The only way to get to Alcatraz Island is by boat. However, there is a buffer zone around Alcatraz Island where no boats other then only authroized boats can go; so don't try sailing your own boat to Alcatraz. You need to buy tickets for Alcatraz Island. Tickets for an Alcatraz tour sell out quickly so you need to make advance reservations anywhere from one week to one month in advance. To make advance reservations, you may do so at alcatrazcruises.com
While you are in San Francisco, make plans also to visit the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.
Driving directions
After crossing the bay bridge into San Francisco take Take the FREMONT ST exit.
Take the FOLSOM ST ramp and Turn LEFT onto FOLSOM ST.
Turn LEFT onto THE EMBARCADERO/HERB CAEN WAY. Drive down to PIER 39 at FISHERMAN'S WHARFE There is a parking garage at Pier 39 for a day event you can figure into your budget close to $25.00 parking for the day
Just a little Alcatraz Penitentiary History
In 1934, Alcatraz became a federal maximum-security prison, and it became infamous for Mafia criminals and high-risk convicts. Truth is, of the 1,545 men who did time on Alcatraz, only a handful were notorious. Famous Alcatraz residents included Al "Scarface" Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, "Doc" Barker, Alvin "Creepy" Karpis, Floyd Hamilton, and Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud. Stroud had canaries at Leavenworth Penitentiary, but he never had birds at Alcatraz. His real nickname was “Bird Doctor of Leavenworth.”
Most of the inmates at Alcatraz were men who had proven to be problems at other prisons -- escape risks and troublemakers.
In 1969, after the prison was closed a group of Native American Indians attempted to reclaim the land saying that an 1868 federal treaty allowed Native Americans to use all federal territory that the government wasn't actively using. After almost two years of occupation, the government forced them off, but not before some of the historical buildings including the lightkeepers' quarters were destroyed by fire.
The only way to get to Alcatraz is by boat.
Prepare to enter the Prison on The Rock
Inside you can see cell after cell in multiple levels.
The cells line both sides of the isle ways
You can see from this photo just how small the cells were.
I could not get only one cell in the picture because they are so narrow.
There is a toilet and a sink. That is the size of their home.
After they place a bed to sleep on in the cell there is only a small walk way left.
My son MAC posing for us in one of the cells.
Solitary confinement. Once bars are slid shut and locked,
and that heavy door you see to the right of the opening is closed
you only have a small barred window to see out of your small dark cell.
Here is from inside the Solitary confinement cell looking out into the isle way.
Before the bars are slid shut and locked and the heavy door is shut and locked.
You can see just how dark it is with the door open. Imagine after it is closed.