Malta_Dog 0 #1 August 1, 2011 Hi there, My family and I will be visiting San Francisco on Aug 11th and Aug 12th this year. I was hoping to take them to the Alcatraz Island visit with audio tour (I already did it in 1998) but I noticed yesterday on the Alcatraz Cruises website that those dates are already sold out Are there any alternatives? What would you advise us to do? Thank you for your time All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
emmiwy 0 #2 August 1, 2011 Quote Hi there, My family and I will be visiting San Francisco on Aug 11th and Aug 12th this year. I was hoping to take them to the Alcatraz Island visit with audio tour (I already did it in 1998) but I noticed yesterday on the Alcatraz Cruises website that those dates are already sold out Are there any alternatives? What would you advise us to do? Thank you for your time Hello, In terms of tourist attractions, Alcatraz is certainly the most unique to San Francisco, its too bad that its sold out! If you're not faint of heart you ought to try a night tour, I've heard those are scary fun. :) As for general things to do in the city proper, that you would be able to get to by walking or through trolleys/public transportation, a few things that come to mind: -Fishermans Wharf/Pier 39/Ghiradelli Square -Coit tower -Lombard St -Golden Gate Bridge -Union Square -Chinatown However if you have a car I highly suggest getting out of the city and driving nearby, to appreciate the Northern California landscape: -about 2 hours of driving north is Napa Valley [well known for wineries, for wine tasting] -Sausalito, Point Reyes National park, Muir Woods, which are really nice areas, all on the North side of the Golden Gate Bridge -Golden Gate Park [has a Japanese garden, lots of walking trails; near the Legion of Honor, really nice fine arts museum; Palace of Fine Arts; and Exploratorium, really good science museum] -about an hour South of the city you can drive down the coast to Half Moon Bay, and 2-3 hours beyond that you are within distance of Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel which are all very nice beach/coastal cities Of course if you're really willing to make the drive Yosemite is a must if you have never been there. From the rain we've had this winter/spring you will still easily be able to see waterfalls; in fact some of the camping sites have been flooded because of the excess rain. Good luck and have fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #3 August 1, 2011 Yeah, it's super-popular, especially in the summer. You might google "Alcatraz package tours" to see if you can get that date as part of a larger tour package with other activities. You'll probably wind up paying a premium but maybe you'll be able to get the dates you want. If you're staying at a nice hotel, the concierge there might be able to help as well."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malta_Dog 0 #4 August 2, 2011 @ Emmiwy and NWFlyer: thanks for the tips! Every website offering tours seems to be sold out. Bummer, but we'll find other things to enjoy in SF. Blue Skies and thanks for the help! All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #5 August 2, 2011 try a "reverse-escape" to get in... Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery did it in "The Rock". scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #6 August 2, 2011 Quote try a "reverse-escape" to get in... Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery did it in "The Rock". Just swim. People swim the 1.5 miles from Alcatrez in the annual Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. Since you don't need to bike or run after the swim, you should be able to handle the swim in both directions. Wet suits and hoods are recommended for the 55 degree water. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TriGirl 318 #7 August 2, 2011 Quote Every website offering tours seems to be sold out. Bummer, but we'll find other things to enjoy in SF. Blue Skies and thanks for the help! I was just there about a month ago. You can still do a boat tour of the bay, which includes a ride around Alcatraz. You may not get on the island, but you can still get up close. Right between Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf you'll find the little ticket building. If you have the time, I recommend the slower boat, so you can have a nice view of all the sights. I think they have whale watching tours there, too, which will probably take you out under the Golden Gate. Should be that info available on those web sites you're checking out. I also agree with going across the GG Bridge. Consider checking out the Presidio on the south side, cross the bridge, then check out the sides on the north side. The view of the city from the far side is quite nice! Another option is to go to Treasure Island, attached to Yerba Buena on the Bay Bridge. You don't have to pay the toll when you come back into the city if you don't go all the way across. Again, there's a nice view of the city from Treasure Island, you'll deal with less traffic, and there are a couple of great places to take pictures of yourselves with beautiful backgrounds.See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jacketsdb23 49 #8 August 3, 2011 Did you check out the night tours? I'm not sure if they advertise those with the normal packages, but I know they started toing night tours a while back.Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen God is Good Beer is Great Swoopers are crazy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jclalor 12 #9 August 3, 2011 Quote Quote Hi there, My family and I will be visiting San Francisco on Aug 11th and Aug 12th this year. I was hoping to take them to the Alcatraz Island visit with audio tour (I already did it in 1998) but I noticed yesterday on the Alcatraz Cruises website that those dates are already sold out Are there any alternatives? What would you advise us to do? Thank you for your time You mite keep an eye on Craig's list, but it seems a lot more buyers than sellers. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/tia?query=alcatraz&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk= Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkavadikian 0 #10 August 3, 2011 other SF things to do/see... Rent bikes and ride across gg bridge and into sausalito and have lunch and then take the ferry back. There is a zip line that goes through the redwoods, its about 1.5 hours north of the city. cool, fun, cant be afraid of heights... There are numerous walking tours through the city, the last one i was on when we had visitors was an architectural tour, enlightened us as to what "popos" were (privately owned public open space). It was only a couple of hours and enjoyable even for the resident. Of course wine tasting/drinking Any photogs in the group? goto the marin headlands, classic shots of the city through the gg bridge (had a rock slide maybe under construction) Lemme know if you want specifics about any of the above. Doug Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #11 August 3, 2011 Most everything has been covered... FYI the west (bicycle) side of the bridge is closed, so bikes and peds are on the east side, and it is a little hectic. Watched a 12yo girl get creamed by a dude on a speed bike yesterday.. haha! (Both were fine). Going north to Sonoma is a great bet, there is even a great dz. Heading south into the Santa Cruz Mts is also excellent, Big Basin is very cool (old growth redwoods) or if you have a bit more time Big Sur is similar but even better. (it is just south of Monterey). Another great way to see the bay, is to drive or hike to the top of Mt Diablo... it is in the east bay. Great views. Anyways, hope you have some fun. Oh, and if you want some great beers in SF hit up Toronado... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
