No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a tour of The Rock, the most famous former prison in the United States and one of the most famous historic prisons in the world. The island is a great day-trip however I highly recommend taking the Alcatraz night tour instead. Sadly, since I am not much of a planner, it was not until my third or fourth trip to San Fran that I finally made it out to the island 😱
LESSON LEARNED Book your tickets in advance because they sell out weeks in advance. The only official ticket provider is Alcatraz Cruises) and any tickets purchased elsewhere are merely AC tickets re-packaged.
Alcatraz Night Tour Schedule
3:30 PM Ferry to Alcatraz
9:00 PM Ferry back to the mainland
Exploring Alcatraz, AKA The Rock
Ferry Ride to Alcatraz
Reception desk to the prison
Old photos of inmates at Alcatraz
Cool staircase at The Rock
Each corridor and space has a nickname: Broadway, Times Square, etc
When requested, the key was sent down to the prison floor via the rope and hook
The Gun Galley at the top (where the guards kept vigil, behind the metal bars)
Alcatraz Night Tour
The hydro “therapy” chamber in the hospital wing…creepy!
Not any hospital I’d want to visit…
Can’t you just picture inmates staring out at the world from these windows in lonely desperation…
The Hospital wing of the prison, one of the areas open for the night tour — very, very cool
Exam table at Alcatraz Hospital
This is my favorite shot from the day. Isn’t it crazy creepy? Yah.
Last shot of the hospital ward
Sunset view through the frosted glass blocks
View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the prison
Sunset view from Alcatraz island
Never been but would love to go after seeing the film with Nicholas Cage Natalie
Fantastic photos! Despite my multiple visits to San Francisco, somehow I have never made it out to the Rock
Thanks!! can’t believe you’ve never been to Alcatraz! I really love going on that tour, it never gets old. Definitely try to go next time!!