Thursday 5 February 2026
As soon as we learned that on this voyage we would be stopping in San Francisco, California we both immediately expressed a desire to finally visit Alcatraz. On our first visit in September 1973 we stood gazing out through the fog at the island and promised ourselves we’d return to visit. However in January 2008 on a one day excursion into SF with Karen’s sister we had other fabulous adventures. So today was the day. We carried through on our promise to ourselves. It was the second part of the Alcatraz & Sausalito tour we had booked through the ship. After returning on the bus from Marin County, we got our tickets from and bid our thanks to our tour guide Jacob then settled in at the Alcatraz Ferry dock at Pier 33. Site of the oldest lighthouse on the west coast of the United States and a military fort in the Nineteenth Century, Alcatraz is best know as the location of the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary from 1935 to 1963. Alcatraz Island is a just one of thirty-seven units of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. After a ranger’s introductory talk which provided some details of the 1969 Occupation of Alcatraz by Native Activists, we were off to explore various sites on the island. We started with the exhibits inside the New Industries Building which served as a workplace for the prisoners of the penitentiary. Later we toured Cellhouse and thanks to an audio tour learned some grim details of life on the rock and escape attempts. However between the two buildings there was nestled aid garden plants a series of signs based on the book, The Gardener of Alcatraz, telling the true story of the redemption of Elliott Michener, one of the inmates of Alcatraz. It’s a solemn place inviting contemplation and reflection. We’re glad we visited.
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