http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
I’ve lived in the bay area most of my life but have never visited Alcatraz, so I thought it’d be a good idea to pay a visit. The only tickets left online were for the combination Angel Island and Alcatraz tour for $58.
My morning ride.
We stopped briefly at Alcatraz for a photo opportunity before heading to Angel Island which is where we would disembark.
Upon arriving at Angel Island, we boarded the trams for the 1 hour tour (included with your alcatraz/angel island combo tour ticket).
Their is an audio tour inside the tram. Although the tram itself was pretty noisy so it made it difficult to hear everything. We stopped near the top for a photo opportunity.
Our tour was around perimeter road, passing by all the soldier homes and the old hospital. Beautiful buildings just waiting for restoration.
The last sight on the tour was the immigration station where the Chinese and Japanese were first held before being allowed on the mainland. We didn’t get to stop here though so I’d like to go back at some point to learn more.
We had a short break for lunch before catching the ferry to Alcatraz. I settled down at a park bench to have the lunch I brought. Surprisingly they do have a small restaurant there that serves some pretty good looking eats. The view from the park bench.
My lunch buddy.
Only on the water do you get to San Francisco streets this way.
Alcatraz Island. An audio tour is included with your ticket as well and it’s pretty good. You follow a certain route through the cell block with some great history and well set up exhibits.
On thing though, you better not be super sensitive to urine or bird dropping smells. It’s either the public toilet or the sea water or the birds that cover the island but there is a distinct odor throughout the island. There are lots of birds, including this baby one.
My tour started at 9:40am departure from Pier 33
Arrival at Angel Island 10:30am
Angel Island Tour 10:45am – 11:45am
Departure for Alcatraz Island 12:45 pm
Alcatraz Island Audio Tour 1:30 – 2:30pm
Departure for Pier 33 2:45pm
Ron came to pick me up and we went to have a late lunch/early dinner at Doobu in Japantown.
Their yummy side dishes.
I tried their chicken bi bim bap. There was plenty of the meat the stone bowl was super hot so the rice on the bottom was yummy and crispy.
Ron had the spicy pork and tofu soup combo.
It’s been quite a day. Alcatraz is quite a hike up to the top. Ready for some rest.