What is Alcatraz?
Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”, is an Island of the coast of San Francisco, where America’s most infamous penitentiary was once located. The dark reputation of the island draws over a million visitors to its shores each year. It was the first American built fort on the West Coast and served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. During the years it was active, Alcatraz’s prison was home to many notorious criminals and mobsters amongst its ranks: Al Capone, Bumpy Johnson, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz) to name but a few. The island’s isolation in the middle of San Francisco Bay made the prison an ideal place to hold such dangerous criminals, as it was assumed that anyone who tried to escape would drown or freeze to death. However, there were a total of 14 escape attempts during the years it was open, which he inspired countless movies about Alcatraz.
What is there to see on Alcatraz?
Although the prison was off limits to the public for many years, it is now open during the night time to self-guided tours and guided tours. You can not only see the cells where prisoners spent most of their time, but also the prison kitchen, hospital, courtyard and the warden’s house. The self-guided tours are narrated from the point of view of the prisoners and give you unique insights into what life was like in this former maximum-security prison.
One cannot miss the view of San Francisco’s skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge from the prison’s gardens.
How do I get there?
The only way to reach the prison is via ferry from Pier 33 next to Fisherman's Wharf, but don’t forget to buy tickets in advance as they often sell out very quickly.
Los Angeles, CA ↔ San Francisco, CA
San Diego, CA ↔ San Francisco, CA