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Alcatraz City Cruises

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Alcatraz City Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Alcatraz City Cruises

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Alcatraz City Cruises

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Alcatraz City Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Alcatraz Day Tour

Dylan’s famous tour with muir woods and alcatraz.

See it all in one day! Explore San Francisco, Muir Woods, and take the official Alcatraz tour with tickets included at the end of your tour with Dylan’s.

  Time & Duration

Tour starts at 8:00 AM Returns approx. 5:30 PM

Adult $189 Child $129 (12 & under)

  Tour Includes

• Explore the top neighborhoods with your local guide and learn the stories, history, and diversity of San Francisco.
• 12 locations, 7 amazing photo stops, including Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, and more!
• Enjoy a relaxing lunch in Sausalito, where you will have time to soak in all the views of the Bay.
• The Official Alcatraz Tour ferry will depart Pier 33 at approximately 3:00 PM during the summer months and 2:00 PM during the winter months.
• Please contact us directly if you are interested in a hotel pickup.
• We offer a 100% refund with at least 4 days notice prior to departure.
• Please note this tour will sell out throughout the year, especially during the spring and summer seasons. We highly recommend booking early to guarantee your spot.
• We offer hotel pick-ups all over the Bay Area to our departure location for $20 per group.

Explore San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito, and Alcatraz All in One Day!

This is not your standard hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Groups stay with the same bus for the entire trip with several breaks and iconic photo stops along the way. Our smaller buses offer an intimate experience without sacrificing personal space or comfort. We make sure every person on our city tour feels seen and accounted for.

After exploring San Francisco, marvel at the redwoods on a walk through Muir Woods National Monument. This is the perfect nature escape just a stone’s throw away from the city. We’ll spend over an hour here, giving you ample time to experience one of the last remaining coastal redwood forests in the world!

After Muir Woods, we will stop in the quaint little town of Sausalito on our way back to San Francisco for a lunch break. You will have numerous choices for lunch in this beautiful bayside town.

In the afternoon, you will board the ferry for the Official Alcatraz Day Tour. This former federal prison was once home to infamous criminals Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and it is a must-do while visiting San Francisco.

Tour Itinerary

7:45 AM — Meet at Fisherman’s Wharf                                        

Plan to arrive by 7:45 AM to the meeting point at 710 Beach St. in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood.

8:00 AM — Depart Fisherman’s Wharf                                        

Our guide meets you at our departure location shortly before 8:00 AM. After a brief roll call, we board the bus and begin our adventure. Our first stops include all the most famous neighborhoods in San Francisco!

8:00 AM–10:00 AM — Explore San Francisco’s BEST neighborhoods!

During this time, you are treated to entertaining stories about the neighborhoods, as well as the history, diversity, and geographical nuances that make San Francisco one of the most unique cities in the world!

We exit the bus several times (10-minute breaks) to soak in the neighborhoods and capture amazing photos! Please see “neighborhoods visited” (below) for details on each neighborhood, as well as where we stop for photos.

10:00 AM–11:15 AM — Explore Muir Woods (75 minutes)

After exploring San Francisco, we head for Muir Woods. Here, you will have over an hour to walk amongst some of the last remaining coastal redwoods in the world! This is an unforgettable photo opportunity. Many of our customers consider Muir Woods the highlight of the entire day!

11:45 AM–12:30 PM — Lunch Break in Sausalito

Enjoy lunch in the beautiful town of Sausalito.

2:00 PM–3:00 PM* — Depart for the Official Alcatraz Tour at Pier 33

After enjoying your city and Muir Woods tour with us, we will drop you off at Pier 33 to depart for Alcatraz. Upon arriving at Alcatraz Island, you will take the official Alcatraz tour and have the opportunity to explore additional exhibits at your convenience.

*winter and summer Alcatraz departure times vary

5:30 PM — Return to Pier 33 You will return by ferry from Alcatraz back to Pier 33 where you are free to enjoy the rest of your evening!

Neighborhoods & Photo Stops

* Photo Stops

Fisherman’s Wharf —One of San Francisco’s most popular destinations. From old shipyards to Boudin’s Bakery and the smell of fresh clam chowder, Fisherman’s Wharf has it all.

North Beach —Voted as one of the USA’s “ten great neighborhoods,” North Beach is best known as the home of Little Italy. From delicious restaurants to authentic sidewalk cafes and bakeries, you will feel the charm of San Francisco as soon as you arrive.

Chinatown —Boasting the largest Chinatown in the United States, this 24-block mecca is bustling with energy, amazing food, and unique and colorful shops that give this area its charm.

Nob Hill — Home to some of our most famous hotels, Nob Hill offers some of the best cocktail lounges and views in the city.

