So, You're Going to Jail: What to Look Forward to on Your Trip to Alcatraz

Sure, the mystery, history, and sheer terror of Alcatraz island all make it a prime tourist destination, but, besides the notorious jail, what other attractions does the gloomy little island hold? Yes, the gift shop is tremendous, and yes, the audio tour does have some cool sound effects, but besides the historical prison, there's really nothing else compelling about 'The Rock,' is there?

Wrong! In fact, some of my favorite things about Alcatraz Island have nothing to do with the jail at all. Sure, you get that cool, creepy, haunted feeling while you're walking among the eerie, vacated jail cells, but there's a lot more to the island than the prison.

My favorite part of Alcatraz is actually the gardens. The jail is surrounded by all kinds of gorgeous living things, and if you take the time to walk around, you'll find that the unique flowers and plants growing there are actually worth the trip by themselves. I would recommend bringing along a good camera and some reliable sunscreen, so that you can enjoy the wonders of nature while taking a break from the gloomy corridors of the jail.

Another great component of a day on Alcatraz is the ferry ride to and back from the island. I love spending time out on the gorgeous, glittering San Francisco Bay, and the view from the top deck of an Alcatraz ferry is breathtaking. It's absolutely exhilarating to have the (usually chilly) San Francisco air whipping across your face as you scan the shore you left behind. Also, as you approach Alcatraz on the ferry there are hundreds of amazing photo opportunities, so make sure to have your camera at the ready from the very start of your journey.

The last great thing about Alcatraz I'll mention here is that there are no time limits. The ferries run very often, and it doesn't matter when you arrive on or leave the island. Since Pier 39 and the rest of San Francisco can get quite crowded during times when tourism is popular, it can be nice to go to Alcatraz in the middle of the day when it's not quite so crowded. This way you can truly relax, take a walk around the gardens, and take your time away from the panhandlers and general hustle of the city.