Alcatraz

— Alcatraz Island is located on the San Francisco Bay, approximately one and a quarter mile from San Francisco.It is one of the most popular attractions in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The site was originally the first lighthouse and Civil War fortress on the West Coast. Alcatraz is better known as the infamous penitentiary where some well-known names were imprisoned, namely Al Capone, for example. It was a US penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. It is also remembered for the 18-month occupation by Indians of All Tribes (1964 and 1969-71), a fact that is clearly noticed when one arrives at the island (there is some graffiti on a water tower). There are day and night tours available for visitors. On regular tours, a visitor can walk through various areas and see the Main Cellhouse, Dining Hall, Library, Lighthouse, the ruins of the Warden’s House and Officers’ Club among other areas. As part of a narrated guided tour, you will hear interesting facts and legends. For example, it is believed that during the penitentiary’s 29 years of operation, no prisoner successfully escaped. Some were killed during their attempts, others were caught alive and some drowned. There is, however, a story about five inmates who are listed as “missing and presumed drowned.” Fact or legend, no one knows.