Alcatraz Island is one of the most popular tourist attractions along the West Coast, and your tour will live up to its legendary expectations. Alcatraz Island is much more than a famous federal penitentiary. It is a site of historical importance and today, a significant attraction for its natural scenic beauty.
In addition to serving as a famous, remote federal penitentiary, Alcatraz Island was the site of the first lighthouse and fort built on the West Coast of the United States. It was also the site of a dramatic 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes. On your visit to Alcatraz, you will learn about these highlights of the Island’s fascinating 200 year history in a 14 minute orientation video.
There are several exhibits on the history of Alcatraz just behind the theater where you will view the orientation video. You can learn about the history of the U.S. penitentiary as well as the Island’s military history during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A special video exhibit entitled “We Hold the Rock” covers the Indians of All Tribes occupation of Alcatraz from 1969 until 1971.
Although staff-led interpretive walks are held outdoors at Alcatraz, you will explore the exhibits at Alcatraz independently as no guided tours are available. You can pick up a map and detailed written guide for your tour at the dock for a fee of $1.00.
If you are interested in the history of the penitentiary at Alcatraz, you will want to take the Cellhouse Recorded Audio Tour available inside the cellhouse. You will hear correctional officers as well as former Alcatraz inmates discuss their experiences at the Island penitentiary during the audio tour. You may also wish to pick up the brochure focusing on famous inmates that accompanies the self-guided tour guide book for more information.
Although your tour will be primarily self-guided, staff members at Alcatraz do provide a variety of talks, outdoor tours and other programs daily. Programs relate to the military history, penitentiary and famous inmates, escapes, natural history and the Indian occupation of the Island. You will learn about the programs available during your tour upon arrival at Alcatraz. You can also plan to visit Alcatraz during the evening if you are interested in taking a guided tour of the cellhouse.
Alcatraz Island is a very picturesque natural area that provides outstanding views of the San Francisco Bay. Its gardens and natural areas are home to thousands of seabirds, and visitors must be careful to avoid disturbing birds or any other wildlife during their visit.
Alcatraz Island is such a popular destination, it frequently sells out. Tickets should be purchased a week or more in advance during summers and around holidays. Several hotel accommodation options are available for the San Francisco area online at HotelsCombined.com.
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