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Mar 17, 2016 · Discover more about Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay. ... The Alcatraz Escape - Map: Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay. March 17, 2016. Explore more from this episode More.

In 1854, the West Coast’s first lighthouse was built on San Francisco Bay’s Alcatraz Island to guide the ships coming and going through the Golden Gate. Government officials quickly decided that the tiny, 22-acre island aptly nicknamed “The Rock” was also an ideal location for a federal penitentiary—so close and yet so far from bustling San Francisco.

The infamous Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It doesn’t have any beaches, but a visit to “The Rock” is still worth the price of admission. In the mid-1800’s this island was Fort Alcatraz a military facility that was part of a three-point defense strategy for San Francisco Bay.

Once a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz Island to the north is now one of the most iconic tourist attractions in San Francisco. On the island you can enjoy a close up of the first lighthouse built on the west coast, tour the former prison, or enjoy the island’s gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and sweeping views.

The Alcatraz Landing area at Pier 33 includes the Ticketbooth, waiting and boarding areas, all of which are accessible. Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is home to a tactile model of Alcatraz Island, a tactile model of Pier 33, as well as outdoor exhibits depicting historical moments on the Island.

Visitors can also explore Civil War-era buildings that were built when the island served as a harbor defense fort and military prison, and see traces of American Indian Occupation after the prison closed in 1969. Daily tours to Alcatraz Island are available from San Francisco's Pier 33.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco: 3,257 answers to 503 questions about Alcatraz Island: See 55,322 reviews, articles, and 37,334 photos of Alcatraz Island, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 2,339 attractions in San Francisco.

Alcatraz Island: San Francisco This 22-acre (8.9 ha) island in San Francisco Bay once served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and as a federal prison until 1963. It is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.