Day 6 in San Francisco

Yesterday, Tuesday 21st September, we visited Alcatraz. Our ferry boarding time wasn't until 12:40 though so we wandered around Pier 39. Apparently, when we went the other day, we bypassed a massive section of it, the main tourist side. We bought some nifty little hats here which you will see in tomorrows post! And so we fluffed around Pier 39 for a while until boarding time.

Once our tickets were checked, we had to stand in line before boarding the ferry and they take a photo of you with an Alcatraz background. It's a big tourist spin and costs you a bucket load. They photograph everyone and then print the photos and when you come back from the island, your photo will be on the wall if you want to purchase it. What a freaking waste of paper and money. Sure they say they recycle the photos that people don't buy (about 90%) but seriously, why not have it on a screen or something like with the London Eye. And the kicker? The reason they don't sell many is it costs $22 for two 5x7 photos. What a rip-off! Ok, end rant.

Alcatraz

So where was I? The ferry ride over to Alcatraz was really short, only 10 mins or something. Before I came to San Fran I was thinking Alcatraz would be a little further away, not quite as far as Rottnest but certainly not as close as it is. So Alcatraz was cold, sad and creepy. We did the audio tour which was really good and was complete with some chilling sound effects. Such a miserable place (duh Jess, it was a prison!).

The greeting at the wharf

Solitary Confinement rooms

General cells

The view of San Francisco Bay from Alcatraz