Animated Cover photo created by @jayasimha78
Even though I have lived in San Francisco for really long time, some how I had not made a trip to Alcatraz Island. Finally I got the opportunity to take a tour of Alcatraz Island and take a audio tour of the prison on the island during Christmas holiday break.
It is recommended to book Alcatraz tour ahead of time, since it gets sold out. We did book couple of weeks before. Tour starts from Pier 33, few blocks from famous Fisherman’s Wharf AKA Pier 39 in San Francisco.
Here are few pictures of Pier 33, from where we boarded the ferry to Alcatraz Island. You can also see a model of Alcatraz Island here. It is around 15 Mins ferry ride to Alcatraz Island from Pier 33.
One to get off ferry at the Island you will be given a short Orientation from one of the National Park Ranger. There is also a tram which takes folks on wheel chair or elderly to the Prison Cell, since it is a steep climb from the dock to the Prison Cell.
Here are few shots of various buildings on the Island. Bottom left is a gift shop on the island, where you can buy some snacks and souvenirs. On the bottom right, there is a restroom, which is close to the ferry dock.
After the orientation we walked/hiked to the Prison cell for the audio tour. You can collect the audio equipment at the entrance, there are various language options available.
Various shots of inside of the prison building.
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Top Left: Dining hall: Place to return Audio tour equipment
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Top Right: Prisoner Shower area: Place to collect audio equipment
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Bottom Left: Kitchen
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Bottom right: Area next to Shower, place to collect clothes etc.
Shot of the Prison cell Corridor, this is where we started the audio tour. Which explains the history and various famous prisoners.
Folks taking audio tour in prison cell corridor.
Here are couple of shots of inside of prison cells.
Here is the shot of the tram, which can be used by folks who are on wheel chair or elderly people.
Shot of the Alcatraz Island from the Ferry. You can see light house, Prison cell and other buildings and agave trail.
Here is a shot of Golden Gate Bridge with a sail boat, captured during ferry ride.
Shot of San Francisco Skyline from the Alcatraz Island. You can see some of the key buildings like Salesforce, Transamerica, Coit Tower.
I believe this was warden’s house or whatever is left of.
Here is the shot of Prison Recreation yard. Where prisoners were allowed to play.
Captured this picture, while walking on the Agave Trail
Shot of Agave Trail from the ferry. On the trail you can see huge agaves and also enjoy the skyline of San Francisco City.
This is a popular location on island to take pictures! Alcatraz is part of Golden Gate Recreational Area, which is one of the 400+ National Park Units in the USA
Shot of the ferry which takes people back to Pier 33. You can easily spend 2-3 hours on the island. Just make sure you catch the last ferry from the island back to San Francisco!
pero espero pronto hacerlo y poder visitar la Isla de Alcatraz jaja.
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