* Pacific Heights —Offering one of the most scenic outlooks in all of Northern California, Pacific Heights is home to Billionaire’s Row, featuring the estates of politicians, tech titans, and other San Francisco celebrities (includes the Mrs. Doubtfire house!).

Presidio —Former military base, now a beautiful park that includes Crissy Field, Fort Point, Lucasfilm’s (George Lucas) headquarters and the Walt Disney Museum.

* Fort Point —Located just beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point gives you a front-row seat to the Bay and is a great photo stop. This former military fortification was used during WWII.

* Palace of Fine Arts — Inspired by Roman and Greek architecture, the Palace of Fine Arts was originally constructed to celebrate San Francisco’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake. Surrounded by a peaceful garden, it is great for photos.

* Golden Gate Bridge —Declared “one of the 10 wonders of the modern world,” the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognized symbols of San Francisco. Simply stunning!

** Marin Headlands —Offering a stunning perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge with downtown San Francisco in the background, this awe-inspiring view is the perfect place to capture a memorable photo.

** Only available on private tours .

Customer Reviews

• If you only have 1-day to visit San Francisco take this tour! "Our cruise had 1-day in San Francisco and this was really the best way to see it all. In the morning we covered some of the best-known San Francisco neighborhoods, along with tons of photo stops along the way. Our guide had plenty of fun stories and history along the route, which dropped us right back in Fisherman’s Wharf. My family grabbed a quick lunch and enjoyed Pier 39’s sea lions before our afternoon Alcatraz Tour. My kids loved the Alcatraz ferry and the audio tour; I loved the fact that I didn’t have to worry about any of the logistics - Thank you Dylan’s!” Kate S.
• The most amazing 1-Day tour package, beautiful scenery, perfectly organized! "Everything was exactly as advertised. Our bus was waiting, on time and ready to go. Our tour guide was absolutely awesome. Tons of photo ops. You get to see a lot of the key points in the city, like the bridge, Haight-Ashbury, Little Italy, etc., so much history. After enjoying lunch in Fisherman’s Wharf we explored Lombard Street by foot (as our guide told us the best way to see it), before heading to Alcatraz. No line-ups, no hassle and tickets were ready for us when we arrived. Worth every penny! Total class act!” Moe T.
• Comprehensive and interesting, 5 Stars "We chose this tour because we only had 1 day in San Francisco as part of a honeymoon tour of the USA. It was perfect, great weather, and our guide was so friendly and knowledgeable and made the whole tour very casual. Lunch in Fisherman’s Wharf was excellent per the recommendation of our guide. Alcatraz was also highly enjoyable. Overall a wonderful way to get a feel for the Bay Area and know where to come back to. We also took plenty of memorable photos!” Andrea T.

Tour Specific FAQs

What does the official alcatraz island visit include.

The visit includes round-trip ferry and the 90-minute audio tour of the island. You can also see additional exhibits on the island as well. We find most of our visitors spend 2.5-3 hours during their stay.

What time do we meet for the tour?

Can i just take the alcatraz tour without going on a tour.

Unfortunately not. All companies offering Alcatraz tickets must offer a tour package, per our contract with Alcatraz Cruises.

How far in advance should I book a tour that includes Alcatraz?

During summer season and holidays we recommend booking as soon as you can as these tours will sell-out!

What is Muir Woods?

Muir Woods National Monument is located 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge and is home to some of the oldest and tallest living trees in the world.

This popular destination is part of the United States National Park Service and is considered to be one of the most peaceful destinations in the Bay Area.

Where does the minibus tour pick-up and drop-off?

Pick-ups: Our minibus tours pick-up in a convenient location in Fisherman’s Wharf, across from 710 Beach Street.

Drop-offs: Depending on your tour we can drop you off in Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, North Beach, or Chinatown.

Is there a parking garage near the starting point?

Yes, there are several parking garages located near our meeting point.

How does the hotel pick-up work?

Please contact us directly if you are interested in a hotel pickup at [email protected] or call (415) 932-6993 . Please be ready 45-minutes prior to your tour time if you do opt-in for the pick-up option.

What is the value of my Alcatraz ticket?

Can i make changes to my reservation.

There are many websites across the internet where you can book a tour with us. They all have different terms. When possible, we request that you book directly here on our website. This enables us to not only provide you the best pricing available, but it also enables us to provide a much more customized level of service. Please note Alcatraz tours must be changed 4 days in advance due to the booking system with the the official Alcatraz tour provider. 

What is your cancellation policy?

Payments: Please note our site is secure and offers SSL security on all credit card purchases.

Cancellations: We offer a 100% refund with at least 4 days notice prior to departure. For tours with at least 24 hours but less than 4 days notice, we offer a 100% refund less the cost of the Alcatraz ticket ($60).

