There’s No Escaping Alcatraz

A trip to San Francisco just isn’t complete without a foreboding visit to Alcatraz. Appropriately nicknamed “The Rock”, Alcatraz is a former federal penitentiary that operated from 1934 to 1963. Steeped in history, this island was once the prison home of such infamous inmates as Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud. Alcatraz still stands as one of the most famous prisons and is a reminder of the hard time these prisoners did in the San Francisco Bay.

Today you can take an audio tour of the facility as told from a prisoner’s own perspective. History will come to life as you hear the actual recorded voices of inmates and correctional officers. Find out about everything from famous escape attempts to food riots. As you walk you can peer into the actual cells and even check out the dining hall. There’s also a museum with collections that include objects made by notorious inmates, historic photographs and documents, escape materials and inmate artwork and items used by officers.