San Francisco Travel Forum

Friendly Canadian here again. I really appreciate all of the helpful hints from this forum. You people rock! We have decided to stay at Cow Hollow (Thanks USanFrancisco!) and use that as our base of operations. We have also extended our stay to 5 days because of all of the things we want to do! One of them is an Alcatraz tour. Silly me, I thought it would be a simple thing to book, but it turns out there are a TONNE (metric) of different companies, and I would really like to pick the best one. Would appreciate any guidance.

Cheers,
The Barron Family

You're welcome!

I'd definetly book the night tour, it enhances the creepy feeling and history of Alcatraz.

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

Since you will be able to keep your car, you should drive to Mount Tamalpais. The drive is BEAUTIFUL! You start the hike about half-way up the mountain and can actually go to the very top and have a huge panorama view of the entire Bay Area.

If you are visiting during summer or fall, Stinson Beach is also a very nice day trip. The drive is even more breath taking!

For a 360 degree view of San Francisco, drive to Twin Peaks both night or day, you won't find a better view of San Francisco.

If a tour of Alcatraz is what you want, then I recommend one of the many night tours offered through the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. The creepy factor goes way up. Additionally, you can capture some really great skylinne photos (if the fog stays away). If you don't make it to Alcatraz, but still want great night time photos, drive to Treasure Island (half-way point btwn SF and Oakland on the bay bridge).

While you may have decided on Cow Hollow as a base of operations, for something different you might want to consider staying a night in the light house at Pigeon Point Hostel (50 miles south of SF on Hwy. 1)or the East Brother Lighthouse off Pt. Richmond in SF Bay. Enjoy the trip.

Once you get down to Fisherman's Wharf there are a ton of booths selling tickets to Alcatraz. Never been at night but I bet that's super cool and creepy. I hear they're opening more of the prison, such as having guest enter through the showers just like the prisoners did. Catch it while you can there's word that they might tear it down, some people think it's an eyesore.