Important Tour Details

• Duration: 9+  hours 
• Meeting Time: 7:45 AM
• Departure Time: 8:00  AM
• Return Time: 5:30  PM
• Additional Muir Woods Entrance Fee: $15/person (16yrs+)
• Departure Location: Fisherman’s Wharf, 710 Beach Street
• Tour ends at Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing
• Adult (13 yrs+) $189
• Child (0-12 yrs old) $129
• We offer a 100% refund with at least 4 days notice prior to departure. For tours with at least 24 hours but less than 4 days notice, we offer a 100% refund less the cost of the Alcatraz ticket ($60).
• Tour price includes Alcatraz entrance fee. Anyone over 18 must have a government-issued ID for ferry.

How We're Different

We are not a big bus company! It’s very common to see large hop-on, hop-off buses around San Francisco, but we take a much more personal approach. Our guides not only have intimate knowledge and unmatched enthusiasm for the Bay City, but we also use specialized minibuses which are built specifically for city tours. We can literally take you where the big buses can’t go.

Our minibuses have large windows for full view of the city as we conduct the tour and are climate controlled with plenty of room for everyone. We stop several times and provide many photo opportunities. 

Alcatraz Cruises – 2024 Coupons and Reviews

Experience the legendary island that served as a federal prison for some of the most dangerous criminals. This small rocky island in the Bay of San Francisco holds compelling stories and secrets about the prison’s history and residents.

Follow along as we go behind the scenes and show you how to score discounted Alcatraz City cruises tickets!

Unless you were a notorious criminal or security personnel, you’d have zero chance of putting your feet on the isolated grounds of the world’s most secure prison.

These days, you can hop aboard one of the Alcatraz City Cruises and explore Alcatraz Island at your own pace. During your visit, grab the opportunity to hear little-known stories about the island, aka “The Rock,” and its fascinating past.

Before your trip, take some time to discover how you can snag discount tickets and special deals, plus a few insider tips to help you experience a hassle-free Alcatraz Island Cruise.

Alcatraz Cruises Discount Tickets

• Escape From the Rock Cruise

Cruise around The Rock while listening to chilling tales of Alcatraz’s legendary escape attempts. This 90-minute cruise will have you learning about the intriguing stories of Al Capone, Billy Cook the Killer, Clyde Johnson, and many others as you appreciate every angle of the mysterious island.

Alcatraz cruise tickets are discounted! Escape From the Rock Cruise discount tickets are available here .

• San Francisco City Tour with Alcatraz

If it’s your first time in San Francisco, you won’t want to miss the San Francisco City and Alcatraz Day Tour. Embark on a four-hour adventure and visit San Francisco’s classic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks.

At the end of the city tour, head over to the Alcatraz ferry landing to explore the island at your own pace.

San Francisco City Tour with Alcatraz discount tickets are available here .

• Night on Alcatraz Island with Fisherman’s Wharf & Sourdough Bread Tour

It’s one thing to visit Alcatraz Island during the day and an entirely different experience to do so at night. This one-of-a-kind tour starts at Fisherman’s Wharf with visits to must-sees like Boudin Sourdough Bakery, Ghirardelli Square, and Pier 39.

By sundown, ferry across the Bay to see Alcatraz Island in a whole new light.

Night on Alcatraz Island with Fisherman’s Wharf & Sourdough Bread Tour discount tickets are available here .

• Alcatraz Plus 2 Day Hop On Hop Off

Make the most of your time in San Francisco with combo tickets to a hop-on hop-off bus tour and Alcatraz Island admission. Explore the city at your leisure and visit Alcatraz on your selected date. Depart to and from the island from Pier 33.

2-Day Hop On Hop Off Alcatraz Plus discount tickets are available here .

Alcatraz Cruises Coupons and Discounts

Alcatraz cruises military discount.

You might be looking to score Alcatraz cruises tickets at discounted prices by using your military ID. Unfortunately, Alcatraz City Experiences does not offer military discounts at this time.

Alternatively, check out Escape From the Rock Cruise discount tickets from Tripster.

Alcatraz Cruises AAA Discount

Thousands of attraction tickets are offered at special rates for those with an AAA membership card. However, we regret to inform you that there is currently no Alcatraz Cruise AAA discount.

Alternatively, check out San Francisco City Tour with Alcatraz discount tickets from Tripster. This money-saving combo includes a tour around San Francisco and a ferry ticket to The Rock. No need to look for Alcatraz City Cruises coupon code!

Alcatraz Cruises Senior Discount

Individual Alcatraz Cruises senior discount tickets are not available at this time. There is no Alcatraz City City Cruises promo code for seniors.

Alternatively, senior group discounts are available through Alcatraz City Cruises’ official website. A group of at least 20 people age 62 or older may submit an application form to claim the Alcatraz Island senior group discount at least 30 days before the tour date.

