A useful fact for you that San Francisco was originally called Yerba Buena meaning ‘good herb’ after the Spanish found a local plant growing around the settlement.  The Spanish gave up the region to Mexico after the people fought for independence.  The name was later changed to San Francisco following the American/Mexican war when the US claimed the region of California for themselves. 

I learnt that today while on a bus tour around San Francisco.  Another useful fact to add to the collection.  

It was quite interesting and extremely fortunate that I got the bus travel pass yesterday as it was very last minute due to a cancellation. This enabled me to get a ticket for Alcatraz island, which I really, really wanted to see. I wouldn’t have been able to see Alcatraz otherwise as it is very popular and booked up months in advance. 

So yesterday was spent initially on Fishermans Wharf where I ate a very good lunch of Dungeness Crab sandwich, creamy, smooth and deliciously salty fresh, with a seafood sauce and fresh tomatoes on sourdough bread. With a large portion of fries on the side. So tasty, I had to go back the next day for another take.  I am sure to return to the UK the size of a house after eating all this delicious food. 

Afterwards, while exploring the wharf, I came across a tour desk which advertised some tickets for Alcatraz Island. Unfortunately for the family of 5 in front but, lucky for me, there was only one ticket left, a cancellation from a hotel.  I quickly snapped it up even though it included a bus tour ticket (needs must and all that). I just had enough time to walk to the pier to board the only ferry allowed to go to the island (again, something I found out I didn’t know!!)

I am so glad I went, it was amazing.  Slightly creepy, but amazing.  If anyone gets the chance to go, GO!!!  It is a fascinating experience and to physically be in a place known to hold dangerous and disturbed prisoners, yet actually observe the conditions they had live in was surreal.

The first thing you notice when you arrive on the island is this..

The graffiti is from an illeagal Native American occupation of Alcatraz that occurred in a fruitless attempt to raise the issues of Native American rights. 89 Native Americans swam from San Francisco and took over Alcatraz for 19 months in the late 1960’s before being forcibly removed by the US government. The National park service has kept the graffiti as recognition of their plight and struggle which I thought was a nice gesture. 

More graffiti

I did an audio tour of the cell house, listening to the guards and prisoner accounts of life on ‘The Rock’. It was fascinating and I was riveted to the stories. I couldn’t imagine life in those tiny, tiny cells. 

A regular cell. Note the grate at the back which some prisoners attempted to tunnel out with spoons. 

This was where prisoners were locked up in cells for 24 hours and only let out for the odd shower. It was called the treatment centre. Not sure what treatment went on here

Some famous to guests

This is solitary confinement. The guards would close the outer door and turn off the light inside so it was pitch black even though they weren’t supposed to. A prisoner could be in here for 19 days(think this is right from my memory)

They did have a library

Visitors sometimes

a canteen for 3 meals a day

Alł the while overlooked by guards with guns. Notice the keys hanging? These are the keys of the guards in the cell block.  Upon entering the guards would attach keys to a rope pulled up by the guard in the gun gallery so the prisoners could grab them. Didn’t stop some prisoners from breaking into the gun gallery and attempting to steal the keys to escape. 

And being able to hear everyday life from across the bay

There were a few escape attempts including tunnelling with spoons and use of decoys, a riot where guards were murdered and a kidnapping attempt of guards by prisoners while trying to get the key to the exercise yard so they could escape by swimming across the bay. 

All the while with families living on the island. The wives and children of the guards. 

What a place!!!  

I enjoyed every minute of the tour. By the time I got the return ferry it was getting late and I couldn’t use the bus ticket. Instead I used it today which was interesting.  Touring various parts of the city, hop on, hop off style. It was good learning about the history of the city, the different areas, the earthquakes and how they shared the city. Would recommend it as they go to different areas. 

I leave tomorrow for LA via highway 1.  Very much looking forward to the scenic drive. , supposed to be the best in the US. 

🚗