A visit to The Rock Alcatraz is a must while being in San Francisco. Alcatraz Cruises departs from Pier 33. Tickets can be booked online before going there or bought at Pier 33 near Fisherman`s Wharf, be aware that number of tickets are limited and this is a popular destination. I visited Alcatraz during the day and there is also a night cruise that is available and give you a different experience of the island.
Departing from Pier 33, bring the right type of clothes as the prison is not well insulated or heated.
Leaflet included in the ticket price with visitor information.
And it also includes a map so you do not get lost there. Getting around is easy and does not require much effort.
Approaching the Alcatraz island.
The Dock with building 64 and the Cellhouse at the top of the island.
Welcome to the Rock Alcatraz .
In 1969 Alcatraz were occupied by American Indians, a occupation that lasted for nineteen months.
Still there is several signs of the occupation to be seen around the island.
Listen to stories told by the guides, this one made it of the island after planning the escape for a long time, only to be brought back before reaching the mainland.
Walking up the east road to the cellhouse takes only a few minutes, climb the stairs and you are inside.
Alcatraz showers. Pick up a audio tour here and get a great story of daily life as a correctional officer and as a inmate serving time here.
Correctional officers that is a part of the audio tour.
The story on the audio tour is told by there inmates.
Prison issued shoes, towels and uniform.
“Break the rules and you go to prison, break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz.”
One of the cellblocks at Alcatraz known as Broadway.
This is how a typical cell would look like, not too much privacy or space to stretch out.
The battle of Alcatraz after a failed escape attempt.
This prison made solution was a part of the escape attempt that lead to the battle of Alcatraz.
If you break the rules at Alcatraz you risked being detained in a solitary confinement cell, also known as “the hole”. Here you can read about how 19 days felt in the hole.
Some of the famous inmates at Alcatraz, Al Capone, George “Machine-Gun” Kelly, Alvin Karpis (the first “Public Enemy #1”), and Arthur “Doc”.
One of the cells where the June 1962 escape attempts took place.
The utility corridor that was used in the 1962 escape attempt, the only attempt that might have been successful.
Alcatraz kitchen in the dining hall where breakfast, lunch and dinner were served. Breakfast started at 6:55.
Inside the administration building.
The guards lived with their families on the island.
Warden Johnston, the first warden of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary from 1934 until 1948.
A desk in the Administration Building.
San Francisco as seen from the administration building, could you make it over?
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