OT- Alcatraz Tours & San Francisco

[admin]

For you guys familiar with San Francisco….

A friend asked me about a tour to Alcatraz Island. She wants to take the boat around the Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and stop on the Island itself.

There are so many choices. Which one would you suggest?

Also any restaurant suggestions for a group of 7 travelers from Hong Kong? As you know, Hong Kongers are especially critical of food (Western and Asian food in HK is among the best in the world). The food should be good and the ambiance nice. The restaurants should take reservations so there’s no wait. Fusion food is fine, but no Western food such as Italian, or steak houses.

[sdrealtor]

Definitely book the Alcatraz tour a week in advance if not longer. I was there in December with my kids and we waited too long to book it. The tours fill up well in advance.

[sdsubie]

I really enjoyed the night tour. There were less people walking around, and just experiencing the old buildings as night fall was coming was interesting and a bit spooky. Definitely unique.

[sdsubie]

As for food, give betelnut a try. It was a hit with my friends from Taiwan.

[briansd1]

I have never been on Alcatraz, but I did sail around it.

This is the official tour authorized by the National Park Service. It includes a ferry to the island, but not a bay cruise.
https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/index.aspx

This other company has a bay cruise. So many companies to choose from…
https://www.alcatraztrips.com/baycruise.asp

[UCGal]

I’m not sure – but I think only one company actually stops on the island and lets you tour the old prison. I’m pretty sure it’s AlcatrazCruises.com.

ITA with sdr about booking in advance. I’ve never done the tour because I’ve always screwed up and forgotten to pre-book… and it was sold out for several days going forward.

[briansd1]

[quote=sdsubie]As for food, give betelnut a try. It was a hit with my friends from Taiwan.[/quote]

Betelnut looks nice.
http://www.betelnutrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/betelnut-san-francisco

[svelte]

Okay, I definitely have strong opinions here.

We looove Scala’s Bistro:

http://www.scalasbistro.com/

We never miss it when in SF…same with John’s Grill:

http://www.johnsgrill.com/

The ambiance at both places is off the chart…spectacular for different reasons.

And yes get the Alcratraz tix at LEAST a week in advance. And don’t miss going on the Alcatraz tour…get the headphones and listen as you walk…nothing like it. I thought it would be cheesy when we went, but I walked away just thrilled. Would go again in a heartbeat.

There are other things we do, but those are the absolute top 3 things…

[Irish]

As far as gastronome, San Francisco cannot be beaten. You could spend a whole weekend eating your way through all the amazing restaurants in the Ferry Building…my favorite is the Slanted Door. http://www.slanteddoor.com/

On the weekends there is also a great farmers market outside on the ferry plaza…a lovely setting with all sorts of sensory overload !

[Coronita]

[quote=briansd1][quote=sdsubie]As for food, give betelnut a try. It was a hit with my friends from Taiwan.[/quote]

Betelnut looks nice.
http://www.betelnutrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/betelnut-san-francisco%5B/quote%5D

It’s all right.

If you want, I can think of one hole in the wall place where the food is decent.

For dim sum, I would have recommended fook yuen in milbrae, but they closed down.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=svelte]…And yes get the Alcratraz tix at LEAST a week in advance. And don’t miss going on the Alcatraz tour…get the headphones and listen as you walk…nothing like it. I thought it would be cheesy when we went, but I walked away just thrilled. Would go again in a heartbeat….[/quote]

I did the walking tour with headphones a few years ago and would agree that it is a very unusual and interesting experience. Last year, I toured around Alcatraz (up close and personal) on the Blue and Gold Fleet’s longer tour … also thrilling!

[briansd1]

Thanks guys… all excellent recommendations. I’ll give them a try. I don’t know SF other than as an occasional tourist.

flu, a hole in the wall is fine too. That’s great for a quick lunch. I’m not going to take my friends to dim sum because they are from Hong Kong. But for a future trip, I’d love to have your recommendation.

I’d rather try restaurants that other people recommend than happen upon places myself.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=briansd1]Thanks guys… all excellent recommendations. I’ll give them a try. I don’t know SF other than as an occasional tourist.

flu, a hole in the wall is fine too. That’s great for a quick lunch. I’m not going to take my friends to dim sum because they are from Hong Kong. But for a future trip, I’d love to have your recommendation.

I’d rather try restaurants that other people recommend than happen upon places myself.[/quote]

I like to eat New England Clam Chowder (in a crusty sourdough bread bowl) at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can order this through a takeout window and eat outside or order it and eat inside at Pier 39 (more expensive). I think the Fisherman’s Wharf chowder is more “authentic.”

This will be a new experience for your friends from Hong Kong, brian.

And don’t forget to to take the bus/streetcar around town for abt $2 per day (paper transfers are free)!

[bearishgurl]

brian, you might consider taking your friends through the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory if you have time while there.

It is a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.

http://ghirardelli.com/about/

[desmond]

Make sure to take where you are staying in all your plans. If you can take the trolley down to the wharf to get on the Alcatraz Tour. The trolley is harder to get back on, so you can walk, take a cab or the bus.. If these guys are a picky group from HK why try to match the food they are experts on? San Francisco has so many classic old restaurants that are great.

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