Visit Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, 94123
alcatrazcruises.com
Luxury Hotels near here
The Mark Hopkins 4.1 km
Ritz Carlton San Francisco 4.1 km
Hotel Drisco 4.2 km
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Ritz Carlton San Francisco 4.1 km
Hotel Drisco 4.2 km
powered by TravelIntelligence.net
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Official Site (alcatrazcruises.com)
Alcatraz. The Rock. Perhaps the most famous prison in the world; certainly few place names are as evocative. From the mid 1930s until the mid 1960s, this small rocky island in San Francisco Bay was home to America's premier maximum-security prison, created to incarcerate a small number of inmates who were so dangerous, so violent, and so escape-prone that they could not be managed safely in other prisons.
Famous inmates included Al Capone, the notorious Chicago mobster, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly, and Robert Stroud, a murderer rather erroneously depicted by Burt Lancaster in The Birdman Of Alcatraz. Over the 29 years that the prison operated, 36 men were involved in 14 separate escape attempts. Twenty-three were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and two drowned. Today, the island is a tourist destination and has been designated a National Park due to its historical significance and birdlife. Ferries depart regularly, shipping visitors to the island. Since this is the only way to access Alcatraz, it’s best to book ahead, especially in the summer months.
Famous inmates included Al Capone, the notorious Chicago mobster, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly, and Robert Stroud, a murderer rather erroneously depicted by Burt Lancaster in The Birdman Of Alcatraz. Over the 29 years that the prison operated, 36 men were involved in 14 separate escape attempts. Twenty-three were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and two drowned. Today, the island is a tourist destination and has been designated a National Park due to its historical significance and birdlife. Ferries depart regularly, shipping visitors to the island. Since this is the only way to access Alcatraz, it’s best to book ahead, especially in the summer months.
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Review this experienceReviews of Visit Alcatraz
"Beauty in ruins" was what my friend's mother kept repeating to herself on the island. This place has a sad, haunting and unique history and legacy and for such a small jut of stone in the ocean, has been through a slew of influential events. The award winning audio tour is amazing - it features narratives by former inmates. Worth the price, and a beautiful ride from the city.
Chicatosa, San Francisco 11/4/2007
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