California San Francisco Travel Guide Sightseeing Trip Directory South America & Africa Points Heist

Alcatraz: An American Landmark

March 28, 2018

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The Alcatraz Picture Tour is part of the South America & Africa Points Heist Trip Report. While I loved the Salt Flats in Bolivia and the safaris in Kenya, I especially enjoyed visiting Alcatraz.

I thought my stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel in Orlando, Florida was bad. That was before I went to Alcatraz which at one point was home to some of history’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone. I’ve always wanted to visit the Rock but it was sold out the last two times I visited San Francisco. This time I found availability because it was the middle of the first week of November. The cost was $37 for the tour and $20 for the souvenir photo.

Getting There

I walked from the Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco to catch the quick ferry ride to Alcatraz. This is a nice way to see Fisherman’s Wharf including the fat seagulls, the noisy sea lions, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

a sign on a pole with Fisherman's Wharf in the background a building with a sign above it a building with a sign on it a boat with a sign on it a bird standing on a fence near water two glasses of drinks on a table with boats in the background a group of seals lying on floating platforms in water a body of water with a city in the background

The Ferry Ride

By far the best pictures of the Rock and San Francisco were taken from the ferry.

a city skyline with a bridge in the background a flag on a boat a building next to water

The Rock

Upon arriving, there was a welcome speech to the group. After that, I went up the hill to begin the tour of the prison. As part of the cost of admission, each guest receives a set of headphones for an audio tour. Usually, I would pass, but this time I’m glad I did not. I learned quite a bit about Alcatraz from listening while still being able to explore the facility on my own.

a man standing in front of a building a building with a sign on the side a tower with a railing and stairs a green door in a brick wall a water tower with graffiti on it

a white and green room with pillars — Intake

a prison cell with bars a prison cell with metal bars a prison cell with a bed and sink a row of metal bars in a building a prison cell with a balcony and railing a bathroom with a sink and toilet a clock on a wall a row of jail cells a man standing in front of a building with bars and windows

a row of jail cells a prison window with bars and a sign with several images of men

a man sitting in a jail cell — The tour gets too real when you find yourself behind bars.

a person sitting in a cellphone a jail cell with bars a row of jail cells a door with a grid on it a prison cell door with bars a prison cell with bars a metal railings on a building a prison cell block with a sign

a man standing in a hallway with bars and a sign — Go Blue! From behind bars

a prison cell with bars

a view of a body of water from a hill with a hill in the background a building with windows and a fire hydrant a large ship in the water a sign on a building a building with a sign on the side a body of water with a road and trees a small island with Alcatraz Island on it a flag on a boat

a man and woman standing back to back in front of a building — My partner in crime

Some interesting facts:

The families of prison workers lived on the island. The kids would commute to school by boat.
During New Years, the prisoners could hear the party from San Francisco.
While most people have seen The Rock, Steven Seagal and Ja Rule have a movie that takes place on Alcatraz.

Overall

As Americans, we take many of the tourist attractions in our home for granted. Alcatraz is a must see for Americans and global travelers alike.

2 COMMENTS

geoff March 28, 2018 At 7:55 am

I swear your pics are the EXACT ones on my camera roll fork, last fall. The Rock was very interesting and informative. Thx

Reply
- thepointsoflife March 28, 2018 At 8:07 am
  
  Awesome! The place and history is incredible.
  
  Reply