Trip to Alcatraz
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2008
1
6
32
Trip End
May 12, 2008
San Francisco,
California,
United States
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Arrived in S.F ( which is the correct abbreviation, apparently San Fran is very 90's !!! ) yesterday morning. The weather was dreadful, it persisted down with rain all day, and I mean ALL DAY. The Hotel is small, fairly basic, and very quaint ( IKEA it certainly isn't ! ) However the location is great. it is just off the waterfront near Pier 39, which is the most famous of the many piers here along the waterfront.
Had a look round Pier 39 ( thanks for the rainjacket Terry, it has been a godsend ! ) Its a bit like a shopping ,mall on a Pier. it is also famous for its Seals. Apparently most of them migrate in the winter, and the few that were there looked pretty unimpressed !!! Maybe they should write a guidebook themselves, and I would have brought more waterproofs !!! Spent the rest of the day wandering about. Had a steak and a few beers in a small diner and had an early night ( still recovering from the 15 hour coach journey )
This morning the weather was no better at 07.00, but decided I was going to do the Alcatraz island tour anyway. However by the time I left the Hotel at 08.30 it had stopped raining ( Harrah !! ) Got the first ferry at 09.00, which was a good move as it wasn't too busy ( apparently Acatraz tour sells out every day all year round ! ) The island is about a mile off the coast. The sun then started to shine and their was great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the whole of the city, much more like it !!
The Tour was great, they give you an audio device wiith a running commentary, which you can pause when you want, so you can take your time. The prison blocks are amzing, nothing much seems to have changed there since the prison closed in 1963. You get access to most of the island iclluding staff quarters etc. I was surprised that Prison officers and their wives and children all used to live on the island. They had their own shop, church etc. Hadn't really though about it but it has its own power plant that they still use today. Well Alcatraz being one of the things I really wanted to do in the states has exceeded expectations, I would definitely recommend it. Have still got the cable car to do, but that is for another day.
Also yesterday I went and sussed out a Hostel here in San Francisco. Although as I am sure most of you are aware I am more Hilton, than Hostel ( I can imagine the comments already !! Its not my fault I wasn't born into a wealthy family !!! ) ) I thought I would give it a try ( So I am not a complete novice before I get to Oz ) Although basic, it seems really clean and friendly, so I am gonna give it a try. How it will go I don't know, have still got the names of a couple of other Hotels from my Lonely planet guide though as back - up. Watch this space..................
Comments
Prison Break!
Sounds like a great trip to Alcatraz..
I was very surprised about the prison officers having their families on there..Now the place is empty, we could send someone we know with all their Kids & it would fill up quite a few cells(and also, us tax payers can continue to pay for them. I think you know who I mean??!!)
Shame about the rain..Ah well, LA should be better & then it will be off to Fiji, which I am sure you will have some fab weather there!!
I hope the money is lasting?? If not, try 'Vera Visa' She is so flexible! I am still paying for that trip to Corfu(back in 1990!!)
Take care mate
Rob & Karen
Re: Prison Break!
Yes, alcatraz was great, a real experience. It was the one day the weather was good in S. F which was a bonus too !!!