Hotels Near Alcatraz Cruises

Alcatraz City Cruises depart from the pier at Fisherman’s Wharf. If you want to stay at a hotel as near as possible to Alcatraz Cruises, it makes sense to book accommodations at a hotel located in Fishermans’ Wharf.

Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf is located on the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf and has access to the waterfront, Ghirardelli Square, and Pier 39.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out The Wharf Inn , a cozy hotel in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf that offers spacious, value-priced accommodations with modern amenities.

San Francisco Attractions

Golden gate seaplane tour.

Forget taking photos from Crissy Field, Baker Beach, or the lookout points on either end of the bridge. Upgrade your Golden Gate experience with a seaplane tour!

Fly high above the Golden Gate Bridge, take breathtaking snapshots, and gaze at all of San Francisco’s legendary landmarks. The Golden Gate Seaplane Tour is a 30-minute flight that will be the highlight of your San Francisco vacation.

Skunk Train

It’s not the Hogwarts Express, but the magic of riding the Skunk Train sure feels like it. Travel back in time through the redwoods on an authentic, historic steam train.

Related Post: Skunk Train Coupon – Guide to Discounts & Reviews

Enjoy the same pristine views that have remained unchanged for over a century. Take some time to appreciate a one-of-a-kind journey through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

San Francisco’s version of the Museum of Modern Art is just as appealing to guests of all ages as New York’s MoMA was envisioned to be. Choose from a growing collection of more than 30,000 masterpieces and take an audio tour to learn more about the exhibits that spark your interest.

Insider Alcatraz Cruises Tips

What to bring.

Alcatraz Island is in the middle of San Francisco Bay where the climate is unpredictable. The weather forecast may indicate sunny weather, but it’s a smart move to bring extra layers in case of cold, foggy mornings and blustery winds in the afternoon.

Related Post: 11 Entertaining Things to Do in San Francisco on a Rainy Day

Bring anything that will help you stay comfortable the whole day, from sunscreen to a trusty umbrella.

Can I Bring Food into Alcatraz Cruises?

Alcohol beverages are not allowed on Alcatraz Island, but bringing your bottled water is certainly allowed. Food is available onboard all Alcatraz City Cruises’ vessels, so no need to bring your own!

Alcatraz City Cruises Parking

There is no parking at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, while on-street parking anywhere else in Fisherman’s Wharf can be a challenging task. To enjoy a hassle-free trip, we recommend taking public transit if you aren’t already staying at a hotel near Alcatraz City Cruises.

Alcatraz Cruises Reviews

Want to find out what other readers think of Alcatraz Cruises? Check out the most recent Alcatraz City Cruises reviews:

Pay a visit to one of the most important historical landmarks in the country. Whether you prefer a classic day tour or a night tour experience, you will leave the island with a renewed fascination for history and all the priceless treasures that it holds.

Which Alcatraz Cruise Will You Try?

Leave us a comment below!

Written by Nicole King

There are only two things that make Nicole really happy–books and travel! When her head’s not buried in a book, she’s most likely...

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Alcatraz ferry workers strike for fair wages as SF summer tourism season starts

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Alcatraz Island attracts more than a million visitors to San Francisco every year.

The Rock is a dream destination for many tourist like Sean Thompson from Maryland who waited decades for this. "Probably 25 years," said Thompson.

We met Jennifer Scott from Florida right after she made that dream a reality with her family. "This was kind of one of families bucket list trips that we wanted to do. Alcatraz was the main thing we wanted to accomplish while we were here, said Scott.

Brian Dobruck is one of the captains for the cruises. On Saturday, 94 union workers went on a four-hour strike to push Alcatraz City Cruises to listen to their demands.

"We are just asking for fair wages. Throughout the Bay, most of the other ferry companies are represented by unions and they all have a decent pay, and we would like to maintain or keep up with what other companies are getting paid," said Dobruck.

Robert Estrada, national president of the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific explains the groups demands. "We've had our economic proposal on the table literally for months now and they were supposed to bring an economic response to us on the 23rd and they did not," said Estrada. "Combination of things between wages, benefits, medical and simple things like scheduling. These folks don't know what their schedule is a week in advance. They cant plan their lives, they cant take vacations."

In a statement, Antonette Sespene, general manager for Alcatraz City Cruises said in part: "We are disappointed the Union would threaten our passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of those services."

Supervisor Aaron Peskin represents the district where the cruise line is located. He views these negotiations as vital for San Francisco tourism.

"It is time for Alcatraz Cruises to stop stalling and to enter into a contract. The labor folks have been extremely reasonable. We need peace on our waterfront," said Supervisor Peskin.

Luz Pena: "Are you concerned that there could be another strike?

