Alcatraz night tours make former prison even spookier

A hard wind whooshed and rattled a window in the hospital cell where Robert Stroud, "The Birdman of Alcatraz," spent 11 of his 17 years when this was the dankest, hardest federal prison in the U.S.

Yet, most of the more than one million tourists who visit the famous former prison annually never get to experience Alcatraz Island at night or see its spooky, decrepit hospital - experiences unique to the night tour. At dusk the island prison that housed some of the nation's most notorious criminals - including Al Capone and the recently rearrested James "Whitey" Bulger, who was on The Rock for bank robbery from 1959-1963 - is often enshrouded by fog, and the lamps on the grounds emit a ghostly glow.

The difference from the daytime tour is apparent from the start. The ferry from San Francisco motors slowly around the west side of the isle, passing decrepit buildings surrounded by Alcatraz's new residents: black Brandt's cormorants, Western gulls and the other birds that have made their home there since U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy shuttered the prison in 1963.

"This is a little eerie," said Gerard Lang, 28, who was visiting from Covington, Kentucky "You kind of feel like you're heading to prison yourself."

After leaving the boat, visitors begin a winding ascent past the prison's official sign, where a faded "Indians Welcome" written in red paint is still visible, remnants of the Native American occupation of the island from 1969 to 1971. The island became a national park in 1972.

"You're following in the footsteps of every federal prisoner who ever came here," said Eric Knackmuhs, a Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy guide.

Passing the guano- and rust-covered buildings that once housed the families of prison guards, the park's employees tell of a failed Friday the 13th , 1939, escape attempt - one of many escape attempts recited in gripping detail that are not included on the daytime tour.

Once inside the prison, the audio tour features stories from ex-inmates and former prison guards in their own voices.

The tour leads visitors through D Block, or solitary confinement, where you can stand inside a dark cell and listen to the voices of inmates who spent time there. Close your eyes and you can sense the isolation, the desperation.

A guide to San Francisco's colourful and ... - Happy Travel Spot

Monday, 18, Jul 2011 10:57

There are more than 100 neighbourhoods in San Francisco, meaning people who have booked cheap flights to the city should have a wide range of choices when it comes to things to see and do.

One of the more famous locations in San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf. The streets are a haven for tourists, offering novelty souvenirs, wax museums, countless seafood restaurants and some great views of the city.

However, if you have booked a cheap flight to San Francisco, you will likely want to see some of the area’s most popular attractions, such as Alcatraz.

The island has served a number of purposes over the years, including a prison, a lighthouse and a military fortification. Tours should be booked in advance as it often sells out, with visitors able to look around some of the old cell blocks that held infamous criminals including Al Capone and Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud.

Other sightseeing opportunities include Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square and the Cannery, as well as the local sea lions – with the marine animals attracting more than one million tourists each year.

San Francisco also boasts the oldest Chinatown in North America, with the area having the largest Chinese population outside of Asia. Rather than planning your journey through this fascinating neighbourhood, you should instead just wander the streets and see where the day takes you.

Saturdays are bustling, with many produce and live markets lining Stockton Street, where you may catch a glimpse of turtles and chickens exchanging hands.

If you are keen to see the sights, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory may be the best place to start. The store on Ross Alley is the only one in the city where the cookies are made by hand, with more than 20,000 of the treats being produced by just two women.

Alternatively, if checking out local architecture is high on your agenda, a daytrip to Nob Hill is a great idea. This swanky neighbourhood is famous for its signature buildings that border Huntingdon Park, with the Fairmont Hotel and Flood Mansion listed among the most stunning.

Despite its reputation of privilege – which dates back to the Gold Rush – Nob Hill exhibits an eclectic mix of personalities and storefronts, particularly as shops and houses spill over from neighbouring communities.

Restaurants in the area are plentiful and varied, offering everything from casual cafes and sandwich bars to upmarket four-star eateries.

San Francisco Travel Guide

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: San Francisco & Northern California

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: California

The Rough Guide to San Francisco & the Bay Area

Frommer's Irreverent Guide to San Francisco