Alcatraz Island San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. Its dark history satisfies the curiosity of people and lots of people do come to visit Alcatraz Island everyday so don't expect it wouldn't get crowded because it always IS.

Hopefully these tips would help you with your visit to Alcatraz with less worries and stress. It's really going to be a very rewarding and memorable experience for you especially if it's just your first time to visit.

Plan for your trip on a weekday- If you can choose for an Alcatraz tour on weekdays then grab that over the weekend tours. Usually, tourists and locals of San Francisco would prefer to travel to Alcatraz on the weekend so if you choose a weekday tour then it won't be as crowded.

Book for your tour at least 2 weeks before the date- If you want the option to choose the time and date of your choice then book at least 2 weeks before. If not, you may end up choosing a different date because the tour is already full. Remember, it's one of the most sought after tourist attraction in San Francisco and that means bookings are almost always flooded.

Go to Pier 33 and not Pier 39!- Lots of people still get confused about this since the ferry boats had moved their docking station from Pier 39 to Pier 33. Ferries will not wait for you and they will depart on time with or without you so you can't afford to make a mistake.

Finally, prepare yourself for uphill walk- You would burn some calories while walking around Alcatraz Island. It's a hilly island and you'd really have a good workout!

For more info about Alcatraz Island and online booking:

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

The Alcatraz Island is situated in San Francisco Bay, about 1.5 miles from the city of San Francisco. This area is often called The Rock and had once been a lighthouse, military prison, and a federal prison till 1963. In 1972 Alcatraz became an area of national recreation.

This island is operated today as a historic site with visitors reaching the island by ferries from Pier 33, close to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Your travel San Francisco itinerary should certainly contain a trip to the Alcatraz Island.

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

You may plan your Alcatraz tour through certain travel operators in San Francisco.

http://www.alcatraz.us/

Certain package tours include:

- San Francisco city tour along with Alcatraz

- Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour with Alcatraz

- Double Decker Tour with Alcatraz.

It is advisable to book early, at least a week before to avoid disappointment.

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ This is the official tourism website for Alcatraz tours to Alcatraz Island. They offer the cheapest price for Alcatraz tickets. The Alcatraz & Angel Island Combination Tour takes you on a Hornblower Hybrid ferry, the first of its kind in the United States.

http://www.alcatraztrips.com/index2.asps

Some of the tours offered by this travel operator include:

- Alcatraz day tour

- Alcatraz evening tour

- Alcatraz and Bay Cruise