Anyone been on an alcatraz tour?

Todd,

I don't have an answer for your questions but the one thing I regretted not doing in SF was going out to Alcatraz. I recall looking out at Alcatraz Island from a window seat at Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf while eating a Dungness Crab and sourdogh bread with beer and thinking, it's actually farther away from land and a longer swim for escaping prisoners than I had thought. At the time I recall looking at one of those tours and I cannot remember why I didn't do it, and later regretted not doing it.

From Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf there is a spectacular view of both Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you like dim sum I highly recommend Ton Kiang which is in the Richmond section of San Francisco.

I have never been but they have to have public restrooms accessible since it's a tourist attraction and so many people are visiting. I have been on ferrys before and there is always a restroom on them as well. Maybe you can google a website that has information on it. Sounds like a fun trip. I love old prisons...the history is facinating. We toured Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia recently...it was so cool. Hawaii sounds awesome....have fun!

Hey

I had a quick look around and found this:-

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com...pyt-helpfultips.aspx

It mentions restrooms actually on the island.

I am truly jealous of your trip.

Have fun

I visited it not too long ago. There are restrooms on the dock,right where the boat docks. Great tour.

However,for me,two Vicodin made my day wonderful without looking for a restroom every hour.

Thanks everyone for all the info. Sounds like there are bathrooms at the dock, but maybe nowhere else? I have mild concerns that if I have to go in the middle of the prison tour what happens, but sounds like it's doable.

This is our first time to San Francisco so keep the recommendations coming if you want DJB I'll add Tom Kiang to our list of stuff to check out. Thanks

Marianne, if you liked ESP in general definitely go back during Halloween. They do a crazy haunted castle thing that is one of the best I've been to. (I'm from Philly/South Jersey originally).

im going to san fran on monday the 20th and have been doing a lot of reading as well. it sounds like there is bathrooms on teh ferry and that the ride is only about 15 minutes each way. and it sounds as if one of the first things they do is tell you wehre the bathrooms are...

im also hearing that yes, there is a guided tour, but a lot of time is spend exploring on your own...that you can spend as little or as much time out there as you wish...

one thing i definitely know though is that tours can get booked far in advance...

i was trying to book a tour for the week im there (in two weeks) and all of the night tours are already booked through the beginning of september. (i hear the night tours are the best, and that maybe be the only times im not at my conference!!)

if i have to stare at the island but not be able to go to it because of the conference, im going to be PISSED!!!!!!!

if i have any more info ill let you know.

Don't miss Alcatraz...I lived in SF for three years and it was always everyone who came to visits fav thing. BUT be sure you get tickets early as later tours do sell out. You should be ok w bathrooms but be warned the walk up the hill is steep, just FYI.