Gray Whale Baby Season
One of the highlights of the gray whale migration is watching mothers tend to their tiny, newborn calves as they travel south. We spotted our first cow-calf pair on January
A Bridge Is Born
Sharing the accolade with Alcatraz Island as one of TripAdvisor’s “Top Ten Landmarks in the United States,” the Golden Gate Bridge is simply…legendary. Eighty-six years ago, on January 5, 1933,
Buy One, Get One Free Promotion
Alcatraz Cruises is launching its second annual “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) ticket promotion. Although Alcatraz Cruises’ tours often sell out during the year, it is a priority to
Dolphins and Other Toothed Whales
Dolphins have long been considered one of the most intelligent creatures on Earth. They are able to communicate with each other using a wide range of sounds, and they often
The December Departures From Alcatraz
Guest Blog Post – Michael Esslinger Two escapes, occurring on the same day a quarter century apart and both aided by dense fog, helped shape the lore of Alcatraz, the
California Sea Lion
DESCRIPTION: Adult male California sea lions are typically chocolate brown in color and are easily distinguished from females by the raised bump on their forehead called a sagittal crest. Males
Revisiting the Civil War Living History Day on Alcatraz Island
The Friends of Civil War Alcatraz (FOCWA) is a non-profit group that supports the interpretation of Civil War history on Alcatraz Island. In partnership with the National Park Service, the
Cruising The Bay In The Off-Season
Cruising San Francisco Bay during the off-season is an experience that encompasses mysterious weather, slower crowds and freedom to roam. So, what do the locals do to take advantage of
The History of Alcatraz as a National Park
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), a unit of the National Park Service, was established by Congress in 1972 as part of a trend to make national park resources more
GGNRA is one of the Largest Urban Parks in the World
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is one of the largest urban national parks in the world. Established in 1972 to bring “parks to the people,” GGNRA’s nearly 76,000 acres