Aaron Peskin: "Yes, I'm very concerned. Its not good for the workers, its not good for the tourists and for San Francisco's economy. The union is hoping to reach an agreement by June 4."

Alcatraz City Cruises full statement:

"Attributed To Antonette Sespene, General Manager Alcatraz City Cruises Alcatraz City Cruises is currently engaged, and have been since January 2023, in negotiations with the organization representing our valued crew members. We are disappointed the Union would threaten our passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of those services. Please take comfort that this had no impact on our operations. We are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith and are working diligently with our crew to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Indeed, at our last bargaining session, the parties reached an important Tentative Agreement on how we will operate and provide our excellent service to Alcatraz Island. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome for our Crew and the millions of guests we serve each year, maintaining the highest standards of service and experience for our guests."

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• SAN FRANCISCO
• ALCATRAZ ISLAND
• CRUISE SHIP

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Alcatraz ferry workers authorize strike vote on eve of peak tourism season

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Global travelers heading to San Francisco this summer could be disappointed — they may not be able to visit America’s most notorious prison. 

The union representing workers for the sole provider of ferries to Alcatraz Island authorized a strike Tuesday. According to the Alcatraz Workers United union, 91 percent of those voting cast an “aye” vote.

Their hope? To pressure Alcatraz City Cruises to negotiate with them in good faith before the weather warms up and tourists come to San Francisco, according to the union. 

Officially certified as a union in October 2022, Alcatraz Workers United is still struggling to get its first contract. “If we don’t get some progress here during this busy season, then we go into layoffs, we go into a slower state,” said Robert Estrada, national president at the Inlandboatmen’s Union. “There’ll be less and less motivation for this company to get this contract done.”

The union declined to disclose how many of the 94 workers in its bargaining unit participated in the strike vote; however, it was a “strong majority,” Estrada said. 

“Please take comfort that if there is a labor dispute, it will have no impact on our operations,” Antonette Sespene, general manager of Alcatraz City Cruises said in a statement.

“We are disappointed the Union would threatened our passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of those services,” Sespene added. “We are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith and are working diligently with our Crew to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Alcatraz City Cruises is part of the Hornblower Group and City Experiences, which also operates ferries to the Statue of Liberty .

“The Alcatraz Cruises has been negotiating in bad faith with the union now for two years, 36 meetings,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin, whose district includes Pier 33, where the Alcatraz ferries dock. “They are not taking this seriously.” 

Peskin has been a staunch supporter of the union, having participated in multiple informational picket lines and delivered postcards to Hornblower’s corporate offices in person to support workers (the CEO was unavailable to meet him that time).

“What this strike vote means is, people are saying, ‘Hey, we’re upset. We want to stand together, and we’re ready to fight,’” said Evan McLaughlin, an organizer with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. “Alcatraz Cruises relies on these workers, and they just want to feel respected.”

The company has refused to pay any bargaining time to workers, which “is the norm at other employers on the bay,” said Estrada. “All of the company management, they’re all on the pay, they’re on the clock, the attorneys are on the clock, and everybody’s on the clock except these workers.”

The union has yet to draw up detailed plans for a strike, as it is expecting its first economic package from management on Thursday. 

Alcatraz City Cruises holds the contract from the National Park Service as the sole provider of ferry services to Alcatraz. If the strike does happen, trips to Alcatraz figure to be curtailed “unless the Alcatraz Cruises is able to find competent people to man their staff, their vessels,” Peskin said. And if they don’t do that, “there’s plenty of places for those tourists to go and spend their money and have a good time at Fisherman’s Wharf.”  

“It’s time for Alcatraz Cruises to finish these negotiations and stop playing around,” he continued. “It’s a lucrative business. And these are incredible, devoted, professional workers. It’s high time that they get a fair contract.”

Union, ahoy: Alcatraz ferry workers rally over stalled contract

REPORTER. Yujie Zhou came on as an intern after graduating from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. She is a full-time staff reporter as part of the Report for America program that helps put young journalists in newsrooms. Before falling in love with the Mission, Yujie covered New York City, studied politics through the “street clashes” in Hong Kong, and earned a wine-tasting certificate in two days. She’s proud to be a bilingual journalist. Follow her on Twitter @Yujie_ZZ.

Join the Conversation

I worked for Hornblower at Alcatraz for a year in 2021/22. I left my union machine mechanics position in Ohio for an engineering position at Alcatraz. I was there when the union was first getting started and left before it was officially recognized. In my opinion, and it’s just that, the union bullied their way into Alcatraz by gaslighting, constantly promoting themselves, and promising things that can not be promised realistically. A majority of the workers are younger and or from another country, which I mean to say, are more impressionable. I feel bad for the workers because they were pulled into the union, and then pushed into jumping on the union strike fad that is happening these days. Unions are needed in some instances, but in this one, it’s just another case of a union forcing there way though the keyhole so they can generate income for their own employees by playing games with these workers lives. Most of the people that work there, and in the Bay area, live an hr or more away where the cost of living is not that of San Francisco. Why? Because they make so much in San Francisco! I got paid more and did less at Alcatraz than any job I’ve ever had. Any of the problems there would have been better solved personally, using your personal worth, than paying some union guys to lie for you and pretend they are on your side.

