SATURDAY'S GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN UPDATE

A Shuttered Alcatraz

Not Again!

Through no fault of our own, we find ourselves in another federal government shutdown. As a result, facilities operated by the federal government are shuttered until, who knows when they will open again? Some of these facilities are not just TSA and the Passport Office, they are Alcatraz, Yosemite, and the Muir Woods.

Having been a hotel concierge for three decades, I’ve seen my share of government shutdowns. Because they happen too frequently, I’ve had to create a list of alternative excursions for visitors to enjoy when they can’t see one run by the federal government.

As a public service, here are a few alternatives to consider.

The Presidio is part of the National Park Service, so Fort Point and the Veteran’s’ Cemetery will be closed, along with other sites operated by the NPS, but most of the attractions in the Presidio are leased out. So, you can still enjoy a visit to the Walt Disney Museum of have an excellent meal at Colibri.

The Marin Headlands just across the Golden Gate Bridge experience warm weather this time of year, and many people take advantage of it by visiting the Point Bonita Lighthouse, but not this time. As it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a division of the NPS, all of those facilities a shuttered as well.

But don’t despair, the Point Montara Lighthouse near Half Moon Bay and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse near Pescadero are state parks and are open. In fact, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse has a hostel and a little book shop connected to it.

The most popular place to visit in the GGNRA is Muir Woods, the historic trail lined by 100-foot Redwood trees, and it is closed. Yet just over Mount Tamalpais (another great alternative to visit) is one of my favorites, and least well-known state parks in the area, Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Although not technically in the San Francisco Bay Area, Yosemite National Park is often the end point for visitors to San Francisco. But it is closed as well. Yet only 80 miles away is Calaveras Big Trees State Park. It may not have Half Dome or El Capitan, but what you will find is 6600 acres of pristine Redwood forests and streams.

Lastly, Alcatraz.

There really is no alternative to it as it is as unique a national monument as the Statue of Liberty or the Washington Monument. Yet right next to it is Angel Island. It may not have the mystique of its more famous neighbor, but it is historic, culturally significant, and open. Angel Island offers opportunities that Alcatraz does not.

Like “The Rock” it dates to the Civil War, but Angel Island was also the Ellis Island of the west, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants passed through its doors. You can also camp, hike, visit the Immigration Museum, or take the one-hour tram tour of the island.

We all hope the government shutdown will end soon, but at least it’s nice to know there are alternatives available.

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