Hope this is the right forum...couldn't decide if it belonged here or in General Parks.:)

We'll be in the bay area on 10/11-13 time frame and want to visit Alcatraz. What is the procedure there? Can you call and reserve tickets for a specific time? Or do you just show up and it's first come, first serve? Any tips for this area?

Thanks,

I believe there are self-guided tours for Alcatraz. They give you a headset and you walk yourself around the island. I did it back in 1996, I think, and really enjoyed it.

Click here (http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/) for more info.

:)

For that weekend, you'll definitely want to make reservations in advance. The link from GC will then link you to the blue and gold fleet, which provides the actual ferry service to Alcatraz.

Basically, you take the ferry over to Alcatraz, wander around (with or without the audio tour), spend pretty much as much time as you'd like on the island, and then take any ferry back. I do really recommend the audio tour. I also recommend trying to get a mid-day/early afternoon reservation. Even in October, it can be noon before the fog burns off, and it can roll back in by 4 or 5pm, and the whole experience is much more pleasant if you aren't freezing to death!

A nice thing about going in October is that the back side of the island is open, so you might want to allow a little extra time for hiking. (This is just an area that is closed due to birds or something for most of the year, but it's supposed to provide some of the best views.)

Have a great time!

It's best to buy the tickets online or over the phone. When making the purchase you specify the time and day you want to go. The purchase process walks you through the whole thing and will explain everything you need to know. They made it very user friendly. You can purchase tickets at the Blue and Gold Fleet (http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/abcsc.htm) website.

And while you are in the area you might want to join in on the Bay Area meet we will be having on October 12th at Happy Hollow (located in San Jose). Many of us MousePadders will be getting together for a potluck lunch. Check out the details in this thread (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9531) (or more specifically...this post (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=141157#post141157) by mammasilva). :D

Recommendations:

1. Make sure you purchase the headset tour. You will get so much more out of your visit in the prison that way. The audio tour is very interesting, and includes interviews from former prisoners and guards. It will bring the whole experience to life in a way you will never get by just walking around. The price isn't too bad, either. I think it's like $7 per headset.

2. Make sure you take your potty break down by the docks. There are only porta-potties up top, and they are not the cleanest. Ick.

3. Bring a map of San Francisco with you so you can figure out what you're looking at as you look across the bay.

4. Bring a camera and binoculars.

5. Bring some snacks. There is nothing vended on the island, and you might get peckish.

6. Don't be in a rush. Spend time watching the film they show at the visitor centor near the docks, for example.

7. Bring a jacket, hat and sunglasses. Depending on the weather it may be very sunny and/or very windy and chilly. That's SF for you.

Most of all, have a great time! (oh, and as others have said, buy your tickets in advance!!! -- can't emphasize that enough for weekend visits).

San Francisco is particularly beautiful in October...(IMO). The weather is so perfect...we have beautiful Indian Summers around here (like today...it's warm...it's 90 degrees where I am...SF will be about 84 degrees). But, like suggested earlier...bring a jacket. It gets windy on the island.

You will get spectacular views of the city and of The Golden Gate Bridge.:D ...and almost perfect weather (watch...since I have said this...it'll rain:( ).

If you decide to take a drive down along the coastline into the Half Moon Bay Area...you won't be disappointed with the wonderful Northern California Coastline...and once in Half Moon Bay you will be treated with pumpkins galore. The town celebrates the famous Pumpkin Festival every year...and although it isn't on that particular weekend that you are up...you will still find the most fun pumpkin patches, beautiful tall, corn mazes and some neat arts and crafts. It's a nice little coast side town...(the Pumpkin Festival is Oct 19-20).

You'll have a good time up here...you'll enjoy Alcatraz...it's very interesting. My kids love going out there...:D

Thanks for the info...you guys are great!!:D

Bill, I can't believe we may be up there during the Bay area meet. I'll let you know if we can come after our plans firm up.

Thanks again,

I went on the Alcatraz tour back in March. It was amazingly windy on the boat, so make sure to bring a jacket.

They offered the headset in different languages. The new headsets are digital and are set up so you can repeat the information or fast forward the information. There are specific checkpoints where you can make sure your headset is at the correct part in the tour.

We got our tickets in advance, so the information that GC and Lani gave is perfect. There is still a wait to get on the boat though!

Hope you have a good time!

I don't have anything to add, except to wear comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking.

I spent 20 years in Alcatraz. I never once had to buy a ticket. They even let me do some arts and crafts while I was there.

(Actually, I've never been to Alcatraz, but I would like to visit. It sounds cool.)

Originally posted by HTHBellcaptain
I spent 20 years in Alcatraz. I never once had to buy a ticket. They even let me do some arts and crafts while I was there.

(Actually, I've never been to Alcatraz, but I would like to visit. It sounds cool.)

Sure... that would explain why there is grafiti in the shape of a peep and some gnomes on the south wall.:D