrez...you are on your own"

Our tour guide was great. His dad was a guard there, so he grew up on the island and had great stories. He went to school on the main land and his friends loved to come and visit and hear about all the famous inmates!!

annesherrod, coincidently my father was a guard on Alcatraz also, way back when he was in the National Guard and got assigned there. Don't think he was pleased about that LOL.

I sure wish my dad and I had gone to Alcatraz together, how interesting that would have been. But he never expressed any desire to so I didn't push it. Wish I had of, for me he would have done this.

I had a brochure from Alcatraz that listed all the people working there including my father. Now I can't find it..that makes me feel bad. Why is it always the things we wish we had that somehow get "lost"? Take care and have a nice weekend.

I dissent and agree with Stu Dudley. While the tour is interesting (I don't recall being charged extra for audio tour in September 2005) and the ride on the water exhilirating, San Francisco has so much more to offer. I'd skip it and watch a good video on the history of the prison-they're widely available at the Wharf. Use the time to bike the Bridge and see Sausilito, climb Coit Tower or walk around North Beach and Chinatown.

It's kind of like asking whether or not to see the Tower of London while in the UK. You never really know until you go.

Regarding the alcatraz tour, is there any specific company that it is best to book through and what should one look for when booking a tour? Thanks.

db'03,
Don't think you have a choice.
Nothing like seeing those cold cages to know you don't want to cheat on your Fed'l income taxes.
M