Alcatraz Island

QUICKLINKS:

Overview

Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US fort on the West Coast, an infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public (and despised by inmates), and the historic 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes. Rich in cultural history, there is also a natural side to the Rock - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare.

		Museum Collections of The Rock This online exhibit features some of the items from the museum collection from Alcatraz Island. It includes objects from when Alcatraz was a military fortress and prison from 1859 - 1934; a federal penitentiary from 1934–1963; and from the American Indian occupation of 1969–1971. It also includes slide shows, sound clips, and close-ups of infamous prisoners.

		Prisoners of Age Photo Exhibit Alcatraz is currently hosting the award winning Prisoners of Age exhibit by Canadian photographer Ron Lavine. This powerful exhibit features interviews and photographs of inmates from Canada and the United States and encourages viewers to consider the human dimension of doing time while growing old in prison. There is no separate charge for the exhibit.

		Indians of All Tribes The American Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island changed the course of U.S. history by establishing tribal rights of self determination. An award winning video/exhibit, WE HOLD THE ROCK, shows daily on Alcatraz Island in an exhibit area near the dock.

Alcatraz on the WWW

We are in the process of migrating information from our old web site to this, our new website. In the meantime, you can access our old site here which contains more extensive information (but only temporarily).

Especially if you are looking for information about Alcatraz history you should visit our old page.

Write to

Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Fort Mason, B201
San Francisco, CA 94123

E-mail Us

Phone

Tickets (prior to Sept. 25)
(415) 705-5555

Tickets (after September 25)
(415) 981-7625

Fax

(415) 705-1050

Climate

Alcatraz can be windy and cool, warm and clear, and wet (fog and rain) most any time of year - even on the same day! We recommended wearing layers as conditions can change quickly.

In general summers tend to be cool and foggy, winters cool and rainy, but nice days can happen any time of year.

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." (Usually wrongly attributed to Mark Twain, and while true the actual source is of these words of wisdom are unknown.)

Alcatraz Island Information