Alcatraz Island

...height of the season visit Alcatraz Island off the coast of San Francisco to visit the notorious prison that has been closed for over 45 years. Hundreds of others get turned away as they don't have tickets. LOCATION The small island which includes the prison is located one & a half miles off the coast of San Francisco on the west coast of America in the Pacific Ocean. HISTORY Although the prison is very famous for holding some of the most notorious ...
...settlers. The native Americans considered Alcatraz as a place of evil spirits. In the early 1850s it was considered an ideal place to use as a fortress, one that would guard the harbour in San Francisco. At the time the small town had a population of 300 people & then they struck gold. Population increased to 20.000 & the harbour area became very busy indeed. The first lighthouse on the Pacific coast was installed at Alcatraz in 1854 & the island ...

ScottishWestie 06.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

...------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alcatraz Island and its infamous prison holds fascination for many of us, and so I was absolutely certain I didn't want to miss a tour to the Island on my recent trip to San Francisco. Blue and Gold Fleet are the only ferry operator to offer tours to the island and having read that pre booking was advisable, I made a booking for three tickets which were an affordable ...
...voice over is by ex Alcatraz prisoners themselves. The prison is not particularly large and while it had capacity for over 300 prisoners, it never housed more than around 260. The cells are grouped into four blocks A/B/C/D Block, with D block being the most severe punishment cells - for extra discipline. The inmates had their own names for the corridors that ran parallel to the four blocks, a sense of humour perhaps, in that two of the key corridors ...

helencbradshaw 16.07.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

The island of Alcatraz lies in the middle of San Francisco bay off the west coast of California; although it is only about one and a half miles from the coast its isolation is immense and best appreciated from the island itself. As I stood on the edge of the courtyard and looked down the steep rocky cliffs to the sea I realised that this was the true definition of isolation. The distant lights of San Francisco city shimmered beneath the haze and ...
...in the world. Today Alcatraz is most famous for its days as a prison and several films including Burt Reynold’s portrayal of Robert Stroud, known affectionately as the birdman of Alcatraz has helped to keep its reputation alive, but the truth is, the history of the island itself is actually a lot more fascinating than merely its days as a state penitentiary which only spanned the years of 1934-1963. The History of Alcatraz The island of Alcatraz ...

micksheff 04.09.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

...to succumb to was visiting Alcatraz Island. This beautiful island used to host a prison for the most notorious criminals of America however these days it is merely a tourist attraction. It was the highlight of my trip to San Francisco and left a lasting impression on me. Tips and tricks. ~~~~~~~~ - You are limited on travel times by when the boats are running. The last boat is around 4pm (or was when I visited in February, perhaps there are more ...
...creepiest part of the whole Alcatraz experience for me was listening to the accounts of prisoners left in solitary confinement while actually standing in a solitary confinement cell. They were left with no noise, and no light AT ALL while in those cells. I really am surprised they stayed sane. You can listen on the tape to how they kept themselves sane. It really does bring it home to you. The other thing I would highly recommend you do on this ...

student9824 07.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is an island situated approximately one and a half miles from San Francisco Bay and I went there during my trip to California in October 1994. The name Alcatraz derives from the islands original title 'La Isla de Los Alcatraces' which translates to 'The island of the Pelicans', named in the late 1700's by a Spanish explorer, due to being inhabited solely by pelicans at that time. Best known as home to America's most notorious federal penitentiary, ...
...passed by without attack but Alcatraz had been prepared with over 300 soldiers at the ready. Alcatraz became home to a Military prison in 1907. Soldiers sentenced to hard labour were brought to the island to actually build the cellhouse that would later imprison them. Soil and plants for landscaping had to be brought in from the nearby Angel Island as Alcatraz itself was rock on which very little grew naturally. By 1912 Alcatraz had the now infamous ...

wiggglypufff 06.12.2000 (10.05.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

I visited Alcatraz whilst in San Francisco on a recent round the world trip. To be honest I had heard of Alcatraz but didn't really know anything about it. We were advised by my friend that we should by our tickets in advance for the island and so we went in person and bought tickets for the following day. This was fine for us as we were there in March, however for those visiting in the summer months I recommend booking online as far in advance ...
...some more basic information about Alcatraz which kind of set the scene and put it in context so to speak. This was definately worth seeing, I think it shows regularly throughout the day. After this you collect your audio guide, which is included in the ticket price and it has to be one of the best audio tours I have done. It guides you around the island allowing you to pause, rewind as you wish. The tour is so life like and the sound effects are ...

jennyf16 30.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

...the bay from San Francisco, Alcatraz is a 'must do' when you're there. It's a popular attraction and it is advisable, therefore, to book in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly in high season. I recommend taking the audio tour, just close your eyes, listen to the sounds of the prison as it was. I suggest you wear a good pair of walking shoes as the path up to the jailhouse can be tricky.Make sure you take a sweatshirt as it can be quite ...
...of film in your camera as the view across the bay to the city of San Francisco is breathtaking. The whole tour can take maybe 2 to 3 hours, though theres no need to rush and boats back to the city run every half hour or so. Like any other tourist attraction, there is a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs etc - OK, I normally avoid these places, but there are several good books outlining the history of the island and quite often, you can chat with ...

MikeyUK 01.07.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island

...advice is to book your Alcatraz Island trip as soon as you arrive. I booked for 11 August on 31 July, already everything was full until 9 August. When we arrived on the 11th for our trip everything was booked until 20 August! So please make that the first thing you do when you arrive in the city. Other words of advice: if you plan to take a trip out of the city it is best to do this during the week, as weekends sees a mass exodus of residents to ...

dougal5 21.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Alcatraz Island