Alcatraz Island

One of America's most infamous prisons is the historic and notorious Alcatraz penitentiary, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. It was in operation for nearly three decades, closing in 1963 and reopening as a tourist attraction in 1973. Some of America's most well-known criminals were imprisoned here, including Al Capone and the "Birdman," who inspired the fictional film The Birdman of Alcatraz. You can take a ferry to the island and tour the site while listening to an excellent audio recording that provides a glimpse into life in the prison rather than a historical list of facts. Former Alcatraz inmates and guards even provide narration.

During its 30-year history, the penitentiary received a total of 1,576 convicts. Even though there were 450 cells measuring about 10ft by 4ft, there were never more than 250 at any given time. At times, the number of guards and staff outnumbered the number of inmates. While most visitors come for the history or the novelty of seeing a former prison, the island is now a popular nesting site for seabirds.

A combined Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour is an easy, convenient, and time-saving way to see Alcatraz and some of San Francisco's other highlights, such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge. If you only have one day to explore the city and want to see Alcatraz, this guided tour is the best option. Alcatraz frequently sells out, so making a reservation in advance is strongly advised.

Location: San Francisco