Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons.

Pier 33, ferry takes about 15mins to the island. Make sure you get to the top deck near the front to get better views for your photos.

Crew Tip: When you arrive head to the main prison block and get one of the free audio guide headsets. This gives you a really interesting history about the prison and you can do it in your own time. Give yourself one and half hours and meet up with your colleagues back at the ferry, to head back to the city.

Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s most popular destination. Known for its historic waterfront, delicious seafood, spectacular sights and unique shopping, Fisherman’s Wharf offers a wide array of things to do for everyone. Enjoy a bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, or take a cable car ride. Walk the decks of the tall ships at Hyde Street Pier or watch the sea lions frolic in the bay near Pier 39. Jump on a historic trolley for a ride along The Embarcadero. Or just people watch.

Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge, completed after more than four years of construction at a cost of $35 million, is a visitor attraction recognized around the world. To get the most out of this famous bridge is to walk across it. You can't really appreciate the size and height unless you've walked on it, at least a little way. At mid-span you are 220 feet above the water's surface, and passing ships below look like small toys. The distance from one vista point to another is 1.7 miles a fun round trip if you're up to it, but even a short walk will be interesting.
Guided Tours: Many San Francisco tour operators include the Golden Gate Bridge in their tour itineraries, but most allow only a few minutes to get out at the south vista point. City Guides offers regular, free walking tours. Stroll with them and learn who named it, how the structure cheated the law of concrete and steel, and what members of the Halfway to Hell club did to join it.

Lombard Street: Known as the "crookedest" street in the world, the steep hills and sharp curves of this one-way road pass by grand Victorian mansions and attract millions of tourists each year. You can get to the top by cable car, take some pictures and then walk to the bottom to take some more photos and it’s free.

24hrs in San Francisco
Most aircrew should get at least 48hrs stopover in San Francisco, I was lucky enough to get 3 whole days! So much to see but thankfully the city is small and very easy to navigate. Good starter to catch all the sights San Francisco has to offer is by doing the Golden Bay Cruise. The hour-long cruise takes you along the waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and around Alcatraz. To make your experience even more enjoyable, there is an informative audio tour, complete with personal accounts from an Alcatraz inmate and guard.
Another option is to hire one of the many smaller boats past pier 45. Get together a few of your colleagues, some refreshments and party with your boat crew doing all the work!
Not for everyone! But when you arrive back at Pier 45 check out one of the ships. SS Jeremiah O'Brien, one of only two Liberty Ships still in operation. Built during World War II, Liberty ships were vital to the Allied war effort-the Jeremiah O'Brien took part in the D-Day invasion. Today, visitors can tour the whole ship, from the engine room to the mounted gun at the bow, and peek into the cabins, radio room and mess hall.
For lunch, head to the Wipeout Bar & Grill at Pier 39. This surf-themed restaurant offers good, basic fare (burgers and salads), a view of the Bay.
Then, off to the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf. The experience can best be described as surreal: impressive, peculiar, a tad bit cheesy, and educational if you want it to be. Along with the expected celebrities, the museum also features historical and religious tableaus, and reproductions of famous paintings.
Still in sightseeing mode? Then do the Gray Line Motorized Cable Car. The tour takes you through Pacific Heights, Union Square, Chinatown, and North Beach. Learn facts about Victorian homes, movies filmed in the area, and local baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.
Another option if you have enough time is to do the Mr. Toad’s tour. Your personalized tour will take you to see the most fascinating and memorable areas of San Francisco and you'll go up and down hills that none of the buses can go up. See the sights that make San Francisco famous while you tour through a combination of historical locations, movie scenes, and local hangouts. The views from Mr. Toad's open-aired vehicles are second to none and allow for breathtaking photographs and unforgettable memories.
Not too exhausted? Then head down Colmbus Street and pop into one of the many Italian restaurants and taste some of the best pasta dishes in the city. Before calling it a night find yourself one of the many Irish bars and party alone to live music

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