oblibby
Full Member
Posts: 211
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Jul 24, 2014 8:21:49 GMT
DH wants to visit Alcatraz when we're in San Francisco and, as we're only there got a couple of days, I thought I'd better book in advance to avoid disappointment. Not sure whether to book the day tour or night one - I can imagine it's lovely seeing the city all lit up at night but is Alcatraz itself better in daylight? Could you share your experiences with me please. Take a look at my blog to find out what I've been up to |
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Post by Minnesota*Mom on Jul 24, 2014 9:12:11 GMT
We took the daytime trip and liked it. If you go the day route, try to get your reservation for the earliest time possible. I remember having to wait in a long line for the boat ride to the island and I can only imagine that line increases in length as the day goes on. You can spend as long as you like once there, though, as the tour is self guided.
Sorry I have no information on the night tour. I'm sure it is great, too.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 24, 2014 9:19:44 GMT
I would also go for the day trip because you can see it better in the daylight.
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Post by bothmykidsrbrats on Jul 24, 2014 9:52:26 GMT
I've only taken the day trip, and loved it. I've always heard both are fantastic. Book in advance,either way. Have a great trip!
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sharonoz
Junior Member
Posts: 54
Jun 27, 2014 5:08:57 GMT
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Post by sharonoz on Jul 24, 2014 9:56:17 GMT
We took the day trip and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,716 
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Post by anniebeth24 on Jul 24, 2014 12:01:25 GMT
I've done the day trip and enjoyed the great photo ops. Not sure how my pics would look at night. So glad you know about getting tickets in advance - my inlaws did not know to do this and were very disappointed.
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Post by khaleesi on Jul 24, 2014 13:27:57 GMT
Another day tripper here! We booked ours ahead of time and were given a reserved slot and didn't much of a wait to board the boat to go. You can stay there until the last boat of the day if you choose.
I also recommend getting the audio unless it's automatically included now.
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angie w
Full Member
Posts: 107
Jun 26, 2014 2:35:35 GMT
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Post by angie w on Jul 24, 2014 13:29:35 GMT
I went for the day trip, not sure I knew there was a night option. I agree with getting the audio - really makes it a neat experience. Have fun!
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Post by tallgirl on Jul 24, 2014 14:14:05 GMT
We did the night trip and really enjoyed it... couldn't make it during the day because I was busy swimming the Alcatraz Challenge! Ha ha. So I had the best of both worlds; got to see it (from the outside) by day and came back at night for the tour.
You're inside a dark prison with few windows so I honestly don't think there would be much difference between the day tour and night tour. The biggest difference would be the boat trip over and view of the city skyline.
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peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588
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Post by peabrain on Jul 24, 2014 14:18:03 GMT
I dont' know where you're from, but I remember being chilly on the boat ride over. It was quite windy. I have one of those stereotypes that all of CA is warm. It was not when we went and the nights were chilly. I didn't bring a jacket. I ended up buying a tourist jacket. LOL
This was the days before cell phone weather tho.. enjoy your trip.
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oblibby
Full Member
Posts: 211
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Jul 24, 2014 14:49:19 GMT
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Post by hennybutton on Jul 24, 2014 14:58:24 GMT
Without question, take the night tour. It's kind of a misnomer. The boat leave well before sunset. The biggest difference between the day tour and the night tour is that the boat goes all the way around the island before docking, so you get to see things you wouldn't see otherwise. After the sun goes down, you get the best view ever of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. Plus, taking the night tour gives you the opportunity to see things in the city that can only be seen during the day.
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Post by honeyb on Jul 24, 2014 15:23:05 GMT
I agree with hennybutton. We took the night tour, but left while it was still light out. The light was absolutely perfect for pictures. By the time we came back it was pitch black, but I already got the pictures I wanted on the way there. Having never taken the day tour, I can't compare, but I did like the night tour.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Jul 24, 2014 19:06:25 GMT
We've done both, and preferred the night tour. And definitely get the audio tour!
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Post by lucyg on Jul 24, 2014 19:09:08 GMT
I've only taken the day trip, and loved it. I've always heard both are fantastic. Book in advance,either way. Have a great trip! This is exactly what I was going to say, word for word.  |
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rebecca
Shy Member
Hello!
Posts: 24
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Post by rebecca on Jul 25, 2014 5:44:29 GMT
I've done both and really enjoyed the night tour. We went in September and it got quite chilly, you might consider dressing in layers. Have fun!
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Post by boxermom73 on Jul 25, 2014 6:02:40 GMT
This is on my bucket list!!! Please post pictures!
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,650
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jul 25, 2014 6:40:50 GMT
I also did the night tour and as others have said we went over to the island in daylight so got plenty of photos then. The tour was awesome, and they opened up the hospital, including the operating theatre, for just a small window of time while we were there. It was amazing to see and the skyline at night on our way back was beautiful.
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Post by tampascrapper on Jul 26, 2014 23:34:20 GMT
I am going for the day tour during my trip to SF in September. I'm looking forward to it |
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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Jul 27, 2014 15:33:15 GMT
We were just there last week. Get your tickets now. They are selling tix for end of August. Everything else is sold out. We had to get up at 4 am to get on line by 5 am for same day tix. We got them though. Folks who got there at 6 am were out of luck.
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Post by mcscrapper on Jul 27, 2014 15:39:40 GMT
Another day tripper here! We booked ours ahead of time and were given a reserved slot and didn't much of a wait to board the boat to go. You can stay there until the last boat of the day if you choose. I also recommend getting the audio unless it's automatically included now. I agree!! Do the audio tour! When I did it, former residents of Alcatraz narrated parts of the tour. I thought it was pretty cool to listen to the stories! meredith |
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krbeah
Junior Member
Posts: 92
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Post by krbeah on Jul 27, 2014 15:52:30 GMT
I definitely recommend the night tour! With the setting sun on the island, it made for beautiful pictures! The San Fran skyline at night also added to the experience. We loved every minute of it! Good luck getting tickets and have fun!
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oblibby
Full Member
Posts: 211
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Jul 28, 2014 15:46:01 GMT
Got my tickets this morning. Had to get day ones as there are no night ones available until late September and we'll be back home by then, so we're going at 10:30, which means we'll be back in town for a spot of lunch at 2 or 3ish . Quite looking forward to it, even though it's probably not something I'd have done if DH wasn't so keen to do it. |
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Post by hennybutton on Jul 28, 2014 15:50:56 GMT
If you have kids, get the book "Al Capone Does My Shorts" by Gennifer Choldenko and have them read it before you go. It will make the trip much more interesting. My son was in 6th grade when we went and we both read it. It added so much to the tour.
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