Wednesday 23rd August and we took a boat tour with Alcatraz Cruises from Pier 33, a 45 minute Cable Tram Tour from our lodging – and the very ‘Southern’ driver was exceptionally patient with all the tourists. Getting to the Pier we see there are no cruise tickets available until September, and some very disappointed potential customers.. so a good job we’d pre-booked two months ago.
The boat took us on the short voyage to Alcatraz Island and after a shore briefing we proceeded to the cell block where we picked up our audio tour kits. These guided us around providing commentary from ex guards and inmates, and a few sound effects too!
A few minutes picture taking and tourist tat browsing before we boarded the craft en route to Angel Island. This has a long mostly military history, but also used as an immigration and quarantine facility. It is now run by the California State Park system (the 2nd largest in the world behind the US National Parks system). We had a 5 mile Tram Tour around the island, exploring the various sectors and historical utilisations; I had no idea the Nike was a weapons system deployed on the island (now out of use but still secret).
Views of the mainland were spectacular from both islands but as typical of the area there was a good deal of fog cover obscuring good views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The boat got us back to the mainland by 3.30 where we then proceeded to explore Pier 39 and the Fishermans Wharf area before heading back home, and expending a lot more shoe leather, via China Town and Union Square; we finally collapsed into a MUNI bus for the last leg after another full and exhausting but enjoyable day.
Kate’s all geared up for the audio tour.
Where I should be some may say!?
Getting ready to make our escape.
A view back to The Rock en route to Angel Island
Sunny Kate is looking excited!
Here we are..
We did have others on the Tram Tour but where did they all go?
Some views along the way..
The GG bridge is looking a bit misty.
Here is the visitor centre, they’d just finished cleaning the frontage using a rather noisy Genie lift.
Back on the mainland and a view of The Rock from Pier 39.
Busy Fishermans Wharf views.
