Friday 10:30am

Friday 10:30am
3 people
$309 total

We really enjoyed ourselves on the magic bus in San Francisco!

The bus was about 15 minutes late at the predetermined location so we thought we missed it somehow but discovered others were waiting for the tour as well so we just patiently waited for its arrival. The driver and tour guide were amazing!

They welcome you on board with the sweetest of smiles and warmth. Once aboard the bus, you ll be offered a daisy or other type of flower as a true sign of peace. As the bus makes its way through the streets of the Union Sq area, you re treated to a short video taking you back generations to a much different era. The bus actually morphs into a small theatre, blocking outside light, noise and distractions while you enjoy historical clips; helping you to understand the movement of freedom and peace.

Before you know it, you re in the center of the Haight-Ashbury district where you will really feel the groove. Passengers are encouraged to express love and peace to all, like a friendly dog anxious to meet you from the car window.

For over 2 hours, the experience, music, video clips stories and narratives of SF streets mesmerize you but as we find ourselves back in the 21st century, so too does the time pass and the tour brings you back to the starting location. Don t forget to tip your host/hostess for a really great tour! I was not prepared for this and felt tremendous guilt afterwards.

We opted to reserve the Magic Bus Alcatraz tour so we returned around 1pm which left plenty of time to grab some lunch and find ur way to Pier 33, where you check in for your self-guided tour and pre-board at 3:20pm for your 3:50 departure. Be aware that you will not claim your tickets at Will Call; you must go to the Group Sales window.

The Alcatraz Tour was sooooooo cool! Please take advantage of the audio tours; they contain so much information and without it, you could be lost! The ferry to Alcatraz is about 15 minutes and the group size is pretty large, like 200? Once ur there on the island, you mingle and the crowd size is minuscule compared to the enormous island and prison.

There s so much to see and do on the island. There is a gift shop; two of them. There are two main areas for restrooms but be forewarned, they are small so lines will be long in the warmer months.

On your way out, you can opt for a short video in a darkened theatre-like room as well as other smaller rooms featuring other artifacts and interesting info.

The final ferry to SF leaves at 6:40, which is actually just the amount of time you need for the self-guided tour. On our way out, visitors who booked an evening tour were excitedly walking toward their first stop, wearing illuminated necklaces and anxious to hear the haunted tales of the prison.

We live in Philly and have visited the Eastern State Penn many times. It seems that the same production company helped to develop both programs. They are actually quite fascinating but I kept feeling I was still back home, in Eastern State. Alcatraz is MUCH LESS dilapidated though.

Overall, a fun and worthy expense for a day in SF. WE would highly recommend the Magic Bus w/Alcatraz Tour!