Tourists to San Francisco often board a boat and float out to Alcatraz. Locals scoff, but it's still a pretty cool thing to do. Be aware: the boat operator has changed, and instead of boarding these charming, rustic barges at Pier 39, you have to schlepp several blocks along Embarcadero to Pier 31 1/2. That's easy enough (and hellish for the joggers and bikers along that stretch) but here's the real rub: Hornblower, the new operator, doesn't hire union workers. And this is a safefy issue, plain and simple.

The Masters, Mates, and Pilots Union wants you to boycott Hornblower. We hate to see the name "Hornblower" tarnished as we love the fictional character in C.S. Lewis' novels, but if you are going to get on a motorized barge in the turbulent and crowded bay, you might think twice. Seamanship on the sea is not something to be taken lightly -- better not left to cheap part-timers.

Here's another tip: if you rent a bike, pay the extra 5 bucks and rent a helmet. That should be a no-brainer.