
Alcatraz Island - The Perfect Gate Recreation Area for Locals and Visitors in San Francisco
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.

