Alcatraz, which is also known as ‘the Rock’, is the notorious American super-prison located on Alcatraz Island, a remote rocky outcrop in San Francisco Bay. It was home to the first lighthouse (1854) and the first US Fort on the West Coast (1859), before being used as a prison between 1934 and 1963. It was designed to remove kidnappers, racketeers and trouble makers far from the outside world and was home to some famous criminals including Al Capone, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly and Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud. Between 1969 and 1971, the island was taken over by Native Americans, when, under the leadership of Richard Oakes, they tried to lay claim to it for themselves. This led to the establishment of the US policy of self-determination for Indian tribes. Today, the whole island is preserved as part of the National Park system and is a venue for tourists rather than criminals, although a few former prisoners and guards can be heard on the prison’s audio tour of the famous Cell House.

National Park Service, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason, Building 201, San Francisco, CA 94123, USA
Tel: (415) 561 4900 or (415) 705 5555 (reservations only)
Website: www.nps.gov/alcatraz

Air: San Francisco International Airport. Water: Ferry: The only access to Alcatraz Island is by Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry from Pier 41, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco.

California Tourism
1102 Q Street, Suite 6000, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Tel: (916) 322 2881 or (800) 862 2543 (toll free USA and Canada only).
Fax: (916) 322 3402. E-mail: caltour@commerce.ca.gov
Website: www.visitcalifornia.com
California Tourism
Molasses House, Plantation Wharf, Clove Hitch Quay, London SW11 3TN, UK
Tel: (020) 7978 5233. Fax: (020) 7924 3134.
E-mail: fiona@firstpr.co.uk or phil@firstpr.co.uk

United States of America