The tour to Alcatraz would take about 15 minutes from San Francisco. This tour typically starts with a brief orientation followed by various other activities that would help you learn about this island.

Apart form being one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, Alcatraz Island is America's most notorious prison. In the year 1972, this island became a national recreation area operated by the National Park Services as part of its Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is now even open for tours.

This Island is open daily except on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. Visitors can reach this island by ferry ride from Pier 33 near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Alcatraz Island is also known for featuring many movies, TV shows, cartoons, books, comics and games.

This island is also the home for the now abandoned prison, the site of the oldest operating lighthouse on the west coast of United States, early military fortifications and natural features such as rock pools, seabird colony and provides spectacular view of coastline.

A tour to Alcatraz would last for 4 hours and the best time for visiting this island would be Spring, fall and mid summer. Tourists should avoid early summer as this is the time when nesting seagulls create a stink in this island. Winter should also be avoided as the climate becomes very cold.

The "Day tour" is one of the most popular tours that include transportation to the island and the audio tour. Night tour is also pretty popular and includes extra activities. However it is slightly expensive but the best possible way to explore this island.

The only way to tour Alcatraz Island is from San Francisco and as tickets sell out fast, you need to hurry and book them well in advance either online or over the phone by calling on the toll free number.

Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. At various times, it acted as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison and finally a federal prison. It became a national recreational area in 1972 and is a popular destination on the San Francisco tour itinerary.

Since it is a popular tourist site in San Francisco, it is advisable to stay in hotels in San Francisco CA that are located close to Alcatraz. For tickets to the island, most of the hotels offer attractive deals and discounts. Various travel and tour agents also offer tickets to Alcatraz Island as part of package deals or individually. Alcatraz Island is heavily populated during the peak season and it is advisable that visitors arrange for tickets beforehand to avoid the last minute rush.

The various tickets available for Alcatraz Island are as follows:

Early Bird-Adults (18 to 61 years) $26.00, Juniors (12 to 17 years) $26.00, Children (5 to 11 years) $16.00, Seniors (above 62 years) $24.50, Toddlers (0 to 4 years) free and family (2 adults and 2 children) $ 79.00. The same rate is applicable for day tours.

For night tours-Adults (18 to 61 years) $33.00, Juniors (12 to 17 years) $32.00, Children (5 to 11 years) $19.50, Seniors (above 62 years) $30.50, Toddlers (0 to 4 years) free. Family package is not available.

What are the attractions at Alcatraz Island?

Museum collections at the Rock

Indians of all tribes

Radio Free Alcatraz (coming soon)

Recommended list of websites for finding information about Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz Island (U. S. National Park Service)

http://www.nps.gov/alca/

Alcatraz Island: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz_Island

If you are looking for a best place to plan for a vacation for the holidays, cool Alcatraz island is a very good option. The climate and the environment is so cool and pleasant that you would never want to get back to your home town after having some time at the island.

1. Alcatraz Island tour - The Unique Feel

The Alcatraz island tour is a very unique one which would tend to give a wonderful feel to your family and everyone. Since the cost is quite cheap and you tend to get all the finest quality for the money you pay. You can also make best deals with the hotels with the help of many websites.

http://www.gocalifornia.about.com/cs/sanfrancisco/a/alcatraz.htm

2. Hotels near Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island

There are a lot of luxury and cost effective websites in and around the golden gate bridge and Alcatraz Island which can give you a very memorable stay.

Recommended Web Sites

Some of the recommended websites which can help you to find the best resorts in Alcatraz tour are given below.

http://www.sftravel.com/alcatraz_island.htm

http://www.inetours.com/Pages/SFNbrhds/Alcatraz.html

http://www.ctwohotels.com/attractions/alcatraz/