Alcatraz

Alcatraz Federal Prison is another one of those bucket list excursions. The boat ride to the prison offers the very best views of the San Francisco skyline. While on the ferry boat, you will witness views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. This tour requires walking uphill on a ¼ mile paved ramp from the boat to the prison. If that walk is too demanding there is a shuttle that will take you to the top of the hill.

Once on top you will be given a headset with a remote audio tour (in nine languages) that lets you go at your own pace. When touring Alcatraz, you will see the actual cells of the prisoners and the dummies that were made by the famous “Escape from Alcatraz” prisoners.

This place will make you think twice about breaking the law. Although there is an annual swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, in the early days, that was considered suicidal. The bay has extremely strong river-like currents, that you can see from the boat, 54-degree water, and sharks.

The “great views” from the prison recreation yard are the only “plus” about being locked up here. Although the standard walking audio tour is excellent, the extended private tour is recommended if you want a deeper guided experience.