GOOD! Maybe our Mayor can push the company to actually finish the contract instead of lying about negotiating in good faith. (what a load)

Go workers, no one needs to go to that place, but it will cost the co money if you all strike!

Unions are little more than lawyers and politicians fighting for more money nowadays. Their role used to be a lot more crucial to the health, safety, rights violations and well-being (yes I understand that pay could directly impact all of the above) of their workers but now… just more money.

The author can’t even outline the specifics of what caused the strike, but the insinuation is as clear as day; $$$

Totally inaccurate comment bobby

The previous article, linked at the end, outlines more of the concerns up to now: “So far, negotiations have not touched on wage issues, focusing mainly on more basic parts of the contract, like discipline and safety rules.” But why shouldn’t unions push for higher wages here in the Bay Area, one of the highest cost of living areas in the US? Fair pay has always been a union goal.

Bobby, you realize that when you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, you don’t have to comment, right?

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Alcatraz ferry workers strike amid start of summer tourism season in San Francisco

M emorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer tourism season. But there could be a threat to one of San Francisco’s biggest attractions: the boat tours to Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz boat tours attract more than 1.5 million visitors to the island yearly. On Saturday morning, the striking cruise workers put the boat tours on a four-hour hold by picketing at Pier 33 in San Francisco.

The union’s strike forced Alcatraz City Cruises to clear their boats until it was over.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin was there to show his support for union workers, who said that management has not negotiated fairly and dragging out talks for a year and a half.

“This is a working people’s waterfront. It has been for a hundred years and it is time for Alcatraz Cruises to stop stalling,” he said.

But union president Robert Estrada said management didn’t deliver anything tangible and continually drags out discussions without movement on key issues.

“We’ve been waiting for a response to our economic package for months, months and months, and we were told we would have a response to our economic proposal at the last meeting,” he said.

The boats were back up and running towards Alcatraz just after noon, but Estrada said a full strike is not out of the question. The two sides return to the negotiating table on June 4 but the union’s hopeful management will come to them with an agreement before then.

“There are stakeholders who are directly Alcatraz City Cruises, and we would hope that there are conversations happening right now between those stakeholders and those who hold the power to get this done,” he said.

Alcatraz Cruises passengers said they hope management does come back with better pay and benefits because they know it’s hard to get by in the Bay Area.

A spokesperson with Alcatraz City Cruises released the following statement on Saturday:

“We are disappointed the union would threaten our passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of those services. Please take comfort that this will have no impact on our operations.

We are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith and are working diligently with our crew to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Alcatraz ferry workers, UC Davis students strike

Last week, Alcatraz ferry workers authorized a strike amid labor negotiations with management. This past Saturday, over Memorial Day weekend, workers walked off the job and took to the picket line.

Employees of Alcatraz City Cruises have been in negotiations for over a year and a half to secure a new contract. The union’s primary concerns are increasing wages, securing benefits, and establishing more consistent scheduling.

The Hornblower Group, which owns Alcatraz City Cruises, say they were “surprised and disappointed” that a work stoppage was authorized. The company stated that they plan to hire replacement workers to maintain services during the strike, and invited union workers to cross the picket line to avoid losing pay.

Alcatraz Island takes in over 1.4 million visitors annually, making it one of the largest tourist attractions in the city.

In other labor news, CapRadio reports hundreds of researchers and teaching assistants at UC Davis began striking Tuesday over the University of California system’s response to pro-Palestine protests.

Workers are criticizing the arrests of fellow union members at campuses in Los Angeles and San Diego. They also say the UC system changed a disciplinary policy without bargaining first.

Emily Weintraut is the unit chair for academic student employees.

“Here at Davis, while we haven’t maybe had as severe issues as other campuses, we are one university system and we are one UAW 4811. And so that’s why we’re out here on strike.”

The student encampment at UC Davis, which was set up three weeks ago, supports the union. Up to 250 people stay there on any given night.

Workers voted to be on strike until June 30th and encourage the UC system to negotiate before then.

UC officials had requested an injunction, citing that the strike was illegal because it was politically motivated and has nothing to do with workplace-related issues. The Public Employment Relations Board rejected the request.

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Vladimir Putin tours ‘Little Moscow’ as he trumpets deepening ties with China

Russian leader’s visit to northeastern harbin city with xi jinping is meant to symbolise growing strategic, economic and cultural ties, article bookmarked.

