Alcatraz

The first time you visit San Francisco, a trip to the infamous Alcatraz is a must.

You can get a ferry from Fisherman’s Warf to the island. Pre-booking on the internet saves some money and means you get on the departure time you want, as it is jam-packed in peak season. We went with Alcatraz Cruises.

Arriving into Alcatraz

The ferry ride to Alcatraz gives you a view of the city from the Bay, and you’ll probably spot some of the many sea lions that have made the city their home. Even if it is a warm sunny day, remember to bring some layers. It can get quite windy out on the Bay.

Sea Lions lazing at Fisherman’s Warf

The rocky island is a reasonable size, and you are free to roam around the prison and the old fort buildings, which guarded the Bay long before the prison arrived.

An audio tour is available around the prison and is well worth doing as it brings to light the escapes and gun battles on the island. Our kids loved the audio tour (it’s not really graphic or disturbing), though it won’t hold the attention of very young kids.

Despite the prison’s reputation, the cell sizes are quite large, and there’s plenty of light too. Unlike some of the old prison buildings in the UK, which are a few hundred years older than Alcatraz.

As prisons go, this cell isn’t too bad.

Of course, there’s an opportunity to put your kids in jail. 😉

Who wouldn’t lock them up?

If the weather is kind to you, and the Bay Area fog hasn’t descended, Alcatraz gives you a fantastic view of the City.

View of San Francisco from Alcatraz. The city is surprisingly close.

Once you have done the tours, you can hop on a ferry back to San Francisco. Apart from the last ferry, there’s no set return time so you can enjoy being imprisoned there as much as you like.

We took this picture of the Golden Gate Bridget from the rec yard on Alcatraz

In the next post, we’ll cover a few more sights and sounds of San Francisco.

USA West Coast Fly-Drive Series

Continue reading; click on the next article in the series.

Why you should do a family road trip
A family road trip is a great way for your kids to see a bit more of the world. Though it's not always easy... Read more →
Booking a Fly-Drive Holiday
Tips on booking a Fly-Drive family holiday. Read more →
Our Route
The route and itinary for our family road trip in the USA. Read more →
Airport Hacks
Airport hotels, airport parking, and flight delays. Read more →
Vegas, Desert, and Mountains
Our first few days saw us acclimatise in Las Vegas, before heading out through the desert and Death Valley, before eventually reaching the Sierra Nevada mountains. Read more →
Mammoth Lakes
We step out of our hotel and are taken by the magnificent beauty of the Sierra Mountains. Read more →
Tioga Pass
The views over the Sierras could have been taken straight out of a copy of National Geographic Read more →
The Giant Redwoods
These trees are immense. You feel as if you have shrunk when walking among them! Read more →
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite is beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. Read more →
Welcome to San Francisco
Arriving in San Francisco was.... interesting Read more →
Alcatraz
A visit to 'The Rock' is a must when visiting San Francisco Read more →

Be in the know!

Join thousands of other parents and receive our regular newsletter containing a round up of the latest articles, days out, campsites, and reviews for helping you get your family outside and active.