There is nothing that says you have to visit a destination just because it is popular. It took me a while to visit Alcatraz after I lived here and many locals haven't gone there.

I've enjoyed visiting Alcatraz, but there are certainly other things to do in San Francisco. If you're not interested, then skip it.

If you just want to get out on the bay for the views then take a ferry to Sausalito and get brunch or lunch or something and then come back. You will not be scarred for life if you don't visit Alcatraz or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge or the other activities that have become crazily popular.

I still haven't visited the top of the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty when I was in New York. Maybe I will someday, but I just haven't found there time and there are plenty of other things to do, so I haven't felt deprived.

Have a good trip.

I thought Alcatraz was interesting. Hardly a "must-see", though.

If you only have a few days in San Francisco then I would skip Alcatraz because there is much more to see. You should for sure head down to P39 and walk along the peers and see the bay shops. China town for lunch is fun and North Beach for dinner if you like Italian. There is good night time entertainment and you can also go catch a ball game at AT&T park. Take a boat out on the bay and see the sights but skip the prison tour. Takes to much time and is a tourist trap. If you have scene the movies you are good. Just enjoy the bay and don't waist time with that prison tour.

Can you still get "locked" into Solitary Confinement for a minute on the Alcatraz tour?

if she doesn't want to see it, then do something she would like to see.

"You should for sure head down to P39 and walk along the peers and see the bay shops...Take a boat out on the bay and see the sights but skip the prison tour. Takes to much time and is a tourist trap."

There may be some differences of opinion on what constitutes a "tourist trap."

You can go into the solitary confinement cells and close the door. I never saw anyone getting "locked in", although I wouldn't be surprised if one of the rangers leading a group tour does that to some visitors.

I prefer the night tour, because you see it @ Sunset & again after dark.

I have taken visitors your mother's age who vividly remember the era when Alcatraz was probably the scariest thing on TV & in the newspapers.

i thought it was very interesting. so must millions of others noting that tickets sell out well in advance.

watch escape from alcatraz with clint eastwood with your mom to get a feel for it.

I think Alcatraz is neat. The history of the island is important to the area. My mom likes it too - she's 65.