quilter1

Lots of walking but so worth it. The cells were creepy. And the dining area, seemed like the prisoners just left. A must see when in San Francisco. Then have a crab sandwich after.

feline fanatic

I was born in SF and lived in the East Bay until I was 14 when my parents moved across country. I ended up staying on the East Coast. I am dating myself here.... I can vaguely remember as a small child when it was still open and recall the specific escape that made them decide to close it down. Inmates had tunneled through the concrete walls with teaspoons because the elements of the bay had deteriorated it so. I more clearly recall the Indian occupation of it and also when the last few holdouts were forcibly removed.
I have not gotten back to the bay area as often as I would like and have yet to tour Alcatraz. There is so much to see and do in that area but doing a tour of "The Rock" is definitely at the top of my list for the next visit.

Lneal

Another exciting thing we did was to ride the cable car! I did't realize how steep these roads were!! We had so much fun that day! :-D

JanetM

Yes, I've been to Alcatraz. I thought it was fascinating. I really liked the self-guided tour using the headphones as we walked through. So much better than being at the back of a crowd unable to hear the tour guide.
San Francisco is such a fun city to visit...lot's to do there.

MollieSue

Yes, I was there about 3 years ago now. And had watched the movie a few years or so before we went, so was able to picture the inmates actually being there. It seems so small, considering how many were there.
And it was unbelievable to me, how small the cells were!!

Jim's Gem

We visited it when we live in Mountain View, about 17 years ago. 2 of my children were too young and don't really remember going there.

stitchinwitch

Yes - we did go there - it was really quite eerie! One could almost FEEL the souls that resided there and the evil. It really has alot of history - are they planning on cleaning it up at all?? It was taken over by native Americans quite a few years ago. We enjoyed it somewhat but not something we would ever do again.

Lneal

I don't know if they are planning to clean it up, but I think it would take away from it's originality or something like that. Sorta like an antique, it's worth more in the original state. Aren't quilts like that too?
I believe when it was taken over by the Indian group it suffered some damage.
I like your pics MollieSue, thanks for sharing. :D

winipb2

I visited Alcatraz many years ago while in SF for a confrence. It impressed this Texan.

craftybear

thanks for sharing the pictures, I have never been there but would love to visit sometime