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Vladimir Putin kicked off his second day in China with a visit to Harbin city as the Russian president trumpets deeping economic and strategic ties between the two powerful neighbours.

Harbin in the northeastern Heilongjiang province, which borders Russia’s Far East , has deep social, economic and cultural ties with its neighbouring country. The city was once known as “Little Moscow ” for its substantial Russian population and cultural influence.

It remains a centre of Sino-Russian cooperation.

Mr Putin’s itinerary in Harbin includes attending the 8 th Russia-China Expo and the 4 th Russia-China Forum on Interregional Cooperation. He’s expected to be joined at these functions by his counterpart president Xi Jinping.

Mr Putin will also meet students and faculty at the Harbin Institute of Technology.

The Russian leader arrived in China for a state visit on Thursday. He met Mr Xi and signed a 7,000-word joint statement heralding a “new era” of partnership covering a range of political, economic and strategic interests.

The “no limits relationship”, as Moscow and Beijing have previously described it, is aimed at counterbalancing Western, especially American, influence in Asia and Europe.

The statement condemned the US and its allies for their “intimidation in the military sphere” against North Korea , which has strengthened its ties with Moscow in recent years and is accused of being a major supplier of weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine . Mr Putin hosted leader North Korea’s Kim Jong-un last year .

On Thursday Mr Putin and Mr Xi also attended a gala celebration marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between their countries and gave speeches at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

“I am very sorry for talking for so long, not allowing the translator to speak,” Mr Putin said at one point during his speech. “I’m just feeling so much at home and thought that everybody understands Russian here.”

Mr Xi and Mr Putin spent some leisure time at Zhongnanhai, a government complex in Beijing similar to the US White House.

They strolled and held "in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern" over a cup of tea, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. The discussion included the Ukraine war.

Mr Xi bid Mr Putin goodbye with a hug as they concluded the first day of the Russian leader’s two-day visit.

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Beauty, death and drama: Live bird cams are nature’s soap opera

Bird cam fans tune in for a close-up look at the triumphs and traumas of avian lives.

On May 21, viewers witnessed a horrifying event in central Iowa: A nest with three eaglets blew out of a tree during a storm. Less than an hour later, a pair of adult bald eagles landed on the empty perch, carrying fish for their young. The concerned parents looked all around for their missing home and chicks.

The spectators were powerless to help. They were watching the tragedy unfold on computer screens far away from the ill-fated aerie. The distance didn’t lessen their urge to assist.

“I reached out to catch the fall, to be honest,” a Michigan birdwatcher wrote on a live chat on the Denton Homes eagle webcam . “I watched in horror, dismay and dread.”

Webcams have been delivering uncensored wildlife and unscripted dramas to nature lovers for more than a decade. The live streams of mammals, birds and marine life became a proxy for travel during the height of the pandemic, when nature was safest viewed through windows and online portals. The free entertainment is still going strong, in part because of the surprise plot twists.

“Some cameras can get millions of collective views. Many people are returning to the cameras daily, and sometimes multiple times a day,” said Mike Fitz, a naturalist with Explore.org ., the live nature cam network that made Fat Bear Week an internet sensation. “When you fall in love with these animals, then you are engaged in their stories.”

Thomas Fenn, a lawyer in Lexington, Mass., spends about two hours a day viewing bird cams, including one set up in his backyard. He watches birds at every opportunity, while at work or stuck in traffic.

“These sites put you in places that maybe you can’t travel to,” Fenn said, “and they’re a great diversion from having to draft a document or put away files.”

Streaming stars with beaks and feathers

The internet is chock full of animal webcams, with birds appearing in dozens of cameras run by private companies, nature organizations, academic institutions and government agencies. The feathered cast members star in about a third of the 190 or so webcams run by Explore.org . After the bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, the Decorah North (Iowa) eagle cam draws the highest number of viewers. On Memorial Day, about 570 people watched a fledgling butcher a squirrel for dinner.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has used cameras for science since the late ’90s. In 2012, the lab debuted cameras that offered casual observers a look at a red-tailed hawk nest on campus and a great blue heron nest on nearby Sapsucker Woods Pond. The university in Ithaca, N.Y., has expanded to more than a dozen live streams in North America, Panama, Bermuda and New Zealand. The National Audubon Society and its partners run several webcams, including one installed in an Atlantic puffin burrow on an island in Maine and another focused on the million sandhill cranes that layover in Nebraska’s Platte River Valley between winter and spring.

A recent addition to the field is a camera trained on peregrine falcons on Alcatraz Island off the San Francisco coast. Since debuting on May 2, the live stream, a collaboration between the National Park Service and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy , has attracted more than 130,000 users, according to the conservancy. Depending on the minute, viewers might see falcon mom Lawrencium “Larry” gazing out to sea from their cliffside habitat, the two kids tussling over a carcass or chick fluff fluttering in the wind.

