Escape from Alcatraz!

Alcatraz Island Tour

This was one of the activities that I was most looking forward to doing in SF. Looking at the photos again now I can see that I was blessed with yet another picture perfect day, especially in comparison to the snow in Chicago.

And just to make it more fun - I met two great Canadian guys while lining up - so it was really nice not to have to exerience it all by myself.

The tour leaves from Fishermans Wharf, where you board a boat to head over to the Island. Even the boat trip was fantastic!

Upon arrival at the Island there was a "Hollywood’s Rock" tour starting where they compared the "Hollywood" stories of Alcatraz to what actually happened. This would have been more interesting had I have ever seen a single movie about Alcatraz! (I'm sure I was the only one in the group who had never seen an Alcatraz movie).

I never knew this, but Alcatraz doesn't only have a history as a federal penitentiary - but it was also a site of the Native American protest movement, and later a hippy commune.

Once you get inside the prison you can take a self guided Audio Tour. This was fantastic, as the narration was done by actual prisoners and officers. It really made the prison come alive.

The view from the exercise yard - this must have been torturous... to be able to see all the beauty of San Francisco bay... and to only be able to look and not touch.

First American lighthouse on the West Coast is also on Alcatraz.

This was definetly one of the highlights of my trip. Unfortunately I parted way with my Canadian friends after the trip - but it was great not to be in 'solitary confinement' on Alcatraz.

I also got a great souviner for Mum - I thought this was so funny, i just had to get it... The Alcatraz Women's Club CookBook!