Vistiing Alcatraz Island has been on my bucket list even since it shot to fame in the 1960's in several movies. Thanks to my daughter Denise, what was on the bucket list, became a reality, not only for me, but also for my wife.
Alcatraz is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, about 2.4 km offshore, in California. It has been often referred to as "The Rock". The small island has served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963. Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986.
Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service. Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Pier 33, near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. In 2008 the nation's first hybrid propulsion ferry, pictured below, started serving the island. Alcatraz has been featured in many movies, TV shows, cartoons, books, comics, and games.
The commentary over the headphones in the guided audio tour is well presented with spine-chilling sound effects giving it an added dimension as you pass along the various sections of the prison along the corridors, prison walls and ramparts through the entire length of the tour. It almost like watching a film.
Yesterday : A trip to Alcatraz & and later a drive over the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge (which was also pending on the bucket list) and a thrilling drive through hairpin bends to Sausalito - kind courtesy by my daughter, Denise.
For enlarged views please click on the pictures.
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