Alcatraz
Island
Golden Gate National
Recreation Area
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 705-5555
Hours:
Summer:
9:30am-6:30pm; fall, winter and spring: 9:30am-4:30pm
Payment:
American Express,
Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
|
The
Background:
Perhaps the most famous ex-jail in the world, "The
Rock" draws thousands of visitors every year to its
echoing corridors. Alcatraz--home of the maximum security
prison from which Clint Eastwood once fictionally escaped,
where Robert Stroud became a "Birdman" and Al
Capone lost his mind--was also the site of a famous two-year
occupation by American Indians. The place has long been
rumored to be haunted. If it's foggy when you go, look for
ghosts.
The
Facts:
To get to the Rock, you could try swimming, but we recommend
the Blue and Gold Fleet ferries, departing from Pier 41 up
to 16 times a day. Boats leave daily at 9:30am and 10:15am,
then every half-hour until 4:15pm. For a few extra bucks,
get the audio tour, a magnificently done parody of history
and recreation.
|
