Alcatraz Island - Golden Gate Bridge

Spent the day in San Francisco with the kids on Tuesday, August 10.  We left Sacramento at 9:15 a.m. and arrived in S.F at 11:15 a.m.  We parked in the Pier 39 Parking lot.  We walked a couple of blocks and had lunch at Rain Forest Cafe.  We then walked over to Pier 33 to board the Alcatraz boat.

Approaching Alcatraz from the ship

Our 1:10 p.m. departure time required us to be in line at 12:40 p.m.   It takes a bout 12 minutes to get to the island.  I made my reservation about two weeks before our midweek trip.  I would assume a weekend trip would require an earlier reservation.  The price for an adult and junior ticket is $26.00  A child's ticket is $16.00.

After getting off the boat, a ranger gives a short orientation.  A hike up the hill through the old brick military barracks leads up the the prison.  In the shower room you can collect an headset for the audio tour.

This tour is worthwhile.  Last time I was here they had a ranger give the tour, the headsets allow them to put more people through the island.

Ruins of the warden's house.

We took the 4:20 boat back.  About 4:40 we had diner at the hard Rock Cafe on Pier 39.

A cell with hole from 1961 escape.

Alcatraz cell block

We then drove to the Golden Gate Bridge.  It took us about 55 minutes to walk up and back.  It was pretty windy and cold. We got back to the car at 8:00 p.m.  We were back home at about 10:30 p.m. 

Golden Gate Bridge (allow about a hour to hike back and forth)