SIMONKR/GETTYIMAGES EXPLORE Alcatraz Island Plan-Ahead Travel Guide Why Go ALCATRAZ NIGHT TOURS HALF DOME HIKE PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! BLUE BAYOU AT DISNEYLAND CRYSTAL COVE COTTAGES COACHELLA SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON When darkness falls, the ghosts of Alcatraz begin to stir at this island prison Dramatic views of Yosemite make this challenging trek worth the eff ort The famous cliff side greens and fairways bring players right up to the ocean's edge Watching celeb interviews and improv segments is even better in person This bucket-list restaurant sits inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction Who wouldn't want to sleep in a historic bungalow on a Newport Beach bluff top? The massive fan convention is the ultimate pop-culture experience California's famed desert music festival draws epic headliners year after year SOME OF THE COOLEST EXPERIENCES IN THE GOLDEN STATE REQUIRE ADVANCE PLANNING-HERE'S OUR GUIDE TO HELP YOU SCORE THAT TICKET When to Book Winter, for the best shot; tickets can sell out two to three months in advance Apply during the preseason lottery in March for your best chance to hike the icon You get 24 hours to reserve; stay at a Pebble Beach resort to expand that to 18 months Request a ticket for free from 1iota weeks in advance; no seat guaranteed Once you have park tickets, reserve at 6 a.m. 60 days before the day of your visit Start searching for availability six months in advance Get a member ID before the two registration dates in October and November Advance presale happens in June to attend in April the following year Insider Tip Try booking a behind-thescenes tour that allows you to stay after hours Daily lotteries off er a second chance during hiking season, but success rates are low Request a tee time when booking a room to make sure your date is available Line up at least 45 minutes before show time (or earlier, for better seats) Try your luck day-of at 11 a.m. opening, during an off -peak mealtime, or during a parade Get a Reserve California profi le and start refreshing daily at 8 a.m. Virtual waiting room opens one hour before sale; ability to purchase is randomized Since the lineup is the same, skip the waitlist and target weekend two 20 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COMhttp://www.VISITCALIFORNIA.COM