One of the most iconic parts of San Francisco is the mysterious floating island of Alcatraz. It’s a little surreal but I actually had a chance to visit this former prison, aptly referred to as “The Rock”.
This fearsome prison actually played host to some of the most terrible crooks in the US, ranging from bank robbers and murderers. Organized crime’s most famous shadowy figure Al Capone even spent time in Alcatraz.
One of my personal heroes, Robert Kennedy ordered the prison be shut down in 1963 due to maintenance costs and bay pollution. While the area has changed many hands from one decade to another, it’s now operated by the National Park Service and open to the public.
We ferried over to the island early in the morning, transportation was fortunately already factored into the ticket. I remember it was genuinely cold in the bay that morning, I kept wishing I’d brought along my windbreaker until the island was in clear view.
As we filed out and onto dry land, our tour guide told us about the only near escape to ever take place at Alcatraz. Several inmates managed to scale the walls following an elaborate rouse to fool guards into thinking they remained in their beds.
Using standard issued raincoats, the fugitives created a raft and attempted to sail out of the bay. The investigation, open as recent as a few years ago, maintained the men very well could have drowned due to the tide. Local legend suggests the Morris and Anglin brothers made it to land, although not where they originally intended.
The facility is loaded with fascinating audio files and video, giving you a full appreciation of Alcatraz. Of course, there’s plenty of areas for photo ops – probably can’t count how many little kids were locked behind bars; criminally adorable.
I stuck around for nearly four hours! I was almost convinced to stick around for the evening tour, where you’re guided around the island on the ferry and get more of a tour. I’m told the island is eerily beautiful at night and even despite the time I spent on Alcatraz, I don’t think I fully explored it fully. The place is so amazingly huge!
Although there’s plenty to see at Alcatraz, the self-guided tour mainly functions like a history lesson in at times. If you consider yourself a history buff this is one of the coolest things you can do in San Francisco.
Categories: San Francisco
