Infamous Criminals Were Once Imprisoned Here! What Is Alcatraz Island, the Popular Tourist Spot in San Francisco?

Have you heard of "Alcatraz Island," the setting of the 1996 Hollywood movie The Rock? This small island, known as a popular tourist spot in San Francisco, was actually once the site of a prison that held notorious criminals. Today, the island can only be accessed via tours, and visitors can explore the prison, which still retains the atmosphere of its time. Alcatraz Island, once deemed impossible to escape from, remains shrouded in mystery. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the history of Alcatraz Island, its highlights, and how to access it.

What Is Alcatraz Island?

Alcatraz Island is a small island located in San Francisco Bay.

It is situated approximately halfway between two popular tourist attractions, the Golden Gate Bridge and Treasure Island, and can be accessed by ferry from downtown San Francisco.

Alcatraz Island once functioned as a lighthouse and a military fort, but due to the harsh natural environment surrounding the island, it was used as a prison for notorious criminals for about 30 years starting in 1934.

Because escaping from the island was considered nearly impossible, prisoners referred to it as "The Rock" or "Prison Island."

In fact, 36 inmates attempted to escape before the prison closed in 1963, but none of them managed to successfully escape.

Some of the notorious criminals held there included Al Capone, the mafia boss; Machine Gun Kelly, a famous gangster; and Robert Franklin Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz." These names are infamous in American history.

If you're interested in visiting Alcatraz Island, you can join a guided tour operated by Alcatraz Cruises.

Since it's a popular tour, same-day tickets often sell out, so it's recommended to book tickets online in advance. Please note that individual access to the island is prohibited.

Reasons Why the Alcatraz Island Prison Was Considered Impossible to Escape

Alcatraz Island is located about 2.4 kilometers off the coast of Fisherman's Wharf. While some might think, "Couldn’t someone who’s a good swimmer escape?" The extremely strong currents around the island and the cold water temperature, around 8°C, make swimming nearly impossible.

Out of the 36 prisoners who attempted to escape, seven managed to evade capture or being shot, but two were confirmed to have drowned. The remaining five are missing, and their whereabouts are unknown.

Are they still alive somewhere, or did they drown before reaching land? The truth remains a mystery.

The escape attempts from Alcatraz have even been made into films. For those interested, the 1979 movie Escape from Alcatraz starring Clint Eastwood depicts the escape of one of the missing inmates, Frank Morris.

Highlights of the Interior of Alcatraz Island Prison

◆ Shower Room

The shower room features numerous shower heads hanging from the ceiling of a dimly lit room. When prisoners arrived at Alcatraz, they first took a shower here before being moved to their cells.

Now, this room serves as the entrance for tourists, allowing visitors to get a sense of what it felt like for prisoners at the time.

◆ Solitary Cells

The Alcatraz prison, known as the "Cellhouse," featured around 380 solitary cells stacked vertically and horizontally.

The most prominent feature is the solitary cells, each a narrow 3-square-meter space with a toilet, sink, and bed. The cells exude a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.

One of the most notable cells, that of Frank Morris, has been preserved as it was. Don’t miss the dummy figure he placed on the bed in his place, as well as the hole he dug in the ventilation shaft to escape. It’s truly a fascinating sight.

◆ Dining Hall

The dining hall was considered "the most dangerous place" in the prison. It’s said that conflicts between prisoners frequently erupted here, as knives and forks could easily be turned into weapons.

Although guards were always watching, the ceiling was equipped with pipes designed to spray tear gas in case of emergencies.

For the Brave: Try the Alcatraz Island Night Tour

For those who enjoy thrilling experiences, the night tour is highly recommended. While Alcatraz Island has a strange and eerie atmosphere even during the day, at night, it becomes even more intense, making it feel like a ghostly adventure.

At the same time, the night view of San Francisco visible across the bay is stunning and is one of the highlights of the tour. The night tour is one of the five Alcatraz Island tours and is particularly popular, so be sure to book in advance.

Views of San Francisco from Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is also famous as a spot offering breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline. From the cityscape of San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County, Angel Island, Treasure Island, and the Bay Bridge, all of these landmarks surround Alcatraz Island.

Cruise tours run from early morning to night, so you can plan your visit according to the views you'd like to see. The view from the boat is also exceptional.

Access to Alcatraz Island

Ferries to Alcatraz Island depart from the pier at Pier 33. The journey to the island takes about 15 minutes. The closest station to Pier 33 is "The Embarcadero & Bay St" on the Muni E-Line or F-Line.

◎ Inside Alcatraz Prison, there are audio guides available in 8 languages.

When touring the interior of Alcatraz Prison, you can explore freely while listening to an audio guide. You can borrow the guide in the shower room right at the entrance, so don’t forget to pick one up.

The audio guide is available in 8 languages. It starts with recordings of the voices of guards and prisoners, and details the stories of each room, which makes it truly engaging. For those who want to learn more about Alcatraz, purchasing a guidebook or map is also recommended.

Search

Customer Support

Infamous Criminals Were Once Imprisoned Here! What Is Alcatraz Island, the Popular Tourist Spot in San Francisco?