“S ince we’ve just started the Alcatraz live camera, we don’t really have a soap opera history of tragedy and broken marriages and whatever else might happen over time,” said Allen Fish, director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. “But the job of these live-stream cameras is to offer a window to people who want to have a deeper understanding of the falcons.”

The next few weeks will be peak viewing for species with incubating or hatched youngsters, such as puffins, kestrel, osprey, bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Like a doting parent, the cameras capture all of the baby birds’ milestones and share them with the world.

‘Raw, unfiltered nature’

In the field, birdwatchers often rely on binoculars. Most amateurs don’t have the time or patience to sit and wait for a bump in action. Webcams, however, provide a keyhole to the domestic affairs of birds.

“Folks can see some species fairly easily, depending on where they live, but never that intimately,” said Wayne Klockner, executive director of the American Birding Association . “The cameras trained on nesting birds, when the eggs hatch and the young are getting fed, growing bigger and beginning to test their wings, [are] in real time. This adds an extra dose of compelling nature.”

Many webcam aficionados say they keep the cameras on in the background like Muzak or NPR. When they hear a symphony of birdsong or a heavy-metal screech, they will turn their attention to the screen. But viewer beware: Nature is neither tame nor sanitized.

Klockner recalled a relaxing evening he and his wife spent watching an Allen’s hummingbird in California. The jewel-colored bird was in its wee nest when an uninvited guest swooped in.

“ We witnessed in real time a red-shouldered hawk grab the hummingbird,” said Klockner, who lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “And that was the end of that webcam.”

Sharon Stiteler, a Minnesota-based birder and writer who goes by Birdchick , watches several webcams based on the season. She streams a tropical bird feeder at Canopy Tower in Panama , a mental escape during the harsh winters. She catches the spring migration of the sandhill cranes at Rowe Sanctuary in Kearney, Neb. She also follows a bald eagle camera run by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which had to console heartbroken viewers after a heavy snowfall snapped the branch holding a2,000-pound nest. The sole chick did not survive the crash. More than a year after the incident, the camera is still rolling.

“We are in the process of setting up a new EagleCam and have left the old EagleCam in its original spot, showing viewers the old nest location and occasionally shots of the eagle pair as they visit their old territory,” said Elizabeth Nault-Maurer , communication specialist with the Minnesota agency’s Nongame Wildlife Program.

A number of webcams alert viewers to the possibility of disturbing scenes.

The Friends of Blackwater National Refuge in Maryland warns that its two bald eagle nest cameras will show “raw, unfiltered nature” that could include wildlife interactions and weather disasters. Case in point: On April 3, the video captured a great horned owlet gulping down a whole mouse. The Montana Osprey Project , which is affiliated with the University of Montana and Cornell Lab, warns: “Ospreys are wild birds — they are not pets, and this is not a Disney movie.”

If a bird is in peril, wildlife agencies favor a noninterventionist approach, a position they occasionally have to defend to their impassioned audience. When a bald eaglet at Decorah swallowed a piece of fishing line, Fitz said the staff explained its laissez-faire position to the public. The chick successfully expelled the foreign object.

An Eagle chick in Minnesota did not fare as well. Stiteler said the bird became entwined in nesting material. Webcam devotees implored the DNR to help and grew enraged when the agency did not intercede, even though the nest was not under its purview. Stiteler said some of the viewers even contacted the governor. The agency finally stepped in, but it was too late.

“Anything that gets people engaged with birds or gets them to notice birds is a good thing because that leads to conservation,” Stiteler said. “But sometimes I enjoy the drama that people generate over it more than the drama in the nest.”

Seeing birds in person

Bird cameras are often placed in remote or clandestine locations so visitors won’t disturb the wildlife or the filming gear. The Alcatraz equipment is located in a rocky cranny far from the ferry landing and decommissioned prison building. Denton Homes , the construction company that runs an eagle camera in Iowa, asks the public to respect the privacy of the Majestics, the eagle family that resides on its private property. (After the nest fell last week, Saving Our Avian Resources brought the Denton Three to its rehab facility.)

However, a few destinations showcased on webcams welcome travelers. Taiaroa Head Nature Reserve, home of the Royal cams’ northern royal albatross, offers tours of its seabird colony on New Zealand’s South Island. The Canopy Lodge in Panama, which hosts Cornell’s camera, offers a variety of accommodations and birdwatching tours.

“It’s an eco-tourism destination,” said Ben Walters, communications specialist for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “so you can go visit the lodge and watch the feeder camera in person while you’re eating breakfast.”

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights .

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.