Review:

Alcatraz Island is one of the most notorious places in the United States and is located in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The island was used as a military reservation in 1850, with troops permanently garrisoned there by 1859. Alcatraz is most famous however due to its use as a U.S. Penitentiary from 1934-1963. The prison was built as a response to the high rise in public crime during the prohibition era. From 1969-1971 a group of Native American tribes’ members occupied the island and laid claim to the land. The protest garnered change in federal law that saved tribal culture. Visitors to Alcatraz can participate in mostly self-guided tours of the prison or the free programs that often happen on the island. These educational programs cover topics such as Escapes from Alcatraz, the military history of the island, and the Native Occupation, as well as natural history of the Bay Area. Ferries depart every half hour during daylight hours.

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

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